There was a period when hundreds of car models crowded the Russian market, and many of them have since faded from memory. Yet, even today, vehicles that were sold continue to roll on the roads and surface for sale from time to time. Those units tend to be durable and dependable, often delivering solid value long after their initial years on the street.
In that vein, the veteran automotive observer, a longtime voice of authority in Russia’s car journalism, highlighted another reliable crossover that won’t require a hefty price tag.
The car in question is the Subaru XV. For roughly 1 million rubles, buyers can find 2013–2014 models, and these cars still carry a distinct charm—an exterior that hints at a hatchback with crossover practicality, yielding a versatile, compact package for daily use and weekend trips alike.
Engine options are sensible: gasoline units 1.6 and 2.0 liters, delivering 114 and 150 horsepower respectively. Importantly, all-wheel drive can be paired with either engine, providing the traction and stability many drivers crave. The engine supply is broad, and these units are generally dependable with routine maintenance—no rare or exotic powertrains to complicate ownership.
Earlier models with the 2.0-liter engine required attention to a past issue involving engine oil consumption, which was addressed during a recall campaign through component changes. Prospective buyers should verify whether the specific car on offer participated in this recall. If it did, the remedy is manifested in improved reliability going forward.
From a mechanical standpoint, the Lineartronic CVT transmission has shown to be reliable when properly serviced, while the suspension is characterized by some wear items, notably wheel bearings and front control arms, which are common on higher-mileage examples but typically manageable for owners who drive mostly out of traffic and on varied road surfaces.
You can learn about other interesting crossovers at a price of up to a million rubles in the original article by Alexander Vinogradov “5 trouble-free crossovers no more than 1 million – the choice is Drive.”
A photo: Subaru