Why Do We Drive Off-Road?: Subaru XV - XCAR 

As someone who drives proper off-roaders daily (Defender, Shogun) i can say that all of Subaru's 4x4s, even hatch backs and estates have always surprised me in pulling themselves our of muddy fields and up steep grassy slopes. for someone who wants a car they can take down to the local country show or festival without the fear of getting stuck and embarrassed but don't want to sacrifice road handling then i can't recommend the Scoobies highly enough.

We buy off-road vehicles because it's easier to park on sidewalks.

"It's all about conquest." That quote alone represents the point of off roading very well, as well as the spirit of Subaru. Excellent video.

3:53 I resonate very strongly with this statement. I have an old, humble little Suzuki SX4 and it has seen more off-roading action (in beautiful South Africa, of all places) than 90% of the Land Cruisers or Range Rovers that one finds gliding about in the city. You don't need a "real" 4x4 to have fun, and you DEFINITELY don't need a real 4x4 to take your kids to school in a city. Came to this video because I'm hoping to upgrade to an XV soon!

This bloke has hit the nail on the head with his explanation of off road cars. Nicely put.

Best car I've ever bought to date - knock on wood. I live in Western Canada in a rural area near a frontier forestry town close to the mountains. I have travelled the forestry trunk road covered in mud like you can't imagine, taken down bumpy roads to the end of the line into the great wilderness of Banff, and while in search of our area's elusive wild horses, I've taken it slowly along rutted grassy areas off the dirt roads that took me there. I go slow, since of course I want my car to last... but, I'm telling you - It's great. Especially in the winter (as long as you have good tires). The only thing is that it has low horse power at only 148 in the gas engine version. I highly recommend one of these cars, and I hope that it continues to serve me well for years to come.

it's gatta be said, subaru makes some amazing cars. their fast turbo charged wrx and sti, to the outback, legacy, and crosstrek capable of epic advertures. and the aftermarket is amazing! endless possibilities. got a small lift kit, some skid plates, and some offroad tires for me outback and she's practically unstoppable (within reason, she's not jeep). subarus are truly amazing

finally someone who actually puts that car to use

I have a 2013 XV Crosstrek - wonderful vehicle and handles all road surfaces well - especially gravel roads with huge potholes - rock solid car and would buy another in a heartbeat

I have Forster 2015 with x-mode. Its got Hill decent etc. Its epic off road. I drive at least 3 times a week across a small desert to get to the beach!! Never gets stuck.

This review sounds poetic!

Maybe for the UK all wheel drive is overkill 364 days out of the year but here in Canada we are on snow and ice a lot and it just makes total sence.

I've driven my Lancer through similar terrain (minus the larger puddles). Was a struggle, but it's certainly gotten me excited to own something like the XV...

Wish they brought the Diesel over here to US.

Excellent review of the XV, we've had ours for 14 months and bought it for its great ground clearance as the previous Impreza used to scrape its way alarmingly up the 7km of narrow and steep mountain fire trail to an aunties farm, have found the XV even better than the Shogun Sport we've also used when it's been raining heavy as it gets very slippery with the consistancy of baby poo, with the AWD Subaru you always know every wheel is and its location on the trail whereas the Shogun Sport always felt more approximate.

This is great; my work takes me on muddy, rutted construction sites and out into empty fields from time to time. I laugh because I had a GTI and now I have a Ford Escape and I will bomb across such areas, while Americans in giant heavy duty lifted diesel pickups gingerly pick their way across the terrain like their vehicle is barely up to the task. Off roading is not some magic thing that requires a monster truck or a million specialist toys and features. Some ground clearance, a tire with some grabby tread, and AWD is enough to get people through 98% of what they will ever face. I shake my head how many people have been sold otherwise.

just recently bought one brand new! looking forward to put it through its paces!

who now needs top gear?

Great review and especially in the way he described the reasons that so many of us desire cars that can go anywhere if need be. The torch and wellies example was great. I had a Panda 4x4 couple of years ago, diesel was the only mistake because the gearing was terrible on the motorway. Other than that, me and the girlfriend loved the fact it could handle pretty much anything, and my god it did!

I can’t believe the amount of times you and other reviewers say that it’s unlikely this car will be bought for off-road or that we “don’t need it for off-road”! I’m literally trying to find a decent review of this car because I need to take it off-road in the Arctic Circle.

boy.....that seems so much fun....love it.....nice video by the way

One of the most entertaining videos I have ever watched from XCAR

Good little snow-trail runner but definatley get 4by4 if you want to rock crawl or evn logging roads....

