2022 Subaru XV 2.0 i-P EyeSight Review

In recent years, the competition in Malaysia's C-Segment SUV market has become increasingly fierce. Consumers demand enough space for family travel, while also valuing vehicle safety and off-road capability. As a "veteran" in this segment, the 2022 Subaru XV 2.0 i-P EyeSight model remains a top choice for many family users, thanks to Subaru's iconic symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, EyeSight safety suite, and well-balanced features. This time, we got our hands on a test vehicle of this model with the primary goal of evaluating its actual performance in daily commuting and weekend getaways to see if it can still stand out among its competitors.

The exterior design of the 2022 Subaru XV continues the brand's consistent rugged style, with overall sharp and square lines that do not appear bulky. At the front, the polygonal grille is paired with chrome trim, and the iconic oval Subaru logo is embedded in the center, giving it high recognition. The sharp-shaped LED headlights on both sides seamlessly blend with the grille, extending the visual width of the front. On the sides, two waistlines stretch from the front fender to the rear, creating a muscular feel. The simple style of the 17-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, paired with 225/60 R17 tires, balances comfort and off-road capability. The roof is equipped with silver roof rails, enhancing both functionality and off-road aesthetics. At the rear, the irregularly shaped LED taillights correspond to the headlights, connected by a slim chrome trim in the center, which increases the refinement of the rear. A silver skid plate is fitted below the rear bumper, further emphasizing the SUV's identity. The overall exterior design avoids excessive flamboyance, presenting a classic and enduring appearance that appeals to family aesthetics.

Sitting inside, the interior styling is practical, featuring a symmetrical center console design with a clear layout. The upper part of the dashboard is covered with soft-touch materials, providing a pleasant feel. The central area is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display with a simple interface and smooth operation, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Below the screen, the climate control area adopts a combination of physical buttons and knobs, which is convenient and user-friendly. The steering wheel features a three-spoke multifunctional design, with buttons on the left to control multimedia and Bluetooth phone functions, while the right buttons operate the adaptive cruise control system; the grip is comfortable. The instrument cluster features an electronic analog design, displaying abundant information such as speed, RPM, fuel consumption, and tire pressure, all easy to read. The front seats are wrapped in leather, offering good support and cushioning. The driver's seat supports 8-way electric adjustment, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The rear seats have a moderate backrest angle and ample legroom, with approximately two fists' distance between the knees of a 175cm passenger and the front seats, and about one fist of headroom. Additionally, the rear is equipped with air-conditioning vents and USB charging ports, enhancing passenger comfort. In terms of storage space, the trunk offers a standard capacity of 345 liters, and the rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split configuration, extending the space to accommodate large items, meeting the needs of family travel and transport of large objects. The car also features multiple storage compartments, such as door panel slots, a central armrest box, and a glovebox, providing convenient storage for phones, wallets, and other small items.

For power, the 2022 Subaru XV 2.0 i-P EyeSight is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum power of 156PS (6000rpm) and a maximum torque of 194N·m (4000rpm). It is paired with a CVT continuously variable transmission. During actual driving, the power output is smooth during take-off, with no noticeable jerking, making it suitable for daily commuting. During acceleration, engine speed increases linearly, and the CVT transmission can simulate 7 gears. You can manually control the gears with steering wheel paddle shifters, adding more driving fun. The mid-to-high-speed acceleration is moderate; overtaking requires a harder press of the accelerator. When the engine speed exceeds 4000rpm, the torque boosts noticeably, meeting the daily overtaking needs. As for the chassis, it adopts a combination of a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear double-wishbone independent suspension, offering a setup leaning towards comfort. When tackling bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out most vibrations, ensuring passengers inside the car don't feel any significant bumps. While cornering, the suspension provides good support, keeping the body roll within a reasonable range and maintaining decent stability. The addition of an all-wheel-drive system gives the vehicle stronger traction on slippery and unpaved roads, enhancing its off-road capability. For example, on muddy roads, the four wheels can distribute power evenly, preventing slippage and increasing the vehicle's ability to navigate out of difficult situations.

In everyday driving, the vehicle performs well in terms of comfort. The seats are well-contoured and supportive, ensuring drivers don't feel fatigued even on long trips. Noise control in the cabin is quite effective, with wind noise and tire noise not being prominent even at high speeds, ensuring a quiet cabin environment. Regarding fuel consumption, based on our real-world testing, the fuel usage is approximately 8.5L per 100km in urban driving, around 6.8L per 100km on highways, and about 7.5L per 100km on average, which is close to the official fuel consumption figure of 7.3L/100km. The fuel economy performance is reasonable. In terms of safety features, this model is equipped with Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance system, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, among other features, providing effective safety assurance for daily driving. Additionally, it comes with 7 airbags, a 360-degree panoramic camera, front and rear parking sensors, among other configurations, further enhancing the vehicle's safety.

In conclusion, the key advantages of the 2022 Subaru XV 2.0 i-P EyeSight lie in its well-rounded performance. The all-wheel-drive system provides excellent off-road capability, while the EyeSight safety suite ensures comprehensive safety protection. Its spacious interior and practical configurations meet the needs of family users. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR, the Subaru XV's all-wheel-drive system is its standout feature, making it particularly suited for users who frequently venture out of town. However, in terms of brand influence and fuel efficiency, it still lags slightly behind other Japanese competitors.

Overall, the 2022 Subaru XV 2.0 i-P EyeSight is a compact SUV that is perfect for family users, balancing comfort, safety, and off-road capability. Whether it's daily commuting or weekend trips to the countryside, it can handle it all with ease. If you're a family user who values vehicle safety and off-road capability and has a favorable opinion of the Subaru brand, then this model is worth considering.