Test Car Specifications
Model: Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring
Price: Outback from £35,995
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: CVT automatic, four-wheel drive
Power: 169hp
Torque: 252Nm
Emissions: 193g/km
Economy: 33mpg
0-62mph: 10.2 seconds
Top speed: 120mph
Boot space: 522-1,822 litres
Styling
Although this is supposedly the 'new' Outback, not all that much has changed compared with its predecessor. The overall theme of off-road body cladding on a conventional (albeit raised) estate body has survived and the current model looks pretty cohesive. The rear end feels a little upright and awkward, but it's slightly more modern than before and the plastic cladding gives it a chunky solidity. Those roof rails look a bit strange, though, and the grille is a little uninspiring by modern standards. Still, it's no BMW...
Interior
Subaru has made a valiant effort to bring the Outback into the 21st Century, and it has done so primarily with the new toucshcreen infotainment system, which now dominates the whole dashboard. It feels a bit old by the standards of Subaru's rivals, but it's a massive improvement on the old set-up. It's straightforward and practical, and it's a bit of a metaphor for the rest of the Outback's cabin. Despite the new screen, it still has buttons with which to change the temperature (praise be) and everything feels solid and sturdy in a dependable, but not especially upmarket sort of way. It's functional and surprisingly easy on the eye, but nobody will mistake this for the interior of a BMW.
Practicality
Space in the Outback is plentiful, with a 522-litre boot that makes the now-defunct Audi A4 Allroad's boot look positively compact. Even a BMW X3 SUV can't match the Subaru for carrying capacity, and the promise of 1,822 litres when you fold the back seats down means the Outback will swallow pretty much anything you throw at it. Leave the seats up, though, and passenger space is more than adequate, with ample space for two adults in the rear seats.
Performance
All Outbacks come with the same 2.5-litre ‘boxer’ engine, which produces a nondescript 169hp and 252Nm of torque. It’s quiet most of the time, but it’s paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that makes a right meal of transferring that power to the road. As the CVT struggles to sort itself out, the engine roars and screams like a wounded animal, and it doesn’t make especially rapid progress while it does so. The sprint – if you can call it that – from 0-62mph takes more than 10 seconds. And it isn’t especially economical, either, managing just 33mpg on the official economy test. You can’t help but think a 2.0-litre diesel engine with a proper automatic gearbox would be a much better bet.
Ride & Handling
The Outback sits 21cm off the ground, which would normally mean the suspension is compromised as it tries to maintain body control without completely ruining the ride. But Subaru has simply set the Outback up for comfort, and it has almost nailed it. The car rides pretty well on motorways or flowing A-roads, but it struggles a bit with potholes – particularly at lower speeds. That said, it feels relaxed at any speed, and though it never encourages you to throw it around in corners, the steering is quite precise and it doesn’t lean as much as you might expect. More importantly, it has ample off-road capability, with ample ground clearance and driving modes to help it tackle various surfaces.
Value
The Outback comes in at £35,995, but the Touring-spec version we tried upped that to a massive £41,495. That's a lot of money for something that isn't as premium as a Volvo, but at least you get plenty of kit. Leather upholstery, a sunroof and heated seats are all thrown in, along with satellite navigation and a heated steering wheel, not to mention a reversing camera. You get a power tailgate too, and a Harman/Kardon stereo. It's hardly Spartan.
Verdict
The Outback is a very solid, practical family car with more than a little off-road ability, and that should be enough to make it a contender. But a dodgy gearbox and a mediocre engine let it down, and then there's the price tag. For a car that doesn't feel as rounded or as complete as a Volvo or an Audi, a starting price of £35,995 is steep.
