Subaru XV VS Subaru Outback
Subaru XV
Likes
- Excellent cabin fit and finish
- Great to drive
- Advanced safety tech
Dislikes
- Not much more fuel efficient than the petrol version
- Pricey
- Small display screen
Subaru Outback
Likes
- Well priced for a special-edition model
- Packed with features
- Superb on-road driving experience
Dislikes
- No 360-degree camera despite grade level
- Exclusive blue paintwork will polarise some
- Thirsty
Summary
Subaru XV
The idea of a hybrid version of Subaru’s small XV SUV seems to make complete sense – this is a car that probably spends most of its time in traffic but is owned by people who might like to head down a dirt track occasionally. And if it can somehow manage to give off a green glow as well, that could only be a bonus.
But can it actually do all those things? That's the question I’m here to answer, with a bit of real-world testing.
The answer is not a simple yes or no, I'm afraid, because the experience was mostly positive, yet in some ways, I was left wanting more. Allow me to explain.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid with Regular Unleaded |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.5L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback has long been a fan favourite and this year sees a special-edition model grade ushered into the ranks.
The AWD Sport Touring XT has all of the bells and whistles of the top Touring XT grade but see's a distinct design difference, at least externally.
So it begs the question, do we need this special-edition model? We're family testing it this week to find out.
Read more about
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- 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Hyundai Tuscon Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid set to feel the heat from new electrified Subaru e-Outback - but could it be hybrid or all electric?
- Is this the end of the Subaru Outback? Limited Edition celebrates 30 years of Skoda Superb, Volvo V60 Cross Country alternative in Japan but wagon will live on in Australia
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.4L |
| Fuel Type | — |
| Fuel Efficiency | 9L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Subaru XV7.3/10
Well this is awkward. On one hand the XV Hybrid is excellent and on the other it’s… not.
It’s great to drive on and off the road, the fit and finish of the cabin are superb and the safety tech is outstanding. On the other, the value for money isn’t good when you consider that it’s almost the most expensive XV, but still doesn’t have sat nav, dual-zone climate control, nor the larger display.
And then there’s the fuel economy. Even if we had matched the 6.5L/100km Subaru says we should get, the saving is a mere 500ml for every 100km compared to a straight-petrol XV. The plug-in hybrid version of the XV, as sold in the United States, can get about 2.6L/100km. Now that type of hybrid XV would make far more sense.
Subaru Outback8.5/10
The Subaru Outback Sport Touring XT is what you get when you want a beefed-up station wagon masquerading as an SUV that can handle adventuring and haul the family around in comfort. The limited edition has all of the great features you'd expect from a top model and a reasonable price tag but its fuel thirst will turn some people off.
Design
Subaru XV
That Lagoon Blue paint. As mentioned above it’s only available on the hybrid and in the metal the colour is so stunning and different that right now from my desk I can see people rubber necking at it parked out the front of my house. The hue, combined with the ‘e-boxer’ badges, makes for an intriguing package, which, from where I sit, is generating a stack of interest. That was always Subaru’s intention, I guess.
Other hybrid-only design features include the frosted silver elements around the fog lights, the slim-line roof rails and, of course, those ‘e-boxer’ badges.
Those are the only styling differences between the Hybrid and the other XV family members.
Not having the chunky roof racks means the overall height is 20mm lower, at 1595mm, but the rest of the dimensions are the same as a regular XV, at 4465mm long and 1800mm wide. Â
The XV is a small SUV, but larger than most of its rivals – it’s about 200mm longer than a Honda H-RV, and similar in size to a Kia Seltos or Nissan Qashqai. That said, its cargo capacity isn’t the best – but more on that in the Practicality section below.
We’re just talking about appearances here and the XV hybrid is cute and angry looking at the same time, with its Pokémon-like face.
Nothing has changed about the overall exterior styling since this new-gen XV was introduced in 2017. And that goes for the interior, too, which is a highlight of this SUV.
There’s no other small SUV in the price range with a cabin that feels this good – the craftsmanship is superb, the fit and finish is excellent and the materials (even the plastics) feel gorgeous. I never use the word gorgeous, but you won’t find a more comfortable and luxurious cabin this side of a Lexus.
That said, the small display screen lets things down, and so does the featureless hard plastic on the back of the centre console, which stares at the rear passengers.  Â
Subaru Outback
The Sport Touring XT model is only available in the exclusive Geyser Blue paintwork (you'll either love it or hate it), has green accents scattered across the body and sports sharply styled and dark 18-inch alloy wheels.
The rear gets black badging and a spoiler but the black plastic moulding that Subaru is well known for is well and truly present.