I think people buy it because the roads now are like driving off-road.SUV/ 4x4 means less wear and tear on you suspension compared to normal cars when driven on our pot hole ridden roads.

m8 its a subaru its goin to get over and through everything

Hill decent control is another word for laziness I'd prefer doing it all myself to be honest makes you part of the whole off roading experience

I am considering purchasing a Subaru. The reason for that is that I will have the confidence to step off the road and have the ability not to get stuck in the mud like a two wheel drive configuration. I think people purchase these type of vehicles for when the moment calls for off roading or even going to the beach and parking the car in the sand.

Best car review I've seen so far! Any car marketing department should learn from this.

I know this is a good car and all but I swear that xcar love every single car they review

Thanks for making these vids. Amazing footage. Great car.

4-wheel sliding in the grass like that looks really really fun!!!

I never thought Subaru made diesel. Now I REALLY want one in the states...

Driving on bad roads is still the norm in the so called developing regions of the world. Most of them dont do it for fun but until the roads are paved, they are forced to drive on serious dirt trails where they often get stuck driving normal 2wd cars and trucks. Watch the 'deadliest roads' and 'deadliest journeys' series on youtube to see what i mean.

Awesome video and review. I'll check this one out at my Subaru retaier this week. Nice one i like it! I do like the new Honda HR-V but this one is not that bad!! I'll test drive and see. Thanks for this mate..take care.

good review man, I'm waiting for the 2018 model with the new platform. look even better than the already wonderful current XV

What seems crazy is that many of the most expensive 4x4s end up with low profile sports tyres on them which are just horrendous. I've seen ancient 4x4 pandas and little suzuki jimnys overtaking floundering BMW X5s here in the alps. PS re Subaru,, they need to get back their badass-ness. I used to lust after a fast forester for all round fun and mountain camping adventures car, but Subaru didnt have a diesel in those days.

nice review, but still i am going with a toyota landcruiser... if i want an ugly utilitarian suv which can drive to the end of the earth(without breaking down). =)

Its only 2015 thought! OMG Great video.

choice of words... one of the best car reviews ever... (y)

Shouldn't the video title be - Why Don't we drive off road . Also it's great to see a channel that actually does reviews off road . Nothing worse watching a 4wd review that isn't done off road . where was that filmed ???

I bought mine to stay on the road, not to go off of it. Wyoming winters can make for interesting driving.

The reason that so many people buy crossovers and the sort is because most people have this idea that a 4x4 wont slip on ice and that any on road car simply cant cross a feild or go up a track. Honesty 95% of cross overs are bought by people who live up a dirt track and seem to think that it is necessary to have a 4x4 to get up it.

XCar, would love to see you guys do a similar test in a 6AT (Automatic) Patriot.

Yeah, wish you had shown us how it tackled the "steep descents and steep ascents". It would have made this review more appealing and credible. I have a front wheel drive that can also do slides in the mud too and won't get stuck !!

I love my subaru. From snow, mud, and sand, I've been everywhere with it. Right now it takes me to places where I hunt for wild hogs. Unfortunately, I have to tow a wagon around for anything I harvest....

Imagine how many of these they would sell if they added air suspension for better angles when needed.

suvs and crossovers are replacing the hatchback category. they are safe, spacious and offer performance.

A very interesting video because of its different view on offroading!

4:14 "Why in 2016...?" A bit premature, mate.

Why? Because the city I live in feels it doesn't have to plow anything more than the major roads and bus routes. Because it's winter at least 6 months of the year where I live. Because this year, the snow is piled up so high, I cannot see to turn out of my parking lot. Because large snowfalls are becoming more regular where I live. I give up! I bought a Subaru VX!

Speak for your selves UK here in Canada my RWD bmw is at some points unusable in the winter even with winter tires this kind of this is just what you need.

Well...it REALLY makes me angry that we don't get the diesel in the US. I'd buy one if we did. Also, Subarus will go A LOT of places off-road if you choose your lines carefully and have a more traction oriented tire. No, they aren't a 4x4 with low range, but the will go through some nasty conditions and they are VERY effective in snow.

Nothing better than seeing a notification from RU-vid saying "New XCARFilms Video"

Sorry to disappoint you mate but most people buy SUVs because they want to sit high up and feel superior to others. I'm afraid it has nothing to do with knowing your vehicle can go places it shouldn't be able to go and feeling something special from that knowledge.

