Subaru Outback Reviewed: A cool change

Check any snowfields carpark and you’ll see that the Outback comes out to play in winter.

2015 Subaru Outback

WINTER always brings the Subaru Outback into the spotlight.

Its name is a reflection of heat and dust and country trails, but the Outback does some of its best work for its owners during the ski season and the darker months when low temperatures and wet roads put more emphasis on safety.

Subaru Australia has also put more emphasis on Outback safety this year with its Eyesight package fitted as standard on all new Model Year 2016 automatics, complete with auto radar cruise control, pre-collision braking and steering assistance, and lane-departure warning.

There is also the latest Vision Assist package for the 2.5i and 2.0D Premium models, as well as the 3.6R, which runs to blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assistance, high-beam assist, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and rear cross-traffic alert.

2016 Subaru Outback

Why the emphasis on the safety stuff?

Because that’s the only significant change as I drop into the latest 2.0D Premium version of the Outback for some catch-up time through the Subaru family.

I’ve already been in the latest Forester, which gets The Tick, and soon it will be time for the oddly-named Levorg.

I’m not sure what to expect from the Levorg, but I’ve been driving the Outback from day one in Australia and it’s always done the job for me and the families who buy it.

What I again get is what I expect, from the security of the all-wheel drive system to the comfort in the cabin.

The Outback does the job and, after too much time recently in big SUVs, it’s nice to be running in what amounts to a high-riding station wagon. It’s the same feeling I had recently in Europe, driving the smooth new Audi A4 Allroad. The difference is that the Allroad is a slow seller at a premium price point, where the Outback is doing very nicely from $35,990.

“The Outback is one of our success stories. We have sold 5956 to the end of June, which is just short of 1000 a month, and that’s up 9 per cent on last year when we launched the new car,” the managing director of Subaru Australia, Nick Senior, tells The Tick.

“We are within 300 cars of the Toyota Kluger and I think that sends a pretty strong message.”

But despite the obvious benefits for winter driving, Senior says there was no showroom surge ahead of winter.

“We tend to see more sales in October-November-December as people change cars for the summer holidays.”

But he knows winter works for owners.

2016 Subaru Outback

“There is a real correlation between Subaru and the skifields. Anyone who has been in a carpark in the mountains knows our affinity with the snow,” Senior says.

“People understand the need for all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive, in the skifields. But we feel there is no need to compromise a car for the other 48 or 52 weeks a year when you have a Subaru.”

ON THE ROAD

The latest Outback is instantly familiar, although I spend a few minutes checking the safety stuff in the diesel with the Premium pack. It’s the full Eyesight deal because this car has an automatic gearbox, but I’m also looking at new LED daytime running lights and can quickly see the benefit of the cross-traffic alert — something raised by Carsguide readers who have trouble in carparks — as I’m reversing into action.

Later I will learn that the automatic wipers and headlamps are a good move.

As I pull away, the diesel engine is strong from low revs and the high-riding Outback copes easily with some nasty speed humps. There is little time for real off-road action, and no sign of snow, but the grip is good as I tackle a couple of pieces of slimy gravel road.

The Outback is quick enough, although I would prefer more go and a bit more response from the CVT automatic. There are paddles to stir things up and it’s a lot better than some other CVTs, but the diesel can sound a bit laboured despite the advantage of keeping it right in the best operating range.

The car is quiet and comfy and the Premium pack includes a welcome electric tailgate — yes, I’m getting spoiled and a bit precious — as well as a five-seater cabin that is comfortable and well equipped.

The Bluetooth connects easily and the sound is clear, I like the infotainment package and Subaru Australia now guarantees up-to-date maps with free updates for owners who service at a network dealer.

2016 Subaru Outback

It’s not cheap at $42,990, but that’s a good price against hulkier SUV rivals and I know it will go a long way on a tank of diesel. It would be much better if Subaru could stretch its service intervals beyond six months, but that’s a move that’s been blocked from Japan.

In short, the Outback has plenty of strengths and no obvious weaknesses.

It’s not the best car I have driven this year, but it drives very nicely over any distance in any terrain and for families who want a wholesome wagon that’s safe and comfortable it’s more than good enough.

THE TICK

Yes. The Outback does what it says on the badge, even in winter, with a combination of safety, comfort and refinement that’s perfect for the job.

2015 Subaru Outback

AT A GLANCE

SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0D PREMIUM

PRICE From $42,990

WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km

CAPPED SERVICING $2444 for 3 years

SERVICE INTERVAL 6 months/12,000km

SAFETY 5 stars

ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 110kW/350Nm

TRANSMISSION CVT; AWD

THIRST 6.3L/100km

DIMENSIONS 4815mm (L), 1840mm (W), 1675mm (H), 2745mm (WB)

WEIGHT 1723kg

SPARE Full-size alloy

TOWING 1700kg

0-100KM/H 9.9 secs