Updated 2021 Subaru XV Revealed – gets bigger engine but not for Australia

Updated Subaru XV expected here at the end of the year

The updated 2021 Subaru XV has been revealed in the US with a new ‘Sport’ version boasting a larger 2.5L engine. Australia will miss out.

But it’s not good news for Australia as Subaru has ruled out the sportier XV which, in the US, at least, will be available with the gruntier 2.5L four-cylinder Boxer engine from the current-generation Forester (136kW/239Nm). Australian vehicles will carry on with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine in the current vehicle, which offers 115kW and 196Nm of torque. This will continue to be matched with a CVT.

Besides that disappointing news, the updated XV boasts a new-look front bumper, grille and trim tweaks depending on the variant. And, in another blow for those who actually use their XV in the bush, that bigger-engined Sport model in the US will also get the dual-range X-Mode system which has an extra adjustment for deep mud and snow.

Subaru Australia is keeping quiet on changes we’ll see in Australia, but we can expect to get the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight system which now features new Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, as well as Automatic Pre-Collision Braking; Pre-Collision Throttle Management; Lane Departure Prevention; Lead Vehicle Start Alert; Auto Start-Stop; and SI-Drive. And there’s a rear seat reminder too.

Australia can expect to see the updated XV lob here towards the end of the year with pricing and specifications announced closer to that time.

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Isaac Bober has been writing about cars and 4x4s for more than 20 years, has worked on some of the country's biggest motoring magazines (remember what they were?), and launched Practical Motoring. Now he's back, back again... to share dad jokes and much more.