The Subaru Outback won’t appear like a big SUV however I promise you, it’s… in line with our gross sales charts.
As new automotive patrons gravitate in direction of tall and boxy household vehicles, many constructed on ladder frames, Subaru continues to shift lifted wagons with DNA stretching again a long time.
The Japanese carmaker has bought 6643 examples of the Outback domestically to the top of July, making it the third finest promoting giant SUV going round.
It’s not like Subaru has pulled a rabbit out of a hat to attain that, both. The Outback entered 2024 comparatively unchanged, other than worth rises throughout the board.
Talking of worth, on check right here is the Outback Touring AWD XT, the flagship of the vary. Properly, type of. A particular version Sport Touring XT is at present accessible, however just for a restricted time.
The Touring XT has primarily all of the gear Subaru has to supply, with WRX energy beneath the bonnet.
However within the absence of year-on-year upgrades, has it dropped again to the ever-growing pack?
How does the Subaru Outback evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Subaru Outback towards equally sized autos.
Subaru
Outback
How a lot does the Subaru Outback price?
The Touring XT normally takes delight of place on the top quality, however for now it has surrendered that honour to the restricted run Sport Touring XT.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-roads |
|---|---|
| 2024 Subaru Outback AWD | $43,690 |
| 2024 Subaru Outback AWD Premium | $47,190 |
| 2024 Subaru Outback AWD Sport | $48,190 |
| 2024 Subaru Outback AWD Touring | $51,990 |
| 2024 Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT | $53,190 |
| 2024 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT | $56,990 |
| 2024 Subaru Outback AWD Sport Touring XT | $57,490 |
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards a its rivals, take a look at our comparability software.
What’s the Subaru Outback like on the within?
The inside of the Subaru Outback gained’t win any awards for innovation, however it’s sensible and nicely geared up in Touring XT specification.
Upgraded equipment and supplies set the almost-flagship Touring XT other than fashions additional down the meals chain, because the cabin tech throughout the vary isn’t what you’d name standout.
Comfortable Nappa leather-based seats set the scene right here, full with heating and air flow capabilities for the motive force and entrance seat passenger.
Temperature management? Examine. Electrical adjustability passes the comfort check. However what about consolation? That will get a tick as nicely – the seats have loads of squidge like your favorite armchair, simply don’t anticipate a lot lateral assist for spirited driving, not that you must want it in a automotive like this.
The steering wheel has the same really feel, it’s gentle with a premium end. Likewise the armrest, door playing cards, and sprint.
Sadly gloss black plastic makes an look across the shifter, which is a fabric that’s identified to scratch up simply.
The plastics used for the buttons and different trim are rather less tactile, however that’s to be anticipated from a automotive on this worth bracket. A sunroof retains the house feeling vibrant and ethereal regardless of the dominance of black supplies.
Whereas the surfaces within the Touring XT do loads of heavy lifting, the expertise doesn’t assist elevating the inside. All variants are fitted with a 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system. Measurement isn’t the problem right here, nonetheless.
The display is busy, cut up into three sections – high for dwell automobile knowledge, a major center part, and local weather controls beneath.
The cluttered structure creates specific points when wi-fi smartphone mirroring is energetic, as Apple CarPlay suits awkwardly within the space accessible. Icons are too small, and it turns into tough to make use of contact performance on the transfer.
I get the sensation a separate, bodily set of local weather controls would resolve this drawback. In spite of everything, Subaru has included buttons and knobs for temperature, audio quantity, and radio tuning alongside the display.
On a number of events throughout our testing interval it appeared as if there was a ghost within the machine, with the radio coming to life seemingly of its personal accord.
The infotainment display additionally has a dated look, with cartoonish graphics and an growing older navigation system. It checks out, given the Outback nonetheless has a CD participant.
There’s no doubting the simplicity of the devices within the Outback, which come within the type of analogue dials and a small centre show. It’s a useful setup, however not one which’s overly enticing or configurable.
You possibly can flick by way of a number of readouts through buttons on the steering wheel. Connectivity up entrance is roofed by a USB-A outlet, USB-C outlet and an auxiliary jack, one other characteristic you don’t see fairly often today.
Whereas the Outback isn’t a frontrunner on the expertise entrance, it stays as sensible as ever.
Gadgets of assorted sizes and shapes will be saved in shallow door bins, a big glovebox, giant centre cupholders, a shallow tray above the glovebox, a two-tier armrest bin, plus a sun shades holder.
Second row passengers are additionally nicely catered for.
There’s sufficient leg- and headroom for taller adults, and gentle seatbacks to guard cramped knees. Each outboard seats are heated, too.
USB-A and USB-C retailers be sure that smartphones and tablets won’t ever run flat. Children can load up on books, toys and electronics for lengthy roadtrips, with the flexibility to stash issues away in two-tier map pockets and small door bins.
Children of all ages are welcome; ISOFIX anchors are fitted to the outboard seats in addition to top-tethers on the again of all three rear seats.
Suitcases or giant canine will seemingly be relegated to the boot, the place there’s 522L of cargo house.
That’s not an enormous quantity when in comparison with seven-seaters in five-seat configuration, however the numbers don’t inform the total story.
The Subaru Outback will swallow nearly the whole lot you want for a weekend away. It has a powered boot lid, the aperture is giant, and a low load lip makes it straightforward to position and slide objects.
Simply accessible levers drop the rear seats, increasing boot capability to 1267L. The Touring XT comes with an area saver spare wheel.
| Dimensions | Subaru Outback Touring XT |
|---|---|
| Size | 4870mm |
| Width | 1875mm |
| Top | 1675mm |
| Wheelbase | 2745mm |
| Cargo capability | 522L (5-seat) 1267L (2-seat) |
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards a its rivals, take a look at our comparability software.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
| Specs | Subaru Outback Touring XT |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4-litre 4cyl turbo Boxer |
| Energy | 183kW |
| Torque | 350Nm |
| Transmission | Repeatedly variable transmission (CVT) |
| Pushed wheels | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1770kg (kerb) |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 9.0L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 11.1L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 63L |
| Gas requirement | 95 RON |
| CO2 emissions | 204g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 2400kg |
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards a its rivals, take a look at our comparability software.
How does the Subaru Outback drive?
The Subaru Outback makes life straightforward on the street.
-
2023 mannequin proven
From the second you get behind the wheel, you get a way that the automotive desires to work with you moderately than towards you – it’s approachable in a method that not all trendy vehicles are.
A press of the beginning/cease button fires up the acquainted Subaru boxer four-cylinder with its distinctive tone, though it’s fairly muffled right here.
The driving place is low sufficient for the Outback to look sporty and agile, however elevated sufficient to supply the safe feeling of driving an SUV.
Setting off, the Outback is surefooted, providing all-wheel drive grip in all situations. Particularly on moist roads, it’s confidence inspiring to have the ability to speed up and alter instructions with out shedding any traction.
Subaru and all-wheel drive go hand in hand – it’s a promoting level for the model, setting the Outback other than equally geared up SUVs that ship energy to 2 wheels.
Round city, the drivetrain on this turbocharged model of the Outback additionally contributes to a easy driving expertise.
With 183kW and 350Nm the Touring XT isn’t missing grunt, and people outputs are simply drawn on in on a regular basis driving.
Acceleration from site visitors lights and cease indicators is instantaneous and linear – the CVT transmission delivers energy with out an excessive amount of fuss.
Altering lanes isn’t a lot enjoyable although, because the indicator stalks don’t click on into place, usually leaving you guessing which setting they’re in.
The turbo Outback is on no account quick, or occasion sporty, however it covers floor effortlessly like a very good tourer.
Extreme engine/exhaust noise is widespread in Subaru engines and CVT automatics if you put your foot down, however that’s not the case right here.
The CVT right here is easy and intuitive, protecting revs inside a suitable band. No whining racket to be heard beneath this bonnet.
When navigating metropolis site visitors, auto maintain is readily available to ease the driving load, whereas auto begin/cease affords each NVH and gasoline saving advantages.
That’s to not say the Touring XT is environment friendly, as a result of it isn’t. Common gasoline consumption throughout our check was 11.1L/100km, which doesn’t fairly minimize the mustard within the age of electrification.
It’s a small blemish on the Outback’s in any other case wonderful report card. Which brings me to trip consolation.
The Outback offers with imperfections within the street with a gentle, supple trip that isn’t upset no matter floor and pace. It retains the world outdoors in a method we’ve come to anticipate of larger, dearer vehicles.
The aforementioned cumbersome, soft SUVs aren’t as succesful as an Outback on a winding nation street, although.
A decrease centre of gravity and all-wheel drive helps it to stay comparatively flat by way of corners, whereas steering is direct and well-weighted.
Whether or not it’s a rural street or busy freeway, occupants are nicely insulated from street and wind noise. Stress-free is the most effective phrase that I can discover to explain what it’s wish to pilot an Outback.
The Outback is provided with lane centring, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, all of which work successfully.
You’ll discover cameras in every single place, entrance, facet and rear, so parking is a breeze regardless of the 4.87m size of the automobile.
Nonetheless, there’s one system I wasn’t so keen on. In my expertise adaptive cruise management struggled to keep up a constant pace, usually falling 5-10km/h beneath the set pace. The system was notably sluggish in site visitors, which I used to be uncovered to often all through our check interval.
Likewise, the EyeSight system was too usually chargeable for an abundance of annoying beeps and bongs that rapidly will get in your nerves. With that stated, pace digicam alerts are helpful when offered in a palatable method.
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards a its rivals, take a look at our comparability software.
What do you get?
Outback AWD normal gear:
- 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 4.2-inch journey laptop
- DAB+ digital radio
- Material upholstery
- Physique-coloured mirrors
- Roof rails with built-in cross bars
- Gray 18-inch alloy wheels
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Paddle shifters
- 6-speaker sound system
- 4 x cargo hooks within the boot
- Computerized windscreen wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Outback Sport and Sport XT add:
- Water repellent sports activities seat trim
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Entrance- and side-view cameras
- Black exterior highlights
- Arms-free energy tailgate
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Darkish metallic 18-inch alloy wheels
Outback Touring and Touring XT add:
- 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- CD participant
- Nappa leather-based upholstery
- Ventilated entrance seats
- Manually-adjustable driver’s seat thigh assist extender
- Electrical sunroof
- Heated steering wheel
- Silver roof rails with built-in cross bars
- Gloss end 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black inside (normal), or Black/Ivory (no-cost choice) or Tan ($590)
- Removes black exterior highlights
Outback Sport Touring XT Particular Version provides:
- Unique Geyser Blue exterior paint
- Inexperienced exterior accents
- Black boot badges
- Darkish metallic alloy wheels
- Crystal Black rear spoiler
Is the Subaru Outback protected?
The Subaru Outback has a five-star ANCAP security score, based mostly on testing carried out in 2021.
| Class | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 33.56 out of 38 (88 per cent) |
| Little one occupant safety | 44.62 out of 49 (91 per cent) |
| Susceptible street person safety | 45.40 out of 54 (84 per cent) |
| Security help | 15.40 out of 16 (96 per cent) |
Commonplace security gear contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
- Junction help
- Rear AEB
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep help
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Visitors signal recognition
- Reversing digicam
- Rear parking sensors
Outback AWD Sport provides:
How a lot does the Subaru Outback price to run?
The Outback is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, like the remainder of the Subaru vary.
Service intervals differ relying on variant, however turbocharged XT fashions require upkeep each 12 months or 15,000km.
| Operating prices | Subaru Outback Touring XT |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 12 months |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Complete capped-price service price | $2646 |
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards a its rivals, take a look at our comparability software.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Subaru Outback
The one fixed in life is change, and anybody who doesn’t progress rapidly dangers being left behind. Nonetheless, the Subaru Outback exhibits that there’s nonetheless room for vehicles which can be extra yesterday than space-age futuristic.
It doesn’t have the most recent and finest expertise or loopy design language, each of which wow punters at product launches.
However that’s okay. It’s a snug and sensible household automotive with loads of house, sufficient trendy luxuries, and a best-of-both-worlds wagon physique fashion.
In Touring XT guise the Outback additionally performs nicely on the street, with a strong turbocharged engine, easy transmission, and compliant suspension.
The Outback additionally manages to be protected with out counting on intrusive nannies.
SUV options are aplenty, however few current with the identical mixture of traits listed above. The record narrows even additional when you’re after a wagon.
With that in thoughts, this timeless Subaru is unquestionably value your time. What’s extra, that is the variant I’d purchase.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Purchase a Subaru Outback
MORE: Every little thing Subaru Outback
