MARCH 2012 COTSWOLD STYLE � 143

motoring

Eric Barton gets behind the wheel of the new Subaru XV

grip and grin…There’s something pleasing about a loftyvista. Peering over something is nevergood. Much better to get the full showfrom a position of height.Think of the last time you were in the

cinema looking at the back of someone’s‘large hair’. Annoying and frustrating.Well the chaps at Subaru have cottonedonto the fact that height and visibilitycoupled to a degree of ruggedness mightbe a good thing. They’re right.The compact SUV market is up 34 percent. One estimate suggests that SUVsales are growing so fast that the worldwill buy 20 million of them a year by2020 and Subaru know this only too well.The new Subaru XV is a five seat

family crossover that has an increaseddriving position, a raised ride height andall - wheel drive as standard. Brilliant.This new Subaru XV adds a dash of

sporting elegance to a class wherepracticality, comfort and a quality aredeemed to be winners.On first glance the XV does look

mean enough to extol all the virtues

needed for a good SUV compact crossover. It’s got a certain amount of attitudeand there’s definitely a whiff of ImprezaHatch about it. Careful attention to thedesign of the B and C pillars and the rideheight means the XV is an easy car to getin and out of, especially the rear seats.Rear legroom is also good. The levels oftrim have made a huge leap in terms ofdesign appeal and finish. The all-roundvisibility is excellent, courtesy of thoseincredibly whisper thin A-pillars. Well,what’s the point of the height if youcan’t see anything? The 380 litre capacityboot is a low shape which should beample enough for families with either anarmy of kids or mountains of shoppingto truck around.The driving bias is geared towards grip

and cornering power, which is where Igrinned. There’s minimal body roll andthe XV was very precise in placing itselfsure-footedly in and out of the corners.It has a very pleasing and satisfying wayof delivering the steering response,which again was very notable, particularly

the formidable way it resisted anyamount of understeer. This is solely dueto the AWD system. The six speedmanual transmission was smooth andfaultless through the changes.The pick of the engines is the

delightfully throaty and rev hunting2.0-litre Boxer diesel, although the throband thrum of the 2.0-litre petrol doesrun a close shave to second. The 147bhp 2.0 D XV turbo diesel has a topspeed of 120mph with the 0-62mphreached in just 9.3 seconds. That’s nottoo shabby.The fuel usage is 50.4mpg (combined)

and the ‘green brigade’ can calm down asthe CO2 is a mere 146g/km.So the next time you’re jammed behind

Mrs Large Perm in the cinema, justthink… height really does matter!Entry prices for the Subaru XV range

start at £21,295.

For more information please call 01684296999 or visit the website atwww.threecountiessubaru.co.uk

CS

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