The Subaru XV is very late to a party that Nissan started in 2006 with its Qashqai.

The compact crossover segment is a densely populated one and the XV has its work cut out if it’s to have any significant impact in the market place.

It measures up well enough, its dimensions within the bounds of what can safely be described as compact but it’s impressive ground clearance and full-time symmetrical four-wheel drive means that it’s more likely to find itself in a corner somewhere, shunned by the crossover crowd because it’s a little ‘different’.

Crossovers combine the practicality of a family hatch with the looks and desirability of an SUV but most buyers would balk at the thought of ever taking their cars anywhere near the rough stuff.

Subabru’s XV combines the practicality of a family hatch with the looks of, well, a family hatch.

It shares its platform, four-wheel drive system and a number of other bits and pieces with the Impreza hatchback but its wheelbase is longer, sills narrower and the doors open wider. The boot floor is lower as well.

The face of the updated 2016 model is instantly recognisable, with Subaru’s hexagonal grille and ‘hawk-eye’ headlights. At the back there’s now a discrete boot spoiler and LED combination lamps. All models are fitted with smart 17in alloy wheels that sport a new-for-2016 design.

It’s an unusually rugged design for this segment, with plastic cladding, protruding rear bumper and roof rails (on the diesel models) accentuating the XV’s off-road capabilities.

If this was 2006 and the party was just getting started the cabin would be the centre of attention – it’s well laid out, solidly built and generously equipped – sadly for the Subaru it isn’t and standards have moved on significantly.

The hard, cheap plastics have no place in car of this class in 2016.

An all-new seven-inch touchscreen sits in the centre of the dashboard with large onscreen buttons offering swipe and pinch gestures for a smartphone-style experience, at least that’s the idea, but the screen could do with being a little more responsive to inputs.

Starlink connects to mobile phones to provide access to a range of apps as well as display weather forecasts, traffic reports and the latest news, calendar and stream wireless audio.

There’s plenty of room for four adults – you can squeeze a third poor soul in the back if you must – and getting in and out is easy thanks to the wide-opening doors.

The 380-litre boot is smaller than the Qashqai’s but, with the rear seats stowed, that rises to 1,270 litres which is larger than the Nissan’s. The XV does have neat little trick up its sleeve. You can lift the boot floor up and hook it to the lip of the tailgate to create a ramp that makes loading the boot easier.

The 2.0-litre diesel Boxer engine isn’t the most refined – the XV shakes noticeably on start-up – and under hard acceleration it’s quite intrusive but it’s perfectly acceptable once you’re at cruising speeds.

There’s plenty of torque, but the power band is quite narrow, so you’ll find yourself swapping cogs quite frequently. The diesel is only available with a six-speed manual but it’s a smooth, precise unit.

That lack of refinement extends as far as the ride quality, which is a little unforgiving thanks to a firm set-up but what you get in return is a remarkable return in the fun stakes thanks to excellent body control and sharp steering.

While its rivals might leave it trailing on the road it’s a different ball game off it. The excellent 4x4 system and XV’s, low mass and significant ground clearance mean that it can tackle terrain that other cars in this segment can’t.

That the XV offers something different is indisputable. It’s a proper, go-anywhere rugged off-roader in the form of a family hatchback competing against cars with an apparently entirely different agenda.

Whether the go-it-alone approach is enough to paper over the cracks – poor ride and cheap interior chief among them – is debatable but, if you’re looking to spend as much time off the road as on it there’s nothing else in this class to compete.

Subaru XV 2.0D SE manual

Price: £23,995

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel ‘Boxer’

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 147PS @ 3,600rpm

Max torque: 258lbft @1,600 – 2,400rpm

Max speed: 123mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.3sec

Urban: 41.5mpg

Extra urban: 61.4mpg

Combined: 52.3mpg

Emissions (CO2): 141g/km

For more information visit www.subaru.co.uk