Firm ride on 18s; engine lacks muscle to exploit AWD dynamic talent Cabin style and space; capable chassis and AWD; smooth drivetrain
floor, and another 20mm in body
width without expanding the
mirror-to-mirror measurement.
The new-gen XV also inherits
the‘X-mode’all-wheel-drive
set-up from CVT-equipped
Foresters. That means an active
torque split AWD system which
centralises engine management,
traction-control and ESC systems
at speeds below 40km/h, and hill-
descent control at speeds below
20km/h, to ensure the XV offers
maximum purchase in low-grip
situations. Subaru claims that
with X-mode switched on – it’s
activated by a button near the
gear lever – the XV is twice as
effectiveatrestoringforward
momentum when two diagonally
opposed wheels lose traction.
That said, on a muddy and
snowy course at a Japanese ski
resort, the XV’s ability to claw
itself through the rough stuff was
unquestioned, X-mode or not.
The rest of the XV’s spec
sheet reads like a facsimileof the new-gen Impreza’s. That
means the same 115kW/196Nm
2.0-litre direct-injection flat
four mated exclusively to a CVT
automatic. Smooth as the engine
is,withmoreweighttolug than
an equivalent Impreza, it has little
hope of challenging the grip limit
of its all-wheel-drive chassis.
The casual acceleration allows
plenty of time to admire the
roomy, quiet, comfortable and
high-quality interior, and a
chassis that feels closely aligned
to the Impreza’s, meaning sweetly
balanced handling, superb grip
and a nuanced ESC calibration.
The XV’s 18-inch wheels
(wearing 225/55R18 Bridgestone
Dueler H/P Sport tyres on the
cars we drove) impact the initial
absorbency of its ride, and the
SI-Drive system’s propensity
to default to ‘Intelligent’ mode
rather than ‘Sport’ means its
steering feels fairly disinterested
until you select ‘S’ on the right-
hand wheel spoke. Whenyou do that, the XV gains much-
needed steering weight and a
more cohesive dynamic feel.
There’s also the caveat that the
JDM-spec XVs we drove sat 20mm
lower than what Australian cars
will. When the XV lobs in June –
mirroring Impreza’s 2.0i, 2.0i-L,
2.0i-Premium, and 2.0i-S spec
levels – ours will offer a Forester-
matching 220mm of ground
clearance, mitigated slightly by
the XV’s greater front overhang.
There’s definitely the basis of
a fun car here – supported by a
vibrant colour palette that still
includes orange – but the XV’s
engine simply doesn’t have the
muscle to take advantage of its
impressive new underpinnings.
Or to lift it above and beyond its
similarly lacklustre competitor set.
As for outrunning a murderous
John Jarratt in the dead of night,
best head for the (hopefully not-
too-steep) hills. That’s the XV’s
starring role.
NATHAN PONCHARDImpreza in active wear delivers jacked-up space and ability
Subaru XV
THE ‘OUTBACK’ treatment
might sound like a
euphemism for being
horribly brutalised in a
Wolf Creekscenario, but it’s
actually something Subaru
invented. Take an existing AWD
passengercar,liftandseparate.
That’s the Subaru XV formula.
As with the previous model,
it’s an Impreza hatch in thick-
soledhikingbootswithmoreair
beneath its floor, additional body
claddingandauniquename.But
XV Version 2.0 is based on the
brand-spanking fifth-generation
Impreza, meaning a lighter yet
stronger platform, dimensions
expanded just where they needed
to be, and a sizeable improvement
in packaging efficiency. This one
hasspace,evenintheformerly
emaciated cargo area.
Chief improvements include
100mmofextrabootwidthanda
350-litre volume (enough for three
golf bags to lie flat, apparently),
26mm extra from rear hip point toFIRST
OVERSEAS
DRIVE
Model
Engine
Max Power
Max Torque
Transmission
Weight
0-100km/h
Economy
Price
On saleSubaru XV 2.0i-S
1 995cc flat 4, dohc, 16v
115kW @ 6000rpm
196Nm @ 4000rpm
CVT automatic
1460kg*
10.0sec*
7.4L/100km*
$35,000*
June
(*estimated)PLUS &
MINUS