Subaru XV GT Edition.
In Singapore, the market trend towards SUVs is no more apparent than in the Subaru brand. Imprezas used to be common once upon a time, but these days, you’d struggle to find the Subaru sedan on our roads.
What you will see more commonly, though, are Subaru SUVs.
Leading the SUV charge for the brand locally is the Forester, the brand’s best-selling model in Singapore. It is followed closely behind by the XV compact SUV.
In a bid to breath new life into its popular but now one-year old Subaru XV, Motor Image has launched a special edition model dubbed the “GT Edition”.
WHAT DOES THE GT EDITION ENTAIL?
Mostly, it’s a set of cosmetic enhancements. The special XV aero kit that comes on the GT Edition consists of a front bumper lip extension with integrated canards, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a rear bumper extension.
The Subaru XV GT Edition also gets a set of bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and a special seat-leather design.
The XV GT Edition also comes equipped with a 360-degree Around View Monitor camera, a useful addition for a lot us when it comes to narrow roads and tight parking spaces.
IS IT MECHANICALLY SIMILAR TO NON-GT EDITIONS?
The rest of the car is mechanically unchanged, and that’s not a bad thing at all. As it is, the Subaru XV has a lot going for it.
The Subaru XV is powered by a naturally aspirated 2-litre flat-4 delivering 154bhp and 196Nm of torque. The CVT that its paired to isn’t the most inspiring, but the powertrain delivers enough smoothness and punch to make everyday driving a casual and problem-free affair.
This compact SUV is also generously equipped. You get EyeSight Driver Assist technology, with useful features like lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The XV also comes with Reverse Automatic Braking.
The rest of the Subaru XV GT Edition is also a sensible and practical affair – the cabin is spacious and comfortable for five, the boot is relatively sizeable, and it’s a car that excels when it comes to user-friendliness.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
The standard Subaru XV starts at $99,800 (as of 11 April 2020) – an attractive price point for a sensible, practical and affordable compact SUV.
The GT Edition costs an additional $2,588, which honestly isn’t that much more. All things considered, it’s still a pretty good value for money purchase. We reckon $2,588 for the 360-degree camera itself is reasonable enough. The slightly sportier exterior design is a welcome plus.
SUVs are all the rage these days, and the Subaru XV delivers plenty of everyday competencies. Well-equipped, comfortable to drive and spacious enough for a family of five, the Subaru XV should prove to still be popular among buyers.
Some may scoff at the GT Edition for merely being a cosmetic update (it basically is), but hey, aesthetics do matter. And for just over 100 grand (as of 11 April 2020), there’s really not much to complain about it at all.
Subaru XV GT Edition EyeSight 2.0i (A)
ENGINE 1995cc, 16-valves, flat-4
MAX POWER 154hp at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 196Nm at 4000rpm
GEARBOX CVT
0-100KM/H 10.4 seconds
TOP SPEED 194km/h
CONSUMPTION 14.3km/L
PRICE INCL. COE From $99,800
AGENT Motor Image
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Or here for our Subaru Forester e-BOXER review
