Subaru XV pricing
There are five XVs on sale in Australia: the 2.0i AWD, 2.0i-L AWD, Hybrid AWD, 2.0i Premium AWD and the top-spec 2.0i-S AWD.
Subaru XV 2.0i AWD
Some of the 2020 Subaru XV 2.0i AWD key features include: smart key with push-start ignition, electronic parking brake, climate control A/C, a 2.0-litre Subaru Boxer petrol engine, X-Mode, charcoal or grey cloth trim, paddle gear shifters, 17-inch alloy wheels, reverse cameras, 6.5-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and halogen front fog lights with daytime running lights.
Subaru sets the drive-away price for this model at $33,631.
Subaru XV 2.0i-L AWD
The 2.0i-L model adds to the entry-spec XV, with highlights including dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel and gear shift, premium cloth seats, power-folding door mirrors, a larger eight-inch touchscreen and an enhanced safety system.
Subaru EyeSight includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Brake light recognition
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Lane sway warning
- Lead vehicle start alert
- Pre-collision brake assist
- Pre-collision braking system
- Pre-collision throttle management
The drive-away price for this XV is $36,073.
Subaru XV Hybrid AWD
It's great to see Subaru add to its fledgling hybrid line-up, with the XV Hybrid AWDs. This model receives an auto-dimming rearview mirror, charcoal premium seat cloths, the EyeSight driver-assist system and Subaru's Vision Assist suite. That comprises a blind spot monitor, a rear cross-traffic alert and reverse automatic braking.
Additionally, as the name indicates, it houses an e-Boxer engine and electric motor combo under the bonnet. As a result, the model has the best fuel economy of the range.
For a Hybrid XV, Subaru charges $40,324 drive-away.
Subaru XV 2.0i Premium AWD
Next up is the 2.0i Premium. For $37,937, you'll get extras like an electric sunroof and voice-activated satellite navigation.
Subaru XV 2.0i-S AWD
Finally, there's the highest specification Subaru XV 2.0i-S AWD. Its specification list is long and impressive, including:
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat
- Heated front seats
- Leather-accented upholstery
- Sports pedals
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED daytime running lights and front fog lamps
- Self-levelling, dusk-sensing LED headlights with steering response
Moreover, buyers also unlock Vision Assist:
- Blind spot monitor (BSM)
- High beam assist (HBA)
- Lane change assist (LCA)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA)
- Reverse automatic braking (RAB)
Click on a price to compare car loans for the Subaru XV.
| 2.0-litre, auto CVT, AWD: $33,631 | 2.0-litre, auto CVT, AWD: $36,073 | 2.0-litre, auto CVT, AWD: $40,324 | 2.0-litre, auto CVT, AWD: $37,937 | 2.0-litre, auto CVT, AWD: $41,140 |
In a move that makes Subaru stand out from the crowd, there are nine no-cost paint options, including:
- Crystal White Pearl
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Cool Grey
- Sunshine Orange
- Pure Red
- Quartz Blue Pearl
- Dark Blue Pearl
- Magnetite Grey Metallic
- Crystal Black Silica
The Hybrid also gets an extra no-cost paint code: Lagoon Blue Pearl.
The above prices are recommended drive-away prices, taken from Subaru Australia. They include 12 months' rego, stamp duty, any applicable luxury car taxes, CTP insurance, dealer delivery fees and any other costs. The prices are calculated based on a private drive with a good driving record and the vehicle being in the NSW postcode 2000.
