Name: Subaru XV (2017 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Subaru XV
Rating: 67.0

Summary

The Subaru XV was a medium-sized crossover estate/SUV, based on the platform of the contemporary Subaru Impreza.

This second-generation model was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva motor show and went on sale in the UK the following winter. Production ended in late 2023 to make way for its replacement, the Subaru Crosstrek, in 2024.

There was considerable praise for the XV’s off-road ability and good levels of safety kit, but criticism for its on-road dynamics and expensive price compared to rivals – which is pretty much a summary of every Subaru model sold for the last 20 years.

The Subaru XV received mixed reviews from the UK automotive media, with mostly poor and average review scores. As of November 2024, it holds a Used Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 67%, which is much better than its new car rating when it was still on sale. It gets good grades for its low running costs, which are a more significant component of our used car algorithm than they are for new cars.

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol (with mild hybrid assistance)
Price when new: From £33,290 on-road

Launched: Winter 2017/18
Last updated: N/A
Ended production: Winter 2023/24

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Score: 7.6 / 10
“If you’re looking for a long-term investment, the Subaru XV is all you would hope for. But it’s a model less likely to suit those who change their car more frequently.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: e-Boxer
Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru XV e-Boxer is a good car – its depth of engineering, great build quality, impressive safety tech and rugged yet forgiving character shine through on and off-road. The addition of this e-Boxer hybrid tech has broadened the XV’s appeal, but the fact stands that the majority of UK buyers will be better served by front-wheel-drive rivals that are cheaper to buy and run.”
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Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru XV is a capable off-roader and it comes with plenty of kit as standard, but it has its limitations.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: (2021)
Score: 7 / 10
“The hybrid powered Subaru XV preaches to the converted but will appeal to fans of the brand’s no-nonsense country image.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: e-Boxer
Score: 6 / 10
“With prices starting at £28,995, it’s not exactly cheap. But there’s a strong level of standard equipment; it feels well-built, spacious and strangely wholesome and honest inside; and it retains that secure, sure-footed handling the brand trades on.”
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Score: 6 / 10
“We wanted to enjoy driving the XV, but we didn’t really get close.”
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Car+

Score: 6 / 10
“The XV is an appealing little thing – flawed but appealing. If you buy one outright, not only will you have bought a good car, but one that’ll probably keep on going for a decade or more. For its engineering and feel-good factor we like the XV, as we do Subaru for sticking to its principles.”
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Carbuyer+

Score: 6.4 / 10
“The Subaru XV is a practical family car with standard four-wheel drive, but ultimately it’s a niche choice.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Subaru XV is a rugged compact SUV that’s easy to drive, safe and also very capable on slippery roads. However, alternatives are more practical and cost less to buy and run.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol (mild hybrid) E-Boxer SE Premium
“A reasonable car in isolation, and good off-road, but emissions and cost are too high.”
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Driving Electric+

Score: 6 / 10
“The Subaru XV e-Boxer hybrid is good to drive on and off-road, but returns poor fuel economy.”
Author: Richard Ingram
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid SE Premium e-Boxer
Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru XV e-Boxer features the normal Subaru qualities of a good driving experience and impressive off-road capability, plus, for the first time for the brand, a small amount of electrical assistance.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The addition of the hybrid version keeps the Subaru XV current in a world that’s turning to electrification. It’s also a car with genuine off-road capabilities and all-weather reassurance. However, there’s no denying that the XV is an expensive car with equally high running costs.”
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Honest John+

Score: 6 / 10
“Make no mistake, the new Subaru XV is a very capable car, but that’s going to be its biggest weakness – it’s totally overqualified. While the interior, ride and handling have improved, it’s not pretty (or cheap) enough to threaten rivals such as the Nissan Juke.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Capable SUV won’t appeal to all but some will love it”
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The Scotsman+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Premium
Score: 5 / 10
“Subaru’s smaller SUV is tough and dependable but can’t match rivals for efficiency or style.”
Author: Matt Allan
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The Sun+

“The rugged Subaru XV is the safest family car in its class – and is just as at home in icy forests as on the school run.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“The XV is easily one of my favourite cars currently on sale. It delivers a unique set of competencies that simply can’t be found elsewhere, including an enviable reputation for reliability and a seriously impressive repertoire of off-road talent.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The Subaru XV is better than many of its competitors off-road, but is let down by its engine and gearbox.”
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What Car?+

Score: 4 / 10
“Astonishingly good off-road, but rivals are more practical and cheaper.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 84%
Safety assist: 68%

Notes on safety rating

The Subaru XV was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used XV to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Subaru XV was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of November 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Subaru XV to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the XV, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	36 mpg	D	36 – 36 mpg	D – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	180 g/km	C	180 – 180 g/km	C – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	16	A	10 – 16	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£252	B
Year 2	£607	B
Year 3	£1,042	B
Year 4	£1,227	B
Year 5	£1,693	C
Overall	£4,821	B

The Subaru has a mixed bag of running costs, according to whole-life vehicle cost data provided by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data. Unlike most vehicles, there’s just one choice of engine and gearbox, so the costs are going to be similar on any XV model.

The biggest running cost is petrol and the XV’s fuel consumption is disappointing, being worse than most of its rivals from other brands. However, insurance should be one of the best in class while servicing and maintenance costs over the first five years are also very good.