The all-new 2018 Subaru XV has been revealed at the Geneva Motor Show showing off improved infotainment and technology.

IN THE FIRST major update since it was launched in 2012, the Subaru XV has been revealed overnight at the Geneva Motor Show. The new XV, like the recently launched Impreza, is built on Subaru’s new Subaru Global Platform (which will underpin all Subaru models going forward). The XV was leaked to Practical Motoring in February.

Beyond the new platform which is between 70%-100% more rigid than the old car’s platform, the new XV offers Eyesight driver assistance and borrows X-Mode which tweaks key car controls, like the all-wheel drive system, gearbox behavior, engine and throttle response to improve traction in low-grip situations. The new XV also adds hill descent control and maintains the current car’s 220mm of ground clearance.

The XV doesn’t look radically different to the car it replaces, which is a good thing, and is an evolution of the design rather than a revolution. Clearly based on the Impreza, the XV continues with Subaru’s Dynamic X Solid design language.

The new XV, in pictures, looks sharper than the old car but retains its signature elements, like the hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlight design, and matte black cladding on the front bumper, wheel arches and side sills. The new XV gets new-look alloys and two new colours, “Cool Gray Khaki” and “Sunshine Orange”.

On the inside, the new XV gets an updated dashboard design that follows the look of the Impreza, with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, offering both Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity. Like the Impreza, the new XV gets newly designed seats intended to be more supportive and comfortable on long drives.

The short release that accompanied the images on this page, revealed the XV will stick closely to its Impreza stablemate, offering similar improvements to steering gear ratio (which is now shorter for quicker steering), chassis and suspension improvements and, if the dynamics of the Impreza are anything to go by, then the new XV should be a standout in the compact SUV segment. An electronic parking brake is added, replacing the manual unit on the current car.

Under the bonnet is the same engine as the Impreza, which is a re-worked version of the old car’s engine. This means there’s been a small jump in power (from 110kW to 115kW) while torque is steady at 196Nm. This engine is mated to a new CVT that offers a “seven-speed manual mode function, allowing the driver to accelerate as desired”. This unit and engine has been criticized by some media outlets, but in my opinion this is a perfectly suitable unit, with Subaru’s CVT the best in the business.

Despite maintaining its 220mm of ground clearance, the new XV’s centre of gravity is 5mm lower than before. Indeed, Subaru says it has the “hazard avoidance capabilities on the same level as high-performance sports car”.

The XV will offer a raft of active safety features, not the least of which is Subaru’s Eyesight system which offers Pre-Collision Braking Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keep Assist. The XV will also feature high-beam assist, automatically switching from high to low beam based on what is happening ahead of the vehicle. It will also get steering responsive headlights which move the headlight right or left when turning, illuminating the direction of travel. The XV will also offer Subaru’s Rear Vehicle Detection which offers blind spot detection, lane change assistance and reversing assistance to enhance all-round preventive safety.

The new XV will arrive in Australia later this year, with preview drives in April. Subaru hasn’t announced pricing, but given the level of equipment available on the XV, it’ll be priced at a slight premium over equivalent Impreza variants.