Item: Used Subaru XV 2012-2018
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

If reliability and all-weather capability are your priorities, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/subaru">Subaru</a> XV should go to the top of your shopping list.

But if you only require a bit of extra practicality and don’t need four-wheel drive, the more road-biased <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/qashqai/hatchback/used-review/n804">Nissan Qashqai</a> would suit your needs better. Refinement is also far superior in the Qashqai and its 1.5-litre diesel in particular is very efficient.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sportage/4x4/used-review/n429">Kia Sportage</a> is also worth a look if you’re not bothered about going off road&nbsp;but would like something with generous equipment levels and decent reliability. Some versions might still have some manufacturer’s warranty left, too.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">What Car? Newsletter here</a>

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<h3 dir="ltr">Engine valve springs</h3>

The engine valve springs, which help&nbsp;open and close the valves to allow air and fuel into the engine and exhaust gases out, can fatigue over time, especially on examples built between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014. A <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/subaru">Subaru</a> dealer will be able to let you know if your car is affected and replace the springs if necessary.&nbsp;

<h3 dir="ltr">Brake lights</h3>

The brake light switch on XVs that were manufactured up until 22 September 2016 can fail and prevent the brake lights from illuminating. Your local Subaru dealer will be able to let you know if your car is affected and be able to replace the switch if it is.

The XV didn’t feature in the most recent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2019-what-car-reliability-survey/n20069">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, but the Subaru brand as a whole did very well, with a score of 96.6% and a fifth-place ranking out of 31 manufacturers.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2018-what-car-reliability-survey/n17798">To read more from our Reliability Survey in detail, check out the full results here.</a>

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Hatchback

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

SUBARU

A high price when new prevented the Subaru XV from&nbsp;being a serious Nissan Qashqai rival, but does heavy depreciation mean we should view it differently as a used buy?

Used Subaru XV 2012 - 2018

The XV will always have higher running costs than its more road-biased front-wheel-drive competitors because of the efficiency penalty placed on it having four-wheel drive. The 1.6-litre petrol version is the best, with an NEDC combined fuel economy figure of 43.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 151g/km, while the 2.0-litre petrol model returns&nbsp;40.9mpg and 160g/km. The diesel is a bit better at 50.4mpg and 146g/km.

Any XV registered before 1 April 2017 will be charged under the previous road tax system based around CO2 levels, whereas ones after this date will have to pay a flat rate. To find out more about <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153">road tax costs, click here</a>.

Servicing your XV is likely to cost more than it would be for other family SUV rivals, but because there are more mechanical items to inspect and look after, this is to be expected.

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Used Subaru XV 2012-2018

Spacious for passenger and very dependable; the Subaru XV is the ideal family SUV for those who live in remote areas or on a farm. For those living in urban environments, there are more suitable options out there

Prices for a used <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/subaru">Subaru</a> XV&nbsp;start at less than £3000 for an early, high-mileage example, but £6000 should find you a tidy 2012-2013 car with below-average mileage. To keep up to date with used XV prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal.&nbsp;

Check the value of a used Subaru XV with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/valuations/">What Car? Valuations</a>

Unless you don’t cover very many miles, we’d take the diesel because of its lower running costs.&nbsp;

We’d also suggest you go for a well-equipped SE model for the extra comfort it provides, plus the leather seats of SE Lux Premium and SE Premium models rather negate&nbsp;the rugged nature&nbsp;of the XV.&nbsp;

Our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/subaru">Subaru</a> XV: 2.0D SE manual

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

The Seat Ateca and&nbsp;Skoda Karoq should definitely be on your shortlist. But if you have a bit more to spend,&nbsp;the Range Rover Evoque is another strong option. If money is a concern, then the Dacia Duster provides comfortable, spacious and well-equipped transportation for an affordable price.

&nbsp;

Family SUV

Aside from the usual stuff such as making sure all the equipment inside works, you might want to check that the bumpers and body are in good order and aren’t showing signs of parking damage. While a reversing camera is standard with SE trim and above, the absence of standard parking sensors is a surprising omission.

Look under the car for any signs of off-road damage and that it isn’t caked in mud. This can trap moisture that&nbsp;will lead to rust. Also, make sure the service history is up to date and that all the relevant fluids, including for the four-wheel drive system and CVT gearbox, have been changed according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

It’s amazing to think that given Subaru’s penchant for four-wheel drive (even on the smallest cars in the range, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/subaru/justy/hatchback/used-review/n631">Justy</a>), it would take them until 2012 to come up with a Nissan Qashqai rival. Trouble was, the XV was much more expensive when new, so it never matched the success of the Qashqai. Now that used prices have taken a tumble, it's time to re-evaluate this Subaru.

The fact that the XV comes as standard with four-wheel drive&nbsp;makes it stand out&nbsp;in the family SUV class and will appeal to those who live in areas that experience extremes of weather or live up a rutted farm track.

There was a choice of engines, though. The petrol range consists of&nbsp;an underpowered 112bhp 1.6&nbsp;and a more potent 148bhp 2.0-litre unit. There is&nbsp;also a more economical 145bhp 2.0-litre diesel that's better for those covering plenty of&nbsp;miles, but it doesn’t provide much low-down torque –&nbsp;unusual for a diesel engine. Manual gearboxes of either five&nbsp;or six speeds are&nbsp;available, as is a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022">CVT automatic</a>.

Unfortunately, the XV doesn’t handle as neatly as more car-like rivals, with a notchy gearbox (in manual examples), inconsistently weighted steering and a lumpy ride marring its&nbsp;on-road abilities. However, the XV is more geared towards those who need a rugged vehicle, so they’ll appreciate the 220mm of ground clearance and permanent 50/50 split of engine power between the front and rear wheels more than its cornering abilities. In fact, the XV is incredibly good off the beaten path, with the only thing stopping it being its rather long nose, which will&nbsp;make contact with the dirt&nbsp;long before the car loses traction.

Inside, you’ll find plenty of space for occupants front and rear, as well as&nbsp;a number of cupholders and storage areas to put things. Boot space is a bit disappointing, while interior quality&nbsp;leaves a little to be desired too. Hard plastics abound, with some of the door panels flexing visibly when touched. Things were improved after a 2016 facelift, though, particularly when a revised 7.0in touchscreen was introduced that looked and worked far better than the aftermarket system fitted to higher-spec earlier models.

Standard equipment is decent, with entry-level S models getting air-con, a height-adjustable drivers seat and 17in alloy wheels. SE versions are much plusher and come with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, automatic lights and wipers, Bluetooth connectivity and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors. SE Lux Premium (later renamed SE Premium) adds leather trim, keyless entry and start and electric adjustment&nbsp;for the driver’s seat.

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Used Subaru XV 2012-2018 review

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Wondering what the best used Subaru XV 2012 - 2018 is for your money? The expert What Car? review team can help you out.

Unless you don’t cover very many miles, we’d take the diesel because of its lower running costs. ,We’d also suggest you go for a well-equipped SE model for the extra comfort it provides, plus the leather seats of SE Lux Premium and SE Premium models rather negate the rugged nature of the XV. ,Our favourite Subaru XV: 2.0D SE manualPage 4 of 5

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Used Subaru XV 2012-2018 review

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