Subaru has jumped aboard the "hatchback-in-hiking-boots" bandwagon with a crossover version of the Impreza - but, unlike others in the class such as the VW Polo Cross and Nissan's Livina X-Gear, the Subaru has the credentials to back the plastic because it is, of course, all-wheel drive.
With its black plastic trim, raised suspension and 185mm of ground clearance, the XV is clearly not your average Impreza. It also has a chunky new grille, sharply shaped headlamps, LED tail lights and sporty bumpers with foglights front and rear.
Black aluminium roof rails and a distinctive rear roof spoiler complete the look of what Subaru SA marketing maven Grant Bowring calls "a go anywhere, conquer anything vehicle with a kick-butt attitude".
The XV has MacPherson-strut suspension at the front and double wishbones at the rear, with longer, stiffer springs than on the standard Impreza.
It's motivated by Subaru's celebrated two-litre, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC Boxer engine, in this case tuned for 110kW at 6400rpm and 196Nm at 3200, driving through either a five-speed manual or four-speed SportShift automatic transmission.
Sporty bucket seats, cruise control, central locking, power windows and auto aircon are standard, as are Bluetooth wireless technology, a USB port and a six-speaker audio system. There are satellite switches for audio control and the Bluetooth hands-free system on the leather-covered, three-spoked sports steering wheel.
Electronic driver aids include vehicle dynamic control and antilock braking with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.
PRICES
Impreza XV - R269 000
Impreza XV a/t - R279 000
Prices include a three-year or 100 000km warranty, a three-year or 75 000km maintenance plan and three yrars'; road side assistance.