Subaru XV Hybrid (GPE)

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. If you had the time to read Jalopnik's top 10 most boring carmakers (at this moment in time), you'll be surprised that Subaru's was on the list. The brand that was once famed for its rally-born 4WD machines has now been ruined because not only their cars got succumbed into getting themselves CVT-ed, especially turbocharged versions of Legacy and Forester, it's because of this...

2014 Subaru XV Hybrid

This is just another one of the reasons the JDM industry got themselves the ritalin treatment. It's Subaru's first ever hybrid model and it's based on the Subaru XV crossover that was launched last year and it is essentially a crossover version of the fourth generation Impreza.

Manufacturers claimed that the new XV Hybrid provides the same capability and versatility of the gasoline XV with the added hybrid benefits such as the fuel economy of 20km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards. So what's the difference, anyway? First of all, while in the process of developing Subaru's first ever hybrid crossover, Subaru re-worked the XV's fundamentals to handle an extra hundred kilos of weight via the battery system, reworked its handling, steering and ride. It even comes with an extra sound insulation, a start/stop feature, revised HVAC, new gauge cluster, keyless start and numerous other changes to make the XV Hybrid distinguishable from its petrol brother. Oh, and to make it easy for you, the HYBRID badging was on the side view. Don't forget that when you're out there.

2014 Subaru XV Hybrid interior

Here's one thing about the XV Hybrid. When accelerated gently, the newly developed MA1 electric motor kicks in and only 10kW of power is developed but let's just say when you're driving in a freeway or at the open road, that's when the FB20 boxer engine kicks in, producing 150PS of power output on engine alone. The Subaru-developed MA1 electric motor provides motor assist for acceleration in parallel with the gasoline engine, and an EV mode will operate the vehicle in certain low-speed situations. Oh yeah, like any other hybrids, regenerative braking is stationary for the XV Hybrid.

Ask yourself, adventurers. Since summer is already in Japan (amidst the monsoon season), do you know any good stuff to during during the long vacation? Most of you said that you want to travel through different provinces throughout Japan rather than doing some big stuff that kills your boredom. Well, I'd suggest you want to do some P&F stuff at your background (if you had one) because with all of those DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME stuff, who cares about it? It's summer! Summer's short, you got to make it count. Reason why because driving the XV Hybrid on your summer trips would rather feel like your parents will sing some oldies during the road trip, which is boring. Which would be better? Road trip with your friends or with your family? If you choose friends, then you finally found the reason why the XV HYBRID was made because it's made for 104 days of summer vacation with school just along to end it. But...if you choose driving with your family, then your whole 104 days of summer vacation...became a BUMMER VACATION. Your choice, pal. Your choice...

2014 Subaru XV Hybrid

Anyway, whether it was made to be a crossover for the road trips ahead or for the boring family trips thanks to your parents listening to oldies music, the XV HYBRID is also a responsive one. The suspension's reworked to make it sharper, the inclusion of thicker floor sections, under-floor covers and additional sound insulation makes it quieter, the Lineartronic CVT is smoother on the road, the trademark SYMMETRICAL AWD keeps this car altogether even while it was made to be a softroader, everything you need to know about XV HYBRID is here...sort of.

Positive thoughts about the XV includes about the 20km/L of fuel economy, the not so shabby handling, and it's good for the long weekends. Negative thoughts about being heavier than the hybrid, not quite sporty, interior's too bland, and doesn't have Scooby genes as expected from the past Imprezas. While this isn't quite an enjoyable feat for a Subaru, it's still a good choice for the summer and if you are willing to drive to the beach or to a ski resort or to the mall, the XV HYBRID's not that bad but as a concept, it's a bit bland and as for the pricing, it starts at 2,499,000 Japanese yen, over 300,000 more than the petrol-powered XV.

Available colors: Satin White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Venetian Red Pearl, Tangerine Orange Pearl, Desert Khaki, Plasma Green Pearl, and Deep Sea Blue Pearl.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries