SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Smugly guarded secret: 2022 Subaru XV 2.0i CVT

Known as Subaru Crosstrek in North America

Country wagon

Posted: July 6, 2022

The numbers
Prices: 2.0i at R454 000 and 2.0i-S ES at R520 000
Engine: Subaru FB20D, 1995 cc, DOHC 16-valve boxer four-cylinder
Power: 115 kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 196 Nm at 4200 rpm
0-100 km/h: 10.4 seconds
Top speed: 194 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 8.5 l/100 km
Tank: 60 litres
Ground clearance: 220 mm
Turning circle: 10.8 metres
Luggage: 310 – 741 litres
Standard tyre sizes: 185/65R17 and 225/55R18, model-dependent
Warranty: Five years, 150 000 km
Maintenance plan: Three years, 75 000 km      

There’s a cliché that needs putting into perspective. Barbeque fire ‘experts’ maintain that “All Subarus are thirsty. That’s because of their full-time all-wheel drive.”  

Fact is that when one compares Car magazine’s Fuel Index for awd-XV’s two-litre, naturally aspirated engine with those of other, non-turbo, two-wheel drive cars of similar power and weight, there are four that consume more, one that uses the same and a couple of 1500s that come very close. It’s true that some cars use less, but that’s Life.

Moving on: Second-gen XV was introduced in 2017 along with an upgrade to its motor that, owing to a change from port injection to direct and a two-point bump in compression ratio, increased power from 110 kW to 115 while torque remained at 196 Nm. Top speed increased from 187 km/h to 194 and it runs from zero to 100 km/h fractionally quicker than before; in 10.4 seconds.

Both models available locally use what appears to be a slightly less slippery, seven-step, version of the Lineartronic CVT transmission that no reviewers liked back in the day but seems better now. As long as one treats it conservatively and doesn’t make sudden demands, it works quite well although I would like to see a switch to majority-shareholder Toyota’s geared, Direct Shift ‘box. That, if Subaru steadfastly chooses to stick with CVTs, would be a great improvement. Mind you, an optional manual shifter would be nice too.

A May 2021 facelift brought an updated lower grille design with added contours around the fog lamps and bumper trim elements, new 17- and 18-inch wheels, Subaru Intelligent Dive (SI-drive) that offers economy and sport modes, and revised suspension and spring rates for better steering response and greater comfort.

Entry-level 2.0i trim provides 17-inch alloy wheels; seven air bags; two ISOFix sets with top tethers; single channel automatic climate control; halogen headlights; a standard 6.3-inch multifunction display; 6.2” audio display with CarPlay and Android Auto; voice command; cruise control; vehicle dynamics control with ABS, EBA and EBD, and auto-hold.

Upper grade 2.0i-S ES adds EyeSight, a suite of camera- and radar-based safety equipment: front view monitor to aid manoeuvring in tight spaces (helpful off-road too), high beam assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor, reverse automatic braking, pre-collision braking and throttle management, lane sway and departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

It also has steering-responsive LED headlamps, LED fog lights, DRLs, automatic wipers, dual channel air conditioning, smarter eight-inch audio screen, leather seats with electrical adjusters and memory function for the driver, sunroof, push-button starter and reversing camera. Both models have five-star Euro- and ANCAP safety ratings and earned IIHS Top Safety Picks.  

Adding to the sure-footedness of awd, switchable X-Mode controls brakes, power distribution and transmission, to tailor the vehicle to varying terrain. When activated, users are offered a choice between snow/dirt and deep snow/mud profiles.
 
Further, one of the viewing screens provided by the ‘info’ button on the steering wheel shows how power is distributed between wheels at any moment and an inclinometer.  Others show fuel computer, fluid temperatures, your position geographically, what music is playing and the date and time.

Thankfully, one doesn’t need to remember to switch to X-Mode every time one drives out on the tooth-rattling gravel road past the veggie farms. Plain old Drive is more than competent; just like Subies of old. They are, and always have been, country wagons at heart - buyers can even opt for rugged rubber mats to protect floors and boot - but good for city dwellers too. They’re just plain nice to drive.

People space is more than sufficient, the view outward is uncluttered, seats are comfortable and supportive, it turns tightly and general road behaviour is brilliant. Past accusations of body lean while pressing on have been mostly eliminated by the suspension mods. The only area in which one is reminded that this is a medium-sized SUV (4465mm long by 1800mm wide and 1615 tall) is that the boot is a bit smaller than some competitors’ although it swallows a big trolley load of groceries easily.

Subaru: Over-hyped and thirsty or worth considering? Those who believe everything uttered by Barbeque Boys will remain unconvinced. But those with open minds could uncover a smugly-guarded secret.

Test unit from Subaru SA press fleet

 

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.