• The car Subaru XV 2.0i SE Premium Lineartronic
• Run by Claire Evans, consumer editor
• Why it’s here To see if improvements introduced for the 2018 version have made the XV a worthy adversary to its many rivals
• Needs to Get to work whatever the weather and provide comfortable transport for the family at weekends

Price £28,510 Price as tested £29,060 Miles 4424 Official economy 55.4mpg Test economy 35.4mpg Options fitted Quartz Blue pearl paint (£550)

4 July 2018 – is my car smarter than me?

Price £28,510 Price as tested £29,060 Miles 6667 Official economy 55.4mpg Test economy 37.3mpg Options fitted Quartz Blue pearl paint (£550)

Using the XV for my daily commute has highlighted how astute its EyeSight camera system is. To park on my drive at the end of the day involves turning my car around by slinging the front end onto an unmade road beside our house and reversing into the main road. I’ve noticed that the XV’s camera system has quicker reactions than me; it pings up a clear picture of the road behind me the second I select reverse gear and, if there’s a car coming up behind me, its blindspot recognition system springs swiftly into action and flashes up car icons in the wing mirror.

I’m relieved to say that the XV isn’t smarter than me in all situations, though. Its automatic emergency braking function doesn’t cut in unnecessarily like systems I’ve experienced in other cars, but it does flash up warnings about other vehicles being ahead when I’m pulling up close behind them in traffic.

Out-of-town capability

I recently had to abort a work run due to a nasty accident closing the M25 and this gave me the chance to take the XV on some of Surrey’s more rural roads. The byway that crosses Farthing Downs and takes you to the narrow, gravel-strewn country lanes of Chaldon is a breeze for any vehicle on a dry, warm summer’s day, but if I have to do this again in the winter I’ll be very grateful for the XV’s permanent four-wheel drive.

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