Good review Kon, and I do believe you're one of the few if not the only one who reported on the front gloss, rear matt door panel inserts. Keep up the good work.
hi kon...good review.....how different is this new xv as compared to previous gen xv, significant different or just subtle...especially its little increase in power...thanks
Yes initially I do thought the lack of rear aircon do matter but indeed it’s not. When test drived I was at back with my toddler. The car get cooled very fast. The air ventilated pretty well to the back perhaps thanks to the powerful fan and the small body.
I m shortlisted subaru XV and Peugeot 3008 for next car. Tested both, for me the XV are rugged and fun to drive and the 3008 are premier and comfortable. Your opinion? Which one is better? Thanks.
Nice review bro +Kon Wai Luen, my sister has the previous one, & my bro just bought this new gen. Yes, new gen is totally more refined, steering’s weight is good one, cabin outstanding upgraded, & driving this symmetrical awd boost more dynamic.
lol.... good on ya, mate. Subaru makes really nice cars, but much of their resources are spent under the sheet metal, they end up wearing 'cheap clothing'. hahaha
hey Kon, nice video... mind share yr opinion between HRV and XV below, struggling about which to choose. handling power fc maintenance reliability thanks in advance
Thanks for the video. Agree with you in most aspects as I just got a xv 2 litre. Its body is as solid as any European make and I drives and feel safe in this car on Singapore road as compared to my previous shuttle.
Not as good as the 2WD ones, to be sure. But we had more than a 1/4 tank left after 300km of driving. Trip computer says 15 litres/100km, which is on the high side.
Looking forward to buy this car, I saw on carbase website that the new Subaru XV has Apple car play? Also how quick those paddle shifters respond? I’m gonna be driving it on manual mode from time to time. Thanks
Didn't really try out the manual mode myself, didn't feel the need to. I use Android phone, so couldn't test out the Apple Carplay either. Do try these features out on a test drive if they matter to you.
Thinking of buying a new Subaru XV, but No power-boot ! hard for a lady driver lah, no strength to pull the tailgate. Is it advisable or Not advisable to install aftermarket power boot? is it safe? appreciate some advice from people with wisdom in this area. Thanks in advance.
Nice review. Is it true that I heard the FC is higher because of AWD and maintenance parts are more expensive than CRV and X-Trial? I'm thinking of getting an SUV. Big thanks!
+Joe Cheang higher FC is definite. Maintenance also yes - remember that the boxer engine requires a duplication of the engine valvetrain so there are twice as many parts to change. But the flipside is that Subaru cars are usually robust and reliable.
The body does allow a bit of roll, but that's actually fine, because it gives the driver better indication of the car's grip and stability level. The likes of the CR-V memang tuned for ease of use, hence that 'relaxing' feeling you mentioned.
Ya Kon, sbb tak mampu nak upgrade ke F30. even to LCi. Actually bukan nak tukar tapi nak tambah. Skrg my wife bawa E90, dia suruh aku bawak Sportage. Wayooo. Hati manyak panas la. We just got the 320i 2007 in Dec last year. Those dammed Germans..
Cool review Kon. I agree with you on the shiny carbon fibre for the front and matte for the back. It's like they ran out of budget or had separate team designing the front and rear doors or they assumed people like glossy, sit in front and this who don't, sit at the back. Anyway, questions. 1. Headunit has android auto connectivity? 2. Rear seat squabs. Good thigh support? To your knees? Or like Bobby's Forester review, rear seat squabs were quite short.
The trim mismatch is no dealbreaker, but it's a bit tak syok to see lah, haha. To answer your questions: 1. I didn't explore in detail, but no. 2. The seat squabs reach my knees. Felt decent in thigh support, but that was for a short period of time lah. Can't tell over long distance trips.
+Ting Ks both the CX-5 and CR-V are pretty quiet, and the XV is thereabouts the same. The XV however, does have the advantage of being naturally quieter due to the inherent smoothness of the Boxer engine... meaning it can be just as quiet as the CR-V and CX-5 needing not as much soundproofing.
Good review there.How do you compare the interior quality compared to the rivals?Especially the Mazda CX5 which I think has one of the best build quality in its segment.
Hi Sir. How do you suggest between XV and CX5 and Forester as well? I just test drove this car & its quite okay for me and the passenger but has lesser space compared to CX5 and Forester 2019 and few features are missing in this XV e.g. blindspot monitoring, etc. Can you help me out to decide? I always travel on bumpy road (jalan kampung). So, I need a car that can absord the bumpiness well.
If you regularly traverse rough roads, I have to recommend the Subaru. Do you need the space? If yes, then get the Forester, otherwise, XV is good enough.
hi kon....i'm looking for SUV, in your opinion between CRV, CX5, XV, 3008 & forester which one is better in terms of service cost, spare part & handling?
Hi Kon. Nice review. Just tested the 2nd gen XV last week. Honestly, I really like the performance of the XV. Sales representative from Subaru drifted the XV during my test drive. The low center of gravity of the boxer engine and suspension setup makes the XV a fun crossover to drive. I'm still considering to get one as the negative side about it is less of a/c vent for the rear cabin and also the plastics upholstery esp at the door panel.
In terms of features and things you use day-to-day, the CR-V certainly offers more, but..... CR-V certainly does not give the kind of discounts that Subaru offers. Muahahaha
very well wrapped up and detailed review.. i'd benefit from your review but i do hope there's some comparison for its infotainment of local version with abroad AFAIK there's some updates for its software where our local version seem very old version with limited capability to connect with Android... anyway, thanks for your v.good review :)
Ok. Mine happenned on all the doors. Its either they intend to make the door feel heavy so that the car has its continental feeling or its just a poor door hinge mechanism.
