Subaru has facelifted the XV compact crossover, tweaking its exterior styling whilst also boosting cabin quality and refinement.

Updates to the 2016 model follow changes made last year to the suspension and steering, designed to deliver improvements to the ride and handling. 

The upgraded XV interior features higher quality materials and Subaru's new factory-fit 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment and navigation system. There's new metallic and piano black trim as well as contrast stitching throughout the cabin and the driver's TFT LCD instrument binnacle now emits a soft, blue glow. 

The touchscreen display allows smartphone-style control of the navigation and infotainment features, with a swipe and pinch control function for map displays. It works in conjunction with the standard-fit rear view camera, offering a super-wide 160-degree field of view behind the car when reversing. 

Many functions can now be voice activated, while Apple iPhone users can use Siri Eyes-Free functionality, to enable complete voice control of their mobile when linked with the new infotainment system.

An extra USB port in the front of the cabin allows passengers to listen to music from one device while charging another at the same time.

The upgraded XV continues to offer a choice of two horizontally-opposed, four-cylinder Boxer engines - a 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel - and two transmissions (six-speed manual and six-speed CVT automatic). For 2016, both engines have been tweaked to deliver improved fuel economy.

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel, with a six-speed manual transmission, achieves 52.3 mpg on the combined cycle (a four percent improvement), while CO2 emissions fall from 146 to 141 g/km, placing the car in a lower BIK tax band. 

The 150 PS 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine's fuel efficiency has increased by 2% to a combined average of 43.5 mpg when fitted with the Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission, and emissions fall to 151 g/km. 

Exterior styling changes include an upgraded front end, which now features updated 'hawk-eye' headlights and a redesigned front grille and bumper. At the rear, there's a new boot spoiler and LED combination lamps and the look is completed by new black and silver diamond cut alloy wheel design.

There are also two new colour options available to UK buyers - Hyper Blue and Dark Blue Metallic - and like every Subaru, the XV is offered with a comprehensive five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Despite the range of upgrades across the full model line-up, pricing for the Subaru XV remains unchanged for the 2016 model, which goes on sale across the UK next month from £21,995 on the road.