Like the BRZ Subaru doesnt put the right motor in this either.

"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
10/21/2014 at 10:24 • Filed to: None

Oppo, I quite like the Subaru XV. Sure its just a jacked up Impreza, but as Michigan slowly turns from Autumn to Winter I find myself lusting for all wheel drive and a little more ground clearance than my Fusion offers.

In its segment, I think this is probably the most attractive vehicle. It's a Subaru, so it is reasonably priced and you can get it with stick.

However you cannot get it with the new 2.0l turbo motor only a hybrid is the optional upgrade motor. Would you buy a theoretical "XVX?" I know I would.

DISCUSSION (17)

Party-vi > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:27

I would! My only issue is that if you want to upgrade to the XV Limited you have to give up the manual trans. Boo and hiss.

Sweet Trav > Party-vi
10/21/2014 at 10:28

the XVX would be available with the toys of the limited and have 5 or six speed manual.

Milky > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:34

In theory it would be such an awesome car. 250hp and raised suspension?! Sign me up.

Sweet Trav > Milky
10/21/2014 at 10:37

Actually if they make a high performance version, maybe XV Brat would be a better choice.

Shankems > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:38

I would never buy this vehicle. However, every time I see dem wheels and dat color, that individual gets my respect. It's a cool combo.

Sir Halffast > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:38

You know, I was thinking about this exact thing the other day, actually had a conversation with my wife as well. We've been trying to figure out what our next car will be because we need something a bit bigger, and have (had?) been contemplating a Forester XT.

The XT's great with a 256 HP Turbo flat-4. The non-XT with it's 170 HP NA flat-4 isn't. XT hit's 60 in approximately 6.2 seconds, compared to the base model's 9-something, and the hit to fuel efficiency is not more than ~10%.

Same goes for the Outback. You can get the 3.6 H-6 with 250-ish HP or the 170 HP flat-4, with a similar performance differential as the Foresters.

Same goes for the Impreza. You can get the WRX with it's turbo or the base model with a 150 HP wheezer. We all know the difference in performance here...

Everyone talks about Subaru's awesome engines, but it's only partly right. The top of the line engines ARE unequivocally awesome with turbos and interesting configurations, but the base engines are weak. They've always been that way. The knock on the Impreza has been "optional engines are fantastic, base engines are drastically underpowered." I remember seeing these same reviews in Popular Mechanics in 1995, and it's still that way.

Why Subaru? I want to love you so much, but why can't you just build a entry model with some decent get-up-and-go? We know you can do it, and we know you can do it cheaply (Forester XT's top model is only $5k more than the base Forester's top model...), so why don't you do it more frequently? It just doesn't make sense to me as a pseudo-enthusiast. On the other hand, base model Foresters are selling like hotcakes around here, so maybe it does make sense...

PS - Also, please give me a 50 more HP on the BRZ. Please. I only ask for 100hp/1000lb. It'd be like Christmas and birthday all rolled into one...

Kate's Dirty Sister > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:40

Last year when I changed my car, the XV Crosstrek was on top of my short list.... until I drove it.

It lacks so much low-end torque that it makes it as frustrating to drive as my old 2003 Protege5. No low-end torque + manual + bumper to bumper traffic = hell.

But that wasn't all, the afterthought of a manual transmission they put into it is just nasty. Probably the most terrible manual since the one on the 1995 Geo Metro I once drove. A soft clutch with no feeling at all, a shifter that feels as precise as a dildo in a pool of margarine, really it was awful.

For the first time in 18 years of car ownership, I was considering the auto (CVT) which made the car a lot more liveable.

I don't know what subaru is after going full retard on fuel economy, but it's ruining their 'normal' cars.

Finally, I'm happy with the Focus ST, a car that was not on my short list !

DipodomysDeserti > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:41

The only problem is that Subaru stopped putting manuals in the upgraded SUV/wagon engines. If they put a turbo in it, it would most likely only come with a CVT like the Forester XT.

Sweet Trav > Sir Halffast
10/21/2014 at 10:41

Pertaining to your BRZ comment, please read this

 V8 Rustler > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:41

I test drove an XV and handling was very good, I really liked the vehicle overall. An XV WRX would be very cool.

spanfucker retire bitch > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:42

That was my issue when I was looking at Imprezas last year as well. They need a motor that sits between the one in the WRX and the base engine. The 2.0L they use is just too fricken' anemic.

Sir Halffast > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:48

I actually saw that yesterday, didn't realize it was you. I agree with you on the power issue. It would be a beast with either the engine from the XT or the WRX, it wouldn't matter. I do like the styling though, and am totally fine with it being RWD. I'm all in favor of more affordable sports cars on the market. Given the relative price differences between Subaru's other models, I'm pretty sure they could put out a "BRZ WRX" for the $30k ballpark. There's just not enough true power options in the $25-35k price range.

BarryDanger > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 10:49

This thing, along with all NA subarus are absolute CRAP at 11,000 feet... I wish Subaru would get the picture and offer these with turbos, they would be all over Colorado.

Milky > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 11:14

BRB making a new post.

thismightbemylastburner > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 11:26

A buddy of mine purchased a new one of these in 2012. He chose base model and CVT. Don't do that, its awful. Dangerously slow too. Inclined on-ramps are sketchy if the highway is busy.

cazzyodo > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 11:32

I made this complaint last year when I drove one...it was wheezing so hard up a hill. Saw one the other day, looked at it, looked at my friend and said "WRXV."

Khao5 > Sweet Trav
10/21/2014 at 14:14

02-07 were the golden years of Subaru , since then everything is blah at best.