Subaru XV review

Drive some other stuff before plumping for the XV, or you’ll regret it. Only white paint is a no-cost option (all other colours are £550 extra), and with a starting price of £24,995 for the base no-frills 1.6, you’re looking nearer £28-29,000 for a 2.0 in a colour of your choice.

And that’s the rub here: Subaru needs to be offering this car significantly more cheaply to compete in what is a busy sector. Subaru buyers can see the point, but when you’ve got a Volvo XC40 offering a much more seductive, stylish and complete small SUV for similar money, you’ve got to be committed to something more rough’n’tumble to choose the XV.