There are some small design differences between the limited edition and it's siblings but at the end of the day it looks like an Outback.
Head inside and you'll find a solid and well-built cabin. The dashboard features a flashy 11.6-inch tech screen but the instrument cluster is still mostly analogue with a small 4.2-inch screen.
There are heaps of buttons and dials to play with and you also get a proper gear-shifter. The design will make this a winner for folks who want a car to look like a car, with its controls where they expect them to be.
Overall, the cabin feels premium but isn't fussy.
Practicality
Subaru XV
To sum things up, room for people is good but the cargo capacity is not. That means I can sit behind my driving position, even though I’m 191cm tall, with about 15cm to spare between my knees and the seatback. Headroom is fine for me, too.
Boot space, however, is 345 litres, which sounds like it could be a lot but when you consider the Honda HR-V has a 437-litre cargo capacity and the Kia Seltos has 433 litres of luggage space, it’s clear the XV’s boot isn’t very big.
Cabin storage isn’t so bad, though, with a big centre console bin, two cup holders up front and two more in the rear fold-down armrest, plus bottle holders in the doors. The hidey hole in front of the shifter is showing its age because my phone was too large to fit into it sideways, but there are other little nooks to store your things in.
Parents should know that the XV Hybrid doesn’t have directional air vents for those in the back seats, but the dark-tinted rear windows were a welcome feature whenever we had our five-year-old back there.
The hybrid has three USB ports – two for charging in the centre console bin and one for media under the dashboard. Need a 12V outlet? There are two.
Subaru Outback
The cabin of the Outback has always been practical but the premium features this grade comes with ensures proper comfort for all occupants.
Seat comfort is high with the powered front seats that have heat and ventilation functions but the driver benefits the most with the extendable lumbar- and under-thigh supports.
The rear row is almost as comfortable as the front where passengers feel secured by the padded side bolsters, while taller occupants will love the head and legroom on offer. The heat function for the outboards is appreciated and the directional air vents are easy to position.
The 213mm ground clearance means it's easy getting in and out of the model but access to the back row is a little annoying. The footwell lip sits high and catches unsuspecting feet but it's the doors that made my eight-year-old grumble this week because they're heavy to operate.
Storage up front isn't class-leading but you get a glovebox that fits a manual, a dual-opening middle console, two cupholders and drink bottle holders, as well as a sunglasses holder and small cubby in front of the gear-shifter (which is annoying to access).
Storage is much better in the rear with four map pockets, storage bins in each door, two cupholders and two drink bottle holders to choose from.
The boot has 522 litres of capacity available, which is plenty of room for a road trip or a big grocery haul and the level loading space makes it easy to slide things in and out. You get a proper full-size spare tyre, which is rare nowadays and the powered tailgate is always a handy feature.
Technology feels well rounded and the touchscreen multimedia system is responsive and easy to use. However, the portrait position makes the icons and text on the wireless Apple CarPlay look small and I may have made a few accidental calls this week because of it.
The satellite navigation is easy to use and there's also wireless Android Auto. Charging options are decent with each row getting a single USB-A and C port but the front misses out on a wireless charging pad.
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Price and features
Subaru XV
The XV Hybrid lists for $35,580, which makes it the second-most expensive XV in the line-up, sitting just under the top-of-range $36,530 2.0i-S. The thing is, the Hybrid doesn’t come with nearly as much equipment as the 2.0i-S, and that’s why it loses value-for-money marks in this review.
Standard features range from the disappointing - like the 6.5-inch touch screen, single-zone climate control and halogen headlights - to the impressive; adaptive cruise control, rear privacy glass and proximity unlocking. The Hybrid also scores the same advanced safety tech as the 2.0i-S, which I’ll go into more detail about in the Safety section below.
Other standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, shifting paddles, X-Mode drive setting, rear-view camera, six-speaker stereo, digital radio, CD player, premium cloth upholstery, roof rails and rain-sensing wipers.
Only the hybrid comes in the Lagoon Blue colour our car wore, and it’s a no-cost option. Good.
How does the XV Hybrid compare with rivals on price? Well, apart from the Toyota C-HR Koba hybrid, there aren’t any other small hybrid SUV rivals. But ask yourself: why are you buying the XV Hybrid? If it’s for ‘green efficiency’ then you really need to skip to the section on fuel economy, because the amount of fuel you’ll save could shock you, and not in a good way.
If it’s for the all-wheel-drive system then you should know that all XVs have all-wheel drive.
