Why Do We Drive Off-Road?: Subaru XV - XCAR

We don't need to drive off road much any more so why do so many of still buy cars that can?

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[Willemmoseley]

As someone who drives proper off-roaders daily (Defender, Shogun) i can say that all of Subaru's 4x4s, even hatch backs and estates have always surprised me in pulling themselves our of muddy fields and up steep grassy slopes. for someone who wants a car they can take down to the local country show or festival without the fear of getting stuck and embarrassed but don't want to sacrifice road handling then i can't recommend the Scoobies highly enough.

[KaiserGTRS]

We buy off-road vehicles because it's easier to park on sidewalks.

[FredNagel]

3:53 I resonate very strongly with this statement. I have an old, humble little Suzuki SX4 and it has seen more off-roading action (in beautiful South Africa, of all places) than 90% of the Land Cruisers or Range Rovers that one finds gliding about in the city. You don't need a "real" 4x4 to have fun, and you DEFINITELY don't need a real 4x4 to take your kids to school in a city.

Came to this video because I'm hoping to upgrade to an XV soon!

[Ureyeuh]

"It's all about conquest."

That quote alone represents the point of off roading very well, as well as the spirit of Subaru. Excellent video.

[peanuts]

This bloke has hit the nail on the head with his explanation of off road cars. Nicely put.

[jonallan]

Best car I've ever bought to date - knock on wood. I live in Western Canada in a rural area near a frontier forestry town close to the mountains. I have travelled the forestry trunk road covered in mud like you can't imagine, taken down bumpy roads to the end of the line into the great wilderness of Banff, and while in search of our area's elusive wild horses, I've taken it slowly along rutted grassy areas off the dirt roads that took me there. I go slow, since of course I want my car to last... but, I'm telling you - It's great. Especially in the winter (as long as you have good tires). The only thing is that it has low horse power at only 148 in the gas engine version. I highly recommend one of these cars, and I hope that it continues to serve me well for years to come.

[rockymountainman]

Maybe for the UK all wheel drive is overkill 364 days out of the year but here in Canada we are on snow and ice a lot and it just makes total sence.

[travelandtech]

I have Forster 2015 with x-mode. Its got Hill decent etc. Its epic off road. I drive at least 3 times a week across a small desert to get to the beach!! Never gets stuck.

[mrThreetwo]

I have a 2013 XV Crosstrek - wonderful vehicle and handles all road surfaces well - especially gravel roads with huge potholes - rock solid car and would buy another in a heartbeat

[captnebulace]

it's gatta be said, subaru makes some amazing cars. their fast turbo charged wrx and sti, to the outback, legacy, and crosstrek capable of epic advertures. and the aftermarket is amazing! endless possibilities. got a small lift kit, some skid plates, and some offroad tires for me outback and she's practically unstoppable (within reason, she's not jeep). subarus are truly amazing

[Johnvfr]

Excellent review of the XV, we've had ours for 14 months and bought it for its great ground clearance as the previous Impreza used to scrape its way alarmingly up the 7km of narrow and steep mountain fire trail to an aunties farm, have found the XV even better than the Shogun Sport we've also used when it's been raining heavy as it gets very slippery with the consistancy of baby poo, with the AWD Subaru you always know every wheel is and its location on the trail whereas the Shogun Sport always felt more approximate.

[cheynewilson]

finally someone who actually puts that car to use

[meridamanifesto]

just recently bought one brand new! looking forward to put it through its paces!

[jacko]

I've driven my Lancer through similar terrain (minus the larger puddles). Was a struggle, but it's certainly gotten me excited to own something like the XV...

[simongeorge]

Great review and especially in the way he described the reasons that so many of us desire cars that can go anywhere if need be. The torch and wellies example was great. I had a Panda 4x4 couple of years ago, diesel was the only mistake because the gearing was terrible on the motorway. Other than that, me and the girlfriend loved the fact it could handle pretty much anything, and my god it did!

[Trendyflute]

This is great; my work takes me on muddy, rutted construction sites and out into empty fields from time to time. I laugh because I had a GTI and now I have a Ford Escape and I will bomb across such areas, while Americans in giant heavy duty lifted diesel pickups gingerly pick their way across the terrain like their vehicle is barely up to the task. Off roading is not some magic thing that requires a monster truck or a million specialist toys and features. Some ground clearance, a tire with some grabby tread, and AWD is enough to get people through 98% of what they will ever face. I shake my head how many people have been sold otherwise.

[police]

Wish they brought the Diesel over here to US.

[adityajethi]

seems so much fun....love video by the way

[DATGUY]

One of the most entertaining videos I have ever watched from XCAR

[GG_]

Thanks for making these vids. Amazing footage. Great car.