My early memories of Subaru are of the magnificent blue Imprezas being thrown around forest roads by the likes of the late Colin McRae and Richard Burns when we used to annually stand and watch what was then called the Lombard RAC, and latterly the Network Q Rally when it came through Yorkshire.

And yes the WRX STI as it is now called is still going as strong today as ever, but Subaru now has an impressive fleet of vehicles to suit all needs and budgets - everything from the sporty BRZ to the SUV - the Forester.

My first Subaru driving experience wasn't in any of these, but in the manufacturer's all-wheel drive XV – a no-nonsense crossover that combines both style and practicality. It's a competitive, ever-growing market, which includes everything from the Nissan Qashqai to the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross – a vehicle which I raved about when I test drove it last year.

But how the XV differs from its rivals is that on the one hand it is more than happy as a family car on the daily commute to work or cruising around town, but yet this is also a rugged off-roader that is built to tackle any rough rural terrain or weather that you may wish to throw at it.In too many SUV cars nowadays style is perhaps slightly forsaken for practicality, leaving you with a spacious vehicle that is simply a box on wheels.

That is definitely not the case with the XV – it looks terrific and can easily accommodate child seats, bikes, a dog and whatever else you may want to get in it for that weekend away.

It's flexible overall interior space compares favorably to pretty much anything on the market, and the extended wheelbase means even more legroom, while 60/40 split rear seats mean you can carry a rear seat passenger and a bike at the same time. Boot space is 380 litres with the rear seats up and a massive 1,270 litres with them folded flat, and space is cleverly used throughout.

From the front it's instantly recognisable as a Subaru, with the classic badge sunken into the grille, and I particularly liked its distinctive shape. Extended and raised wheelarches and 17-inch aluminium wheels give you a clue of its all-wheel drive credentials, while inside it has more than enough gadgetry to make your journey comfortable.

All the ergonomic controls, information and entertainment are available to you at the touch of a button, while I particularly liked the multi-function display, which can tell the driver everything from grip to how much fuel you are using. There's also a really useful reverse camera and a Bluetooth hands-free system which is becoming more common as standard in cars nowadays, and also allows you to stream your own music wirelessly.I drove the 2.0D SE model, which had an on-the-road price of just short of £24,000, but numerous other options and a slightly smaller 1.6-litre engine are also available.

What I particularly liked about the XV was the slightly higher than normal driving position, which gives the driver a clear view of all around around him thanks to the steeply-raked A-pillars. Although there can be no doubt that the Subaru XV is a robust car that is meant to last forever, the drive itself is comfortable and surprisingly light.

It's a well-balanced, fun car that, perhaps unsurprisingly given its background in rallying and that it is four-wheel drive, handles and corners superbly. Changing gear is smooth, and it's a vehicle that is certainly responsive and punchy when you take it on a dual carriageway or motorway, yet at the same time quiet.

0-62mph takes just over nine seconds, fuel consumption is a more than respectable 50.4mpg combined and CO2 emissions are 146g/km. The XV also comes with a five-star Euro NCAP rating, meaning you can tackle your adventure safe in the knowledge that the car will protect you should you unfortunately be involved in a collision.

There's numerous options available too in addition to those that come with the generously equipped XV as standard – everything from a bonnet deflector and dog guard.

So if you were one of those people that thought Subaru only made blue and gold cars designed to travel at break neck speed then the XV is proof that it's time to think again.