Subaru Outback 2024 review: Sport XT long-term | Part 1

I reckon the highest praise a motoring journalist can pay any vehicle they test is to utter that mega-rare phrase, “you know what, I’d have one of these.”

It actually happens far less often than you might think, but it’s not because there aren’t lots of cars that we like. 

The Toyota GR Yaris is a perfect example. It’s a cracking little hot hatch, but it’s also the size of Cinderella’s shoe, and so not exactly practical for plenty of Aussie families.

Lots of EVs fit the bill, too. Brilliant at cross-city hops, less so at long-distance adventures, and so again, not the right fit for many.

So yes, you can like a car, but still not put it on that hallowed list.

Why do I tell you all of this? Because I’ve now spent a month behind the wheel of the Subaru Outback Sport XT, and you know what? I reckon I'd have one of these.

For one, it’s most definitely not an SUV, which immediately makes it stand out on the road amongst the slow-moving sea of high-riding family movers that now dominate our streets and suburbs.

It harks back to the before times, when station wagons ruled our roads, but these days they're a rarity, which only makes me like it more. 

Our turbocharged XT Sport wears a price tag of $57,575 (drive-away). (Image: Andrew Chesterton)

Two, it’s bloody practical.

Yes, this might be taking you too far into the weeds of my home life, but then, these are real-world reports, after all.

Within my very first seven days with the Outback, the lock that secures the rear sliding door at my house gave up on living, necessitating a trip to that famed temple of questionable DIY projects, Bunnings, for two long pieces of wood that would keep it securely closed overnight while I waited for another far-more-handy man to come around and actually fix it.

A reminder; the last series of long-term dispatches that came from me were all about the Kia Seltos GT-Line, an admirable but tiny SUV, which would have made my DIY mission Ethan Hunt levels of impossible.

But with the flexibility of a big wagon parked out front? No problem. 

Upfront of the Outback is an 11.6-inch portrait-style multimedia touchscreen. (Image: Andrew Chesterton)

Our Outback measures in at 4870mm in length, 1875mm in width and 1670mm in height, and it rides on a 2745mm wheelbase.

But the headline act here occurs behind the rear axle, where the boot opens to reveal a pretty cavernous space, and one long enough to make storing unwieldly items easy.

Rear seats in place, Subaru reckons you’ll find 522 litres of room, but drop the back row and the Outback transforms into something a courier van, with 1783 litres of space, measured to the ceiling.

And honestly, that kind of practicality comes in handy. Maybe not everyday, or even every week or month, but when you do need it, you'll appreciate it.

But perhaps the best thing about this particular Outback is its engine, a punchy 2.5-litre turbo that delivers ample grunt with minimal fuss.

Our Outback measures in at 4870mm in length. (Image: Andrew Chesterton)

Only two models in the Outback range get the turbo power plant - our Sport XT and the Touring XT - and it immediately solves one of the main criticisms levelled at the lesser models, and that is that they can feel a little sluggish when you require urgent acceleration, as when overtaking.

The turbocharged option lifts the outputs from 138kW and 245Nm to a healthy 183kW/350Nm, which doesn’t just make for a sportier, more engaging drive, but also lifts the max braked towing capacity from 2000kg to 2400kg.

That engine pairs with a CVT auto (because you can't win them all... ), and — like all Subarus — sends its power to all four wheels, and there are two 'X-Mode' drive modes to give you a little more capability off road, too.

But… you will be asked to pay a little more handsomely for it. The Outback range kicks off at $47,600 drive-away for the Subaru Outback AWD, and then climbs to $52,325 (again drive-away) for the non-turbo version of our test car, the Sport.

But shopping for the better engine adds around $5K to the asking price, with our turbocharged XT Sport pitched at $57,575 (drive-away).

The Outback Sport XT wears 18-inch alloy wheels. (Image: Andrew Chesterton)

At the top of the tree is the Touring, which is $56,315 (non-turbo) or $61,565 (turbo) drive-away, but I’m not sure the extra investment is worth it, given the equipment list that arrives with the XT Sport.

You get heated seats, and auto-opening boot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — which pairs with a six-speaker stereo — a big 11.6-inch portrait-style multimedia touchscreen, and USB-A and USB-C connection points.

There’s also a smart-key with push-button start, a 4.2-inch screen in front of the driver, LED lighting all around and more safety systems than you can shake a big Bunnings stick at — including the mildly creepy drive monitoring system that bings and bongs at you should you take your eyes of the road.

So, I'm a little smitten, so far. But with some longer trips ahead of me - and the extra fuel use required by the turbocharged engine on my mind - let's see if that lasts.

Acquired: July, 2023

Distance travelled this month: 1114.5km

Odometer: 3384km

Average energy consumption this month: 12.5L/100km