Frankly the biggest rival, apart from the C-HR, comes from within – the XV 2.0i Premium, which is $33,420 and is better equipped and boasts excellent fuel economy. A small SUV comparison wouldn’t be complete without the segment’s benchmark – the Kia Seltos, and its Sport + grade with AWD lists for $35,490.
Subaru Outback
There are usually five variants available for the Subaru Outback but the model on test for this review is a special edition that blends the qualities and features of the top Touring XT but with some exclusive design changes.
Did we need it? Probably not but Subaru has wisely kept the price increase to a minimum, so the AWD Sport Touring XT is $57,490 before on-road costs, just $500 dearer than the usual top grade.
Despite looking more like a station wagon, the Outback sits in the large SUV segment and when it comes to an 'apples to apple' comparison, there's nothing really to compare it to.
With that in mind, the Skoda Superb Sportline wagon costs $74,990 drive-away, and a more traditional SUV like the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 162TSI R-Line is priced from $60,590 MSRP.
The standard premium equipment for the Sport Touring XT model includes Nappa leather upholstery, eight-way powered front seats with the driver enjoying additional lumbar and under-thigh support, as well as two-position memory function.
Also included are heating and ventilation functions for the front seats, heat function for the rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel and sunroof with manual blind.
Technology is well-rounded with an 11.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system with satellite navigation, dual climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, AM/FM radio, two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, two 12-volt sockets, and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Practical features include dusk-sensing LED headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, keyless entry/ start, a full-size spare tyre and hands-free powered tailgate.
The limited-edition model is well-specified and while it lacks the extra two-seats that its rivals have, it still offers solid value.
Under the bonnet
Subaru XV
The XV Hybrid has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet (making 110kW and 196Nm) and built into the transmission is an electric motor (making 12.3kW and 66Nm). The batteries are under the boot floor and they’re charged through energy captured during braking, which is then turned into electricity.
The transmission is an automatic called a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). I’m not a fan of CVTs because they tend to take all the oomph out of acceleration, but Subaru’s version is one of the best and the addition of the electric motor gives nice little nudges while driving that the straight-petrol XV doesn’t offer.
Subaru Outback
The Sport Touring XT gets a 2.4L four-cylinder turbo-petrol boxer engine that produces a hefty 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque.
The re-tuned continuously variable transmission (CVT) system feels like it is changing gears but it's smooth and punctual, no matter the speed.
Efficiency
Subaru XV
Hybrids are all about saving fuel, but the XV Hybrid doesn’t use a lot less petrol than the regular XV, which makes you wonder what the point of it is. According to Subaru the XV Hybrid should use 6.5L/100km after a combination of open and urban roads, while under the same driving conditions the regular petrol version does almost as well at 7L/100km.
My own testing showed higher consumption. After 401.5km of motorways, urban commutes, city traffic, suburban runs, country twisty fun roads and even dirt and gravel tracks, I filled up with 37.51 litres, which comes to 9.3L/100km. The fuel tank in the hybrid is 48 litres and the trip computer told me I had a range of 90km left. The straight petrol XV has a 63-litre tank.
So, even if you use Subaru’s figures you’re saving 500ml per 100km, which comes to about 70c per 100km if 91 RON is about $1.40. Factor in the fact that the XV Hybrid costs $3970 more than the XV 2.0i-L and you’d have to drive more than 550,000km to make that difference in money back. Again, you have to ask, what is the point?
I’ve tested Toyota’s C-HR Hybrid and while it is only two-wheel drive the combined fuel economy is 4.3L/100km.
Subaru’s XV Hybrid needs to be way more fuel efficient for it to be a worthwhile hybrid vehicle. Â
Subaru Outback
Unfortunately, the turbo-petrol engine is thirsty and the official combined fuel cycle figure is 9.0L/100km.
With its 63L fuel tank, you have a theoretical driving range of up to 700km, which is best-case scenario but expect less range if you’re a city dweller.
After doing a mix of open road and city driving this week, my real-world usage came out at 9.3L, which is better than I expected.
Driving
Subaru XV
I said in the video above that I think the XV is one of the best-handling small SUVs for the money and it’s true, even on twisty country roads the vehicle feels planted, with great body control. That’s thanks to well-sorted suspension and the boxer engine design, which lowers the centre of mass, making the car less ‘wobbly’ and more secure in the corners.
If it was just about driving, the XV Hybrid would be my pick out of the entire model range. That’s because I find the basics petrol version has lacklustre acceleration. The hybrid gets little shoves from the electric motor, making it better for moving quickly in traffic. Yep, while the electric motor is tiny and only supplies a small output, when it combines forces with the petrol the difference is noticeable compared to the petrol XV.
Like the petrol, the hybrid uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The transmissions are the cause of the indequate acceleration I mentioned, but they seem to be perfectly suited to electric motors.
The entire XV line-up is all-wheel drive, and that includes the hybrid. This is not a four-wheel-drive system, which large off-road vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser use, so I wouldn’t try to cross the Simpson Desert in an XV. Really the XV’s all-wheel drive is designed for on-road duties but occasional dirt and gravel tracks are fine, as long as you don’t get too wild. Still, it is truly one of the most sure-footed small SUVs for the price that I’ve driven, and the impressive 220mm of ground clearance will let you head down bumpy tracks that would tear the innards out of other small SUVs.
The X-mode function is activated by pressing a button and the throttle, transmission and drive to the wheels is managed automatically to maintain optimum traction.
Where the Hybrid is at a disadvantage against its fellow XV family members is in terms of towing. The braked towing capacity is 130kg less than a straight-petrol XV at 1270kg. Â
Subaru Outback
The Sport Touring XT model is nice to drive. The best word to describe the on-road experience is ‘smooth’.
Power delivery is prompt and getting up to speed feels effortless. It's a great open roader but also feels spritely in the city.
The ride comfort is excellent and it’s only when you hit the highway that the wind noise starts to creep up, otherwise, the cabin is quiet and you can chat with back passengers without raising your voice.
The higher ride doesn’t translate to a bumpy suspension and while you’re aware of the road, you’re never bothered by it.
The steering is on the right side of firm for it to feel agile and competent no matter what you’re throwing at it. Visibility is also pretty good but the headrests in the back seat, when up, can hinder your rear-view vision.
The Outback sits at 4870mm long and 1875mm wide, so it fills out a car space but the higher ground clearance means you’re not worried about scraping on ramps and it’s relatively easy to park.
However, it feels cheeky to not have a 360-degree view camera system at this grade level. The reversing camera it comes with is sufficient, but you miss out on front parking sensors.
Safety
Subaru XV
Perhaps the best reason for buying the hybrid version of the XV is for its advanced safety tech. Only the XV Hybrid and the top-of-the-range 2.0i-S come with blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, lane-changing assist, rear cross traffic alert and reverse AEB.
That’s in addition to what’s standard on all XVs, such as forward AEB, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-sway alert, lead vehicle start and brake-light recognition.
The XV Hybrid also comes with adaptive cruise control.
A note about the reverse AEB – it works, really well and stopped me from backing into a tree while filming the video above.
The Subaru XV was given a five-star ANCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2017.
For child seats, you’ll find three top-tether anchor points and two ISOFX mounts across the rear row.
Despite all this incredible safety equipment you don’t get a spare tyre on the XV Hybrid – not even a space saver, as you do on the other grades. Instead, you get a puncture-repair kit, which consists of a tyre-inflation device and a type of sealant. I’ve had punctures before while driving cars from other brands and the repair kit didn’t fix the leak. For this reason, the XV hybrid is losing marks here – you can’t beat a real spare tyre, especially in Australia where distances are vast, towns are remote, the climate is extreme and a breakdown could be a life and death situation.
Subaru Outback
The Outback has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2021 and features eight airbags which includes a front centre airbag.
It also scored highly across its individual assessment scores with ANCAP. It got 88 per cent for adult protection, 91 per cent for child protection, 84 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 96 per cent for its safety assist systems.
Standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring, LED daytime running lights, rear and forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, emergency lane keeping aid, emergency autonomous steering, lead vehicle start alert, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera and front parking sensors.
The driver monitoring system has been improved from previous models and while still sensitive, it no longer chimes at you all the time, which is a welcomed change.
The Outback has two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three top-tether anchor points. The rear seat is wide enough to accommodate three child seats if they're not too large.
The auto emergency braking (AEB) has car, pedestrian, cyclist and back-over detection and is operational from 1.0 to 160km/h but it's usual to see this system operate from 5.0km/h, which is excellent.
Ownership
Subaru XV
The Subaru XV Hybrid is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery for the electric motor is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty. There’s also a five-year/62,500km capped-price-servicing program. Servicing is recommended at 12 month/12,500km intervals, with the first capped at $350.25, the second at $588.31, the third at $354.83, the fourth at $784.77, and the fifth at $354.86 for a total of $2433.02 over the five years.
Subaru Outback
Subaru offers the Sport Touring XT model with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty but it’s becoming more common to see longer warranty periods being offered now.
You can pre-purchase a three- or five-year servicing program and the three-year program costs $1406.57 (average of $469).
The five-year option costs $2646.17 (average $529 per service) which is reasonable for the class.
Servicing intervals are good at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.