It’s a bit of fun driving around on electric power only making no noise, particularly on start-up when you’re leaving the house early. The EV’s e-Boxer logic automatically changes between three power modes: motor assist electric driving, motor assist electric plus petrol, and petrol power exclusively. The car can operate in full electric mode up to 40km/h but the moment you need to properly accelerate with light-to-medium throttle the petrol engine kicks in – relatively quietly, too.

It’s so frustrating how little you can use the electric motor in this car! While it resides in the transmission, as opposed to on the axle like Toyota systems, its functionally very similar. Light accelerator input equals more time on purely electric drive. Only, the XV will kick the engine on at the mere suggestion of a hill. I can get most Toyota hybrids up my steep driveway without the engine turning on, but this XV is having none of it. I assume it’s because the meagre 12kW available struggles to deal with the weight of pulling all four wheels. I’ve adjusted my accelerator habits in this car to make the most of its limited electric drive.

Space has not been taken from the boot to accommodate the battery in the hybrid XV model, but it is where the spare tyre used to be under the boot floor so you have only a puncture repair kit to rely on. The boot was already quite small in the XV in terms of depth, being only the depth of a reusable shopping bag. This makes it easy to bend into and do emergency nappy changes etc but shallow in terms of transporting dogs, prams etc.

While a number of its competitors feel like a high-riding version of the hatchback that they’re based on, the XV feels like a standalone product reminiscent of a baby-version of the fan-favourite Subaru Outback. As a result, it offers performance on and off-road that its rivals can only dream of, which is a sign of the XV’s well-engineered and rugged platform. If you’re looking for a comfortable compact SUV that is impressive on city streets and rough country roads alike, the Subaru XV is well-deserving of a spot on your shortlist.