Subaru’s compact crossover XV now comes with a new powertrain, the e-BOXER, which combines an electric motor with two of Subaru’s core technologies: the horizontally-opposed Boxer engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, a re-design of the body and chassis, XV offers what Subaru describes as an “advanced safety performance and a dynamic driving experience”.

XV e-BOXER combines a 2.0 direct injection horizontally opposed petrol engine with an electric motor. A lithium-ion battery unit is mounted within the boot floor and allows for pure-electric driving at speeds of up to 25mph. Making hybrid “the Subaru way”, the new technology used in the XV e-BOXER design is arranged in a symmetrical layout (the heavy motor is placed near the vehicle’s centre of gravity and the battery is positioned above the rear axle) which plants the car on the road giving claimed noticeable handling improvements and maintaining Subaru’s unique balanced weight distribution. The XV e-BOXER offers a 1270kg towing capacity.

The e-BOXER version of Subaru’s XV was reconfirmed with the maximum five star Euro NCAP rating in 2019, following its initial safety test when the Subaru XV was also awarded the prestigious safety recognition of Euro NCAP’s “Best in Class of 2017” in the Small Family Car category. Subaru was voted Best Manufacturer for Safety Features in the 2019 Driver Power Survey and the XV e-BOXER comes with a suite of driver-assist and safety features as standard:

EyeSight driver assist technology functions optically using two stereo cameras which are mounted either side of the rear-view mirror. It monitors for hazards up to 110 metres ahead and includes: Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.

Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection identifies vehicles approaching from the rear. It offers three main functions to improve visibility and to help minimise common causes for accidents: Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Priced from £30,995 OTR, XV e-Boxer is available in nine colours and is in dealerships now.