Subaru XV

Summary

The Subaru XV is a medium-sized crossover estate/SUV, based on the platform of the Subaru Impreza. The current model is the second generation, and was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva motor show before going on sale in the UK the following winter.

The XV has received mixed reviews from the UK automotive media, with mostly poor and average scores. Its overall New Car Expert Rating of D with a score of 59% as of January 2024 puts it down near the bottom of the mid-size crossover/SUV segment of the UK new car market.

There has been considerable praise for the XV’s off-road ability and good levels of safety kit, but criticism for its on-road dynamics and expensive price compared to rivals.

More Subaru ratings, reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol (with mild hybrid assistance)
Price: From £33,290 on-road

Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Score: 7.6 / 10
“If you’re looking for a long-term investment, the Subaru XV is all you would hope for. But it’s a model less likely to suit those who change their car more frequently.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: e-Boxer
Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru XV e-Boxer is a good car – its depth of engineering, great build quality, impressive safety tech and rugged yet forgiving character shine through on and off-road. The addition of this e-Boxer hybrid tech has broadened the XV’s appeal, but the fact stands that the majority of UK buyers will be better served by front-wheel-drive rivals that are cheaper to buy and run.”
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Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru XV is a capable off-roader and it comes with plenty of kit as standard, but it has its limitations.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: (2021)
Score: 7 / 10
“The hybrid powered Subaru XV preaches to the converted but will appeal to fans of the brand’s no-nonsense country image.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: e-Boxer
Score: 6 / 10
“With prices starting at £28,995, it’s not exactly cheap. But there’s a strong level of standard equipment; it feels well-built, spacious and strangely wholesome and honest inside; and it retains that secure, sure-footed handling the brand trades on.”
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Score: 6 / 10
“We wanted to enjoy driving the XV, but we didn’t really get close.”
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Car+

Score: 6 / 10
“The XV is an appealing little thing – flawed but appealing. If you buy one outright, not only will you have bought a good car, but one that’ll probably keep on going for a decade or more. For its engineering and feel-good factor we like the XV, as we do Subaru for sticking to its principles.”
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Carbuyer+

Score: 6.4 / 10
“The Subaru XV is a practical family car with standard four-wheel drive, but ultimately it’s a niche choice.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Subaru XV is a rugged compact SUV that’s easy to drive, safe and also very capable on slippery roads. However, alternatives are more practical and cost less to buy and run.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) E-Boxer SE Premium
“A reasonable car in isolation, and good off-road, but emissions and cost are too high.”
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Driving Electric+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Subaru XV e-Boxer hybrid is good to drive on and off-road, but returns poor fuel economy.”
Author: Richard Ingram
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid SE Premium e-Boxer
Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru XV e-Boxer features the normal Subaru qualities of a good driving experience and impressive off-road capability, plus, for the first time for the brand, a small amount of electrical assistance.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The addition of the hybrid version keeps the Subaru XV current in a world that’s turning to electrification. It’s also a car with genuine off-road capabilities and all-weather reassurance. However, there’s no denying that the XV is an expensive car with equally high running costs.”
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Honest John+

Score: 6 / 10
“Make no mistake, the new Subaru XV is a very capable car, but that’s going to be its biggest weakness – it’s totally overqualified. While the interior, ride and handling have improved, it’s not pretty (or cheap) enough to threaten rivals such as the Nissan Juke.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Capable SUV won’t appeal to all but some will love it”
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The Scotsman+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Premium
Score: 5 / 10
“Subaru’s smaller SUV is tough and dependable but can’t match rivals for efficiency or style.”
Author: Matt Allan
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The Sun+

“The rugged Subaru XV is the safest family car in its class – and is just as at home in icy forests as on the school run.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“The XV is easily one of my favourite cars currently on sale. It delivers a unique set of competencies that simply can’t be found elsewhere, including an enviable reputation for reliability and a seriously impressive repertoire of off-road talent.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The Subaru XV is better than many of its competitors off-road, but is let down by its engine and gearbox.”
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What Car?+

Score: 4 / 10
“Astonishingly good off-road, but rivals are more practical and cheaper.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 84%
Safety assist: 68%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2024, the Subaru XV has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Subaru XV to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the XV, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	36 mpg	D	36 – 36 mpg	D – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	180 g/km	C	180 – 180 g/km	C – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	16	A	10 – 16	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£246	B
Year 2	£593	B
Year 3	£1,018	B
Year 4	£1,200	B
Year 5	£1,658	B
Overall	£4,715	B

The Subaru has a mixed bag of running costs, according to whole-life vehicle cost data provided by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data. Unlike most vehicles, there’s just one choice of engine and gearbox, so the costs are going to be similar on any XV model.

The biggest running cost is petrol and the XV’s fuel consumption is disappointing, being worse than most of its rivals from other brands. However, insurance should be one of the best in class while servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are also very good.