Agree. Subaru should fix Aircon vents for the rear passenger's seat to all it's models selling in view Malaysia being in Equatorial region the weather is extremely hot and humid. Again to make Subaru more attractive have the engine turborized like the other brands SUVs.
Good review.....Just wondering if you could do another review on Subaru Forester...I know your partner Bobby had done it but many of us think that Bobby's review was a little rush and not fully covered .....or on the other side.....maybe you have a different view on Forester.....I notice that for instance Bobby is OK with no rear a/c vents but not you......Let's see what your opinion on Subaru Forester......Appreciate your time.......Good job...keep the reviews coming...........
+3PK Penang here are my thoughts on the car ... th-cam.com/video/Z-drhzzBqRo/w-d-xo.html The reason it feels rushed is because we were on a tight schedule on the weekend the car came to us together with the XV.
The reason it was rushed is because i really wanted to hate that car when i was doing the walk around. The infotainment screen makes me wanna punch it, this SIX YEAR OLD car still pretending to be modern in 2018 with LEDs here and there .... and then after i drove it .... IT'S GOOD. SO GOOD.
Nice review! But with all due respect, the lack of rear aircond vents is not a problem for me. Currently driving a Forester and ferrying the wife and kid at the back on a hot day is ok. The aircond does its job. Echoing what Bobby said several times previously, the lack of rear aircond vents is not really a problem in a 5 seater car.
+edmund09 haha. That's one example of me and Bobby not having the same opinion on things. But it's good to know you're happy with the car. The Forester too, is a well-engineered product.
Hi Kon Superb Review.. As indeed Subaru is well known for its good driving ergonomics which always their key selling asset which it matters to me as well. My question to you is since you have driven both the 2018 XV & the current 2.0iP Forester, what are the difference apart from cargo space which the Forester has a bigger cabin. 1) Do They Share the same engine? 2) How's the driving experience between these 2? Because I'm considering an SUV to start of with & these 2 are my options including the X70 as well which everyone is highly anticipating. Thks Kon! Keep Up The Good Work!
The XV is based on Subaru's newest platform and hence gets more updated tech. Its refinement is therefore improved, although that being said, the Forester remains a highly recommended product even though a replacement is near.
Kon Wai Luen had mine since 2014 so its the older one..i also find the fuel consumption for a full time awd is excellent. 1st gens probably was lacking in certain refinements but that bulletproof feel is incomparable..try it in kampung roads with bad surface and undulations will impress..such a scoobie fan now that i went out a bought an old v7 sti as a project car..future owners be warned..lol
+trustgtr33 fuhhh!! Talk about poison! My uncle in Australia has a base Impreza 2.0 6-speed manual. Very nice to drive, too bad no jalan to ship it over. Lol
Kon Wai Luen haha..yeah..its getting harder and harder to find a true mechanical car with some character..should pick one up..as prices are kinda low for sti locally compared to evos etc..
Excellent and unbiased review, Kon. Thank you so much. By the way, I just noticed while you were driving on the highway, seems there's a lot of road noise from the wheels, approaching cars, and the motorcycle. How is the noise compared to HR-V or CX-3?
+Sandor Clegane better than the CX-3 but may be not as good as the H-RV. Then again, remember that both the XV and CX-3 make very little mechanical noise, so other noises become extra noticeable.
You're right and that explains why I can barely hear the rev sound or engine whine. On the aspect of acceleration for a CVT , you pointed out this XV has smoother and more relentless feel to it (I can also see that in the video), but how about for the HR-V? Which one is better in, say, a stop-and-go traffic?
Stop-and-go traffic, I think both the same. Honda won't have smoothness problems because the CVT is used in conjunction with a torque converter. Not sure about the XV, but sure as hell didn't feel jerky to me la
Overall a good package. I am tempted but holding off the decision to get one for for 2 reasons. First, why we Malaysian get the crappy version on the head unit? Why can't we get the same version overseas market is getting? Second, its more of a wishlist, I wish they would come with a light turbocharged engine. I understand Subaru have limited budget to work with, they can use the existing 2.0 turbo engine with detune power say around 180 hp/250 nm torque. With the engine package, this would be a compelling package to the consumers.
The head unit is not a major issue to me, can be sorted with an aftermarket upgrade. Engine is a bigger deal, and I do agree that a punchier engine would add significantly to the XV's appeal.
+alvin Lai the Forester rolls a bit more, but largely drives just as well. The XV feels a bit more refined though. I've filmed a review of the Forester too, but in the midst of editing, so watch out for that.
Why Subaru doesn’t bring in Eyesight for their suv in Malaysia ? At least give buyers an option. It would be the only suv in this segment that comes with pilot assist that many expensive premium car don’t offer. Definitely a very strong selling pint.
its a bummer it doesnt have eyesight.extra rm8k is ok.still price below crv.they should expedite the lauch of eyesight xv.it still looks good if u lift it up
They brought a bunch of media from Malaysia to attend the regional launch of Eyesight in Singapore recently. We were on the guest list too, but missed out because of miscommunication on our end. So, from our understanding, Eyesight is definitely coming to Malaysia.
