Publications
Partners
As part of its 2011 new-model offensive Subaru has introduced the XV, a raised ride-height Impreza catering for those who require some of the Forester’s ruggedness without its bulk.
Based on the company’s rather unsuccessful Impreza hatchback, the XV is classed as a crossover and Subaru says it combines the off-road ability of a compact SUV with the road manners and ease of use of a hatchback.
From a styling perspective the XV starts at a disadvantage as it is based on the Impreza hatch, perhaps the company’s most disliked (ever) product.
LITTLE LIKE LIVINA
The front styling features a fog light-studded bumper and swept-back headlights. The profile is dominated by the black plastic cladding framing its wheel arches and at the rear it has the familiar Subaru hatchback LED-embedded taillights.
All things considered, it looks like a Nissan Livina X-gear...
Things get better once you step inside, with the XV being pretty decently equipped. Climate control, Bluetooth mobile phone synching, USB infotainment connectivity (there’s an iPod jack, too) and semi-bucket seats all tally a fair blend of standard kit. There are even neat tactile touches such as leather on the three-spoked steering wheel and gear lever.
Despite its rather questionable exterior design, the XV does have a mechanically sound, if simple, design. For starters, it has independent suspension at each wheel (MacPherson struts up front, double-wishbone trailing at the rear) which should yield outstanding ride quality on a variety of surfaces in addition to crisp steering responses at speed.
SOFT-ROAD SUBARU
True to its pseudo SUV billing, the XV's ride height is more in line with Subaru’s Forester than Impreza. The XV has 185mm of ground clearance and is permanently configured to run in all-wheel drive.
Although the car’s open-differentials front and rear won’t perform miracles off-road, Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive system is good enough to manage secure traction over mildly challenging surfaces.
Powering Subaru’s new crossover is the company’s naturally aspirated two-litre Boxer engine. Outputs are rather underwhelming (110kW/196Nm) and performance hardly better than average. Subaru claims the XV is good for a 0-100km/h sprint in 10.3 seconds, before powering to a top speed of 189km/h.
Transmission options are either a five-speed manual or Subaru’s rather outdated (and ironically named) Sportshift four-speed auto.
We think the auto would be a rather illogical purchase for use at Gauteng altitudes, considering the power loss incurred on the Reef.
Subaru’s XV retails at R269 000 (for the manual) and R279 000 (for the automatic). Both models feature the company’s comprehensive three-year/75 000km maintenance plan as part of the purchase price.
Based on the company’s rather unsuccessful Impreza hatchback, the XV is classed as a crossover and Subaru says it combines the off-road ability of a compact SUV with the road manners and ease of use of a hatchback.
From a styling perspective the XV starts at a disadvantage as it is based on the Impreza hatch, perhaps the company’s most disliked (ever) product.
LITTLE LIKE LIVINA
The front styling features a fog light-studded bumper and swept-back headlights. The profile is dominated by the black plastic cladding framing its wheel arches and at the rear it has the familiar Subaru hatchback LED-embedded taillights.
All things considered, it looks like a Nissan Livina X-gear...
Things get better once you step inside, with the XV being pretty decently equipped. Climate control, Bluetooth mobile phone synching, USB infotainment connectivity (there’s an iPod jack, too) and semi-bucket seats all tally a fair blend of standard kit. There are even neat tactile touches such as leather on the three-spoked steering wheel and gear lever.
Despite its rather questionable exterior design, the XV does have a mechanically sound, if simple, design. For starters, it has independent suspension at each wheel (MacPherson struts up front, double-wishbone trailing at the rear) which should yield outstanding ride quality on a variety of surfaces in addition to crisp steering responses at speed.
FIVE-DOOR PRACTICALITY: Based on the company’s erstwhile Impreza hatchback, XV features 301 litres of luggage capacity…
True to its pseudo SUV billing, the XV's ride height is more in line with Subaru’s Forester than Impreza. The XV has 185mm of ground clearance and is permanently configured to run in all-wheel drive.
Although the car’s open-differentials front and rear won’t perform miracles off-road, Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive system is good enough to manage secure traction over mildly challenging surfaces.
Powering Subaru’s new crossover is the company’s naturally aspirated two-litre Boxer engine. Outputs are rather underwhelming (110kW/196Nm) and performance hardly better than average. Subaru claims the XV is good for a 0-100km/h sprint in 10.3 seconds, before powering to a top speed of 189km/h.
Transmission options are either a five-speed manual or Subaru’s rather outdated (and ironically named) Sportshift four-speed auto.
We think the auto would be a rather illogical purchase for use at Gauteng altitudes, considering the power loss incurred on the Reef.
Subaru’s XV retails at R269 000 (for the manual) and R279 000 (for the automatic). Both models feature the company’s comprehensive three-year/75 000km maintenance plan as part of the purchase price.
