SUBARU XV E-BOXER | FIRST DRIVE | Auto Class Magazine

SUBARU XV E-BOXER | FIRST DRIVE

25 January 2020 Redazione News, Tested

This Is Subaru’s Universe Brightest Star. And It’s Now Hybrid.

Words and Photos by Alessandro Marrone

Numbers are not everything, but for a straight-into-the-future car manufacturer like Subaru they are still of fundamental importance, especially in a time when everyone has, in one way or another, embarked on the eco-friendly path that expands its offer through hybrid propulsion models. Firstly unveiled together with the new Forester at the end of 2019, the time has finally come to focus our attention on the model that more than any other proves to be the driving force in terms of sales for the brand. The XV, now at its third generation, is a constantly growing model in the Subaru price list, regardless of the fact that last year it remained orphan of the diesel version, a fuel propulsion that has definitively abandoned the brand in favor of petrol and now joined by the new hybrid units.

Talking about hybrid, the same argument introduced with the sister Forester applies hee and therefore we have a small electric motor positioned inside the gearbox, which remains the automatic CVT with 7 virtual speeds, making this model also the ultimate meeting point between mild-hybrid and full-hybrid. The fact remains that the electric mode alone does not play a fundamental role, since what the electric motor has to do is to provide constant support to the combustion one, going to distribute an instantaneous torque where it is needed. So it’s all about typical situations, such as driving in the city or on secondary roads, but Subaru’s DNA does not leave behind the fact that this technology makes it even easier to deal with rough terrain, and with rough I mean extreme off-road situations.

Thanks to the reduced overhangs at the front and at the back and an adequate ground clearance, the look of the XV always remains able to wink at a young clientele and beyond, making available the strengths that characterize an unstoppable car in all respects. Symmetrical all-wheel drive, Eye-Sight that constantly monitors the road in front of you, assisted braking during maneuvers and an X-Mode made even more effective and capable of getting you out of meters of mud without the slightest effort. The interior of the XV e-Boxer does not differ much from that of a traditional XV, to distinguish them you will have to rely on the badges that suggest it is the hybrid version or the different details on the front of the same, but the perception of a well-made product once at the wheel is that of a car that is mature in all respects, ready to conquer the hearts of those motorists who are looking for a car capable of accompanying them always, in any situation and especially everywhere.

As logical, not even the XV e-Boxer is made for racing, and despite the precise steering and excellent grip even on slippery surfaces, horsepower available does not allow dizzying performances. But there’s more though, since the torque made available by the small electric motor proves to be providential in the most critical off-road moments and trust me when I tell you that with the XV you will be able to go along paths that with much more expensive off-roaders would be a mirage. The 8” central display from which to manage sat-navigation and more generally, the car’s infotainment system, which is also simple to connect to your smartphone, is functional, while at the top of the dashboard we have a second and smaller screen, through which you can constantly check the use of petrol and electric motors, navigator indications, tire pressure, inclinometer, maneuvering cameras and other parameters under control for a total of 8 different screens. The XV e-Boxer offers a lot but it’s not crazy expensive, since Subaru does not force you to sell a kidney speccing useless options, already offering as standard 18″ wheels, 8″ central screen, X-Mode, LED headlights and much more. It starts with the € 32,500 of the entry level Style, passing through the € 34,000 of the Style Navi which adds satellite navigation, ending on top of the list with the most complete Premium at € 36,500.