Went test drove yesterday, it's good overall in terms of safety, value for money and handling, except when I accelerate, the engine accelerate, but it got cut off in the middle and accelerate again, as if i let go the pedal to let it take a deep breath. Def not smooth acceleration as e.g. Honda's engine and the roar is louddd. The other major turn off is the fugly console software. Unbelievable.
Test drove the 1st generation XV and had a previous generation NA 2.0L Impreza rental unit while in the US a couple of years ago. Like you said, the mechanical chassis and AWD setup of Subies puts them in a league of their own, its just so balanced and neutral compared to its competitors. And sitting inside one, there's this sense of pure honesty (though possibly due to lack of R&D budget) with their simple designs but very well built and assembled interior. Although I'm waiting for a chance to drive the new successor, I'm kinda already a little concerned by a few things - lack of a temperature gauge (I'm old fashion) - the use of an electronic parking brake - the decision to use narrow vertical center air vents which in most cases has the right side unit blowing air to the steering or the hand holding it - that rear center 3-point seat belt which needs a bit of a stretch compared to those mounted on the roof - many owners of the earlier XV encountered premature wear on tear on the rear wheel bearings. Wonder if this finally fixed that Oh ya, and nice thorough review. Good job!
Hahaha... Bobby uses the term mechanically premium to describe Subaru cars. It's like these guys poured all their R&D money into the chassis and drivetrain, they got nothing left for the bits of the car that people see. Agree on your point with the air-con vents, have to push the right-most one far to the side.
great review.. would be better if you could end it with a simple comparison with vehicles with of a similar range/px, expected RV , aftersales service if you have any idea... thanks
In terms of body size, closest competition would be the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX. Against the HR-V, the XV has a superior drivetrain configuration and more assured handling, although the Honda offers better interior space. The ASX matches the XV mechanically in offering a 2.0-litre engine with AWD, but is starting to feel like a dated product and with no replacement in sight. You can argue that the Mazda CX-3 is a rival too, but the CX-3's interior is too cramped for it to be considered as a practical alternative... stylish, may be. Resale value, I don't expect the XV to hold that well, to be honest, but that's because of heavy discounting. If you buy, make sure you squeeze the best deal out of your salesman.
great if you could share similar details in future reviews... would help potential buyers.. agree on the part of asx, mitsu and subaru really got to find true partners..
+Lima Charlie let's see what Nissan can do with Mitsu. I personally grew up as a Mitsubishi fanboy, inspired by the Lancer Evo's intense rivalry with the Impreza WRX.
+Lima Charlie Mitsubishi was a real technological pioneer once upon a time. They rolled out a production petrol direct injection engine years ahead of the Europeans
Hi, I have questions for the aircond but NOT the rear aircond. Anyone drive the previous XV n this XV for now can preview the aircond is it enough for our Malaysia weather? Any issue or complaints within? I mean is there any issue so far? Looking for small family car, this is in my list. for Malaysia weather aircond is concerned for me.
I own a 1st gen Xv and it is no issue for rear passengers during hot days.. As someone mention it does has the rear leg air con vent under the front seats to help cool down faster.. Just remember to get some good tints when roll out the showroom it will help a lot..
I own 1st gen XV too. Aircond on hot weather feels similar with other similar size Japanese and Korean cars. But having black leather seats and black interior do make the seat and interior very hot when you initially enter the car during hot weather.
I've the 1st model XV. So far so good. Served me well. The only thing that disappointed me is the power delivery. Due to that, I've plonked in supercharger. And I've no more complaining about no power. Hopefully next time Subaru might considering to put turbo engine inside XV though.
Imi Raizal Ibrahim having bolt on rotrex supercharge. But need to tone down the power boost to preserve CVT. Torque is better throughout the range. Around 170hp 265nm. Enough for daily usage :)
Honda HR-V is better looking and has more spacious inside. Drives well enough for most people. Subaru XV is for those who want that extra level of handling and robustness that may be beyond the needs of average drivers. You would enjoy driving the Subaru more, but the HR-V is an easy choice.
Uh-oh.... I am actually wanting to get a HR-V, but salesmen quite arrogant now due to zero-GST, told me to wait indefinitely for car if not pay SST by Sep 1. I was actually quite skeptical about Subaru cars , until today I went to the showroom and saw the XPi-P. It does looks nicer than the HR-V, and I think it is more spacious than the HR-V. The gear box is higher in HR-V, not very comfortable for us tall people. But this one is low and comfy. Price about same with HR-V now. More or less will confirm with XPi-P but do I need the eyesight ? Kon, do you think they will up the price if the eyesight comes in ? Re-thinking now, hahaha....
A good review as usual,but Kon you may want to cut back on your over use of the word "OK". This word is in every other sentence. Just my observation. 😉
+zero zero the CVT is software managed, yes. In fact, the Persona already received updated software for more responsive performance compared to the Iriz
+oilio oh, the vids are deliberately not scripted to give the presentation a more natural feel. Nevertheless, i freely admit that my narration can be further improved.
i would pick 2wd with sensing since i want the bsd and auto braking.thats why xv with eyesight would be nice.though crv have it all eyesight is known as a better system.ive checked out review of eyesight on utube its very good
you don't need to detail how what each switch is for just bloody tell use how u feel about the interior/extrior quality, ergonomics/drivetrain/power etc ....no blabla bullshit the car salesman can do this job...just a do a proper review
![ไลฟ์สุ่ม iPhone 295 บาท... โกงมั้ย?[ โกงมั้ยครับ ep.97 ] | DOM](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gdstHEE4UUE/mqdefault.jpg)
Good comprehensive review. You touched on issues that matters to daily ordinary drivers. That was 27 minutes of time well spent.
