Subaru Outback v Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 2016 Comparison

Subaru Outback Premium 2.0D v Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 140TDI 4MOTION
Comparison Test

With SUV sales eclipsing those of the traditional wagon at an astonishing rate, we often forget how genuinely practical and liveable the humble 'station wagon' can be.

Many will argue, though, that SUVs offer the type of off-road competence a traditional passenger wagon simply can't deliver. We beg to differ, and present these two mid-size crossover wagons as evidence.

Comparing the Subaru Outback and Volkswagen Passat Alltrack – both in high-grade turbo-diesel guise – we find roominess, performance, fuel economy and off-road ability equivalent to, or even better than, similarly-priced SUVs.

They're also much easier to get in and out of, especially for pets, small children and the elderly.

But we're not here to compare SUVs to wagons. The aim of this comparison is to evaluate two of the very best all-wheel drive family wagons on the market, and find out which is better suited to an adventurous family life.

The ticks and the specs
Both the Subaru and the Volkswagen are powered by direct-injected 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines. True to form, the Outback's Boxer Diesel sees the cylinders arranged in a horizontally-opposed format while the Passat Alltrack uses an in-line configuration.

For the Subaru, we find output figures of 110kW at 3600rpm and 350Nm over 1600-2800rpm. The model on test is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT; a six-speed manual transmission is also available) driving all four wheels via Subaru's patented symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

The manufacturer claims an ADR combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 6.3L/100km with CO2 emissions of 165g/km. The Outback's fuel tank holds 60 litres. On test it managed 7.8L/100km.

Volkswagen ups the ante with 140kW at 4000rpm and 400Nm between 1750 and 3000rpm. The model tested is matched exclusively to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and, like the Subaru, drives all four wheels, this time via a Haldex coupling arrangement known as 4MOTION in Volkswagen parlance.

The ADR combined cycle fuel economy number is listed at a lean 5.4L/100km with CO2 emissions of 143g/km. The Passat's fuel tank is 10 per cent larger than the Outback's at 66 litres. On test the VW recorded an average of 8.1L/100km – 0.3L/100km more than the Subaru.

Both the Outback and the Passat Alltrack come with electrically-assisted steering, four-wheel disc brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Volkswagen's Continental ContiSportContact5 rubber is, however, wider and lower than the Subaru's Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sports (245/45 v 225/60), meaning tyres will be a little dearer to replace.

Both wagons offer a full-size matching alloy spare wheel. Tick!

With an obvious off-road bent, both cars offer ground clearance much higher than that of a regular family wagon. For the Outback it's a generous 213mm while the Passat Alltrack makes do with 175mm. The Subaru rides on strut front, double-wishbone rear suspension where the VW features a strut front, multi-link rear arrangement.

In spite of their comparable physical dimensions, it's the Subaru that has the tighter turning circle (11.0 v 11.7m). The Volkswagen counters with a bigger braked towing capacity (2200 v 1700kg) and a larger cargo area (639 v 512 litres).

The Outback offers a 60:40-split folding rear bench to elicit 1801 litres of carrying capacity, while the Passat Alltrack also features a 60:40 set-up for 1769 litres all told (32 litres less). In both wagons, the cargo bay is accessed via an electrically-operated tailgate.

We found both cars catered well to family ownership, but felt the Outback held a slight advantage in rear-seat headroom. The cabin of each vehicle is surprisingly roomy and deceptively wide across the gunnels. The back seat comfortably accommodates two adults or three children, with a window height low enough for kids to see out – a point where many SUVs struggle.

No one likes spending money at the service department, so figuring out just which off-road wagon is kinder on your bank balance is a key consideration.

Looking at the warranty provisions of each contender we find a three-year/unlimited-kilometre (whichever comes first) deal for each. The Subaru is backed by a 12-month roadside assistance plan and the Volkswagen 36 months.

Capped-price servicing schemes apply to both, but as you'd expect, the devil is in the detail.

Outback diesel models require a six-monthly (or 12,500km) visit to the dealership as part of Subaru's three-year/75,000km capped-price servicing program. The first service will set you back $308.89.

For the Passat Alltrack the service intervals are set annually (or at 15,000km) and the capped-price plan extends to six years/90,000km. The VW's first service will set you back $413. Note also, however, that the Passat Alltrack does require an aqueous urea solution, such as AdBlue, to be added at regular intervals.

Over the life of the capped-price arrangement you'll spend $2054.83 on the Outback Premium 2.0D and $3165.00 on the Passat Alltrack 140TDI 4MOTION. Curiously, over the first three years the Volkswagen is actually cheaper to service at $1289.00.

When it comes time to sell, redbook.com.au says the Outback will retain 63.9 per cent of its value after three years where the Passat Alltrack holds just 47.1 per cent.

An increasing focus on electronic driver aids as part of the new-car checklist sees both wagons well covered for family buyers.

In addition to the five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded to each, we find a long list of technology as standard and in addition to the expected dynamic assistance (stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, etc) and supplementary restraint devices (front, side, curtain and knee airbags).

For high-grade, CVT-equipped Outback variants, the recent inclusion of Subaru's EyeSight facility adds adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and steering assistance, lane-departure warning and front vehicle start alert via a stereo camera arrangement behind the windscreen.

A point to note, however, was that the system did struggle to operate with the windscreen frosted over. Best rinse off the ice before setting off.

Another point to note is that, like many in-car camera-based driver assistance technologies, the EyeSight system will need recalibrating at a dealership if you need to replace the Outback's windscreen. The cost of this is included in some comprehensive insurance policies but, if not, it's worth considering in addition to the inconvenience.

