Subaru Outback 2018 Review

Renewed competition

It says as much about Subaru and the Outback nameplate as it does the Australian motoring public when you stop and look at the out-and-out success of this popular Japanese wagon over the past two decades.

Despite Australia's insatiable appetite for SUVs, this familiar antidote to the high-riding SUVS remains a relevant and popular go-to for consumers.

However, the Outback is facing renewed competition in the form of the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Skoda Octavia Scout and upcoming Holden Commodore Tourer. Not to mention the constant barrage of incoming SUVs.

For 2018, Subaru has taken note and given the Outback a quick once-over. Our Subaru Outback specifications story has the full rundown but essentially, pricing remains largely unchanged, there is added safety and technology and some minor tweaks under the exteriors of the five-model range.

The Outback also scores a new look, too, headlined by a reworked grille and bumper design, wing mirrors designed to improve aerodynamics (and wind noise) and a choice of new exterior colours.

Inside, a new tablet-style touch-screen headlines the major visual changes. The 8.0-inch screen (6.5-inch on 2.5i and 2.0d variants) conveys new functionality including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Across all Outback variants, Subaru has injected the third generation of its Eyesight safety suite, which brings optimised stereo camera images, the addition of lane keep assist, enhanced pedestrian avoidance and an extension of the car's pre-collision braking assist ceiling (read: automated emergency braking) from 30 to 50km/h.

Elsewhere, 2.5i Premium, 3.6R and 2.0D Premium models boast new front-view and side-view monitors, along with an upgraded adaptive headlight package.

Subaru offers a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty on the Outback along with six-month/12,500km servicing intervals that equate to $2711 over three years. Both are well behind the eight-ball for the industry.

The Outback 3.6 driven here offers an 1800kg braked towing capacity.

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Fit for purpose

Slipping into the Outback's plush, high-set driver's seat, you can begin to garner what kind of buyer designers and engineers envisaged when orchestrating the latest changes.

In short, it's the pragmatic type -- the buyer who is more about getting to the destination comfortably and safely rather than in a hurry.

To that end, the Outback lives up to expectations. The cabin of our flagship 3.6 model is clad in quality materials, the seats are broad and comfortable, and outward vision is excellent.

The car's long journey amenity is also supported by rails along the roof that conveniently fold out to double as roof racks in a matter of seconds. Very clever.

The strong initial impression is reinforced by swish LCD climate-control displays inside, along with the new centre touch-screen atop the dashboard.

Unfortunately, Subaru's efforts are partly undone by some uncharacteristic squeaks and rattles from our particular test car on the road.

Spatially, the Outback offers room from five adults in relative comfort on long journeys, each with access to a slew of incidental storage and USB points. The car's broad 1.84-metre girth comfortably enables three abreast from the rear, while leg room and head room numbers are generous.

Split-folding rear seats can be deployed at the touch of a button from the 512-litre boot area, liberating an 1801-litre space in total along with a flat floor.

Other convenient features include the automated tailgate and the fitment of a full-size spare tyre.

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On the road

Subaru has targeted evolutionary progress on the road by undertaking changes to the car's shock absorber settings, steering and acoustics.

In truth, the improvements are incremental rather than wholesale, working to broaden the appeal of the Outback without re-writing the rulebook.

The Outback sits marginally flatter through the corners than before and its steering tends to offer more meaningful feel and feedback.

At 1713kg, it still feels its size through the bends, and will occasionally skip over mid-corner corrugations. But as a cross-country tourer, the latest revisions amount to a stronger vehicle than before.

Wind and road noise are kept to minimum levels on varying surfaces, while the car's suspension soaks up imperfections with aplomb. The only real niggle from inside the cabin are those aforementioned squeaks and rattles…

We also ventured on some unsealed roads and came away impressed with the car's overall surefootedness and composure.

The stability control suite is quite relaxed on dirt, progressively allowing the car to move around before intervening. An X-Mode driving system is also fitted as standard, bringing a hill descent control function and added traction for low speed.

On or off the black-top, power from our test car's 3.6-litre boxer engine comes on progressively, arriving at the peak 191kW figure from 6000rpm and maximum 350Nm torque figure from 4400rpm.

The engine is unflustered in day-to-day driving, and works well with the CVT to push for the 9.9L/100km claimed fuel reading.

Things tend to come undone when you sink the slipper, the CVT breaking out into a riotous chorus and the car's fuel use climbing steadily. However, when the occasion calls, power is plentiful, translating to a 0-100km/h time of 7.6 seconds.

Elsewhere, the Outback's safety suite works well even if it is a tad overzealous in its interventions. On one occasion, the car's automated emergency braking is erroneously triggered, and the car's lane departure warning is eager to remind the driver of surrounding vehicles.

Verdict

The Outback doesn't particularly set a new standard in any regard, but rather continues on a proven path of comfort, versatility and practicality.

In doing so, it remains a competitive alternative to the SUV, in a rebel segment that continues to find favour with consumers.

2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R pricing and specifications:
Price: $49,140 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 191kW/350Nm
Transmission: Six-speed continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 9.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 230g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP