Mark Stone is full of praise for the new Subaru Outback.
IF you think about it, it’s one of those strange things. Over the years, certain cars have become associated with certain professions. The Morris Minor and the district nurse, the Volvo 240 Estate with the antiques dealer, and, of course, the Bedford HA van with the Post Office. And, to a degree, so it is with the Subaru Outback, the rural veterinarian’s transport of choice, the estate manager’s hack, the farmer’s wife’s daily workhorse. Why? To start with, it’s well priced, it doesn’t scream ‘look at me’, it gets on with the job, it’s well built and most importantly, it does what it does with almost clinical efficiency.
And so it is with the latest incarnation of this much-loved estate car. Still embodying all the latest Subaru styling, including the vast, dark metallic blue with silver stars badging, the long flowing lines, subtly raised 200 mm ride height, no-nonsense 18” alloys and 225 tyres that fill the high-cut, heavily protected arches, Subaru’s Outback personifies subtle but aggressive elegance. The car is there to do a job, and that’s the job it will do.
The usual grille and swept-back LED lights dominate the front while Subaru’s distinctive high-cut tapering waistline and muted creases gently ease the eye from front to rear and the full-sized, hatchback-like tailgate, the effect visually reducing the car’s capacious size. Transfer to the inside and the Outback’s space, practicality and simplicity of interior design immediately reappear.
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Your choice of model determines the actual trim; the Premium model seen here decked out in thick, durable black leather. With ample room for five adults, along with a maximum cargo capacity of 1,848 litres with an additional 2,000 kg of towing capacity, there’s also plenty of stowage space with sizeable door pockets, a decent glovebox and a central cubby. From the driver’s perspective, the large, clear instrumentation and large central screen quickly and efficiently relay all information, while the usual apps, Bluetooth, sat-nav, and car status can be rapidly accessed using the various steering wheel-mounted controls.
Irrespective of which Outback model you opt for, the powertrain remains the same. The petrol-powered flat-4 boxer engine delivers 175 hp and 235 Nm of torque, mated to the now familiar Lineartronic 7-speed transmission with the options of fully automatic or paddle-change sequential. There’s also the addition of the S and I controls that allow the driver to determine how the power comes into play. Covering just over 200 test miles, the Outback returned a useful 34 mpg, which equates to approximately 420 miles per 60-litre tank of unleaded, possibly a little more if one of the performance fuels is used.
To drive, once again the Outback belies its size. Typifying Subaru’s almost silken ride, little if any road irregularities are able to penetrate the cabin, only rougher tracks and field crossings disturbing the Outback’s equilibrium. Well-weighted power steering provides ample feedback, and the view from behind the wheel offers uninterrupted views backed up by the onboard cameras. The asymmetrical AWD system is more than capable of being left to its own devices, while the push-button X-Mode allows the car to be locked into the predetermined modes.
For those needing to use the car’s performance, 0–62 mph comes up in an unhurried 10.2 seconds, and there is a 128 mph top speed. More than able to keep up with most things on the roads, the only point of criticism is that when under hard acceleration the engine note does become noticeable while the mid-range response isn’t quite as sharp as at times I would have preferred. The most definite plus is the Outback’s handling; even when pushed hard and through corners the car’s balance and neutrality show no signs of being compromised. Relaxing and comfortable on motorway journeys, the Outback almost floats from corner to corner, minimal trail braking when necessary and a slightly early turn-in allowing the car to maintain overall speed and momentum when traversing the back roads.
When any improved model of a successful car is introduced it’s always hoped that the upgrades will make things better, which isn’t always the case. But with its Outback, Subaru has managed to make an already proven car even better. A genuine pleasure to drive and not especially hard on the wallet. The lesser-spec version of the Outback can be had for £33,770, while the Premium model as tested is still a more-than-reasonable £36,770. The choice is all yours, but whichever Outback you decide upon, the end result is one of the best AWD estate cars you’re likely to drive.
SPECIFICATION:
Model: Subaru Outback Premium
Price: £36,770 (as tested)
Engine: 2.5 litre 4-cylinder boxer
PERFORMANCE:
Power: 175 hp
CO2 emissions – g/km: 193
Economy – combined mpg: 34 (as tested)
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