For 2014, the Subaru XV has been revised to offer greater refinement from its engines,
more stability from its suspension, and a few tweaks to its interior. The XV remains
Subaru's answer to the burgeoning crossover market, and it shares much with the Impreza
which incidentally is set to make its UK come-back later this year. While some crossovers add
any pretence of off-road credibility almost as afterthought, the XV starts with a well-proven
four-wheel-drive system and 220mm of ground clearance, and goes on to add practical details
such as the body-side cladding, the windscreen wiper de-icers, and a chunky set of roof-rails.
This chunky design theme continues inside, with new controls for the ventilation system
that look like they could be easily used while wearing gloves, and well-padded seats that
offer plenty of adjustment. The steering wheel adjusts for both height and reach, but the
position of the handbrake can make getting out a little tricky for tall drivers. The
XV benefits from perhaps the most cohesive interior design of all Subaru's current models,
with clear and easy to read instruments and a welcome absence of buttons. The display
for the ventilation system joins that of the incredibly well-featured trip computer on
top of the dashboard, where it's easy to read at a glance. In fact, it's really only the
optional Pioneer navigation system that lets the side down at all. Rear-seat passengers
will appreciate the wide opening doors and the decent amount of space, while the seat-backs
fold forward easily in a 60/40 split. Cargo space starts off with 380 litres, complemented
by a handy under-floor compartment, and this increases to 1,270 litres with the seats folded.
There are plenty of hooks and tie-down points dotted around the boot, with the only real
oddity being the space to store the retractable load cover that leaves something of a ramp
in the boot floor. Our test car is fitted with the 2.0-litre petrol engine, and for
2014 Subaru have made a number of modifications to its valve gear and added extra sound proofing
to help increase refinement. Our car also features Subaru's Lineartronic continuously
variable transmission. We're not fans of CVT autos, and although Subaru's version works
well with the Outback's diesel engine, with the XV's petrol unit it still suffers from
the same lethargic approach to gathering pace for an overtake. That said, it's no slouch
around town, and its eager throttle response sees it positively leaping off the line. That
eager response is evident in the steering, which has also been revised for 2014, although
there is still some over-sensitivity either side of the straight-ahead position. Still,
that eagerness combines with further changes to the XV's suspension to create something
that feels unusually alert and responsive for a car with this much ground clearance,
and the XV goes on to add both good bump absorption and well controlled and progressive body-roll.
Away from the tarmac, the XV's standard all-wheel-drive system distributes torque equally between
front and rear axles, and although it doesn't provide a low-range transfer case as with
Subarus of old, coupled with all-season tyres and more ground clearance than a Land Rover
Freelander, it's unlikely to be troubled by anything this side of the Rubicon Trail. Prices
for the Subaru XV start at £21,995 for the 2.0-litre petrol and £23,995 for the 2.0-litre
diesel, the latter being our choice because of its better fuel economy and lower emissions.
The diesel's also faster, although it's only available with a manual transmission. The
Subaru XV, then, is a sort of anti-hero for the crossover market. It's an intriguingly
quirky yet thoroughly capable option for those that need more than a mere pretence of being
able to venture out into the great outdoors.