Pre-loved: Subaru XV 2012–2021

by Ewan Kennedy  The first Subaru Impreza XV   Subaru is well known for its all-wheel-drive models and we are examining the XV series bui...

by Ewan Kennedy 

The first Subaru Impreza XV

 

Subaru is well known for its all-wheel-drive models and we are examining the XV series built from 2012 onwards.

The Subaru XV from 2012 onwards have 220mm of ground clearance, up by a substantial 75mm on the Impreza XV it superseded so was no longer a hatchback trying to look like an SUV.

That 220mm is regarded by many as being the minimum ground clearance for a genuine off-road vehicle.

You wouldn’t call it a genuine 4WD in appearance, but under that station wagon body it’s close to being a genuine 4WD.

The cabin of the XV is light and quite spacious with a soft-touch material on the dashboard and steering wheel.

There’s good leg, head and shoulder room in four seats.

The Subaru XV’s interior gets semi sporty front bucket seats.

Rear seats can carry three children, or two adults without too much shoulder rubbing.

Boot space is rather limited unless the rear seatbacks are down.

This lack of room is due to the XV being based on the Impreza hatch rather than designed as a station wagon.

Excellent noise suppression promises comfortable long-distance travel.

Handling is somewhat hampered by the extra ground clearance and the higher centre of gravity that creates.

However, it you don’t drive it as though it’s a sports wagon it will feel fine.

If you do get too close to the Impreza’s limits of handling then electronic aids will do their best to save you.

Most XVs from the March 2017 upgrade have Subaru’s impressive EyeSight system.

Camera-based (not radar based) its major safety features are autonomous emergency braking, brake assist, rear cross traffic alert, reverse automatic braking as well adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist.

Vision Assist makes life easier for the driver as it switches from high to low beam when it detects oncoming headlights.

The XV has six airbags, front seat-belt pre-tensioners with load limiters and the usual stability and traction control for a five-star ANCAP rating.

Subaru XV is powered by a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ engine.

Most are automatics though some manuals were sold till a model makeover in 2017.

Some Subaru XV owners we have spoken to say they could use some more power especially when quick acceleration is needed, or they are climbing hills with a load on board.

To others the performance is considered fine.

Try for yourself during your test drives.

Ideally this testing should be done with your family on board as their added weight may noticeably change the performance.

A Subaru XV Hybrid was introduced in 2020 it uses a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed Boxer engine, high-voltage lithium-ion battery and Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, with seven manual overrides.

The four-cylinder engine produces 110 kilowatts of power at 6000 rpm and 196 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.

The electric motor adds 12.3 kW of power and 66Nm of torque and is self-charging, capturing kinetic energy through regenerative braking and coasting.

The e-Boxer logic adjusts the power split between petrol and electric to match driving conditions.

It automatically changes between three modes: Motor Assist EV driving; Motor Assist electric (EV) + petrol engine driving and engine-only driving.

In 2021 a mid-life update of its Subaru XV saw it with a new grille, front bumper shape, foglight surrounds and alloy wheel designs.

The hybrid range was now offered in two models, the XV Hybrid L and Hybrid S.

Both have e-Active Shift Control, which is designed to supports responsive driving.

The hybrids are fitted with e-Active Shift Control, which in SI-Drive on winding roads, engages automatically, based on information including accelerator use and the G sensor signal.

It deactivates when it works out normal driving has resumed.

The Japanese company is well established in Australia since its earliest days here way back in the early 1970s.

There’s a strong dealer network, with quite a number of dealers in non-metro areas.

These are an unusual design so are best left to Subaru specialists, or to independent mechanics who specialise in them.

Having said that, a smart owner with a workshop manual beside them can do a fair bit of routine work.

Spare parts prices are line-ball for this class and we have heard of no real complaints about availability.

Insurance costs are, likewise, about par for the course.

As usual, shop around, but make sure you’re comparing like for like.

2011 Subaru XV Mizuno

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

A full service record is good in any car, sensible people who choose cars like Subarus often have them.

Few Subaru XVs go off sealed roads so if you do find one – look for scratches on the bumper corners and doors, as well as scuffing under the body.

Check the dipstick to make sure the oil level is okay, Subaru engines can burn oil at times and may have been inadvertently run low.

If you’re suspicious check the service books in case it’s running late for the work.

Check for damage in the boot as it relatively small and may have been crammed tight at times.

Make sure the engine kicks over quickly and idles neatly almost from the moment it first runs.

If you haven’t driven a Subaru boxer engine before you may find it’s a slightly uneven beat.

This is normal and you soon become accustomed to it.

If the CVT automatic is a bit slow to react at very slow speeds, usually when parking, it may have problems. Have a professional check it out.

Manual gearboxes should be light and easy in their changes.

2014 Subaru XV 2.0i S

 

HOW MUCH?

Budget on spending from $10,000 to $15,000 for a 2012 Subaru XV 2.0i; $12,000 to $17,000 for a 2013 2.0i-S; $14,000 to $21,000 for a 2015 2.0i-L; $16,000 to $23,000 for a 2015 2.0i-S; $18,000 to $24,000 for a 2017 2.0i-S or a 2.0i; $20,000 to $28,000 for a 2018 S-Edition; $23,000 to $31,000 for a 2020 2.0i Premium; and $28,000 to $38,000 for a 2021 Hybrid S.

2018 Subaru XV 2.0i-S

 

CAR BUYING TIPS

Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.

That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.

Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.

Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.

That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.

Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.

This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.

Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.

Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.

If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot. 

This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.

If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.

Take a slow walk around any car you're considering, looking for obvious defects.

It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.

Ideally any road test of a car you're getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.

If you're serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.

If they insist on coming that's understandable, but try to avoid them "selling” the car to you.

Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,

In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.

The next owner may suffer as a result.

2020 Subaru XV Hybrid

 

RECALLS

To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/

 

BE SURE TO CHECKOUT OUR OTHER USED CAR REPORTS