2017 Subaru XV review | CarAdvice

The 2017 Subaru XV range has arrived on sale in a segment that looks a helluva lot different to how it did when the first version launched.

Let's wind back the clock. The year was 2012, and Subaru rolled the dice on a pumped up version of the Impreza hatch with some body cladding, funky colours and chunky wheels. Subaru dubbed it the XV, and it took the market by storm.

But there weren’t many other cars on the market at the time in the so-called ‘small SUV’ segment – only 10 or so, to be precise, and this time around the XV is fighting against more than 20 competitors. The small SUV segment, you may have heard, is booming.

So has Subaru done enough with the new-generation XV to stand out from the pack? We thought we’d get the top-spec XV 2.0i-S model to find out, because if this is the best the brand can offer consumers, it should stack up pretty well.

And it does. Mostly.

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[andrew]

The middle rear seatbelt is actually a very clever design--not a nuisance as described on this video. About 90% of the time, the middle does not get used, so not having the seatbelt mechanism there actually makes it easier to fold the seats down. Once the seatbelt from the truck/boot is fed through, however, having that middle rear seat passenger is easy and the seatbelt can just be left there if the car is constantly carrying five people, which is rare. Subaru is for active drivers, so having to fold the rear seats tends to be more common that carrying five passengers.

[raghavshankara]

I Bought an xv a month ago. Honestly its the quiter engine and CVT than any other I took test drive. U can foot down with confidence in any weather conditions it handles beach drive better than my ford ranger.

[gibbethoskins]

they should do a spec'd up turbo version, that would be sweet

[yanzodadon]

I never understood why they put half the tail light on the tail gate but the tail gate part never illuminates...

[BenTLador]

If they put the 1.6 turbo from the base Levorg then it won't have power issues people are complaining about...

[declanfrahm]

I've just got one, pretty sporty car. Have the 6spd manual and if you rev it up the motor has plenty of go. Very impressed with this vehichle

[leonlixingyu]

i own a 2015 XV crosstrek, apart from the lack of power, another thing i find annoying is its noise. wind noise, road noise, its just everywhere...

[robbiemac]

You mention hill descent control whilst pressing the hill start assist button.

[koukimonzta]

Wish they had stick shift on the limited for those who are sport minded and classy at the same time.

[bosse]

Golf Alltrack is so much more practical. ...and when it comes to visibility as well. ....and I'm sure it drives just as good, if not better. I sure would choose the Alltrack, specially if I had small children, Great family hauler. And it looks very sharp.

[jesstaylor-webb]

I think the Subaru XV should have an automatic boot, black headlining and it need wireless charging and it needs rear air vents for back passengers.

[questionmark]

the moment he said heaps i knew he was australian

[alterglobo]

QUESTIONS:

- Is there a manual version?
- Does the manual have the "low ratio" drive of the model before the last one and the one before?
- Does the manual version have a real hand brake?
- Does anyone think I could fit a hydro-pneumatic suspension to regulate height (thus having good curve handling and ground clearance for moderate off-roading)?

If the answers are negative I might as well just keep my brilliant, old 2007 2, 5L Forester.

[stephane]

Kia Sportage 2018 or Subaru XV 2018 ????

[adamchase]

Don't you think Japanese cars need to catch up with German cars in terms of styling? We're not in the 90's anymore they need to catch up fast.

[AntonyLD]

MY 2014 XV is a DOG! putchaced with 50, 000 miles. At 60k all 4 wheel bearings replaced. next came both front wishbones due to bushes rotted and only able to get the whole units. Next at 65k the main drive shaft bearing which meant the entire shaft replaced!!! and both front brake discs warped then took under body trays off to find EVERY pipe and cable fixing rotted away completely and the factory rust protection only on 50% of exposed steel so lots of rot. At 70k the rear trailing arms and every!!!! suspension bush rotted. The central locking occasionally locks me in or out and the fault cannot be traced. The worst car I ever bought.

[stevenbradford]

It is still gutless and needs a turbo.

[Moonfacez]

XV is alright but the engine is pathetic. Mazda cx 5 is the clear winner even though is a just a size larger segment

[jeffuy]

Bought it Bnew 2018. This is Casa Maintained. XV, the most unreliable vehicle we have! 35k odo, and BallJoints, Stabilizer links, Front Rotors are worn out, and 4 Speakers 🔊!! I cant believe how Fragile this vehicle is! What a waste of Money!!!! Dont buy it!

[citylims]

One of the worst sounding cars on the market. Just awful