Mary Willemse recently spent some time with the latest Subaru Forester and she was left rather impressed. However, what if you want similar practicality to fit your active lifestyle but don’t need such a large car? Well, Subaru has recently updated its popular XV model. Here are the details.
The updated Subaru XV crossover features a refreshed lower grille design with added contours around the fog lamps and bumper trim elements. Adding to the athletic stance are new 17 and 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels which bring a sense of energy and adventure to the compact SUV.
The XV’s fresh design and impressive 220mm of ground clearance ensures that it is equally capable and at home whether on a slippery adventure trail or a busy city street. An update to the colour palette means that Sunshine Orange now makes way for a new Plasma Yellow Pearl and the old Quartz Blue Pearl is replaced by Horizon Blue Pearl.
The new XV also offer various drive modes which come in the form of Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive). They are activated from buttons on the steering wheel, the driving mode selector ensures the best possible engine and transmission behaviour, offering a choice of comfortable and frugal efficiency in ‘I’ mode or a sportier drive in ‘S’ mode.
Another new addition to the XV which helps aids in advanced levels of safety and convenience is the Front View Monitor. A camera integrated into the grille displays a quality view of the front of the car which can assist with moving in tight spaces as well as help to avoid obstacles which makes application even more useful in off-road situations. This new system forms part of Subaru’s Vision Assist suite of technologies which also include Blind Spot Monitor (BSM); Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB); Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
As for comfort and convenience, the the Subaru XV remains a comprehensively specced vehicle in South Africa with a sunroof, X-Mode, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice-command, 4 x USB ports and the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist technology. New on the MY2021 models is a memory seat function for the driver.
The new XV also sports revised suspension and spring rates for improved steering response and a more comfortable drive. The XV range remains powered by the direct injection 2.0-litre Boxer engine delivering 115kW and 196Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a Lineartronic CVT that also allows for a 7-speed manual mode accessed from the shift paddles behind the steering wheel.
2021 Subaru XV Pricing remains unchanged.
Subaru XV 2.0i CVT R445 000
Subaru XV 2.0i-S ES R509 000
Subaru XV models are sold with a 3yr/75 000km Maintenance Plan as well as a 5yr/150 000km Warranty. These can be optionally extended.