+Eddy Johan great stuff mate! Glad you enjoyed it!
Same here. Enjoyed it and watched it to the end. Time well spent.
Here in Sweden the amount of Subarus are just increasing more and more :-)
Good review Kon, and I do believe you're one of the few if not the only one who reported on the front gloss, rear matt door panel inserts. Keep up the good work.
hi kon...good review.....how different is this new xv as compared to previous gen xv, significant different or just subtle...especially its little increase in power...thanks
+zainal abidin hanafiah quite subtle to me, but noticeable. The engine pulls smoother and feels torquier in the mid range
Yes initially I do thought the lack of rear aircon do matter but indeed it’s not. When test drived I was at back with my toddler. The car get cooled very fast. The air ventilated pretty well to the back perhaps thanks to the powerful fan and the small body.
+Huey Nee Cheah oh. That's good to know. What are your thoughts on the rest of the car?
Recently I start loving your review .. no bullshit and straight to the point. Good job bro
Thanks for your support!
I m shortlisted subaru XV and Peugeot 3008 for next car. Tested both, for me the XV are rugged and fun to drive and the 3008 are premier and comfortable.
Your opinion? Which one is better? Thanks.
I'm the kind of guy who would pay for premium mechanicals rather than appearance... so XV for me.
Thanks for your quick respond. Keep the good work.
Nice review bro +Kon Wai Luen, my sister has the previous one, & my bro just bought this new gen. Yes, new gen is totally more refined, steering’s weight is good one, cabin outstanding upgraded, & driving this symmetrical awd boost more dynamic.
+hisham.ahmad whoa... Subaru family this
Kon Wai Luen , haha..actually had to ‘racun’ them a little bit to try XV. Brought my bro test driven crv, cx5 & xv, later he concluded on XV.. ;)
lol.... good on ya, mate. Subaru makes really nice cars, but much of their resources are spent under the sheet metal, they end up wearing 'cheap clothing'. hahaha
haha...u noticed it too.. ;P btw since it drives well, my bro closed his one eye abt this..
hey Kon, nice video... mind share yr opinion between HRV and XV below, struggling about which to choose.
handling
power
fc
maintenance
reliability
thanks in advance
Handling - HR-V more agile, but XV is more secure in bad weather.
Power - XV
FC - HR-V
Maintenance - HR-V
Reliability - XV
Kon Wai Luen tqvm sifu
Thanks for the video. Agree with you in most aspects as I just got a xv 2 litre. Its body is as solid as any European make and I drives and feel safe in this car on Singapore road as compared to my previous shuttle.
Kon, would you recommend this car over the face-lifted HRV and CHR?
Which one do you like better and which one provides a more enjoyable ride?
Oh, XV for me, no question. Drives better, has AWD, and rides more comfortably. But quite poor luggage space.
Kon Wai Luen you’re awesome man! Your response is second to none.! Keep up the great work man!!!!!!!
Try my best la. But there are times when I tak sempat to reply all immediately. Thanks for watching!
Great review ! Anyway,how’s the fuel consumption compared to other brand’s 2 litre N.A suv ?
Not as good as the 2WD ones, to be sure. But we had more than a 1/4 tank left after 300km of driving. Trip computer says 15 litres/100km, which is on the high side.
Kon Wai Luen 😥
Looking forward to buy this car, I saw on carbase website that the new Subaru XV has Apple car play? Also how quick those paddle shifters respond? I’m gonna be driving it on manual mode from time to time. Thanks
Didn't really try out the manual mode myself, didn't feel the need to. I use Android phone, so couldn't test out the Apple Carplay either. Do try these features out on a test drive if they matter to you.
Thinking of buying a new Subaru XV, but No power-boot ! hard for a lady driver lah, no strength to pull the tailgate. Is it advisable or Not advisable to install aftermarket power boot? is it safe? appreciate some advice from people with wisdom in this area. Thanks in advance.
Nice review. Is it true that I heard the FC is higher because of AWD and maintenance parts are more expensive than CRV and X-Trial? I'm thinking of getting an SUV. Big thanks!
+Joe Cheang higher FC is definite. Maintenance also yes - remember that the boxer engine requires a duplication of the engine valvetrain so there are twice as many parts to change. But the flipside is that Subaru cars are usually robust and reliable.
+Kon Wai Luen but XV is one size smaller than both the CR-V and X-Trail though, keep in mind. Interior is nowhere near as spacious.
The body does allow a bit of roll, but that's actually fine, because it gives the driver better indication of the car's grip and stability level. The likes of the CR-V memang tuned for ease of use, hence that 'relaxing' feeling you mentioned.
Hai, buleh review E46, 318i? Common problem, what to check b4 buying. perbandingan dgn E90 and E36, contoh. FC. Handling etc...
Tq Kon.
Wah, dah beli E90 nak masuk E46 jugak?
Ya Kon, sbb tak mampu nak upgrade ke F30. even to LCi. Actually bukan nak tukar tapi nak tambah. Skrg my wife bawa E90, dia suruh aku bawak Sportage. Wayooo. Hati manyak panas la.
We just got the 320i 2007 in Dec last year. Those dammed Germans..
Thanks for the informative review! Btw may I know your height pls to get a better picture of the rear seat space?
170cm, 80kg
Proper car review.. Very detail... Finally a worthy review from evo msia.
Cheers, and thanks for watching!
Cool review Kon.