It's an Impreza-based SUV, with AWD, a trademark Boxer engine, the option of a hybrid, beefy suspension and ground clearance, and a well-reviewed off-road mode. Add to that a solid standard spec list, modern safety assists and a modest price. Oh, and you don't have to pay to change the colour, which is pretty unique. What's not to like?
| CarAdvice | - Giving ride and suspension
- Free paint palette
- Quality, comfy and roomy interior
- Off-road ground clearance
| - Lethargic engine
- CVT auto
- Boot size
| "The Subaru XV, a popular jacked-up Impreza hatch, has plenty going for it." |
| WhichCar | - Safety credentials
- Highly driveable
- Multi-talented
| - Engine and gearbox could be sharper
| "The best value here is in the most expensive XV, the 2.0i-S." |
| Drive | - Ride quality
- Freely available paint options
- Ground clearance
- Interior design, assembly and sizing
| - No turbo
- CVT gearbox
- Pokey boot
| "A slight tickle of forced induction would no doubt go a long way to improve the XV's drivability overall, and leave it a much more complete package." |
| CarsGuide | - Rounded handling
- Stellar passenger compartment
- Safety features
| - Needs power!
- Warranty terms
- Cabin noise at highway speeds
| "Subaru landed on a winning format when it turned an Impreza variant into a small SUV." |
Engine and performance
Subaru fits one of its signature Boxer petrol engines into the XV.
Subaru 2.0-litre petrol engine
Boxer engines are a little different to more conventional layouts, in that the pistons are horizontal, as opposed to vertical (or on the diagonal). This makes the engine shorter and sit lower, with Subaru stating it helps improve handling. These engines are sometimes called flat fours (for the four pistons) and the design is found in classics like the Porsche 911 (though generally as a flat six, with six pistons) and the original VW Beetle.
The engine's capacity measures 1995cc. In all but the Hybrid XV, the block produces 115kW @ 6,000rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4,000 revs.
Subaru 2.0-litre eBoxer
Hybrid XVs appear to use the same Boxer petrol engine from the rest of the range, only with a permanent magnet AC electric motor and high voltage Li-ion battery bolted into the set-up. Also, the engine outputs slightly less power, 110kW around 6,000rpm. This power source adds up to 12.3kW/66Nm while driving. The system is a closed one, making this a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV). The Hybrid has brake energy recapturing for self-charging of the battery and can seamlessly switch from all-electric, to the motor assisting the engine, to petrol power modes.
Subaru XV transmissions
All models have a Lineartronic CVT. Continuously variable transmissions technically have no gears, instead having moving internal components that change the gear ratio all the time. The idea is these transmissions can provide better efficiency, as they are not restricted to a limited selection of fixed gears like a traditional automatic or manual gearbox. According to Subaru, the XV has the world's first AWD longitudinally (running lengthwise) mounted CVT.
Car reviewers' impressions of the Subaru XV engine and transmission line-up
With the particular Boxer petrol selected for the XV, Subaru's goals were evidently to balance performance with everyday practicality and fuel-efficiency. It's not an Impreza STi that's for sure. Reviewers picked up on this, as well as pinning some additional caveats on the CVT. CVTs are always at the centre of complaints with motoring testers, so it's not a problem specific to Subaru.
Analysing the comments, it would appear this one isn't the worst ever made, because its sluggishness is only evident when you slam the throttle. The rest of the time, motoring writers felt it was fine, especially for everyday driving. Confusingly, half the reviewers deemed the CVT was a little droney, the rest said it didn't display that commonly observed trait.
In terms of the naturally aspirated engine, this too was described as a bit underwhelming. According to reviewers, it could do with more welly, especially when overtaking or traversing inclines. You should know that the consensus was the XV isn't the most underpowered in the segment, that unfortunate accolade would go to the Toyota CH-R in some tester's eyes. However, for everyday driving, most seemed to accept it was very usable, going on to say you just need to work the engine a little more.
Where the Subaru XV really shines though is its constant AWD system. That's a trademark of Subaru and automotive experts said it was ever so slightly better than its competitors.
To sum up, it's not super powerful and it won't thrill eager petrolheads, but for everyday driving the XV powerplant and gearbox combo seem totally fine.
Subaru XV engine and transmission figures
Subaru XV fuel economy
Here's what the Subaru XV is like on fuel.
