The latest upgrades are designed to refresh the car’s exterior styling, raise cabin quality and improve refinement, and follow changes made in 2015, which included suspension modifications and a quicker more direct steering rack aimed at producing engaging and assured handling and a smoother ride.
Among the most important changes to the improved XV is an upgraded interior, finished in higher quality materials and featuring Subaru’s latest factory-fit seven-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system. Changes include the adoption of new metallic and piano black trim as well as contrast stitching throughout the cabin. The infotainment system houses a standard-fit rear view camera, offering a super-wide 160-degree field of view behind the car when reversing.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel version of the XV, equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, features a range of updates and longer gear ratios to improve fuel efficiency by four per cent. The modified engine – which still produces 145 BHP and 258 lb ft of torque – achieves 52.3 mpg on the combined cycle, while CO2 emissions fall from 146 to 141 g/km, placing the car in a lower BIK tax band (25% for 2016/17). In spite of the longer gear ratios, the car is still able to accelerate from 0-to-62 mph in 9.3 seconds.
As part of the updates for 2016, Subaru has revised elements of the XV’s exterior styling such as the ‘hawk-eye’ headlights and a redesigned front grille and bumper.
Prices are unchanged, with diesel XVs starting at £23,995.