I agree with you on the shiny carbon fibre for the front and matte for the back. It's like they ran out of budget or had separate team designing the front and rear doors or they assumed people like glossy, sit in front and this who don't, sit at the back.
Anyway, questions.
1. Headunit has android auto connectivity?
2. Rear seat squabs. Good thigh support? To your knees? Or like Bobby's Forester review, rear seat squabs were quite short.
The trim mismatch is no dealbreaker, but it's a bit tak syok to see lah, haha.
To answer your questions:
1. I didn't explore in detail, but no.
2. The seat squabs reach my knees. Felt decent in thigh support, but that was for a short period of time lah. Can't tell over long distance trips.
Good review!! How about the sound proofing and road noise compared to other SUV like the cx5 or CRV?
+Ting Ks both the CX-5 and CR-V are pretty quiet, and the XV is thereabouts the same. The XV however, does have the advantage of being naturally quieter due to the inherent smoothness of the Boxer engine... meaning it can be just as quiet as the CR-V and CX-5 needing not as much soundproofing.
Good review there.How do you compare the interior quality compared to the rivals?Especially the Mazda CX5 which I think has one of the best build quality in its segment.
Solid, but not plush. Fit and finish is good, but material feel is so-so. Cabin will last, but it's a dull place to be in.
Kon Wai Luen thanks for your prompt reply.
Nice review! May I know how is car audio system?
Didn't try that out, I'm afraid.
Can you also review on the maintenance and what it take to keep the car running
Hi Sir. How do you suggest between XV and CX5 and Forester as well? I just test drove this car & its quite okay for me and the passenger but has lesser space compared to CX5 and Forester 2019 and few features are missing in this XV e.g. blindspot monitoring, etc.
Can you help me out to decide? I always travel on bumpy road (jalan kampung). So, I need a car that can absord the bumpiness well.
If you regularly traverse rough roads, I have to recommend the Subaru. Do you need the space? If yes, then get the Forester, otherwise, XV is good enough.
hi kon....i'm looking for SUV, in your opinion between CRV, CX5, XV, 3008 & forester which one is better in terms of service cost, spare part & handling?
All-rounder, I'd say CX-5 still.
@@KonWaiLuen tq
Hi Kon..what about the seat comfort?back and front?thigh support..is it long enough to support your thigh?
+Imran Razali didnt sit as much at the back, but the front seats offer good enough support for me.
Kon Wai Luen im torn between this and tucson turbo..have u test drive one?
Hi Kon. Nice review.
Just tested the 2nd gen XV last week. Honestly, I really like the performance of the XV. Sales representative from Subaru drifted the XV during my test drive. The low center of gravity of the boxer engine and suspension setup makes the XV a fun crossover to drive. I'm still considering to get one as the negative side about it is less of a/c vent for the rear cabin and also the plastics upholstery esp at the door panel.
Yes, to drive, the XV is brilliant. But interior packaging, less so.
Hi Kon, how does this compares to the new CRV. Which gives more value
In terms of features and things you use day-to-day, the CR-V certainly offers more, but..... CR-V certainly does not give the kind of discounts that Subaru offers. Muahahaha
Well done. Covered the little annoying things. Very balanced.
Thanks for watching!
hi Kon, how do you configure the cabin lights to turn on when you approach the car with the fob?
very well wrapped up and detailed review.. i'd benefit from your review but i do hope there's some comparison for its infotainment of local version with abroad AFAIK there's some updates for its software where our local version seem very old version with limited capability to connect with Android... anyway, thanks for your v.good review :)
i tested the car.very solid car, minimal body roll. 170km/h with 1 hand on steering. much better than 1st gen in every aspects.
Nice. Bought it?
wan hafizi how was the suond insulation under 170km/hr?
After 2 years, I am getting one!
The best review I've seen.. 👍 👍 👍
Thanks for watching!
Xv better OR CX -3?
Kon. Do u have any issue with the door? The door is heavy and have its continental feeling, but to close it is quite a task.
The left rear door of the test car does not always close properly, but no issues otherwise
Ok. Mine happenned on all the doors. Its either they intend to make the door feel heavy so that the car has its continental feeling or its just a poor door hinge mechanism.
Agree. Subaru should fix Aircon vents for the rear passenger's seat to all it's models selling in view Malaysia being in Equatorial region the weather is extremely hot and humid. Again to make Subaru more attractive have the engine turborized like the other brands SUVs.
How is the low end torque? How about going up steep uphills on a full load ala going up Genting Highlands?
+Kelvin Lim didnt get to try it up Genting, but it's adequate la. Not punchy, but cukup makan.
Good review.....Just wondering if you could do another review on Subaru Forester...I know your partner Bobby had done it but many of us think that Bobby's review was a little rush and not fully covered .....or on the other side.....maybe you have a different view on Forester.....I notice that for instance Bobby is OK with no rear a/c vents but not you......Let's see what your opinion on Subaru Forester......Appreciate your time.......Good job...keep the reviews coming...........
+3PK Penang here are my thoughts on the car ... th-cam.com/video/Z-drhzzBqRo/w-d-xo.html
The reason it feels rushed is because we were on a tight schedule on the weekend the car came to us together with the XV.
If there are any aspects you feel we've left out, do drop us a comment. :)
The reason it was rushed is because i really wanted to hate that car when i was doing the walk around. The infotainment screen makes me wanna punch it, this SIX YEAR OLD car still pretending to be modern in 2018 with LEDs here and there .... and then after i drove it .... IT'S GOOD. SO GOOD.
