Test Subaru XV Bifuel - Day 1: Madrid > Bayonne

Let’s get straight to it: we kick off this special test of the Subaru XV Bifuel, meaning it runs on petrol or LPG (autogas) interchangeably, which offers greater savings compared with an engine that only runs on petrol. The car we chose is an XV with a 150 CV 2.0 Boxer petrol engine, paired with a LinearTronic automatic gearbox.

We pick up the car as usual in Madrid, not in the city centre, but in Alcobendas, and from there our journey to Bayonne (France) begins. This first stage isn’t very picturesque in terms of village visits or scenery, but it serves to get acquainted with the car and start discovering what this SUV with its good off-road abilities has to offer.

Day 1: Madrid > Bayonne (France) (523 km)

As soon as we collect our tireless travelling companion, the Subaru XV, we see that the LPG tank needs filling. Something that seems simple, finding an LPG petrol station in the capital, turns into an ordeal, because it is still a not very widespread fuel and the information on where autogas stations are located is not very complete.

In the end, we find one near the Hipódromo. Almost all autogas stations in Spain are Repsol, as in this case. The first impression is good, since we fill the tank for 35 euros (at 0.76 euros/litre); the only doubt is when they’ll give us those 36 euros back.

With the LPG tank full, we set off on the A-1 motorway. One village I always recommend stopping at, well known to Madrileños but less so to people from outside Madrid, is Buitrago de Lozoya.

Buitrago lies on the northern edge of the Community of Madrid. It has been a “Historic-Artistic Ensemble” and a “Asset of Cultural Interest” since 1993, and it is the only village in the Community that retains its walled enclosure.

After Buitrago we enter Castile and León, passing through cities such as Aranda de Duero, Burgos and Miranda de Ebro. Shortly afterwards we enter the Basque Country and the landscape changes dramatically, becoming much more wooded and distinctive.

We planned the entire route, in Spain, France and Switzerland alike, without paying any tolls, so our route from Burgos to Miranda de Ebro is along the N-I. It isn’t worth taking the motorway for this stretch, since the national-road section is short and the journey between Miranda de Ebro and Vitoria is toll-free on the AP-1.

The final stop is San Sebastián, which we reach almost at night (since we left Madrid at midday). The city is beautiful, even as the sun sets. That said, parking in the centre is tricky, at least on the street, since there are plenty of car parks in the area.

Finally we cross the border and enter Bayonne, where the next morning we will continue the journey, this time a more demanding leg, to Clermont-Ferrand (in central France).

Driving impressions

The first thing we notice when starting the route is the driver’s position, as we already mentioned when the Subaru XV was presented: the improvement in quality is noticeable, and the slightly raised, typically SUV seating position is very comfortable for travelling.

Another detail that surprises us is the quick throttle response when pulling away, although when we rev it higher we quickly notice that it is a 150 CV naturally aspirated engine, meaning a decent response without any great showing off. The gearbox is comfortable, but it needs a period of adaptation to get the best out of it and the greatest savings from the engine.

On the motorway we begin to get used to the suspension, which is correctly and very well calibrated. We like it because on the motorway it is firm but not harsh, and it maintains interior comfort.

And with this first trip we can start doing the numbers, since with the 36 euros’ worth of LPG we reached San Sebastián, meaning we covered 500 km on one tank of gas. Average LPG consumption was 9.1 l/100 km, a figure that may seem high but, of course, LPG costs 0.76 euros/litre.

In the second part, we continue our route and keep telling you everything about the Subaru XV we have tested.

Photo Buitrago | A Window from Madrid
Photos | Test Team