Subaru Outback XT 2023 Tow Test

How much does the Subaru Outback XT cost?

The new 2023 Subaru Outback XT turbo is available in two model grades – XT Sport, priced from $52,190 plus on-road costs, and the premium XT Touring we’re tow-testing here that starts at $55,990 plus ORCs.

Both models are based on the existing sixth-generation Subaru Outback that launched in Australia two years ago, but the XT designation adds $5000 to the price due to its turbocharged engine, reworked suspension and increased towing capacity.

Towing capacity is up to 2400kg (braked), with a 240kg tow ball mass (TBM) – an increase of 400kg and 40kg respectively.

As a light-to-medium towing contender, the 2023 Subaru Outback is up against the likes of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.

What equipment comes with the Subaru Outback XT?

The 2023 Subaru Outback XT, in both Sport and Touring grades, gets 18-inch alloy wheels, heated electric door mirrors, a powered tailgate with gesture control, heated seats (front and outboard rear), dual-zone climate control, leather multifunction steering wheel, trip computer with 4.2-inch display and keyless entry and start.

A full-size alloy spare wheel is standard too.

Costing $3800 more than the Sport, the Outback Touring XT as tested adds automatic mirror adjustment, automatic driver’s seat adjustment (with two-position memory), power-fold mirrors, a sunroof, gloss-finish alloys, steering wheel heating, nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio (including CD player), three-stage ventilation for the front seats and Nappa leather upholstery.

Like all other Subaru new cars, the Outback XT is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and one year of roadside assist.

Whereas the regular, non-turbo Subaru Outback features shorter servicing intervals (12 months or 12,500km), the Subaru Outback XT gets more generous 12-month/15,000km intervals.

What’s more, Subaru says the XT is cheaper to service using its capped-price program, at $2579 over a five-year/75,000km plan against $2675 over five years/62,500km for the non-turbo variants.

How safe is the Subaru Outback XT?

The 2023 Subaru Outback XT shares the five-star ANCAP safety rating that the Subaru Outback achieved in 2021.

Standard driver assist safety features include a reversing camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and braking, lane change assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency steering, traffic sign recognition, driver fatigue/distraction warning and tyre pressure monitoring.

What technology does the Subaru Outback XT feature?

The 2023 Subaru Outback XT gets updated infotainment equipment for 2023. Features such as wireless phone charging, a redesigned 11.6-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and enhanced sat-nav and voice command recognition are now standard.

Also new is a USB-C outlet in the front centre console next to the existing USB-A outlet.

What powers the Subaru Outback XT?

The 2023 Subaru Outback XT engine is shared with the Subaru WRX, although the horizontally opposed ‘boxer’ four-cylinder has been slightly detuned for the Outback.

The Outback XT’s 183kW and 350Nm is a 47kW/105Nm improvement on the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated Outback.

The final drive ratio is lower in the XT, up from 3.900:1 to 4.111:1 ratios. Subaru says this in part helps the claimed 22 per cent boost in acceleration.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Outback XT mechanicals are familiar: a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system like regular Outbacks, and the same independent suspension set-up.

The exception is that the Outback XT has a different suspension tune.

How fuel efficient is the Subaru Outback XT?

The claimed combined-cycle fuel consumption in the 2023 Subaru Outback XT is 9.0L/100km – up from 7.3L/100km for non-turbo variants.

In average easy touring, we saw as low as 7.2L/100km, and a high of 13.4L/100km for the city shuffle.

When towing a 2000kg tandem pop-top caravan, we averaged a fuel figure of 17.1L/100km.

With its 63-litre total fuel capacity, those efficiency figures equate to a real-world towing range of about 320km, with about 50km in reserve.

You need to run premium unleaded, with a minimum 95RON, in the Outback XT turbo. (The non-turbocharged models can run 91RON regular unleaded.)

What is the Subaru Outback XT like to tow with?

When we hitched up the 2000kg tandem van borrowed from the good folk at Jayco Sydney, the front of the 2023 Subaru Outback XT rose just 5mm and the rear drooped 25mm. This was with a 140kg measured TBM.

Getting away from the traffic lights, the Outback just gets on with it, hardly troubled by the mass being towed behind it.

Out on the freeway, performance is still responsive, with the Outback able to hold the 90km/h speed limit up our test hill at full throttle.

Engine braking down the hill was excellent, the CVT helping to peg the 70km/h limit exactly.

Stability was only a little affected by crosswinds, but with less turbulent air around us the fidgeting was gone. The Subaru felt quite stable overall, and not really affected by bumps.

Although not the only brand with this issue, Subaru doesn’t seem to cut the reverse sensors with a trailer plugged in – we still got some flatline beeping from the system while reversing the caravan.

Can the Subaru Outback XT go off-road?

The 2023 Subaru Outback XT is not the first vehicle to think of for a Simpson crossing but it would appear to have the clearance and all-wheel drive grip for simple off-roading such as on fire trails, gravel roads or hard-packed sand.

The full-size spare, tyre pressure monitoring system and 213mm of ground clearance are all noteworthy features if you’re regularly planning on unsealed road adventures.

What is the Subaru Outback XT like inside?

There’s a lot to like about the 2023 Subaru Outback XT’s interior. It is a roomy, well-featured and comfortable place to sit.

Vision out of the cabin is good too, while the cargo area presents a well squared-off space with useful tie-down points.

The Outback’s updated large 11.6-inch centre touch-screen is simple to operate, although a lack of touch-screen sensitivity is, like many such systems, a little distracting at times.

The Subaru’s EyeSight safety system embraces many clever ideas, but any appreciation for the three loud warning bongs when approaching a speed camera wears off as you drive around the city.

There are a lot of speed cameras in Sydney.

Should I buy a Subaru Outback XT?

There is much to like about the 2023 Subaru Outback XT. It’s spacious, comfortable, well-built and well-specified.

It has a civilised drive solo and is just about as equally accomplished when towing a heavy trailer.

If only its fuel consumption was a little lighter.

2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT Touring at a glance:
Price: $55,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 183kW/350Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 204g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

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