Bobby Ang hahaha!
Nice review! But with all due respect, the lack of rear aircond vents is not a problem for me. Currently driving a Forester and ferrying the wife and kid at the back on a hot day is ok. The aircond does its job. Echoing what Bobby said several times previously, the lack of rear aircond vents is not really a problem in a 5 seater car.
+edmund09 haha. That's one example of me and Bobby not having the same opinion on things. But it's good to know you're happy with the car. The Forester too, is a well-engineered product.
So Whats da Difference btween a SUBARU XV n CROSSTREK? Which do you prefer?
I think same car, different name for different market.
Hi Kon Superb Review..
As indeed Subaru is well known for its good driving ergonomics which always their key selling asset which it matters to me as well.
My question to you is since you have driven both the 2018 XV & the current 2.0iP Forester, what are the difference apart from cargo space which the Forester has a bigger cabin.
1) Do They Share the same engine?
2) How's the driving experience between these 2?
Because I'm considering an SUV to start of with & these 2 are my options including the X70 as well which everyone is highly anticipating.
Thks Kon!
Keep Up The Good Work!
The XV is based on Subaru's newest platform and hence gets more updated tech. Its refinement is therefore improved, although that being said, the Forester remains a highly recommended product even though a replacement is near.
Engine is different. The XV gets direct injection, whereas the Forester is old school MPI.
agree with the almost 'six" pot smoothness, chassis balance and the sweet drive train.. new subaru fan after my xv purchase..
+trustgtr33 the new or outgoing one?
Kon Wai Luen had mine since 2014 so its the older one..i also find the fuel consumption for a full time awd is excellent. 1st gens probably was lacking in certain refinements but that bulletproof feel is incomparable..try it in kampung roads with bad surface and undulations will impress..such a scoobie fan now that i went out a bought an old v7 sti as a project car..future owners be warned..lol
+trustgtr33 fuhhh!! Talk about poison! My uncle in Australia has a base Impreza 2.0 6-speed manual. Very nice to drive, too bad no jalan to ship it over. Lol
Kon Wai Luen haha..yeah..its getting harder and harder to find a true mechanical car with some character..should pick one up..as prices are kinda low for sti locally compared to evos etc..
Excellent and unbiased review, Kon. Thank you so much. By the way, I just noticed while you were driving on the highway, seems there's a lot of road noise from the wheels, approaching cars, and the motorcycle. How is the noise compared to HR-V or CX-3?
+Sandor Clegane better than the CX-3 but may be not as good as the H-RV. Then again, remember that both the XV and CX-3 make very little mechanical noise, so other noises become extra noticeable.
You're right and that explains why I can barely hear the rev sound or engine whine. On the aspect of acceleration for a CVT , you pointed out this XV has smoother and more relentless feel to it (I can also see that in the video), but how about for the HR-V? Which one is better in, say, a stop-and-go traffic?
Stop-and-go traffic, I think both the same. Honda won't have smoothness problems because the CVT is used in conjunction with a torque converter. Not sure about the XV, but sure as hell didn't feel jerky to me la
Thanks, Kon. I'm convinced, but I'll probably wait for the eyesight package to arrive here in PH. Keep 'em excellent reviews coming. Cheers!
Overall a good package. I am tempted but holding off the decision to get one for for 2 reasons. First, why we Malaysian get the crappy version on the head unit? Why can't we get the same version overseas market is getting? Second, its more of a wishlist, I wish they would come with a light turbocharged engine. I understand Subaru have limited budget to work with, they can use the existing 2.0 turbo engine with detune power say around 180 hp/250 nm torque. With the engine package, this would be a compelling package to the consumers.
The head unit is not a major issue to me, can be sorted with an aftermarket upgrade. Engine is a bigger deal, and I do agree that a punchier engine would add significantly to the XV's appeal.
Thank you for sharing.can you review about Subaru WRX cvt that will get in malaysia
is this CVT setup as good as the one in Altis?also, how is the NVH level?
CVT is good. Noise levels also well-suppressed. The Boxer engine is inherently quiet on idle.
Hi Wai Luen, Nice review ya. But I think there is an Air con vent running along underneath the front seat, shown by Bobby in Taiwan holiday trip.
I didn't notice this, but let me check.
Kon Wai Luen Btw how was the ride compare with Forester.
+alvin Lai the Forester rolls a bit more, but largely drives just as well. The XV feels a bit more refined though. I've filmed a review of the Forester too, but in the midst of editing, so watch out for that.
Why Subaru doesn’t bring in Eyesight for their suv in Malaysia ? At least give buyers an option. It would be the only suv in this segment that comes with pilot assist that many expensive premium car don’t offer. Definitely a very strong selling pint.
I think plans are in place to do so.
Subaru XV or Proton X70?
More space, nice interior, lower budget = X70.
Ride comfort, handling, confidence driving = XV.
its a bummer it doesnt have eyesight.extra rm8k is ok.still price below crv.they should expedite the lauch of eyesight xv.it still looks good if u lift it up
They brought a bunch of media from Malaysia to attend the regional launch of Eyesight in Singapore recently. We were on the guest list too, but missed out because of miscommunication on our end. So, from our understanding, Eyesight is definitely coming to Malaysia.
from paultan its next year.kind of late 2 the game
Great job Kon.
+Kelvin Tang thanks for watching!
Awesome sharing Kon..!!
+Khoo Chiowlyn thanks for watching
very in-depth review
Thanks for watching!
Superb honest review! By the way may I know how is the fuel consumption on this car?
