Subaru XV hybrid running costs, insurance, warranty & tax
CO2 emissions are fairly high and Benefit-in-Kind for the XV hybrid may be more than expected
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | Annual company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 3yrs/60,000 miles | 1yr/9,000 miles | From £2,274/£4,548 |
Opting for a hybrid should be a hall pass to reduced running costs, and while the XV hybrid is cheaper than the old petrol version, it’s a long way from being competitive in the market as a whole. As the company-car Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) figures above indicate, the car’s relatively high CO2 number pushes it into the top band and results in hefty charges for business users. First-year VED (road tax) is also higher than for some rivals and Subaru’s warranty cover, while about average for the industry, is behind that of some key rivals.
Subaru XV hybrid insurance group
Whichever XV trim level you choose (SE or SE Premium) the hybrid receives a group 16 insurance rating (compared to the group 10 of a regular 1.6-litre petrol XV). This is a touch higher than some rivals – a Kia Niro Hybrid starts at group 12, with a top-spec Niro plug-in hybrid in group 15.
Warranty
Subaru offers its regular three-year/60,000-mile warranty on the XV hybrid. This is fairly standard for the industry, but does fall behind rivals such as the Hyundai Kona Hybrid (five years/unlimited miles) and the Kia Niro (with the brand’s remarkable seven-year/100,000-mile warranty).
Servicing
Subaru recommends oil and filter changes every year or 9,000 miles for the XV e-Boxer – whichever comes first. It also notes, however, that this vehicle may well be chosen for its ability to operate in adverse conditions, and so maintenance may be required sooner.
Road tax
There are no great road-tax savings to be made with the XV e-Boxer; while it's classified as an 'alternative-fuel vehicle' by the government, that only bags you a £10 saving on the standard £180 annual rate, for a total of £170 each year.