The model on test also features high-beam assist, hill-descent control, a lane-change assist function, reversing camera and rear cross-traffic alert. Annoyingly, it is not fitted with acoustic parking sensors.

Similarly, the Passat Alltrack on test includes radar-based adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, multi-collision brake, brake-hold function, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, a reversing camera, rear cross-traffic alert and acoustic parking sensors.

Volkswagen also adds a fatigue detection system as standard.

Both the Subaru and the VW feature three-point seatbelts and head restraints for all five seating positions. The front seatbelts are height-adjustable at the shoulder and include pre-tensioners. Both vehicles include a seatbelt reminder warning for all seating positions, while the Passat Alltrack adds pre-tensioners to the outboard rear seatbelts.

The outboard rear seats of both models are equipped with ISOFIX child-seat anchors while all three rear seating positions also offer top-tether child-seat anchor points in each car.

Tech know
Running at the higher end of their prospective model line-ups, the Outback Premium 2.0D ($44,990 plus ORCs) and Passat Alltrack 140TDI 4MOTION ($49,290 plus ORCs) are comprehensively tech savvy. On paper, at least...

We find each vehicle equipped with rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights (LED low-beam for the Subaru, halogen for the Volkswagen), an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, electrically-adjustable heated leather-trimmed seats, keyless entry and push-button start, climate-control (dual-zone for the Subaru, tri-zone for the Volkswagen) and foglights.

The Subaru's infotainment system, whilst somewhat counterintuitive to operate, includes six speakers, an AM/FM tuner with single-CD slot, iPod and Pandora compatibility, Bluetooth telephony and music streaming and voice command. The lot is accessed via a 7.0-inch touch-screen or steering wheel-mounted controls.

For the Volkswagen, we find an eight-speaker audio package with AM/FM tuner, single-CD player, 10GB built-in music storage, SD and USB inputs (the latter supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink), Bluetooth telephony and music streaming, voice command and steering wheel-mounted controls. The Passat Alltrack features a larger 8.0-inch colour touch-screen with a proximity sensor to access additional functions.

Volkswagen gets the nod for audio quality and ease of use, especially once on the go. The navigation system is also easier to operate and more precise – both its on-screen and audible commands are simpler to comprehend when you're busy at the wheel.

Incidentally, we also preferred the tactility of the Passat Alltrack's buttons and controls, and the operation and intervention of its driver assistance systems, which are far too nervous in the Subaru.

For our comparison test, a focus on rural roads was in order, simulating the typical weekend getaway. We departed motoring.com.au headquarters in Melbourne for the Wombat State Forest, taking in a mix of freeways and farm roads, bitumen and bulldust.

On the road it was the Passat that took the lead. Better engine and transmission response enabled more responsive acceleration and overtaking, while also allowing steeper grades to be climbed with ease. The VW was also quieter, the higher riding Subaru generating much more wind noise – a fact not helped by the high-set roof rails.

We found the Subaru's off-set brake pedal to be an issue in stop-start traffic, the distance between it and the brake pedal causing the driver to lift their leg to hop between pedals, rather than simply swivelling their foot. Ergonomics and seat comfort were otherwise lineball, the plusher seat base of the Outback of slight advantage on rougher tracks.

Turning on to gravel roads it was the Outback that took the lead. It rides well on the rough stuff and is quieter in terms of tyre noise ingress. By contrast, the Passat Alltrack's lower profile rubber drummed through the cabin at even modest speeds.

The stocky rubber also exaggerated the VW's tendency to 'skate' on loose and washboard surfaces, evoking input from the electronic chassis controls on literally every bend and bump, and preventing it from stopping as quickly as the Subaru.

We found the Volkswagen's all-wheel drive system was also a lot more reactive than the Subaru's, only engaging the rear wheels as required. The issue was alleviated greatly by the use of off-road mode, though this too was not without fault. In one instance the drive mode selector failed entirely, our crew having to stop the car on a flat surface, switch it off and lock it to 'reboot' the system.

The Volkswagen's off-road mode also helped calm the sharp throttle and transmission response, keeping the car in gear for longer to allow smoother progress from tight gravel bends.

Over obstacles, it was the Subaru that held the advantage, the AWD system was more cooperative and the hill-ascent's ability to hold a 'ratio' when climbing steep grades allowed slower progress to be maintained.

Comparatively, the Passat Alltrack needed a faster approach to maintain drive to all four wheels, the delay in response from the rear-end at slow speeds requiring several attempts when tackling challenging terrain.

And the advantage the Volkswagen's steering has on-road is lost on the gravel, where the Subaru felt more communicative, if only just.

The Volkswagen is a clear leader where technology and after-sales support are concerned. It's also a vehicle better suited to the cut and thrust of city traffic. But this wasn't the point of our test.

After focussing on the off-road experience and employing both vehicles as family weekenders – as both car-makers intended -- it's the Outback that gets the nod from us.

Simply, the Outback is the better vehicle when it comes to driving off the beaten track, thanks to its more capable AWD system, longer suspension travel and more generous ground clearance, all of which make it better suited to a wide range of Australian conditions.

Yes, it's slightly more compromised on-road, has a less inspiring cabin and is less enticing in terms of after-sales support. But in the wider environment for which both cars are designed, the Outback is the best choice for family buyers with a thirst for adventure.

Price: $44,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kW/350Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined); 7.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 165g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 140TDI 4MOTION pricing and specifications:
Price: $49,290 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.4L/100km (ADR Combined); 8.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 143g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP