FROM the front and in isolation, it is difficult to distinguish the all-new Subaru XV from its well-regarded predecessor. During our week with the car, few casual and not-so-casual observers believed this was a nut-and-bolt new design that is a claimed 95 per cent different to the original.

Bigger tail-lights make it look discernibly different from the rear, but it is from behind the wheel that this car feels several generations more modern than the previous model we knew and (mostly) loved.

The XV has deservedly been a bit of a sales smash-hit for Subaru, and this spacious, refined and user-friendly new model deserves to do the same – and then some.