Anyone have an XV?
Discussion
Was idly pondering the XV recently, thinking it looks like a pretty useful all-rounder if I ever decide to give up on faster Subarus in the interest of ground clearance, fuel economy etc (probably won't be too soon). 150bhp won't set the world on fire but 1400kg isn't bad, and 220mm ground clearance is impressive - same as a new Forester, 20mm more than a Grand Vitara, 25mm more than a RAV4 and only 2mm less than a Hilux! I sometimes feel a bit bad about bashing the GTB along 4wd tracks...
Any of you lot owned or driven one to give PH-type feedback on them?
Any of you lot owned or driven one to give PH-type feedback on them?
No direct experience with them but I think they're great little things. Not a massive boot on them but no worse than an old Impreza wagon. Shame they aren't available in orange from new but there are a good few out there. I'd go for the diesel as at least you have some tuning options available.
Good car, smart move if you make it.
Good car, smart move if you make it.
They don't sell the diesel version down here for some reason, only the 150bhp 2.0 petrol. Not sure why not, as they do sell the Forester and Outback with the same diesel engine!
Reading a few forums it sounds like the only way to properly turn off VDC is to pull the fuse though, which isn't ideal.
I'll keep an eye on the second hand market and see how they depreciate anyway
Reading a few forums it sounds like the only way to properly turn off VDC is to pull the fuse though, which isn't ideal.
I'll keep an eye on the second hand market and see how they depreciate anyway
Wonderful little vehicle ! We have both the latest Forester and the XV, both with the diesel engine. Very cable in the snow, 23k miles so far without issue, very built, not a squeak or rattle to be heard even on very rough roads. Boot space is limited but other than that a great car !
I'm having a dilemma choosing between a nearly new XV and a two / three year old Forester. I've had a look at both in diesel form, I like the XV but can't seem to get the rather lack lustre press reviews out of the back of my mind. I had the original Forester several years ago and have always had a soft spot for them. The boot space isn't really an issue as I rarely carry large loads. I wonder what the resale of the XV is going to be three or four years from now, the Foresters seem to hold their value fairly well.
I have a real soft spot for the XV. The 2.0 drives very well and whilst you won't break any land speed records it is certainly competent. We have the 2.0 Black Edition in the showroom and think this will be my next car.
I know you don't have the option but my choice would be the diesel.
We have a 1.6 as a demo currently.....that is erm....hard work!
I am currently running a Forester XT and done circa 3k miles in it and I love it!
Once you get used to the Lineartronic it is actually IMO a good box.
I know you don't have the option but my choice would be the diesel.
We have a 1.6 as a demo currently.....that is erm....hard work!
I am currently running a Forester XT and done circa 3k miles in it and I love it!
Once you get used to the Lineartronic it is actually IMO a good box.
My current plans for next car include (a) new forester xt (prob not brand new) to replace my 08 diesel outback or (b) keep the outback and add a brz. I live on a farm and the outback has been great but not exactly fun - the ground clearance has been useful in very wet times and the 4wd useful a lot of the time. I would like a bit more speed and refinement plus better handling. I need a five seater with five doors - so to have a brz I need another car, the best option maybe being the one I already have!
It is almost impossible to find any reviews of the new forester xt in the UK - most journalists seem to have dismissed it out of hand because it is petrol engined, and have been almost as dismissive of the diesel. I have read / viewed a few US reviews but no idea if they are worthwhile paying attention to. Clarkson was rude in the Sunday times about an xt recently but he talks so much rubbish I don't know whether he is worth paying attention to
The forester would be preferred by my wife (she thinks I should get one 'cos of the Subarural adverts). I have had a look at one in the showroom and liked a lot but no idea how it drives. Bit irritated by the pathetic colour choice - black, silver or pearlescent white (ugh and no idea how that fits with Subarural!)
The nearest subaru dealer is 50 miles away which doesn't help, though I have started using cotton Competition for servicing (local subaru independent) and would be happy having them looking after a subaru for me
Anyway - can you say more about what the xt is like?
It is almost impossible to find any reviews of the new forester xt in the UK - most journalists seem to have dismissed it out of hand because it is petrol engined, and have been almost as dismissive of the diesel. I have read / viewed a few US reviews but no idea if they are worthwhile paying attention to. Clarkson was rude in the Sunday times about an xt recently but he talks so much rubbish I don't know whether he is worth paying attention to
The forester would be preferred by my wife (she thinks I should get one 'cos of the Subarural adverts). I have had a look at one in the showroom and liked a lot but no idea how it drives. Bit irritated by the pathetic colour choice - black, silver or pearlescent white (ugh and no idea how that fits with Subarural!)