Please! Please bring this Diesel here to USA I wouldn't hesitate to buy one on the spot, I love Subarus Diesel models should be made for us here too.

1:22 forgot to mute the gopro in the editing room... CLICK

How refined or not is the diesel, some are quite agricultural

@1:05 I simply do not understand those people! Why else would you buy a vehicle like this? There are plenty asphalt cars...

You'd think that by going up to 50p one would realise that the dramatic music has no room anymore.

Lol this guy's hair is brushing the headliner

What kind of tyres were used in this video in that Subaru XV?

Why did you guys at XCAR sell out this video to CNET? Seems odd.

This is a very good video. The commentary part is compelling. Subaru should pay you for this. It's as good as a well thought of ad. I am thinking of buying a Subaru XV now. See?

Man this car has me torn :(, I really REALLY want one! I currently own and drive a 2002 Acura RL and I absolutely love that car, it's honestly one of best cars I've ever been in and had the pleasure to drive despite having seen and been in more luxury cars than most have in their life. The 2002 Acura RL is by far one of the most comfortable rides and is put together so well that it even seems to be of better craftsmanship than even the newer Acuras in my opinion. HOWEVER! As I start to question how much I want to get into traveling and doing landscape photography, the question about what car is most suitable for that kind of exploration lifestyle comes to mind. I realize that my Acura RL may not be ideal and that I will eventually need a car capable of off-roading which means I may want something like a CrossTrek. The problem is that since my RL is paid off I don't want to put payments down for financing a CrossTrek and pay insurance for 2 cars when I'm only 1 person and can only drive 1 car at a time. At the same time, I don't want to sell my RL because I love it so much.

I'm really interested in the 2017 Crosstrek and hope it's just as capable off road too.

Nice review and hair cut suits you better!

Do you drive your own car offroad like that? Beautifully shot but light on any specific technical details around the awd system and capabilities.

"We have plenty of roads and cars don t need to do this anymore" LOL ,come to Romania (ps:bring a tractor with you for the "roads" that we have ) 😂😂

a goddamn brilliant review, fit for the xv!

did you find that front mirror is kinda in your way? Im 6.1. The only issue i have with all their new models is that the front mirror positioned too low for my line of sight.

Very great concept and good video

nice review mate ,, keep it up

This video makes me proud to be a Subie owner. Do you think the host would be laughing and smiling as much if he had to drive a Honda cr-v or Toyota Rav4?

Quality video, quite enthralling

MY 2014 XV is a DOG! putchaced with 50,000 miles. At 60k all 4 wheel bearings replaced. next came both front wishbones due to bushes rotted and only able to get the whole units. Next at 65k the main drive shaft bearing which meant the entire shaft replaced!!! and both front brake discs warped then took under body trays off to find EVERY pipe and cable fixing rotted away completely and the factory rust protection only on 50% of exposed steel so lots of rot. At 70k the rear trailing arms and every!!!! suspension bush rotted. The central locking occasionally locks me in or out and the fault cannot be traced. The worst car I ever bought.

are the angles on the headlights lit up on this car? if so what is the difference from the headlights to the U.S. headlights??

Fun times! I would love to find a place just like that!

This video would have been shite with a Bentayga. Well done Xcar for using a bog standard car.

Fantastic video! Great thoughts ;)

Really good review!

Just awesome! I couldn't have said it better myself! 😀

I drive a Toyota FJ Cruiser 4X4! Try following that in a Subaru.

This was great :)

Too bad their Auto gearboxes is CVTs...

Nice review!

how did you keep it so clean???

Its just too bad it's the one of slowest things I've ever driven. The CVT is really weird too, but from what I understand it gets fantastic mileage in the long term.

Funny that the camera chase car is a two-wheel drive.

Where I live, people drive off road raised hatchbacks and 4x4 Pandas.

Woo! Proud owner of one of these Trader Joe's mobiles.

what's so special with 5MT please? currently own 2010 Forrester but considering the XV for trade in. thanks for the education.

Epic review!!

Great Revue

Hey Subaru, wanna bring that diesel to the states?

what exact color is it?

Am I right in thinking that the XV is just the artist formerly known as the Impreza outback?

May be it is time, for Subaru, to make X-Mode standard in all vehicles with over 8 inches.

Hey, good color Blue what; are you gonna do

Boxer diesel...I want. Will we ever see this in USA? Volkswagen probably set diesels back another 10 years...

la mejor suv en su rango , hermosa quiero una....