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Quelle Occasion

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Subaru XV I: the buying guide

SUV · 2012–2017 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 14 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€360/month
Indicative prices
€4,000 – €14,500

2 known faults

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Subaru XV I, front three-quarter view

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Good choice, check first

Compact all-wheel-drive SUV, rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2012. The 2.0 petrol engine (FB20 family) was the subject of a US class action settlement for excessive oil consumption, and of a recall for valve springs on the 2013 Crosstrek: ask for the history and check the oil level. The boot is narrow for the category.

Reliability
4.5/5
Indicative prices
€4,000 – €14,500
Monthly cost
€360
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 2.0i 150 Lineartronic, 2.0D 147.

  • 1.6i 114 Lineartronic

    Petrol · Automatic · 114 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.6 boxer with 114 hp, paired with the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

  • 2.0i 150 Lineartronic

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Automatic · 150 hp · 6.6 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1

    2.0 boxer with 150 hp, Lineartronic CVT, all-wheel drive. This engine is affected by oil consumption and the valve spring recall: the history is essential.

  • 2.0D 147

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Manual · 147 hp · Crit'Air 2

    2.0 boxer diesel with 147 hp and 350 Nm, manual gearbox. L'argus notes the absence of Stop&Start and a narrow boot; 5.6 L/100 km announced at its launch in 2012.

Market prices

€4,000 – €14,500

Indicative range: 2013 to 2016, 25,000 to 365,000 km, online listings from private and dealer sellers aggregated by LeParking.

Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Excessive oil consumption of the 2.0 petrol engine

Severity 2/3 · Costly

In the United States, Subaru was the subject of a class action for excessive oil consumption of the 2.0 (FB family) engines of the 2013 Crosstrek; the settlement approved in 2016 extended repair coverage to 8 years or 100,000 miles. Engine block replacements have been reported. US and Canadian sources: the finding is not confirmed for cars sold in France.

Versions
2.0i 150 Lineartronic
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Recall: valve spring breakage

Manufacturer recall

NHTSA recall 18V772: the valve springs can break and cause a malfunction or stalling of the engine, increasing the risk of an accident. It concerns the US 2013 XV Crosstrek (built between May 2012 and July 2013); check with the chassis number at Subaru France.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
2.0i 150 Lineartronic
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Subaru XV”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€162
Insurance€79
Maintenance€26
Depreciation€93
Total per month€360

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€162

2.0i 150 Lineartronic version: combined consumption of 6.6 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

6.6 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €162

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€79

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Depreciation€93

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Check the oil level when cold and ask whether oil consumption has been noticed or dealt with (2.0 petrol engine).
  • Have open recalls checked at a Subaru dealership using the chassis number, including the valve springs.
  • Try the Lineartronic gearbox when cold: starts, noises, jerks or hesitation.
  • Diesel: ask for service invoices and any work on the particulate filter.
  • Check that servicing has been done according to the service book, and keep the invoices.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have you noticed or had treated any abnormal oil consumption?
  • Has the valve spring recall been carried out, and do you have proof?
  • Is the service book complete, and has the automatic gearbox had its oil changed?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota RAV4

IV · 2012–2018

Good choice, check first
Price
€9,500 – €19,600
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nissan Qashqai

II · 2014–2021

Buy with care
Price
€9,000 – €18,490
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: VauxhallMania1999, CC BY-SA 4.0

Peugeot 2008

I · 2013–2019

Extra caution
Price
€5,450 – €9,490
Reliability
2.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Areaseven, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kia Sportage

IV · 2016–2021

Buy with care
Price
€12,000 – €17,200
Reliability
3.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Subaru XV I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Subaru XV I have good crash test results?

Yes: Euro NCAP awarded it 5 stars in 2012, with 90% for child protection and 64% for adult protection according to the official rating sheet.

What is the boot capacity of the Subaru XV?

Caroom gives a minimum of 310 litres for the 2.0 CVT 4x4; L'argus considers the boot narrow, and other sources give different figures depending on the measurement method.

Does the 2.0 petrol engine in the XV consume oil?

A US court settlement extended repair coverage for excessive oil consumption of the 2.0 engines of the 2013 Crosstrek. Nothing proves that all cars are affected: check the oil level and the history.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Subaru XV listing: price, mileage, watch points.

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