Subaru XV review

Although many SUVs look like they can cut it off road, a surprising proportion would struggle to pull themselves out of a muddy car park. Why? Because most are either front-wheel drive or have four-wheel drive systems that only work some of the time. The Subaru XV is a very different animal. 

Yes, Subaru’s family SUV looks like a hatchback on stilts, but beneath its subtle, conventional exterior is a full-time four-wheel drive system that makes the XV remarkably agile in conditions that would stop rivals in their tracks.

That’s not the only thing that defines the XV, though. Unlike many rivals, it’s offered with an engine that uses hybrid technology with the aim of boosting performance and helping fuel economy. It also comes with loads of kit as standard, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and Subaru’s EyeSight safety system.

So, the XV certainly has some appealing qualities, but is it a match for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Seat Ateca and Skoda Karoq in other areas? That's what we'll be looking at in this review. And, whether you decide on an SUV or any other kind of car, you can check out the best deals available with our New Car Buying pages.