• One petrol engine to choose from
• Just one transmission option
• Nothing particularly exciting

Petrol hybrid engine

The Subaru XV has a limited range of a single 2.0-litre petrol hybrid. Maximum power is 150hp and top speed is 120mph, while the 0-62mph dash takes 10.7 seconds. Those numbers aren’t too out of step with its rivals, but what’s less easy to forgive is the way with which the XV progresses.

The e-Boxer engine uses a 118v lithium-ion battery mounted in the boot to drive the 10kW electric motor. This can drive the XV on electric power alone for up to one mile, but only in theory. In practice, we struggled to make the car run on electric power without the engine kicking in for more than a couple of seconds when setting off. There’s just the one transmission option here: a CVT automatic called Lineartronic.

Even under gentle acceleration the CVT sends the engine revs spiralling up to 3000-4000rpm, which is where the engine sounds the most coarse. The response to the throttle pedal feels soft, as if there were no real connection between what you’re asking for and what the engine provides. Compared with the best hybrid offerings from companies like Honda and Toyota, this feels wildly out of step.

What’s it like to drive?

• Firm but supportive ride
• Responsive steering and little bodyroll
• Impressive off-road credentials

This is one of the XV’s stronger. We found that while it does have a relatively large turning circle, which can hamper your ability to park, in general its handling is reasonable. We were very impressed with the lack of bodyroll. 

There’s little lean in cornering and it remains stable and composed, even when inadvertently going into a bend too quickly. You always feel in control and confident in the car’s abilities on the road, with the full-time four-wheel drive giving an additional layer of security in slippery conditions.

The steering is a little too light and while the XV isn’t the most involving car to take down your favourite road, it’s hardly mundane. Being more of a jacked-up hatchback than a full-bodied, high riding SUV, it is more composed than many of its rivals.

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What’s it like off road?

This is where the XV shines, as Subaru’s all-terrain heritage means it’s well experienced in making normal road cars excellent at coping with the rough stuff. The XV features the brand’s trademark ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive, which allows it to power through slippery terrain with consummate ease, held back only by whatever tyres you choose to fit.

Certainly when testing it on a moderate greenlane – the sort of place a Land Rover would shrug off without noticing but where a regular family car would become instantly stuck – the XV powered through with ease. Compared with the majority of compact SUVs, which are front-wheel drive only and make no concession to off-road driving, the XV feels like a regular mountain goat.

Hill-descent control comes as standard, as does ‘X-Mode’ which adjusts the engine, transmission and brakes for better control off road. And while ground clearance is significantly poorer than most full-sized SUVs, it’s far greater than you’ll find on any other compact crossover.