Rugged new Subaru Crosstrek replaces XV for £34,290

The new Subaru Crosstrek has arrived in the UK as a replacement for the XV, bringing a design overhaul and strong focus on off-road driving.

Designed for "utility and sportiness that lends itself to an active lifestyle", the family SUV touts a series of drivetrain revisions to make it easier to drive off-road.

It gets a "class-leading" ground clearance of 220mm and a revised permanent four-wheel drive system over the old Subaru XV, allowing for more agile handling and better control both on and off-road.

There's also X-Mode on top-end models, which gives the driver better control on slippery surfaces.

Subaru also claims the Crosstrek is 10% stiffer than the XV, due to refined production techniques, resulting in a quieter cabin and better handling.

The Crosstrek is the first UK-bound Subaru to wear the Japanese firm's new frameless hexagonal grille, along with reshaped air ducts and channels that are said to improve improve fuel economy.