Thanks for watching! Sorry, we didn't note the FC.
Nice review kon...
Thanks for watching!
what did u think about xv and forester?
Good cars. Superbly engineered. Top notch mechanical hardware.
A very good review.
Thanks for watching!
Went test drove yesterday, it's good overall in terms of safety, value for money and handling, except when I accelerate, the engine accelerate, but it got cut off in the middle and accelerate again, as if i let go the pedal to let it take a deep breath. Def not smooth acceleration as e.g. Honda's engine and the roar is louddd. The other major turn off is the fugly console software. Unbelievable.
Test drove the 1st generation XV and had a previous generation NA 2.0L Impreza rental unit while in the US a couple of years ago. Like you said, the mechanical chassis and AWD setup of Subies puts them in a league of their own, its just so balanced and neutral compared to its competitors. And sitting inside one, there's this sense of pure honesty (though possibly due to lack of R&D budget) with their simple designs but very well built and assembled interior.
Although I'm waiting for a chance to drive the new successor, I'm kinda already a little concerned by a few things
- lack of a temperature gauge (I'm old fashion)
- the use of an electronic parking brake
- the decision to use narrow vertical center air vents which in most cases has the right side unit blowing air to the steering or the hand holding it
- that rear center 3-point seat belt which needs a bit of a stretch compared to those mounted on the roof
- many owners of the earlier XV encountered premature wear on tear on the rear wheel bearings. Wonder if this finally fixed that
Oh ya, and nice thorough review. Good job!
Hahaha... Bobby uses the term mechanically premium to describe Subaru cars.
It's like these guys poured all their R&D money into the chassis and drivetrain, they got nothing left for the bits of the car that people see.
Agree on your point with the air-con vents, have to push the right-most one far to the side.
what is the rpm figure at 110km/h?
great review.. would be better if you could end it with a simple comparison with vehicles with of a similar range/px, expected RV , aftersales service if you have any idea... thanks
In terms of body size, closest competition would be the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX. Against the HR-V, the XV has a superior drivetrain configuration and more assured handling, although the Honda offers better interior space. The ASX matches the XV mechanically in offering a 2.0-litre engine with AWD, but is starting to feel like a dated product and with no replacement in sight.
You can argue that the Mazda CX-3 is a rival too, but the CX-3's interior is too cramped for it to be considered as a practical alternative... stylish, may be.
Resale value, I don't expect the XV to hold that well, to be honest, but that's because of heavy discounting. If you buy, make sure you squeeze the best deal out of your salesman.
great if you could share similar details in future reviews... would help potential buyers.. agree on the part of asx, mitsu and subaru really got to find true partners..
+Lima Charlie let's see what Nissan can do with Mitsu. I personally grew up as a Mitsubishi fanboy, inspired by the Lancer Evo's intense rivalry with the Impreza WRX.
+Lima Charlie Mitsubishi was a real technological pioneer once upon a time. They rolled out a production petrol direct injection engine years ahead of the Europeans
Is it easy to drive for a lady driver in urban area? Thanks.
Easy enough. I know of at least two lady friends who are happy with their previous-generation XVs.
love Subaru ,if there is a Subaru xv 2015 ( second hand) 45k mileage around RM 55K , would very happy for your advice, should I consider it ?
Very good price. Go for it, but have the car's condition checked before you purchase lah.
Can we upgrade the infotainment system...the only one minus here
I think it can easily be done.
Actually i mean change the infortainment system as international unit one.
That one may be costly to source and install outside.
This or hrv? Thx.
XV for me.
Sun roof available??
I don't think so.
Hi,
I have questions for the aircond but NOT the rear aircond. Anyone drive the previous XV n this XV for now can preview the aircond is it enough for our Malaysia weather? Any issue or complaints within? I mean is there any issue so far?
Looking for small family car, this is in my list. for Malaysia weather aircond is concerned for me.
Any owners out there can help weng here out?
I own a 1st gen Xv and it is no issue for rear passengers during hot days.. As someone mention it does has the rear leg air con vent under the front seats to help cool down faster.. Just remember to get some good tints when roll out the showroom it will help a lot..
I own 1st gen XV too. Aircond on hot weather feels similar with other similar size Japanese and Korean cars. But having black leather seats and black interior do make the seat and interior very hot when you initially enter the car during hot weather.
Hi, i see few comments from. others channel. There are some jerking issue with this new XV. Do you facing that kind of issue?
Nope. Didnt face that
What better xv or renault captur
XV for me la, no question
quite a good car actually. but maintenance put me off.
Well, Subarus are quite reliable,.
Why is that?. I just got interested in this car
Actually the maintenance is quite okay if compared to some other brand though.
BoonChong Teh how much you spent on maintenance?
Why you don’t have diesel cars in Malaysia?
Not much market demand.
I've the 1st model XV. So far so good. Served me well. The only thing that disappointed me is the power delivery. Due to that, I've plonked in supercharger. And I've no more complaining about no power. Hopefully next time Subaru might considering to put turbo engine inside XV though.
WRX transplant anyone?
ashraf fendy supercharge for XV? Please elaborate. Really love to know about this! Btw, I'm a FL-XV1 owner.
Imi Raizal Ibrahim having bolt on rotrex supercharge. But need to tone down the power boost to preserve CVT. Torque is better throughout the range. Around 170hp 265nm. Enough for daily usage :)
ashraf fendy where did you do this? I'm from KL.
Imi Raizal Ibrahim got formen of my own at Subang
Nak buka bonet belakang mcm mne ye
Boleh tekan butang kot.
