Maybe..but after experiencing problems eg arm bush failure, leaking engine, i decided to let go of my forester before anything else comes up.

Yes, i noticed it during my 1st day test driving the Xv. Not much salesperson know to explain also. 
The steel bar extrude until the under door frame which connect to the chassis. 

something about 'carbon reinforced steel bar'

Arm bush, leaking engine are wear & tear items, if your ride is over 5 years above it is normal.
Unless you dont have a reliable mechanic & spare part source to help out, thus i understand why some owners want to let go.

For the things you concern - I recommend to contact Sommet Auto in J.Ipoh (google the shop) they can direct ship the parts to your house.
Arm bush can buy OEM Thailand from Sommet Auto
Leaking engine mostly also just the valve cover rubber seal, Sommet Auto also got OEM seals which i found long lasting and cheap compare to original SC.
If timing chain cover leaking, just ask mechanic buy black gasket gum (Most recommend Victor Reinz) and reseal. After reseal good to last another 5~10 years.

Been buying parts from Sommet Auto for years and most of their OEM products quality i found even long lasting compare to original and cheaper.

At the time, the car was less than 4 years old..

At first, one of subaru sc was unable to find the cause of the check engine light and i even need to pay for new spark plug which did not solve the issue.
Then i went to the pj sc and they found out that my engine was leaking which causes my o2 sensor to spoilt. They repaired the leaking under warranty but i still need to pay for the new o2 sensor.. harem

That why i say sad that most people in Malaysia are not well informed of the safety features.
Even the chassis is well built and serve as a roll cage for protection (Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame). 

susah also to advertise all these features, don't ask don't tell

I simply tell ppl, you want handling, CX5, you want safety, XV, you want amoi, HRV, you want wife, Cross (it's a bit shallow, but just for laughs)

LoL, correct also.

Still Xv handling also not bad, i tested CX5 & Xv before at hill areas for similar 2.0L Xv is more fun as you can slide thru corners more plated (maybe due to the lower seating boxer engine & AWD).

2024 model just launched, seem like well specced, good passive and active safety (9airbag etc), 2.0 should give good power + moderate fuel savings for 160k

Considering all this seems like a good offering, plus on safety side seem like the only compact suv / crossover with 9 airbags (previous gen closer to 140k + 7 airbags)

Yet dont really see many on the road.
Subaru value offering for this price point missed its mark (too expensive for segment?)

Curious that malaysians dont rally see safety specs when buy new car?

Would you consider buy car based on safety features as important factor?

Problem is the newer tech may be reliable as well, say the newer Dynamic Force engine from Toyota which also not very new already since 2018

Because of how Malaysian is very happy with the old 18 years engine, we somehow became the dumping ground for these old engine even from Toyota, but hey most of Malaysian are happy about it, why bother introducing newer engine?

You'll notice more ppl critic the Geely 3 pot that is developed in 2018 as old tech (same year as new DF engine from Toyota)
rather than criticizing the 18 years old Toyota dual VVT-i as old tech.

Why not many subaru xv on the road?

becoz not many people buy lah... that's why

Cons
gear box oil expensive <- True, official Sc is expensive, outside got more CVT fluid brand nowadays and cost is more reasonable

floating above 130kmh <- Depends on people, tires & suspension settings, for me i drive until 140~160km/h still ok maybe i used better tires like Pirelli Scorpion Verde, Nexen RU1 both this tires i felt stable more on highway speeds maybe due to heavier weight and different treads/compound.

under power <- Also depends on people, for me still normal acceptable for a crossover. Others like Corolla Cross 1.8L, previous gen HRV 1.8L also people drive no complain also, thus i think is quite subjective. Maybe for some already suit driving sport cars or powerfull engine so Xv will feel like downgrading, low power.

over priced for small car <- Yup, for some really out of their budget

low RV <- Sadly only H & T brand will do good in Malaysia market for RV

need to warm up properly to drive, else easy to damage engine (boxer design) <- I no warm up also just start and go, just dont hi-rev and do normal drive (I usually drive below 2000rpm when the cold engine symbol still light up) coz nowadays modern cars got ECU to control the fuel timing so would not damage much if driven normal range. My Xv already over 200k no serious engine damage, most engine damage my mechanic encounter is owner did not aware of coolant leaking from radiator and drive until overheat.    

bad francise service center <- This 1 really depends on luck & which SC, for me lucky my BMSC (Bukit Mertajam) still ok and quite supportive in term of any claims or service during the first 5 years of warranty.

Pro
Subaru AWD
Safety

2024 model just launched, seem like well specced, good passive and active safety (9airbag etc), 2.0 should give good power + moderate fuel savings for 160k

Considering all this seems like a good offering, plus on safety side seem like the only compact suv / crossover with 9 airbags (previous gen closer to 140k + 7 airbags)

Yet dont really see many on the road.
Subaru value offering for this price point missed its mark (too expensive for segment?)

Curious that malaysians dont rally see safety specs when buy new car?

Would you consider buy car based on safety features as important factor?