Subaru has just released the refreshed-for-2021 XV compact crossover for the U.S. market. Aside from packing standard all-wheel drive and active torque vectoring control, the Subaru XV will now be made available with a more powerful, yet surprisingly economical engine.

Headlining the changes for 2021 is the confirmation of the availability of the 2.5-liter FB25 engine. Also found in U.S. (and Japan) Forester and Outback, this direct-injected normally aspirated engine brings the Subaru XV’s power up to 182 horsepower and 239 Nm of torque. Mated to the Lineartronic CVT, this engine achieves surprisingly good fuel economy: 11 km/L city, 14.4 km/L highway, and 12.3 km/L mixed compared to the 2.0-liter’s 11.9 km/L city, 14 km/L highway, and 12.75 km/L combined.

Oh, and speaking of the 2.0-liter FB20, it carries on unchanged for 2021 with the same 152 horsepower and 196 Nm of torque outputs.



In select Subaru XV variants, Subaru is also debuting the dual-function X-Mode. First introduced in the Forester, it adds specialized Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes to optimize the all-wheel drive’s performance.

Visually, the 2021 Subaru XV gets a re-designed bumper and new fog light surrounds. It also gets a revised grille and new wheel designs with the 2.5-liter variant receiving special machine-finished 18-inchers as standard. Two new colors—Plasma Yellow and Horizon Blue Pearl join the line-up.

Inside, the refreshed Subaru XV offers unique trim options. Aside from the usual black or gray leather with orange stitching, Subaru is also offering StarTex upholstery—a lightweight urethane material which also happens to be extremely durable and vegan-friendly. There are also yellow stitching and highlights to contrast with the gunmetal and simulated carbon fiber trim. The instrument cluster also gets yellow metallic trim rings and a full-color multi-information display. At the back, the rear tailgate is now illuminated by a high-power LED.



As always, the Subaru XV comes with the EyeSight Driver Assist system. For 2021, the system has been enhanced with adaptive cruise control with lane centering. It also has a rear seat reminder to prevent child or pet entrapment by alerting the driver to check the rear seats before exiting the vehicle.

The 2021 Subaru XV makes its way to showrooms in the U.S. by August to September of this year. For the Philippine market, it’ll likely make its debut sometime late this year or early next year.