Cut-price Outback?

Is the new Subaru Impreza XV a hatchback with a raised suspension rather than a true four-wheel-drive crossover vehicle, Robert Barry investigates?

Subaru says that XV means crossover vehicle and it wishes to position this version of the Impreza as a compact Outback but compete with other high-riding vehicles such as the Nissan Qashqai which is front wheel drive only and the Mitsubishi ASX which offers both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants.
Thanks to its symmetrical all-wheel-drive the new Subaru Impreza XV can tackle some light off road conditions, such as mud and snow. Crossing a muddy field for mountain biking or up the Bruce Road to the ski fields is definitely the milieu of this Subaru. Much like the ASX, it’s a soft roader not a bush bashing SUV.
The Impreza XV has a minimum ground clearance of 185mm and is differentiated from its 2.0R and 2.0R Sport hatchback siblings by the grey plastic cladding (not dissimilar to the Audi Allroad) around the wheel arches and front and rear spoiler, which while looking the part, would possibly offer little protection from serious bumps and scuffs off-road, but mud and sand should clean off more easily.
There’s also a new front grille that’s unique to the XV as well as the roof rails and the integrated hatch spoiler which makes the car look more like a wagon rather than a hatch from the side profile – again another differentiation to convince you this is a crossover vehicle.
There’s a bit of the “me too” method in Subaru’s marketing strategy and while the Impreza XV does offer a higher ride height with greater forward vision, and the easier egress in and out of the car thanks to its higher hip point, but it still feels more like a hatch than a crossover.
I can’t help but feel the XV has been created in response to the ASX and Qashqai but it doesn’t offer the spacious interior feel of those two vehicles particularly in the back seat and the cargo space is limited to 301 litres (VDA). Nor does it offer the frugality with fuel and C02 emissions of the Mitsubishi or the Nissan which are considerably better.
During my test week in July the continual rain across the Auckland isthmus left me thankful for the Subaru’s tenacious grip on the tarmac through its 16-inch alloy wheels shod with 205/60 tyres.  The familiar 2.0 litre boxer engine coupled to a four-speed automatic went about its business in a quiet but not terribly economic manner.
I failed to get near the combined 8.8l/100km consumption figure quoted by Subaru with the XV sitting solidly in the mid 10l/100km. I lay the blame squarely on the four-speed transmission which should be replaced with the excellent Lineartronic CVT unit used in the Legacy range that has transformed its reputation for thirst.  
In summary the XV is a very pleasant vehicle to live with, provided that you are happy to accept its less than parsimonious thirst, and that you may have to use the roof rails to carry a roof box to cope with the lack of luggage space when four up.

     Specifications:

Body type Five-door hatch  
Drive All-wheel-drive 
Engine Type Horizontal four-cylinder  
Engine Capacity 1994cc
Max power 110kW @ 6400 rpm
Max torque 196Nm @ 3200 rpm
Fuel Consumption 8.8L/100km
C02 emission 208g/km
0 to 100kph N/a
Front suspension McPherson Strut
Rear suspension Double Wishbone
Roof Rack Yes

ABS Brakes Yes
Air Bags 6
ESP Yes
Air Conditioning Climate
Lap/diagonal belts 5
Satellite Navigation No
Electric seats No
Burglar Alarm Yes 
Panic Button No
Boot release Yes
Cargo Cover Yes
Boot Capacity 301/1216l
Wheel type 16-inch Alloy
Spare Tyre Space saver

Through Life Cost Report
36 Months 60000km
Price    $35,990
WOF    $150.00
Registration      $1256.43
Servicing to 60k:     $2659.02
Total Tyre cost:   $2106.00
Residual (33%) $11,876.70 
Indicative final figure $30,284.75

The Through Life Cost Model is used for illustrative and indicative purposes only. StratCon Partnership Limited and Adrenalin Publishing Limited accept no responsibility or liability should any costs indicated in the Through Life Cost Model change from those published. All residual values are based on an average of values achieved through Turners Auctions Limited sales for the previous 3 months from issue date.