IT is something of a mystery why Subaru's XV crossover has never really caught on, writes William Scholes.
OK, it is no oil painting but the XV's finest attributes, like those of all Subaru models, lie under the skin.
That means a tough permanent four-wheel-drive drivetrain, boxer-configuration engines, strong safety credentials, rugged practicality...
Subaru is giving the XV a bit of a leg up for 2016, with a raft of upgrades and improvements designed to help it catch the eye of would-be customers.
Chief among these are a series of cosmetic enhancements and a step up in interior quality, with the XV getting a smart new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system and 'eyes-free' voice control.
The engines have been tweaked to improve efficiency and lower running costs.
The 2.0-litre petrol is available with either a six-speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox, with EU combined fuel consumption measured at 43.5mpg and CO2 at 151g/km.
The 2.0-litre diesel turbo is equipped with the six-speed manual transmission and achieves 52.3mpg on the EU combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 141g/km.
Exterior changes include new headlamps and grille at the front, and LED lamps at the rear, with new alloy wheels and paint colours.
Prices remain the same for the upgraded XV, starting at £21,995 for a 2.0-litre petrol in SE specification.
The range-topping diesel SE Premium costs £25,995.
Like all Subaru models, the XV also gets a five-year, 100,000 mile warranty.
