The Outback has family car comforts yet surpasses many SUVs when the rubber hits the dirt.
At a time when high-riding SUVs with little off-road cred are all the rage, the Subaru Outback has become something of an anomaly.
It eschews the popular high-riding position for a more car-like feel from the front seat, yet it has constant four-wheel-drive and greater ground clearance (213mm) than many SUVs.
It's a formula that is more popular in Europe than Australia, largely because of slippery surfaces and a disdain in some cities for SUVs.
In Australia, the only mainstream rivals are VW's Passat AllTrack and the recently released Skoda Scout, based on the Octavia wagon.
It may not be the latest automotive craze but its longevity as a concept suggests the Outback has a loyal band of followers.
Design
Despite its car-like appearance, the Liberty-based Outback does give a nod to off-roaders with some more rugged styling cues including flared front guards and chrome and plastic guards and scuff plates. Roof rails and mudflaps add to the go-anywhere personality.
Inside, Subaru has lifted its game recently with more soft-touch surfaces, better feeling switches and a multimedia-satnav screen that looks more integrated with the dash.
The instrument panel has a digital readout in between the main dials that houses a digital speedo and displays a range of useful trip information, including turn directions for the navigation.
Our test car was a premium version and had leather seats (heated and powered in the front), sunroof and smart key with push-button start.
About town
The name Outback suggests the car is more at home in the wilds, yet the wagon makes a pretty good fist of being a family car for city dwellers. Rear privacy glass and a retractable cargo cover mean shopping is kept away from prying eyes, while a standard reversing camera helps with squeezing into tight parking spots.
The diesel engine combined with the stepless constantly variable transmission can create some hesitation off the mark, so gaps in traffic need to be a bit wider than with some rivals. And there's no stop-start technology for better fuel economy in peak hour crawls. Techno-goodies include Bluetooth with audio streaming, voice recognition for making phone calls and Pandora compatibility. The tailgate is also automatic, with remote opening and push-button close.
The Outback is a comfortable and competent cruiser
Unfortunately, Subaru's EyeSight system — which scans the road ahead for potential danger and can hit the brakes at lower speeds if it anticipates a collision — hasn't been calibrated for the diesel version of the Outback.
On the road
The Outback is a comfortable and competent cruiser, with little road or tyre noise. Only the intrusion of the diesel at lower speeds spoils the up-market ambience.
The ride is firm but comfortable and well controlled for the most part, although it can get a little jittery over corrugations. Steering feel is good and the Outback stays relatively flat and balanced through corners, despite the higher-than-normal centre of gravity. Grip is impressive — and the four-wheel-drive helps in greasy or wet conditions — although the nose will push wide and the tyres squeal if pushed. At family friendly speeds the Outback feels composed and comfortable.
The only drawback is that the diesel model doesn't get the active cruise feature available on the petrol model.
Off the road, the higher clearance, four-wheel-drive and hill descent control make the Outback a welcome companion — an attribute that has been duly noted by ski enthusiasts. The full-size alloy spare is another bonus for anyone heading off the beaten track.
Performance
The Outback's 2.0-litre diesel does the job well enough, apart from the initial hesitation and telltale diesel rattle when taking off from the lights.
On the freeway, it lopes along at low revs, not making much more noise than the petrol engine. There's also enough mid-range pulling power to make overtaking a relatively stress-free exercise, with the CVT auto keeping the engine where it can tap into the abundant torque.
A great family-friendly package for someone who can resist the SUV temptation
Fuel consumption is a claimed 6.3L/100km for the diesel, although we logged about 8.0L/100km on a mix of suburban and freeway driving.
Subaru Outback 2015: 2.0D Premium
| Engine Type | Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.3L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $12,760 - $17,050 |
| Safety Rating |
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Verdict
The Outback is a great family-friendly package for someone who can resist the SUV temptation. It's roomy, better to drive than an SUV and has the added safety of all-wheel-drive. But the diesel version misses out on equipment its petrol equivalent has as standard.
What it's got
Leather, satnav, heated seats, all-wheel drive, reversing camera, hill descent control, extra ground clearance.
What it hasn't
The Eyesight collision avoidance tech and active cruise control available on the petrol version. Fuel-saving stop-start function for engine. Power folding mirrors.
Ownership
Three years/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is average. Capped-price servicing available but very expensive at $2443 for three years. Resale is good at 54 per cent after three years.
Pick of the range
The 2.5i petrol premium seems to be the pick. It's the same price (diesels are usually a couple of grand dearer) but it has more equipment and its fuel consumption isn't far off that of the diesel.
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