Second-Hand Subaru XV
Used Subaru XV
The Subaru XV went on sale in 2012 and is effectively the fourth generation of the off-road version of the Subaru Impreza. It is available with three engines, a 1.6 litre petrol unit, a 2 litre petrol engine and a 2 litre diesel option. The 1.6 litre petrol model has a 5-speed manual gearbox whereas both 2 litre engines come with a 6-speed manual transmission. Optional automatic gearboxes are available only with petrol engines.
What You Get
The used Subaru XV is not one of these pretend 4x4s that many people drive kids to school in, instead, it has plenty of real off-road capability. Its ground clearance and traction are both impressive and the XV will cope with all but the most extreme driving conditions with ease. Its wheelbase is longer than most of its competitors and it also has lower, narrower sills and wide door openings to make entry easier and a lower floor in the boot to create more room. Its main external features are the plastic extensions on the sills and wheel arches and its chunky bumpers. Its underbody has been reinforced to improve off-road performance and crash safety. The build quality feels pretty solid and there is more legroom than you get in most family hatchbacks but slightly less headroom, with a boot of 380 litres.
How it Drives
The 2 litre diesel engine is, without doubt, the engine choice and is smooth and quiet at cruising speeds but nicely vocal when under a high load. It produces lots of torque and power and suits the practical nature of the XV very well. You can get from 0-60 in just 8.9 seconds. If driven sensibly, the diesel engine should give around 50mpg and produce 146g of carbon per kilometre. Overall, the range of used Subaru XVs for sale at RAC Cars offers a great car for those who need off-road performance. If you need a car for the school run, however, then there are cheaper, more spacious options. Used Subaru XVs suit active families, farmers and countryside vets.