2018 Subaru XV (2nd Generation)

Subaru XV e-Boxer 2019 UK review

Should I buy one?

With prices starting at £28,995, it’s not exactly cheap. But there’s a strong level of standard equipment; it feels well-built, spacious and strangely wholesome and honest inside; and it retains that secure, sure-footed handling the brand trades on. A veritable arsenal of driver aids and safety assist functions come courtesy of Subaru’s EyeSight suite, too.

It’s not an engaging car to drive, but Subaru is open about the fact its cars aren’t aimed at driving enthusiasts anymore. That makes it tough for us to genuinely like the XV e-Boxer, but those who care more about safety and moderate off-road ability probably won’t mind too much.

Subaru XV 2.0i e-Boxer SE Premium Lineartronic

Where Riga, Latvia Price £30,995 On sale Now Engine 4cyls, 1995cc, petrol; plus electric motor Power 148/17bhp (petrol engine/electric motor) Torque 143/49lb ft (petrol/electric motor) Gearbox CVT Kerb weight 1553kg Top speed 120mph 0-62mph 10.7sec Fuel economy 35.8mpg (WLTP Combined) CO2 180g/km (WLTP Combined) Rivals Seat Ateca, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar


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Subaru XV 2.0i e-Boxer SE Premium 2020 UK review

Should I buy one?

The XV was already a fairly heavy crossover on account of its four-wheel drive system, and Subaru’s implementation of hybrid power doesn’t do enough to offset this when compared with more mainstream rivals.

We typically saw touring economy figures dip below 30mpg during our test, suggesting you’ll need to adapt your driving style to really get the best from the electric motor - and even then you’d be looking at fuel bills higher than with rivals. The dated infotainment and sometimes invasive driver assistance systems can frustrate as well.

That said, the XV e-Boxer is well equipped for the price, while its off-road credentials are sure to appeal to the small subset of UK customers who will actually make use of them.

Subaru XV 2.0i e-Boxer SE Premium specification

Where Wiltshire, UK Price £32,995 On sale Now Engine 4cyls, 1995cc, petrol, plus electric motor Power 148 (engine), 17bhp (motor) Torque 143lb ft (engine), 49lb ft (motor) Gearbox CVT automatic Kerb weight 1553kg Top speed 120mph 0-62mph 10.7sec Fuel economy 35.8mpg CO2 tbc Rivals Seat Ateca, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar


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Lift-kit for Subaru XV

You can now make your XV into a junior Fortuner.

The Subaru XV is a competent all-wheel-drive crossover, but what if you need more all-terrain capability?

Like all Subarus, the XV has a cleverly engineered all-wheel-drive system, allowing for some mild adventure driving. But the only snag is its ability to get snagged.

Fortunately, an American company has a solution to your desire for that high-riding XV. Crawford Performance has engineered, validated and is now marketing a CDS lift-kit for Subaru’s XV.

It all started as a project Baja off-road racing vehicle, powered by a 223 kW 2.5-litre flat-four, in true Subaru style. What Crawford Performance learned with its Baja project XV, was that Subaru’s crossover could accommodate a more radical suspension set-up.


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Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru of America, Inc. announced the 2021 Crosstrek compact SUV. A new Sport trim joins the lineup for 2021 with a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® engine offering a substantial performance boost over the 2.0-liter engine in the Base and Premium trims. The Limited trim also adds the 2.5-liter engine for 2021. The 2021 Crosstrek will arrive into retailers late Summer 2020.

All Subaru Crosstrek models are equipped as standard with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Active Torque Vectoring, an advantage over other compact SUVs that make all-wheel drive an extra-cost option.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek features a redesigned front bumper with new-design fog light insert covers (Base trim) or fog light covers (all other trims), plus new-design front grille, with details specific to each trim.

Two Power Levels for 2021

Debuted on the 2019 Forester, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine in the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport and Limited produces 182 hp and 176 lb.-ft. of torque. With their standard Lineartronic® CVT(continuously variable transmission), these trim levels achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG.

The 2021 Crosstrek Base and Premium trims continue to use the efficient and responsive 2.0-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine that delivers 152-hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. Base and Premium trim levels are offered with either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or optional Lineartronic CVT. The CVT models achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 city / 33 highway / 30 combined MPG. The 6-speed manual models are rated at 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG.


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Facelifted Subaru XV receives design and chassis tweaks

Rugged four-wheel-drive crossover is enhanced for 2021 but retains same price as outgoing car

Subaru has updated its XV crossover for 2021 with subtle styling revisions, engineering tweaks and equipment upgrades.

The Jeep Renegade rival is available to order from 1 March from £31,665 - the same price as the outgoing model. All versions are powered by a 148bhp 2.0-litre 'e-Boxer' flat four petrol engine mated to a 16bhp electric motor and CVT gearbox.

Revisions to the exterior include a redesigned front bumper and grille, LED foglights surrounded by a reworked bezel, new 18in alloy wheels and two new colours: Plasma Yellow and Horizon Blue.

New technology includes a 180deg front-view monitor to reduce blind spots and the door mirrors now automatically fold when the car is locked and tilt when it is put into reverse. A driver's seat memory function has been added, too.


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148bhp 2.0-litre 'e-Boxer' flat four petrol engine
there's a magical device Subaru used to fit to almost everything to make much more power than that ... bring back your f-ing turbos ffs! (at least for the Forester, that thing is even heavier and most of them have this same engine?!?)

mated to a 16bhp electric motor
jesus wept

and CVT gearbox
:sick:

I'd love to meet the guy responsible for this quest to make Subaru as bland and boring as Toyota ... so I can kick him square in the nuts!
 
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