Subaru Outback 2021 review: AWD

Even though this is a new-generation Subaru Outback, the design changes are minimal. There are extra-high black wheelarches which make the car look inherently surprised all the time, and other black features like the roof rails and on the front below the headlights. So it looks like its tough old self, just with a slightly jazzed up exterior.

It looks like its tough old self, just with a slightly jazzed up exterior.

Being the base model Outback, it has fabric seats that are textured yet smooth to touch and feel comfortable to sit on. The steering wheel is not leather and the dash and doors are also covered in man-made material, but it holds its own as a car that does away with fancy finishes, preferring to focus on functionality and driving instead. The interior is still well designed with some high-gloss around the centre console and brushed metallic trims.

Even though this is a new-generation Subaru Outback, the design changes are minimal.

It’s a functional car, the doors open quite wide so you can load things into the back easily. 

You get two cupholders in the front, a spot for keys and a phone and a decent sized centre storage bin, plus bottle holders in the doors. 

Rear passengers get cupholders in the centre armrest and directional air vents which is always appreciated in a long hot Aussie summer. The boot opens manually and the front seats are manually adjusted.

You get two cupholders in the front, a spot for keys and a phone and a decent sized centre storage bin.

Space is good in the Outback, especially with its wagon roots, there is lots of leg and headroom even for tall people in the front seats. 

There is lots of leg and headroom even for tall people in the front seats. 

The rear seats are also spacious. My two children, aged seven and nine, had no complaints this week and were happy to jump in there. I'm 161cm (5'3") and there is loads of room between my knees and a taller person’s driving position, so taller adults and teenagers will fit well in the back. 

The rear seats are spacious fitting taller adults and teenagers.

You can also fit a third child seat across. There’s not a huge amount of space for it, and it might take some jiggling depending on your car seats. 

The boot is a good size and shape because it’s long as well as being higher off the ground. At 522L (VDA) it’s the same size as a five-seat Honda CR-V, and 10 litres bigger than the previous model Outback. It will fit a double pram or several large suitcases with ease.

The boot is a good size and shape at 522L (VDA).

Driving in the Subaru Outback is good. The first thing you notice is that it feels solid, the steering isn’t loose, it’s nice and stable.

It’s a smooth drive on highways and with this new generation Outback, every model has a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which makes this entry-level model as good a drive as the top version. It really establishes things evenly, and you know what you are getting with the upper models, which is pure extra comfort and styling, because all models drive the same.  

Driving the Outback it feels solid and stable.

The Outback has a good amount of power to get up hills and overtake other cars and is an AWD so you get that extra traction on loose surfaces. There is no hybrid to choose from as with the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4. 

One minor thing that annoys me is the blinker, which you have to tap very lightly for it to turn off on it’s own when you’re changing lanes. A small thing, yes, but annoying nonetheless.

It has a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine.

Parking is good in the Outback as long as you account for the length. It’s not as convenient as a small car, sure, but you’re never going to have that with a mid-size SUV anyway. There’s a good reverse parking camera to help you out. 

The Subaru Outback base model scrapes in at just under $40K - $39,990, before on road costs. The official combined cycle fuel consumption claim is 7.3L/100km, and I averaged 9.6L/100km for a week of city, suburban, and some (brief) highway driving.

It’s covered by Subaru’s five year/unlimited km warranty and servicing is required every 12 months or 12,500km.

Subaru's online service calculator will give you estimated pricing out to 15 years/62,500km, but the first five come in at $344.96, $594.80, $351.14, $801.42, $357.56, respectively. That's an annual average of $490 for that period.