The nearest subaru dealer is 50 miles away which doesn't help, though I have started using cotton Competition for servicing (local subaru independent) and would be happy having them looking after a subaru for me
Anyway - can you say more about what the xt is like?
woody2846 said:
I have a real soft spot for the XV. The 2.0 drives very well and whilst you won't break any land speed records it is certainly competent. We have the 2.0 Black Edition in the showroom and think this will be my next car.
I know you don't have the option but my choice would be the diesel.
We have a 1.6 as a demo currently.....that is erm....hard work!
I am currently running a Forester XT and done circa 3k miles in it and I love it!
Once you get used to the Lineartronic it is actually IMO a good box.
Woody, I assume you work in a dealership judging by your post, if so can you tell me if you are aware of any repeat problems with dpf's on the diesel motors? The only reason I ask is that I've read a few reports of these causing expensive trouble, I just don't know how representative these reports are in terms of the extent of the problem, people only seem to post when they've had a problem I'm looking at two to three year old Foresters but don't know what life I could reasonably expect from a dpf.I know you don't have the option but my choice would be the diesel.
We have a 1.6 as a demo currently.....that is erm....hard work!
I am currently running a Forester XT and done circa 3k miles in it and I love it!
Once you get used to the Lineartronic it is actually IMO a good box.
Test drove an XV, XT Forester and 2.0 NA Forester, all were CVTs / Petrol as the wife didn't want a manual so I can't comment on diesels. Ended up with the NA Forester and love it to bits. The XV was more nimble but too small for us and family duties. The new model Forester was nicer to be in and more solid. It is a big step up from the 2008-13 Forester which I wouldn't consider seriously. The CVT is fine for 'normal' driving and is actually quite nice. It's not so nice for spirited driving in the NA but was better in the XT.
We haven't had any real trouble with DPF- Just asked my service chaps and they say its not a very common thing for them to have in.
The only big issue that we have had with a diesel- when an elderly couple traded in their 08 Outback it would kick if you put a full load on the engine. We traced this back to being the Turbo and waste gate sticking- this was not a cheap recon cost! So my advice...do it!!!
Re the XT. Its quick, it has very subtle styling and very well equipped.
It has pretty much every bell and whistle that you would ever want or need. The voice recognition is crap and the sat nav is a tad old school but then I find most factory fit ones are. They come standard with rear camera- however I don't trust them so we fit park assist to every one of our demo's.
The seats whilst being very comfy could do with a bit bolstering- as you do slip and slide a bit around a spirited bend.
The gearbox I think works well with the engine but then I normally drive with the paddle shifts. The overtaking capability is excellent however I find it works best if you don't use the--kickdown--. The brakes are okay however we do try and be a bit gentle with our demo's.
I only ever use the Sport mode on the VCD settings. Sport Sharp is far to aggressive for my liking.
The elecric tailgate works well and has two heights one for normal and one to let your dog in.
Overall I am very impressed by the XT and if I was in the market for a car I would seriously consider. If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate.
We have a Silver one in stock and have fitted mats, side protectors, rear boot mat, park assist and tailgate guard. This is for sale at £28995
We also have a Blue BRZ, which we have just put on the road and is for sale.
I know of a very friendly PH'er that would certainly look after you
The only big issue that we have had with a diesel- when an elderly couple traded in their 08 Outback it would kick if you put a full load on the engine. We traced this back to being the Turbo and waste gate sticking- this was not a cheap recon cost! So my advice...do it!!!
Re the XT. Its quick, it has very subtle styling and very well equipped.
It has pretty much every bell and whistle that you would ever want or need. The voice recognition is crap and the sat nav is a tad old school but then I find most factory fit ones are. They come standard with rear camera- however I don't trust them so we fit park assist to every one of our demo's.
The seats whilst being very comfy could do with a bit bolstering- as you do slip and slide a bit around a spirited bend.
The gearbox I think works well with the engine but then I normally drive with the paddle shifts. The overtaking capability is excellent however I find it works best if you don't use the--kickdown--. The brakes are okay however we do try and be a bit gentle with our demo's.
I only ever use the Sport mode on the VCD settings. Sport Sharp is far to aggressive for my liking.
The elecric tailgate works well and has two heights one for normal and one to let your dog in.
Overall I am very impressed by the XT and if I was in the market for a car I would seriously consider. If you have any specific questions please don't hesitate.
We have a Silver one in stock and have fitted mats, side protectors, rear boot mat, park assist and tailgate guard. This is for sale at £28995
We also have a Blue BRZ, which we have just put on the road and is for sale.
