I have a new 2013 XV and I'm really, really enjoying it. I genuinely think that it's one of the best cars I've owned. I was originally looking for a Forester, but the XV won me over, at least in top spec form with the 2.0iS. Once you get used to it, Subaru's "LinearTronic" CVT is very good - much better than Nissan and Honda versions I've driven - especially off road.
The car is not a speed demon, and its been lambasted a little in the international media for this, who probably expect a WRX-like 4WD of it. It isn't one, but its still well quick enough for most people. It's a blast on dirt roads, where the AWD system is in its element. It handles very neutrally and has very little body roll for being hoisted the best part of nine inches off the deck. It's actually a lot of fun to drive. You have to live with it to understand, I don't think that bloggers and magazine reviewers do any car they test any justice by going on first impressions.
With the vehicle dynamics control turned off, the CVT centre clutch pack works far better off road than the manual versions viscous LSD does. It's very quick off at the lights, and is returning 6.2 l/100km on the freeway where it does 110kmh and ticks over at a tad under 2,000 rpm while doing so. I tried the 6-speed manual and it's a rough gearbox in comparison - and thirstier but no quicker. The ratios up top are wayyyyy too high, making the CVT quicker up the hills without having to drop two gears. Stories of noise possibly relate to older CVTs from some years ago, but this one in particular is a gem. I'm so used to it now that I can make it perform the same as a typical 6-speed auto - and that's just on throttle pressure alone and not using the paddle shifts (which I dislike).
I have replaced the wheels and highway tyres with Forester steelies wrapped in Yokohama AT's and it performs offroad very well for an AWD.
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