By Otsile Kadiege

Subaru’s adventurous XV crossover SUV has received a fresh new look, new technology and features advanced levels of safety and convenience.

Exterior

The updated Subaru XV crossover features a restyled lower grille design with added contours around the fog lamps and bumper trim elements. It also sports a new set of 17 and 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels. An update to the colour palette means that Sunshine Orange now makes way for a new Plasma Yellow Pearl and the old Quartz Blue Pearl is replaced by Horizon Blue Pearl.

Interior

Inside, the comprehensively specced XV features a sunroof, X-Mode, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice-command, 4 x USB ports and the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist technology. New on the 2021 models is a memory seat function for the driver. Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) which can be activated from buttons on the steering wheel, the driving mode selector ensures the best possible engine and transmission behavior, offering a choice of comfortable and frugal efficiency in ‘I’ mode or a sportier drive in ‘S’ mode.

Safety

Also making its debut on the Subaru XV for advanced levels of safety and convenience is the Front View Monitor which features a camera integrated into the grille to assist the driver with maneuvering in tight spaces and to avoid obstacles which makes application even more useful in off-road situations. This forms part of Subaru’s Vision Assist suite of technologies which also include Blind Spot Monitor (BSM); Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB); Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Power

The new XV also sports revised suspension and spring rates for improved steering response and a more comfortable drive. The XV range remains powered by the direct injection 2.0-litre Boxer engine delivering 115kW at 6000rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4200rpm. This engine is paired to a Lineartronic CVT gerbox that also allows for a 7-speed manual mode accessed from the shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

Pricing

Pricing for the XV remains unchanged at R445,000 for the Subaru XV 2.0i CVT and R509,000 for the Subaru XV 2.0i-S ES. Subaru XV models are sold with a 3 year/75,000km maintenance plan as well as the 5 year/150,000km warranty. These can be optionally extended.