Subaru XV variants
Total price
Monthly payment

Finance representative example (PCP)

Total cash price £15,499. Borrowing £13,949 with a £1,550 deposit at a representative APR of 10.9%.

48 monthly payments
£231.47
Fixed interest rate
10.9%
Total amount payable
£20,121.52
Cost of credit
£4,622.52
Optional final payment
£7,461.00
Purchase fee
£10.00
Annual mileage limit
6000 miles

Subaru XV buying guide

About the Subaru XV

On sale from 2017-2023, the Subaru XV is essentially a lifted version of the Impreza hatchback that’s no longer sold in the UK. It’s been tweaked a couple of times during its production run, with extra technology added and very gradual styling updates.

While its body cladding and raised ride height are reminiscent of the Ford Focus Active and Kia XCeed, the XV will leave those cars far behind if you ever take it away from Tarmac.

The XV has since been replaced by the Subaru Crosstrek, but we’d forgive you for not noticing – the Crosstrek still looks very similar to the XV.

What versions of the Subaru XV are there?

SE and SE Premium are the two trim levels you’ll come across while searching for a used Subaru XV. Standard equipment includes dual-colour alloy wheels, a reversing camera and heated seats. SE Premium adds leather upholstery, electric seats and sat nav. A touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also comes as standard, so you can use your smartphone’s interface and apps on the car’s screen.

What features does the Subaru XV have?

Every XV sold in the UK comes with a petrol engine, four-wheel drive and a ‘CVT’ automatic gearbox, which doesn’t have stepped gears like a conventional gearbox. The XV also comes with a host of driver assistance and safety tech, such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

Is the Subaru XV a good car?

The Subaru XV combines the go-anywhere ruggedness of a 4x4 with the dimensions of a family hatchback – so it’s easy to park and doesn’t feel too big, but it’s still spacious enough for four adults and enough toilet rolls to last all winter. It should be reliable and durable, yet has all the creature comforts you’d ask for from a nearly new car.

Subaru XV engine range explained

Subaru XV 2.0 e-Boxer petrol

A 150hp 2.0-litre petrol engine is the only choice in post-2019 XVs. It’s notable for the way its pistons move – they move sideways towards each other, like boxers’ fists, rather than up and down like most cars do. Recent examples also come with mild-hybrid electrical assistance, hence the ‘e’ prefix on the badge.

Subaru XV FAQs

With Subaru being a niche brand in the UK, it chose to only offer the XV with four-wheel drive. A front-driven version is available in some markets, and probably would suit UK buyers well. That means every XV offers all-weather grip, which could come in handy if you live in a rural area.

Subaru’s larger models tend to be very reliable and there’s no reason the XV shouldn’t be either, given it shares its powertrain and many of its interior bits with the Forester SUV. Keeping up with scheduled maintenance is the best way to ensure that your XV will be reliable, although you could also take out an extended warranty for total peace of mind.

Yes, the XV is a similar size to hatchbacks like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf, so it’s big enough for day-to-day family life. Its 340-litre boot is roughly competitive with its rivals, and the rear seats offer plenty of space for adults and a pair of Isofix points for child seats.