2.0-litre Boxer petrol
We source all our fuel economy figures from the Green Vehicle Guide, a government site created to list the official fuel usage of cars. For the 2.0-litre Boxer petrol XVs, the Green Vehicle Guide has the following fuel economy digits:
- Combined: 7L/100km
- Urban: 8.8L/100km
- Extra: 6L/100km
Crunching those numbers, the site says if you drove 14,000km each year, with two-thirds of the time in urban and built-up areas, you'd need to spend $1,648 at the servo on petrol.
2.0-litre e-Boxer petrol
Thanks to the onboard electric motor system, Hybrid XVs use less fuel. The official numbers are:
- Combined: 6.5L/100km
- Urban: 7.5L/100km
- Extra: 5.9L/100km
Under the same driving conditions and distances listed above, a Hybrid would require $1,460 in petrol each year.
It should be mentioned that the Hybrid has a smaller fuel tank than the petrol models, presumably to make room for the on-board battery and electrified drivetrain components. However, it also has more boot space, so go figure.
A word about factory fuel economy figures
Car manufacturers put their vehicles through stringent and regulated testing procedures in order to determine fuel economy numbers. Consequently, this doesn't always reflect what's realistically achievable on public roads, where traffic, vehicle maintenance, weather conditions and the weight of the car all affect the rate of petrol usage.
Only two outlets touched on the fuel usage they experienced, with one finding it generally sat within a litre of the official figures, the other noting a variation within two litres of the factory figures (this was a finding taken from an Impreza hatch test). The XV shares a platform with the Impreza. Both vehicles have the same underlying architecture and are powered by related engines.
Handling
Being based on the Impreza hatch, the XV has a key advantage over the majority of its rivals. It handles really well, stated the reviewers. They discovered it had a high level of composure while offering a fun driving experience at the wheel. Motoring experts felt it responded in a precise and controlled manner, with a great chassis set-up.
The XV is a bit like a lifted Impreza, but from the observations of our reviewing sample, they said the suspension is crisp and manages to iron out any major bumps in the road. Apparently, the damping manages to hit the fine line between around-town comfort, highway stability and rough-surface readiness.
Some testers were able to take the XV away from asphalt roads, onto gravel tracks and trails. Here, they again proclaimed the XV was eager, surefooted and capable of handling terrain that other crossovers would get hung up on. Its suspension is able to compensate even for large bumps and undulations.
Further aiding the XV off-road is Subaru's X-Mode. This terrain response system comes as standard on all models. X-Mode enhances the AWD system, hunkering it down to tackle goopy mud, snow and broken roads. When activated, the XV's computer feathers acceleration to prevent wheelspin, ups the clutch force by a quarter to better tie the front and rear drivetrains together and energises the limited-slip diff to find traction where there is little, on a wheel-by-wheel basis. You turn on X-Mode by hitting the button on the centre console and it remains active while travelling under 40km/h. There's also a Hill Descent Control feature for slow, steady hill traversing. Those plastic wheel arches and lower body protectors should protect the paintwork from gravel rash and tree scratches.
Overall, it would appear the XV excels in the handling department.
Interior and equipment
Let's look at the XV's interior in more detail. Journalists described the cabin as very high quality, with a satisfying mixture of materials employed throughout. It resembles the Impreza internally. Reportedly, designers have made good use of the available space and they managed to create comfortable, supportive seats. As you'd expect from a hatch-based crossover SUV, it is slightly limited in space, with some testers commenting on the fairly scarce headroom.
Often, things become even more cramped in the rear, but it seems the XV has a decently proportioned back row. At least one reviewer was taken aback by the legroom in the rear. There was a general consensus that it was one of the best in class in terms of space and passenger comfort.
Room left for cargo is in the middle of the road really. The non-Hybrids boast 310 litres in the boot and 765 litres with the seats flopped forward. It's not the largest in the segment, but it's still a very practical amount. Meanwhile, the Hybrid XV has an increased 345 litres of boot storage, with 919 litres on hand with the rear row folded down. That's much more like it!
