Subaru Exiga 2.0 GT Review: One for the family, one for the boys

What we like:

Engine pulls very strongly. All-wheel drive delivers great handling this side of the MPV fence.

What we dislike:

Lack of rear air vents. The absence of a reversing camera.

Ponies aside, the more important figure here is torque. The powerplant musters a stout 326Nm at 4,400rpm (the 2.0i only packs 191Nm). There’s some serious pulling power here which drivers will truly appreciate, especially when they’ve got six passengers in tow. Subaru claims that the Exiga GT can sprint to 100km/h in around 7.4 seconds – but we reckon a time closer to 8 seconds is more realistic. The Exiga GT’s transmission also includes a fifth cog, compared to the 2.0i’s four gears.

Another feature that sets the GT apart from its 2.0i sibling is the inclusion of Subaru’s SI-Drive system. With it, the driver can select from three different settings which affects both engine and throttle response. Intelligent mode is for normal, day-to-day driving. Sport offers increased responsiveness, while Sport Sharp makes the throttle even more sensitive to your inputs.

The ride is supple and fairly quiet, with only a hint of wind noise at triple digit speeds. Tyre roar is a tad obtrusive, but we feel this has more to do with tyre choice than the lack of insulation. Despite being optimized for comfort, the suspension can still put up with the car being chucked into bends - you’ll be amazed at how much you can push this car. There’s still body roll, but not more than what we’ve anticipated. How is this possible? It's largely all thanks to the All-Wheel Drive system.

Overall, the Exiga feels decidedly car-like to drive. Until you have to negotiate multi-story car parks and their tighter turns, you won’t realize you’re in an MPV. Speaking of parking, the lack of a reversing camera is rather inconvenient. In The Ed’s own words, come on Subaru! Reversing cameras are de rigueur in MPVs! Thankfully, the Exiga does come equipped with a reversing sensor.

Subaru must have heard the wailing of motorists in need of a practical hauler. The wailing isn’t because these once-carefree drivers now have little tykes in tow - it’s because previously, when petrol-heads had to give up the pride of their garage for an MPV, they could only choose from slab-sided, ungainly looking land-barges.

But not anymore – the Exiga GT is an MPV that’s powerful, fairly comfortable, and dare I say it, good looking. It is as comfortable ferrying around the wife and kids during the week, as it is taking you and your best buds on a weekend road trip.

If you’re a family man who wants an MPV that can do double duty, this is it.

Credits: Story by Jeremy Chua, pictures by Azfar Hashim