How if compared to forester? Which is better in term of family car and ride comfort.
The Forester is more practical and spacious la, but the XV, being based on a newer platform, is definitely more refined on the move.
I'm not sure, but the dashboard design is look familiar. like proton Iriz@persona maybe..
+vince man hmmm....second comment to mention this
where was the examined unit manufactured?
is the 2018 model manufactured in malaysia like the past model?
Yes. Malaysia made.
What baby car seat is that? Recaro?
Recaro Zero.1. Watch the review here: th-cam.com/video/3i1ALrQiFmE/w-d-xo.html
good review...gambateh
+PAN TENE thanks for watching!
I very like this car
Hi Kon, can you share your personal opinion between subaru xv and honda hrv? Especially for the single female driver.
Honda HR-V is better looking and has more spacious inside. Drives well enough for most people. Subaru XV is for those who want that extra level of handling and robustness that may be beyond the needs of average drivers. You would enjoy driving the Subaru more, but the HR-V is an easy choice.
Kon Wai Luen thanks for your feedback.
Uh-oh.... I am actually wanting to get a HR-V, but salesmen quite arrogant now due to zero-GST, told me to wait indefinitely for car if not pay SST by Sep 1. I was actually quite skeptical about Subaru cars , until today I went to the showroom and saw the XPi-P. It does looks nicer than the HR-V, and I think it is more spacious than the HR-V. The gear box is higher in HR-V, not very comfortable for us tall people. But this one is low and comfy. Price about same with HR-V now. More or less will confirm with XPi-P but do I need the eyesight ? Kon, do you think they will up the price if the eyesight comes in ? Re-thinking now, hahaha....
And it comes with rear foot blowers too!
Don't get cold feet!
Haha
2018 model have a rear foglight...??
where..?.
lower corners of the bumper
A good review as usual,but Kon you may want to cut back on your over use of the word "OK". This word is in every other sentence. Just my observation. 😉
Hahaha.. yeah. Force of habit that one
What gimbal is that?
+tmt1881 DJI Osmo
seems like the build quality is better than new crv..especially the door hinges..crv hinges is ugly..bad welding works
+screamao Subaru quality is solid. Agreed, better than Honda.
saw it in crv g5 group.so many qc issues.if anyone want to buy crv better wait for 2018 production
+screamao what sort of quality issues? Our test car had a brake light that stayed switched on overnight. Lol
such as steering jammed(2 cars),bad welding works on door hinges,door panel hitting the body.better join crv g5 group on fb u can see it there
yepp..hope its the last of it.really dangerous.luckily the guy who drove it was slow
the cvt cant be tuning like dual clutch respon..??
Nah, no way. Fundamental mechanical differences.
Kon Wai Luen
ok2..
but the cvt can be tune software like ecu tune for engine performance..??
+zero zero the CVT is software managed, yes. In fact, the Persona already received updated software for more responsive performance compared to the Iriz
Kon Wai Luen
thanks for info..
coz i want to get a xv with eyesight version this year
Good choice!
how about the fuel consumption on city drive?
Thereabouts of 10 litres/100km
this or CX3?
+jian ming lee this. No question.
Nice review..but i suggest u write the script 1st maybe..
+oilio oh, the vids are deliberately not scripted to give the presentation a more natural feel. Nevertheless, i freely admit that my narration can be further improved.
I got 230000 km on mine. Makan minyak hitam like crazy, I'll change to the new one.
Wow! That's some serious mileage!
Care to tell us how is the car after 230k mileage any issues?
Can you please review Renault Fluence?
Don't think they have the car for test now, but will ask.
might have consider this if it has eyesight
+screamao I understand there may be plans to bring Subaru Eyesight into Malaysia, but not sure if the XV will get it or not la
yepp..they testing it now in singapore.guess ill wait
+screamao sidetracking......, hypothetically speaking, if you were to buy the CR-V, would you pick AWD or would you pick 2WD with Honda Sensing.
i would pick 2wd with sensing since i want the bsd and auto braking.thats why xv with eyesight would be nice.though crv have it all eyesight is known as a better system.ive checked out review of eyesight on utube its very good
+screamao amazing how Subaru is able to come up with the superior system despite having vastly inferior resources to most companies.
Review wise ok. But next time move your camera angle to the front and some shots of the car moving when you are doing review.
moving shots a bit susah because of our limited logistics. it's not something we can do often, but hopefully get to indulge in once in a while.
noob
you don't need to detail how what each switch is for just bloody tell use how u feel about the interior/extrior quality, ergonomics/drivetrain/power etc ....no blabla bullshit the car salesman can do this job...just a do a proper review
+MrLoichin ok. Sure
10yrs old kid dreaming to have a car. go and watch tom and jerry that suits you better.
Ugly rims. Not like u get in other country market. The old rims are prettier
Haha... good news is that rims can be easily changed at the tyre shop.
The infotainment screen is terrible and it is too dim.
Angled wrongly too. Obscured by sunlight.
its called "su" "ba" "ru" - NOT "su" "BAH " ""lu"-----
+MrLoichin I pronounce it like how most Malaysians do.
HAHAAHA PPD building...
Camera like shit only
Production on a budget, bro.
Kon Wai Luen hmmm
+Sharvin Viswanathan open to sponsorships or donations if you're feeling geneorus. Hahahahahahaha
Im on a budget lah bro sorry find another way to improve your video quality
+Sharvin Viswanathan same same lah