Subaru XV (GP7)

In the past, we never knew that Subaru made a crossover version of the popular Subaru Impreza. In 1995, we saw a variant of the Impreza called the Gravel EX that combines the ruggedness of the sport utility vehicle and the quality of a sports car. However, in 1997, it was discontinued but in 2010, the Gravel Express was reborn as the XV, Impreza XV, a rugged crossover version of the third generation Impreza but last year, it was phased out in preparation of the fourth Impreza. With the Impreza, now on its fourth generation, has the Sport hatchback and the G4 sedan, Subaru decided to give the XV another go but this time...they are not allowed to use the Impreza name. Just XV.

a new type

2013 Subaru XV

And here it is. This really is the XV and what Subaru did is beef up the normal Subaru Impreza Sport hatchback and dress it up with some ruggedness that suits an everyday adventurer who want to go out for a trip to Hokkaido or Mt. Fuji. From the looks of it, the all new 2013 Subaru XV now really resembles like the XV Concept as seen in Shanghai last year. It looks great for those who can't afford the Subaru Legacy Outback.

Don't be surprised though, this car's been available in the US, Europe, and Asia, and this is somewhat a late arrival to bring the XV to Japan but what to expect more on the Japanese-spec Subaru XV was this...

The XV comes with the FB20 engine from the latest Subaru Impreza mated with Subaru's legendary Symmetrical AWD so it was made to conquer any kind of road on any kind of weather because the XV was made for the outdoorsy person who loves adventures. Not only made for the outdoorsman, it's also a city cruiser because on the urban streets, the XV tries to stand out the crowd and that's something if you are the kind of person who wears a North Face jacket for autumn in Tokyo. Anyway, the FB20 engine though, this produces 150PS of power and it was mated with the new generation Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for smoother driving. For fuel consumption, the XV takes about 15.8km/L, that's about as similar as the Mitsubishi RVR but less than the Nissan Juke's.

Also, unlike any others, the XV do get an optional Eyesight safety system with a feature that works like a Vovlo car, which is a bi-word for safety. Cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic braking, that's how the Subaru Eyesight kicks in, well you get that idea.

This crossover Impreza maybe work for those who got on with their North Face gear for an outing at either Hokkaido or Mt. Fuji but as a city car, seems that most people think that you brought a dirt-goer to a socialite's party. Guests will think that you're a bit down and dirty, something like The Stig's offroad driving cousin I saw a couple of weeks ago who beat the kayak with an offroader. Still, it's now a global car, no wonder Malaysians had a chance to build one of these so a toast to this rugged Impreza that can go anywhere.

Available Colors: Satin White Pearl, Desert Khaki, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Deep Cherry Pearl, Tangerine Orange Pearl, Venetian Red Pearl, and Deep Sea Blue Pearl.

PRICE LIST (in Japanese Yen)

2.0i - 2,194,500 Yen
2.0i-L - 2,562,500 Yen
2.0i-L EyeSight - 2,467,500 Yen