It's nice to know the XV has heaps of little storage pockets and bins, as well as two USB charging ports in the centre console. Other nice-to-see features, standard across the range, include: cruise control, A/C, steering-wheel-mounted controls and an infotainment system (the touch screen's size varies, it's 6.5 inches on the entry model and Hybrid XV but 8 inches on all the others); also all models receive alloy wheels, roof rails, reversing cameras, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
All-in-all, it sounds as though everything comes together to make a pretty flexible, practical interior that easily accommodates a small family.
Subaru XV 2.0i AWD
The entry model XV has features that would make some lesser rivals envious; the highlights include:
- 17-inch alloys
- CVT transmissions
- X-Mode
- A/C climate control
- Charcoal or grey cloth seat trim choice
- Electronic parking brake
- Manual driver seat adjustment
- One-touch lane-change indicator
- Paddle shifters
- Smart key and push-button ignition
- Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
- Dual USB ports up front
- Body-coloured mirrors and door handles
- Halogen daytime running lights
- Front and rear mudguards
- Front fog lights
- Auto-off halogen headlights
- Rear spoiler
- Reversing camera
- Roof rails
- Wheel arch mouldings
- Bluetooth phone connectivity
- Cruise control
- 6.5-inch LCD touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Digital radio (DAB+)
- Siri voice compatibility
- 6.3-inch multi-function display unit (MFD)
- Multi-information display unit (MID)
All told, that's a sorted spec list for the starting point of the XV range.
Subaru XV 2.0i-L AWD
The 2.0i-L turns things up a notch. For the extra outlay, you'll receive (on top of the 2.0i spec):
- Dual-zone climate control
- Leather-bound steering wheel and gear shifter
- Premium cloth seat trim in either grey or charcoal
- Power-folding door mirrors with inbuilt indicators
- Eight-inch LCD touchscreen
That's not all; Subaru also packages in the EyeSight driver assist system, which features:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Brake light recognition
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Lane sway warning
- Lead vehicle start alert
- Pre-collision brake assist and braking system
- Pre-collision throttle management
These advanced driver assists should contribute to improving your safety when on the road.
Subaru XV 2.0i Premium AWD
On the Premium model, which is just below the top-of-the-range 2.0i-S XV, you receive:
- An electric sunroof
- Voice-activated satellite navigation
Subaru XV 2.0i-S AWD
The range tops out with this flagship, the 2.0i-S. This model boasts a heap of extra passenger comforts and refinements:
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat
- Heated front seats
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather-accented seats – black or grey
- Sports pedals
- 18-inch alloys
LED daytime running lights, front fog lights and self-levelling headlights. Headlights are also steering responsive
Additionally, the 2.0i-S comes with Vision Assist, which adds:
- Blind spot monitor (BSM)
- High beam assist (HBA)
- Lane change assist (LCA)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA)
- Reverse automatic braking (RAB)
Subaru XV Hybrid
The Hybrid has a slightly different spec, as follows:
- Air-conditioning climate control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Leather steering wheel and gear shifter
- Manual driver's seat height lifter
- One-touch lane change indicator
- Paddle gear shifters
- Charcoal premium cloth seat upholstery
- Smart key and push-start ignition
- Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
- USB charge port – two on centre console
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Body-coloured, power-folding door mirrors with heating and indicators
- LED front fog lamps
- Dusk-sensing halogen headlights
- Rain-sensing windscreen wipers (front)
- Reverse camera
- Rear spoiler and window wiper
- Black roof rails
- Wheel arch mouldings
- Bluetooth
- 6.5-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Digital radio (DAB+)
- Siri compatibility
- 6.3-inch LCD multi-function display
- Multi-information display unit (MID)
This model also comes equipped with Vision Assist, which is made of:
- Blind spot monitor (BSM)
- High beam assist (HBA)
- Lane change assist (LCA)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA)
- Reverse automatic braking (RAB)
Subaru XV safety, security and driver assists
| 5-star ANCAP rating | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Airbags- Dual front
- Dual front side
- Dual curtain
- Driver's knee
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Vehicle Dynamics Control system (VDC)- Electronic stability control (ESC)
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD)
- Brake assist
- Traction control system (TCS)
- Active torque vectoring
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Auto vehicle hold (AVH) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Electronic parking brake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Pedestrian alert system | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ |
| Rearview reverse camera | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Vision Assist:- Blind spot monitor (BSM)
- High beam assist (HBA)
- Lane change assist (LCA)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA)
- Reverse automatic braking (RAB)
| ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Seat belt warning lights – all seats | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Three child seat anchor points, two ISOFIX anchor points | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Auto stop-start | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
EyeSight featuring:- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning
- Lane sway warning
- Lane keep assist
- Lead vehicle start alert
- Pre-collision braking system
- Pre-collision brake assist
- Pre-collision throttle management
- Brake light recognition
| ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Cruise control | ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| Electronic throttle control system (ETC) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| X-Mode | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Front and rear stabiliser | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Door mirrors with indicators | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heated door mirrors | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ |
| Power-folding door mirrors | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Puncture repair kit | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| DataDotDNA security system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Immobiliser security system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Subaru XV interior and comfort features
| Body-coloured rear garnish | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Chrome-look window sills | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Electric sunroof | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Body-coloured mirrors and door handles | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear privacy glass – rear door, rear quarter and back window glass | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear spoiler | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roof rails | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Slimline | Silver |
| 17-inch alloy wheels | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ |
| 18-inch alloy wheels | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Daytime running lights | Halogen | Halogen | Halogen | - | LED |
| Front fog lights | Yes | Yes | Yes | v | LED |
| Halogen headlights with auto-off | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ |
| Headlights – self-levelling LED with auto-off | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Rear LED stop light | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Steering responsive headlights (SRH) | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Blue interior illumination | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Air-conditioning climate control | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ |
| Air-conditioning dual-zone climate control | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Floor heater ducts for rear passengers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electroluminescent gauges with colour MID | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Instrument cluster | Premium | Premium | Premium | Premium | Premium |
| Manual mode (automatic CVT) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| One-touch lane change indicator | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Paddle gear shifters | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sports pedals | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Steering wheel-mounted controls: | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 4.2-inch multi-information display unit | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 6.3-inch multi-function display (MFD) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rain-sensing front windscreen wipers | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Power mirrors and windows | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Smart key and push-start ignition | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sun visors, illuminated with vanity mirrors – driver and front passenger | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Sun visor with vanity mirrors – driver and front passenger | ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | ✖️ |
| Carpet trim – black | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gear shift surround | Silver | Piano Black | Piano Black | Silver | Piano Black |
| Seat trim | Cloth | Premium Cloth | Premium Cloth | Premium Cloth | Leather accented |
| Heated seats – driver and front passenger | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Eight-way power adjusting seat for driver | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
Subaru XV exterior highlights
| Bridgestone tyres | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Yokohama tyres | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Spare wheel | Puncture repair kit | Puncture repair kit | Temporary wheel | Puncture repair kit | Temporary wheel |
| Alloy wheels | 17-inch | 17-inch | 17-inch | 17-inch | 18-inch |
| Shark fin antenna | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Verdict
Why would you buy a Subaru XV? First, the AWD system builds upon the brand's legendary experience. Second, there's the option of a hybrid in a small compact crossover. Third, there's its hatchback-based dimensions, and fourth, the ground clearance and X-Mode should get you away from the tarmac. Add to those reasons the decent build quality, sensible prices and practicality and you have a crossover SUV that you should definitely test drive.
If you take a few seconds below to compare car loans, you could save hundreds of dollars over the loan period.
Pictures: Subaru