I know of a very friendly PH'er that would certainly look after you
Thanks, Woody - the FXT is probably the car that would fit my needs best, though am sure less fun than a BRZ (but less pain than having two cars too). I probably need to have a test drive at some point - want to make sure I can be happy with one for 4-5 years
But, having just serviced, put two new tyres on, MoT'd and taxed the outback, now isn't the time to change. A just-registered BRZ will be too much (I can get a year old one in blue [the only permissible colour!] for about £20k), and XT's are available for around £24k - there are usually one or two for sale around that price, though normally in white! the cheapest currently is black (17k miles) at 23.5k
May buy a BRZ when available around £15k to add the the outback (another year off yet) though it seems unlikely that I will be able to resist changing the outback before then (had it nearly 4 years now [a record for me by a margin of over 2 years!] - bought with 9k on the clock at two years old, now at 70k)... so I will probably keep an eye open and just pounce when the time is right. My wife said we had to have a holiday before I bought another car
I normally ignore that type of advice but do need to see how business is going before borrowing money to finance a car
But, having just serviced, put two new tyres on, MoT'd and taxed the outback, now isn't the time to change. A just-registered BRZ will be too much (I can get a year old one in blue [the only permissible colour!] for about £20k), and XT's are available for around £24k - there are usually one or two for sale around that price, though normally in white! the cheapest currently is black (17k miles) at 23.5k
May buy a BRZ when available around £15k to add the the outback (another year off yet) though it seems unlikely that I will be able to resist changing the outback before then (had it nearly 4 years now [a record for me by a margin of over 2 years!] - bought with 9k on the clock at two years old, now at 70k)... so I will probably keep an eye open and just pounce when the time is right. My wife said we had to have a holiday before I bought another car
I normally ignore that type of advice but do need to see how business is going before borrowing money to finance a car
Hi, a car like that will always get lack lustre reviews because its not an Audi or Vw etc. My father has a nearly new Citroën c5 with the hydraulic suspension and its ride, comfort, build quality and looks outshine my mates new 250 cdi e class, even my mate says it does, yet the motoring press hate the c5.
I say go for it if you have the funds, drive what you want not want some journalist says who spends a minimal % of time with a car.
good luck
I say go for it if you have the funds, drive what you want not want some journalist says who spends a minimal % of time with a car.
good luck
SilverB said:
I'm having a dilemma choosing between a nearly new XV and a two / three year old Forester. I've had a look at both in diesel form, I like the XV but can't seem to get the rather lack lustre press reviews out of the back of my mind. I had the original Forester several years ago and have always had a soft spot for them. The boot space isn't really an issue as I rarely carry large loads. I wonder what the resale of the XV is going to be three or four years from now, the Foresters seem to hold their value fairly well.
Stan Palmer in Carlisle gave me a very good test drive. I turned up unknown and unannounced to them. Mike the salesman looked at my licence (with my prompting) gave me the keys and sent me on my way.
XV D SE Model. Sounded a little agricultural which I could live with, reasonably brisk and surprisingly little body roll. Unfortunately I knew pretty soon that the seats weren't for me so disappointed returned to the dealer.
Shame as the car would be ideal for my needs.
XV D SE Model. Sounded a little agricultural which I could live with, reasonably brisk and surprisingly little body roll. Unfortunately I knew pretty soon that the seats weren't for me so disappointed returned to the dealer.
Shame as the car would be ideal for my needs.
I had an XV as a courtesy car. Odd thing.
I wanted to like it. I wanted it to fill in the gap left after the Forester moved up to more of an X-Trail rival rather than functioning as an Impreza Estate.
Two things really annoyed me on it.
1) The boot - If I'm getting a utilitarian car, I don't want the hatchback boot. It's not that small, but the lid really intrudes in to what you can use it to carry.
2) The old Forester was hard to pick apart from any other car on the road. It rode very nicely. In the 3 days I had an XV, the stiffness of the rear springs drove me to distraction. It feels like they got all of the extra right height at the rear by fitting springs from an Isuzu Trooper. The front soaks up ruts and bumps ok, then the back wheel hits and you worry you might loose teeth.
Didn't mind the diesel, although it's quite different to the TDIs of this world. It doesn't surge in a way that would please sales-reps (and under load it sounds like a horde of cockneys playing the spoons) but sitting at 60 it really settles down in to a nice motor. Have they sorted the reliability issues on it yet?
I wanted to like it. I wanted it to fill in the gap left after the Forester moved up to more of an X-Trail rival rather than functioning as an Impreza Estate.
Two things really annoyed me on it.
1) The boot - If I'm getting a utilitarian car, I don't want the hatchback boot. It's not that small, but the lid really intrudes in to what you can use it to carry.
2) The old Forester was hard to pick apart from any other car on the road. It rode very nicely. In the 3 days I had an XV, the stiffness of the rear springs drove me to distraction. It feels like they got all of the extra right height at the rear by fitting springs from an Isuzu Trooper. The front soaks up ruts and bumps ok, then the back wheel hits and you worry you might loose teeth.
Didn't mind the diesel, although it's quite different to the TDIs of this world. It doesn't surge in a way that would please sales-reps (and under load it sounds like a horde of cockneys playing the spoons) but sitting at 60 it really settles down in to a nice motor. Have they sorted the reliability issues on it yet?
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