Subaru Outback 2014 Review

Subaru's juggling of its range of Forester and Outback SUVs presents an interesting juxtaposition, particularly when it comes to its diesel-powered variants.

Where the former is sold as an out-and-out contender to the Nissan X-TRAIL, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4, the latter is essentially a worked-over wagon in the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack vein, and is likewise positioned slightly higher up the price ladder.

Yet, when the Premium version of the Outback diesel is lined up against the 2.0D-S Forester diesel, the supposedly upmarket car, in manual-transmission form, is actually a bit cheaper. Only when the Outback diesel is specified with a continuously variable transmission – which is not available on the Forester – does it become slightly more expensive than its sibling.

The functions are similar too: Where the Liberty-based Outback offers a larger load area expanding from 490 to 1690 litres (the Forester goes from 422 to 1481 litres), the latter, as a more purpose-built SUV offers incrementally better off-road capabilities: The Forester’s more upright, but almost 200mm shorter body provides benefits in terms of overhangs (the wheelbase is 105mm shorter than the Outback) and Its 220mm ground gives an extra 7mm of space between underpinnings and whatever might lie below. It is also capable of towing a braked trailer weighing up to 1800kg, where the Outback is restricted to 1700kg.

At the diesel level, it seems Subaru is allowing its customers some price-equivalent fine-tuning: If you're after carrying capacity, the Outback will better suit your needs, while if you are leaning more towards towing, or off-road capabilities, then the Forester will do a slightly better job.

The only situation where there is no choice is if you want an auto transmission: Subaru soldiers on with only a six-speed manual transmission for its diesel-powered Foresters.

This review deals with a CVT-transmission, Premium-level Outback. Undoubtedly the biggest difference between the two Subarus is the Outback's clear connections with a regular station wagon. It sits 80mm higher than a regular Liberty wagon, but is 120mm lower than the Forester, and consequently feels less like an SUV on the road.

Here, it feels tight and solid, riding and steering more like a regular wagon than an SUV, even if there is some suggestion of extra body roll on corners. A bit of extra road noise seeps through too. But with the wheel swinging from lock to lock in a reasonably quick 3.2 turns, and nicely-considered weighting at the rim, the Outback is handy enough on tight, winding roads.

And it does offer a big cabin with plenty of breathing space. The steering wheel appears to be set deliberately high to plenty of space between thigh and rim, and there's a commodious rear seat that doesn't suffer if a tall driver or passenger is travelling up front.

The sizable cargo area is expanded quickly and simply by activating release levers located in the boot, accessible once the tailgate is opened – and there's a full-size spare too.

The 110kW/350Nm turbo-diesel mates well with the CVT transmission, mostly. Though we did notice in our test vehicle that there was a tendency to falter off the line, and that the driveline would ‘clunk’ uncomfortably when the shift lever was moved out of drive and into the park position.

With the diesel’s typical conservatism for revs – maximum power comes at just 3600rpm – plus its development of torque at low revs (between 1800 and 2400rpm when CVT is fitted) the transmission displayed less of the frantic CVT racket typically experienced when the engine reaches its optimum revs, and hangs onto them remorselessly.

The strong mid-range torque also helped reduce engine noise at cruising speeds to a virtually imperceptible level as it sat on an indicated 110km/h with the diesel ticking over at 2100rpm. The cruise control system was able to hold the chosen speed with a certain degree of certainty too.

We didn't get close to the ADR Combined fuel consumption figure of 5.5L/100km, with a best figure of 6.8 on test. Disappointing, but not uncommon when comparing real-world to claimed consumption figures. As with all Subarus, the constant all-wheel drive does tend to marginally bump fuel consumption.

At Premium level, the Outback is well fitted out: Leather seats are standard – with full eight-way power adjustment on the driver's side – as are a power sunroof, dual-zone climate-control, satellite navigation and a reversing camera. The roof rails feature integrated cross bars, a feature not often seen as standard in this class.

In all, the Subaru Outback functions well in its chosen role as a half-way house between a more off-road oriented SUV (not that there are many of those left) and a cruisy station wagon. It's safe (with a five-star ANCAP rating), spacious, comfortable, well fitted-out and not a bad drive either.

Subaru Outback Premium 2.0d pricing and specifications:
Price: $45,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kW/350Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 5.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 172g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Images are for illustrative purpose only, these are not of the model tested