There is a XV thread somewhere here. Basically it is a slightly lifted Impreza hatchback that doesn't even have a bigger boot. As a car, a Focus is probably better, safer and more affordable. If you need a mild offroader though or want that sitting position...

The Focus has 5 stars, and it comes in the spec that has actually achieved 5 stars. The XV only has 3 airbags (having a knee airbag, but no side and curtain airbags is a very odd choice). As such it would have no chance of achieving 5 stars due to a lack of protection from side impacts. Frontal impacts it will be fine. I'd expect the Proton CFE to do better in a side impact than the XV (though it only has 4 airbags, the CFE that is).
http://www.euroncap.com/results/ford/focus/2012/430.aspx
http://www.euroncap.com/results/subaru/xv/2012/470.aspx
The Focus clearly performed better than the XV... and the European XV has side and curtain airbags as standard, and thus was tested with them. Leave them away and it is nowhere near the Focus.

As for space I'm not sure. I've only seen the XV at a shopping center (that boot... wow). It does look quite nice and tough. My only expieriences with the Focus is with the wagon version of it, and those obviously have quite a lot of space. The Focus + is well speced (active city brakes... the car will stop if necessary to avoid an accident, HID (those aftermarket ones are usually not good and don't improve safety (probably making things worse), but factory installed HID is usually excellent and very useful, without blinding others), and the Titanium+ adds a system to warn you if there is something next to you that you can't see in the mirrors.

I'd say if you want/need AWD, the Subaru is a good choice. If not, I can think of few reasons (except for the ugly air intakes) that speak against the Focus and in favor of the Subaru. Safer, probably better handling and comfort, better equipped with useful features, ... and the Subaru SC according to the XV thread is rather expensive and bad.