Subaru New XV (GT)

Subaru's crossover utility hatchback, the XV, is now based on the fifth-generation Subaru Impreza. You know, the latest version with the design that is nowhere near as close to the concept car but won the Japan Car of the Year with its new platform and safety tech that sets the standards for medium-sized cars in Japan. Now, let's take a closer look on Subaru's latest version of the Impreza-based crossover hatch that tries to shrug off against the likes of the Nissan Juke, Mitsubishi RVR, Honda Vezel, and even Toyota's C-HR as well.

2018 Subaru XV

2018 Subaru XV

Like all the others, the all new XV's design has no resemblance from the concept car it was based upon and to them, it looks more like the previous model at all. On the plus side, the XV looks more of a rugged Impreza Sport which was based upon and it's not half bad to look at it especially on the weekends.

2018 Subaru XV interior

On the inside, benefitting from the new platform, the new XV is now roomier enough to accommodate just about everything in the event of outdoor activities, shopping trips, picking up kids after school, and so much more. To help differentiate the new XV's interior from the normal Impreza, it has been given orange stitching on the dashboard so that you know that this is the new XV, not a normal Impreza, per se. Oh, and for additional extra, you can have the XV's interior look more adventurous enough to get their day-off started.

2018 Subaru XV

Like the normal Impreza, the new XV is powered by  a choice of either a 1.6L or a 2.0L boxer engine, both mated to a Lineartronic CVT with a Manual Mode engaged when the Sport Mode in its SI-DRIVE was engaged. Having this feature sounds good to us but just like as experienced in the normal Impreza, it's nowhere near as engaging as the past Imprezas but since this is the XV, who cares about not being sporty for a rugged crossover hatchback? 

A crossover like this one doesn't need to act like a sportscar. It wants to get down and dirty and courtesy of its X-MODE feature, it allows the new XV to increase drivability by optimising integrated control of the engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and brakes to provide additional control when tyres slip and lose traction on a slippery road surface, including downhill.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the XV promises 16.4km/L of fuel efficiency by JC08 Mode standards, which sounds like mediocre compared to the C-HR, Juke, or the Vezel, but these so-called crossovers can't just match the new XV's character that is not afraid to play rough.

If the XV's all about playing rough, its new safety tech makes it want to play nice on the road, courtesy of its EyeSight Ver. 3, as well as High Beam Assist, Steering Responsive Headlights, and Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection, Because the new XV is using the Subaru Global Platform, pretty much like the new Impreza has, this award-winning platform promises the XV to be more rigid, more maneuverable due to its low center of gravity that benefits most boxer-powered cars, and well pretty much about it.

Should you buy it? The new Subaru XV starts at 2,138,400 Japanese Yen and its surprisingly more affordable than the Toyota C-HR. Sounds good and unlike the C-HR, this new Subaru XV is all about taking out for the great outdoors while trying to cross out what's in their Golden Week bucket list...or doing stuff that's not on the list. Nothing like kicking the bucket list with the new XV.

Available colors: Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Pure Red, Dark Blue Pearl, Quartz Blue Pearl, Sunshine Orange, and Cool Grey Khaki.

Photo: Subaru

Subaru teases 2015MY facelifts of Impreza, XV, and Forester

Teaser image for 2015 Subaru Impreza, XV, and Forester

Subaru revealed a rather irrelevant teaser for the upcoming 2015 facelifts of Impreza (in Sport hatch and G4 sedan), XV crossover, and Forester crossover SUV. Although no further details are told about the upcoming facelifts of these models, the teasers said COMING SOON. That's it.

Wait...when they said that there's going to be a facelift on the Subaru Impreza Sport hatchback and Impreza G4 sedan, are they referring to this?

Expect these facelifts to come with Subaru's breakthrough Eyesight Ver. 3 found in the Levorg. Eyesight Ver. 3 integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning, among many others. You can also expect heavily revised interiors as well, slightly enhanced powertrain, and some of it.

Further reading: http://carview.yahoo.co.jp/news/newmodel/20141114-10214001-carview/?t=0

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

Subaru XV (GP7)

In the past, we never knew that Subaru made a crossover version of the popular Subaru Impreza. In 1995, we saw a variant of the Impreza called the Gravel EX that combines the ruggedness of the sport utility vehicle and the quality of a sports car. However, in 1997, it was discontinued but in 2010, the Gravel Express was reborn as the XV, Impreza XV, a rugged crossover version of the third generation Impreza but last year, it was phased out in preparation of the fourth Impreza. With the Impreza, now on its fourth generation, has the Sport hatchback and the G4 sedan, Subaru decided to give the XV another go but this time...they are not allowed to use the Impreza name. Just XV.

a new type

2013 Subaru XV

And here it is. This really is the XV and what Subaru did is beef up the normal Subaru Impreza Sport hatchback and dress it up with some ruggedness that suits an everyday adventurer who want to go out for a trip to Hokkaido or Mt. Fuji. From the looks of it, the all new 2013 Subaru XV now really resembles like the XV Concept as seen in Shanghai last year. It looks great for those who can't afford the Subaru Legacy Outback.

Don't be surprised though, this car's been available in the US, Europe, and Asia, and this is somewhat a late arrival to bring the XV to Japan but what to expect more on the Japanese-spec Subaru XV was this...

The XV comes with the FB20 engine from the latest Subaru Impreza mated with Subaru's legendary Symmetrical AWD so it was made to conquer any kind of road on any kind of weather because the XV was made for the outdoorsy person who loves adventures. Not only made for the outdoorsman, it's also a city cruiser because on the urban streets, the XV tries to stand out the crowd and that's something if you are the kind of person who wears a North Face jacket for autumn in Tokyo. Anyway, the FB20 engine though, this produces 150PS of power and it was mated with the new generation Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for smoother driving. For fuel consumption, the XV takes about 15.8km/L, that's about as similar as the Mitsubishi RVR but less than the Nissan Juke's.

Also, unlike any others, the XV do get an optional Eyesight safety system with a feature that works like a Vovlo car, which is a bi-word for safety. Cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic braking, that's how the Subaru Eyesight kicks in, well you get that idea.

This crossover Impreza maybe work for those who got on with their North Face gear for an outing at either Hokkaido or Mt. Fuji but as a city car, seems that most people think that you brought a dirt-goer to a socialite's party. Guests will think that you're a bit down and dirty, something like The Stig's offroad driving cousin I saw a couple of weeks ago who beat the kayak with an offroader. Still, it's now a global car, no wonder Malaysians had a chance to build one of these so a toast to this rugged Impreza that can go anywhere.

Available Colors: Satin White Pearl, Desert Khaki, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Deep Cherry Pearl, Tangerine Orange Pearl, Venetian Red Pearl, and Deep Sea Blue Pearl.

PRICE LIST (in Japanese Yen)

2.0i - 2,194,500 Yen
2.0i-L - 2,562,500 Yen
2.0i-L EyeSight - 2,467,500 Yen