Subaru XV Crossover revealed in Shanghai

Subaru XV Crossover Concept revealed at Shanghai

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

Subaru reveals the Subaru XV Crossover Concept at the Shanghai Motor Show, a high-riding, 4WD Impreza Crossover.

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.