Taipei—More people are shifting their interest to Crossover vehicles due to their practicality and ease of use. In the domestic market, the Subaru XV has carved a profitable niche due to its looks, dependability and affordability. Recently, Motor Image, the exclusive distributors of the Subaru brand in the country, invited a select group of motoring journalists to put the new Subaru XV through its paces.
“The All-New Subaru XV is a unique crossover vehicle that combines practicality with aesthetics and performance. It is a bold car suited for drivers to Unpark their lives and go on activities that they love,” said Glenn Tan, Executive Director, Tan Chong International Ltd. We are thrilled to launch this new vehicle built on the new Subaru Global Platform, with improved interior and exterior styling. With this, we are confident that the All-New Subaru XV will exceed expectations and deliver a driving experience that is second to none.”
Held in busy Taipei, event organizers transformed a spacious parking lot into a challenging test drive venue where participants drove the XV in simulated road conditions. The first track allowed us to test the XV’s Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system that comes with an X-Mode feature. With the aid of a co-driver, media participants experienced an exemplary driving performance as we drove through a customized steel platform which tested the Hill Descent Control setting, which gave drivers greater confidence by maintaining low speeds on downhill slopes without the driver stepping on the brakes. One can feel the XV braking itself and descending at a safe and controlled speed thanks to a genius integrated control of the engine that controls the all-wheel drive system, brakes and other functions as well. According to Gerry Hernandez, President of Motor Image Pilipinas, “The Subaru Global Platform dramatically increased the All-New Subaru XV’s rigidity throughout the body and chassis by over 70 per cent compared to previous models. The All-New Subaru XV features a distinctive rugged and sporty design that incorporates the company’s new DYNAMIC x SOLID design philosophy,” he explains.
The next phase of the drive event was testing the XV’s new global platform and the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine on a twisty and muddy portion of the venue. This allowed this writer to appreciate the all new dashboard and cabin design. The spacious design flow in the All-New Subaru XV gives a sporty, yet refined interior that surpasses its class. In addition, functionalities such as all-round visibility, cabin space and cargo room have been improved.
With a Mazda CX3 as the baseline performance counterpart, participants gunned the accelerator and took the sweeping corners and roundabout with gusto as we drifted and slid all over the muddy track. The 2.0 liter boxer engine hummed with authority as I pushed the accelerator for more speed down a short straight before the roundabout. The new platform reduced the vibrations and body roll, which results in a quiet, smooth ride. A quicker steering gear ratio and lower centre of gravity has also been achieved which empowers drivers with highly responsive steering and straight line stability.
Getting off the XV, I stepped back a bit to see the beauty of this Crossover. The exterior features Subaru’s iconic hexagonal grille with C-shaped headlights, matte-black cladding on the front bumper and a new aluminium wheel design. The new vehicle sits in a wide and low stance, underlining the rugged character of the All-New Subaru XV, while combining advanced styling with superior aerodynamics while retaining the high ground clearance of 220mm.
The all-new Subaru XV 2.0i and 2.0i-S are scheduled to be launched in the domestic market in September and will be available in Subaru’s 12 dealers nationwide.