Subaru XV Crossover revealed in Shanghai

Subaru XV Crossover Concept has the Qashqai and 3008 in its sites

Last week we had a tease for the Subaru XV Concept in the usual form of a dark image with all detail taken out. But it looked like a crossover, and a crossover is what made most sense. And that’s exactly what it turns out to be – Subaru’s pitch at the Peugeot 3008 and Nissan Qashqai.

Looking a lot like a high-riding version of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, this is Subaru’s very sensible route to the burgeoning crossover market. Taking a car that is renowned for its 4WD and bolting that in to a butch crossover does offer a lot of what this market seeks.

With its butch looks, a nice set of alloys, full length panoramic roof and an interior which sounds a cut above average (Subaru sent us no interior photos, but we’ll update later today when our images arrive from Shanghai) the Subaru XV stacks up as a sound competitor.

But it has stiff competition. The Nissan Qashqai invented the niche and the Peugeot 3008 has claimed a stake as the best in sector. But with its 4WD heritage, upmarket feel and strong 2.0 litre Boxer lump (although, sadly, it seems to be endowed with a CVT ‘box), the XV offers what seems like a lot.

Price will be crucial. The XV is going to be bigger than both the Qashqai and 3008 – just as the Impreza is a half size above the Focus and the Golf – so it can maybe stand a slight premium. We’re expecting Subaru to start it off around £20k, but that’s nothing more than an educated guess.

An interesting direction for Subaru.

(18 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK