Subaru XV given minor facelift for 2021

• On sale from 1st March
• Starts from £31,665
• Two new colours

The Subaru XV crossover is getting a very minor facelift this year. Beneath the tweaked styling, the brand says it has fitted more technology as standard, yet prices won’t rise from the pre-facelift model. The new XV starts at £31,665 and can be ordered from 1st March.

The XV gets four-wheel drive as standard, and that’s now supplemented by a new X-Mode function. It brings two additional driving modes, one for snow, dirt and gravel, and another for deep snow and mud. You can also choose from Sport and Intelligent modes, which adjust the car’s settings to improve performance or fuel economy respectively.

The XV’s safety kit has also been upgraded, with a standard Front View Monitor giving a 180-degree camera view of the road ahead. The mirrors now automatically dip down when you’re reversing for a better view of kerbs and suchlike, and they’ll fold in when you lock the car too.

Styling changes are extremely minor; the grille and fog light surrounds have been reworked, and we’re told there’s a new alloy wheel design. Two new paint colours are available: Plasma Yellow and Horizon Blue.

As before, two trim levels are available. SE includes automatic LED headlights with high-beam assist, heated front seats, memory function for the driver’s seat, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and keyless entry and start. For £2,000 more, SE Premium adds leather trimmed seats, a sunroof and sat nav.

Only the 2.0-litre mild-hybrid ‘e-Boxer’ petrol engine will be available on facelift models, with the sluggish 1.6-litre petrol being dropped. According to Subaru, the 2.0-litre petrol engine manages 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds, and is capable of up to 35.7mpg.

Read about an all-electric Subaru SUV due soon.