Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 2015 Review

Climbing into the new 2015 Subaru Outback for the first time, it's clear that Subaru have listened to customer feedback. The cabin is roomier, more comfortable and features an intuitive touch-screen infotainment system.

It’s also a lot more affordable too, with the base 2.5i CVT model $3000 cheaper at $35,990, the Premium version $2000 more affordable at $41,990, diesel models priced $5000 lower from $35,490 and the top-shelf 3.6R boxer six no less than $10,000 more accessible at $47,990.

Subaru has given the Outback its premium character back too, with high-quality materials used throughout. Wider, welcoming seats are upholstered in beautifully supple leather, while soft-touch dash plastics help erase the memories of the cheap, slapdash feel of its predecessor.

It's true that the previous-generation Outback did little to evolve the high-riding AWD wagon concept – or SUV, as Subaru calls it – and it's as though this new model is making up for lost time.

Longer, wider and taller, the new Outback has more interior room for all occupants, most noticeably in its bigger hips – there's more lateral room. Wider doors and higher seats improve access and it's also got a bigger boot, rising from 490 to 512 litres. The fitment of a powered tailgate is a nice touch on 2.5i Premium models and above.

All models get a full-size spare wheel (with matching alloy rim) and the two levers in the boot that automatically flip the 60:40-split folding rear seats are most welcome.

Another boon is the new infotainment system which is headlined by a fancy-pants touch-screen. Entry-level petrol and diesel models get a smaller 6.2-inch screen but the Premium models we tested had a 7.0-inch display that features smartphone-inspired flick, pinch and double tap controls. In practice it works well — it's not as smooth as an iPhone but it's a good effort from Subaru.

There are also twin USB ports, a pair of 12-volt sockets in the front and an Aux-in plug. The car also comes with two inbuilt apps, Pandora and MirrorLink, the latter allowing smartphone control and display via the car's touch-screen system. I couldn't get it to work though.

The satellite-navigation system is good and the voice recognition system is one of the best I've used, chiefly because it walks you through command examples via text on the screen. Thoughtful and intuitive.

For the record, it should be noted that when commanded to "change the temperature to Jennifer" the car set it to 24 degrees. The voice control is generally accurate and allows you to input destination data, change the music, make a phone call or even adjust heating/cooling at the push of a button on steering wheel then a wag of the chin.

Instrumentation is slightly improved too, with tasteful dials (that swap from blue to orange when in manual mode) and a detailed trip computer that's easy to cycle through. The compact screen between the dials also displays some of the car's advanced safety features, such as the radar-based adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning system, which are easily toggled.

The advanced cruise control can accelerate and brake the car based on other motorists' movements, has several distance settings and works well, all controlled via the steering wheel. It's part of the EyeSight system that also includes an autonomous emergency braking system that can also steer the car away from a potential collision.

A brisk walk around the new model – which has a very handy 213mm of ground clearance – reveals a conventional but more appealing design than before. The new 'hawk-eye' headlights with LED accents are a neat touch, as are the LED brake lights, and there's plastic cladding around the car's extremities designed to absorb off-road punishment. Roof rails are fitted to all models.

Equal parts formidable and sophisticated, Subaru's designers haven't gone wild with the design but have massaged it enough to make a positive difference. The photos don't do the new Outback justice, and the same goes for the interior – it’s much nicer to look at when you're in it.

Behind the wheel, the Outback is much improved. OK, the engines haven't changed and they're not exactly cutting-edge (direct-injection is still at least a year away) but with new suspension, a stiffer body and one of the best CVT calibrations out there, the high-riding wagon is better on road and off.

And after less than 10 minutes behind the wheel it's blatantly clear that Subaru has a done great job making the cabin quieter. Indeed, refinement levels have improved in almost every respect and the interior is now whisper-quiet, with very little wind or tyre noise entering the cabin.

On undulating country roads around Gippsland in Victoria, the car didn't wallow as much as it did previously when changing direction, was more confident through corners and, though the steering is still vague, was a more engaging vehicle to drive.

It's a more wieldy vehicle than its predecessor by virtue of reduced body roll but, while it does have a slightly firmer ride quality, it still errs on the side of comfort. Bump absorption is very impressive, as we noted after flying down a hill at 70km/h and hitting the lip to a concrete bridge wedged into a crevasse. Smooth as you like.

If you're not a confident driver (and even if you are) the Outback delivers plenty of reassurance with one of the best 4WD systems in the business. Effective in all conditions, it's always connected and though it might be slightly heavier and less efficient than some part-time AWD systems, it's a small price to pay for impeccable grip.

The auto-shifting continuously variable transmission, or CVT, is the biggest driveline improver, with virtually no droning and a very good manual override mode, via steering wheel paddle shifters.

The 2.5-litre 129kW petrol engine struggles a bit with the car's weight up steeper hills (less so in the 50kg lighter Liberty) but proved to be smooth, quiet and efficient – consuming about a litre off the claimed 7.3L/100km consumption figure on test.

We didn’t get to drive the six-cylinder 3.6-litre version but the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel was a letdown and, at 6.3L/100km, isn’t streets ahead of the petrol model for fuel efficiency. That said, while acceleration is average, it is quiet, smooth and Subaru says you'll go more than 1000km per tank.

Although it's the new price-leader (as a manual), the diesel models don't get as much kit and the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel doesn’t feel much gruntier than the 2.5 petrol, despite having more than 115Nm more torque – 350 versus 235Nm. It can also only tow 200kg more than the petrol car at 1700kg.

No manual versions (only offered with the diesel models) were made available to us, but this didn't seem to matter on a handful of steep, rocky trails. Just hit the X-Mode button and the car is smart enough to detect your angle of descent and will engage downhill descent control automatically, going into crawl mode with no throttle needed. Touch the pedal and out it comes, allowing you to speed up when the terrain levels out. It's next to foolproof.

And even without X-Mode engaged the Outback is confident on less demanding dirt roads too. Predictable is the word that describes its default attitude on gravel. It's really progressive even when provoked into oversteer – try to get it out of shape and the all-wheel drive system proactively adjusts torque distribution, keeping everything neat and tidy.

There's lots to like about this new Outback. It's more affordable, is five-star ANCAP safety-rated, comes with capped-price servicing for the life of the vehicle, is easier and more fun to drive, as well as more luxurious, more advanced, roomier and more efficient.

My pick of the litter is the 2.5i Premium at $41,490. It gets all the advanced EyeSight safety features, the smooth leather upholstery and the more advanced infotainment unit.

If Subaru offered improved boxer engines and perhaps adjustable suspension damping, it would have Euro-killer written all over it, regardless of the price drops. As it stands the new Outback is merely very good, as opposed to excellent.

Either way though, the new Outback represents a solid return to form for Subaru.