Category Archives: Subaru

AWD, Crossover, Electric/hybrid, Subaru, SUV

E-xtra V-alue from rugged SUV

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Subaru XV Hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

There’s something about Subaru that attracts a loyal following. A left-field alternative to the mainstream it offers something a little different with its legendary all-wheel drive capability making it a more than competent off-road performer.

Recently facelifted, the exterior sports a hexagonal front grille, sloping profile with integrated roof bars and new fog lamp bezels which surround the LED fog lights.

The rear spoiler is finished in gloss black and an e-Boxer badge has been added to the wings and tailgate. It sits on smart 18-inch alloys, standard across the range. It also features advanced safety technology like EyeSight.

The two-litre horizontally-opposed Boxer petrol engine has been mated with an electric motor and powerful lithium-ion battery which is mounted within the boot floor and allows for pure-electric driving at speeds of up to 25mph. The power plants are mated with the familiar Lineartronic transmission.

The savings in fuel are not huge however and the electric-only running only really kicks in in slow moving traffic. 

However, I was surprised to get better economy than the official figure of around 35mpg. Overall, I was clocking just under 40mpg in all driving conditions.

The interior is smart and roomy, if not class-leading, but still well-equipped and offers sporty styling.

Centrally placed is an eight-inch multifunction colour touchscreen controlling major functions like infotainment, connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio and Bluetooth. Above this sits a screen displaying information on economy and driving data. A TFT information screen sits behind the steering wheel.

The SE is pretty well packed with standard kit, but this model includes dual zone air-conditioning, reversing camera and heated seats are also standard on this model as are eight-way power adjustable driver seat, satellite navigation and sunroof.

Performance is quite lively if you floor the accelerator, but the transmission becomes raucous under heavy acceleration. The vehicle can hit 60mph in around 10.7 seconds.

It handles very well despite its high ground clearance and is a comfortable motorway cruiser. 

In addition, the permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD), allows you to deal with just about any road or weather conditions. Engage X-MODE with Hill Descent Control at the touch of a button and more challenging off road conditions and negotiating steep inclines and descents are handled with ease.

In practical terms, the boot is quite small in its class as a result of accommodating the battery, but fold the seats and 1,290 litres of space is available.

Safety features are comprehensive and include a full complement of airbags, EyeSight EyeSight, which delivers Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist. It uses a dual-camera setup behind the rear view mirror to monitor the road ahead and anticiapte danger.

In addition, Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection (SRVD) includes: Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert

There are two trim levels, SE and this SE Premium model priced from £30,995 OTR.

There’s also the five year, 100k miles warranty for peace of mind.

FACTFILE

Subaru XV 2.0i SE Premium e-Boxer Lineartronic Hybrid

Price: £35,195

Mechanical: 150PS, 1,995cc, four-cylinder petrol engine driving and electric motor, driving four wheels via automatic gearbox

Max speed: 120mph

0-62mph: 10.7 seconds

Combined mpg: 35.7

Insurance group: 16E

CO2 emissions: 180g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles

Estate/Sport Tourer, Subaru, SUV, SUV/4X4

Rugged but sophisticated Outback rules

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Subaru Outback

By Bill McCarthy

LONG seen as virtually indestructible, the Outback is not a car that you see a lot of in the UK, so it provided a lot of interest while parked up. Firstly the relative novelty value, secondly the number plate Su13aru and third, it looks pretty good.

It has been around for a long time, 25 years in fact, and has become a staple for those who love full fat off-roaders or those in semi-rural locations, who may need that kind of capability in remote country lanes when the weather closes in.

Subaru says the latest version is simply, the toughest, most rugged, most capable SUV ever produced. It certainly looks the part.

So, rugged and to be honest a little bit agricultural in the past, the latest model is something else altogether. It is the most refined model yet with sharp exterior design and an upmarket interior, dominated by a tablet-style touchscreen, very much in the Volvo mould.

There are three versions, Limited, Field and the range-topping Touring. All are packed with equipment with this mid-range Field model offering goodies such as the latest version of the Subaru Eyesight safety technology, which features facial recognition that detects tiredness in the driver. It can also remember the driving preferences of five users.

Sitting on the Japanese car maker’s new global platform it looks like an estate car on steroids, with it’s high ground clearance and 18-inch alloy wheels, it has a rugged yet sophisticated appearance.

It has coupe-like styling featuring smart lights clusters with LED daytime lights and privacy glass, offset by large wheel arch protectors and protection to sills and bumper and featuring integrated roof bars. It looks more European than ever, which is clearly what Subaru is hoping for.

It is a big car, easily seating five occupants in comfort, and with good head and legroom and good all round visibility.

It is powered by a 2.5 litre Boxer engine mated with the now familiar Lineartronic transmission. Economy is not what this is about, although at around 33mpg for a 2.5 litre engine pulling such a hunk of metal is not too shoddy. That power also gives it a two-tonne towing capacity.

Acceleration is brisk for this kind of vehicle and it hits 60mph in just over 10 seconds, and although I am not a huge fan this type of transmission, the shifter paddles behind the steering wheel give the chance for a more sporty drive.

Though much more sophisticated, it has a dual role as a workhorse with features such as fatigue-reducing water repellent leather-style seats on this model and hard-wearing and washable boot space. But there are plenty of creature comforts including eight-way powered and heated front seats with lumbar support, climate control, heated and powered door mirrors, and aluminium pedals.

In practical terms,  stowage space is huge with 60/40 split rear seat operated by a release lever and accessed via a powered, hands-free tailgate.

As before, the car features Permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-MODE. Using the touchscreen, the driver can switch modes to negotiate snow, dirt, or gravel, or a mud mode for soft conditions where lesser vehicles get stuck. When X-MODE is activated, hill descent control automatically maintains a constant speed when travelling downhill.

Inside the car, the cabin offers a  commanding driving position that ensures optimum visibility. It has a high-end feeling and is much improved on what went before. The touchscreen is very much the brains of the car and controls major functions like navigation, connectivity for smartphones and infotainment.

Today’s vehicles are so safe, but the Outback is one of the safest with the EyeSight Version 4.0 which includes adaptive cruise control, lane assist and centring assistance, plus lane sway and departure warning.

Factfile

Subaru Outback Field AWD

Price: £37,995

Mechanical: 169PS, 2498cc, 4-cylinder, petrol engine driving all wheels via Lineartronic CVT transmission

Max Speed: 120mph

0-62mph: 10.2 seconds

Combined MPG: 32.8

Insurance Group: 17

C02 emissions: 193g/km

Bik rating: 37%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles