Upgraded Subaru Outback pricing and specs set

Subaru Australia has announced pricing and specifications for its upgraded 2018 Outback, which goes on sale this month.

The revised Outback range adopts new adaptive LED headlights that respond to steering inputs (moving in the direction of the wheels), added safety kit and minor engine, suspension and transmission improvements.

Entry pricing remains unchanged at $36,490 plus on-road costs, the range now topping out at $49,140 plus on-road costs.

The 2018 range comprises five variants in total - three petrol and two diesel.

A familiar 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol resides in 2.5i and 2.5i Premium grades, offering 129kW and 235Nm.

Boasting minor updates including a new, lighter crankshaft and connecting rods and a higher final gear ratio, the horizontally-opposed four boasts three per cent better efficiency (now about 7.3L/100km).

It sends drive to all four wheels via a re-worked CVT automatic which is purportedly quieter and more responsive, now offering seven ratios in its dedicated 'manual' mode instead of six.

On the diesel front, the 2018 model carries over an unchanged 110kW/350Nm in both 2.0D and 2.0D Premium guises.

At the top of the tree is the 3.6R, which employs a lightly updated 3.6-litre naturally-aspirated flat six offering carry-over 191kW and 350Nm outputs.

The 2018 Outback is visually distinguishable via a re-worked grille, front bumper, headlights and wing mirrors.

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.

Subaru says not all Outback variants feature hardwired satellite-navigation - a surprise given the same feature is offered on city cars that are significantly cheaper.

In essence, you need to splurge to the 2.5i Premium, 3.6R or 2.0D Premium for the factory-fitted system unless you make do with smartphone-mirroring.

Elsewhere, two added USB ports have been positioned at the back of the centre console.

Some of the biggest changes for 2018 revolve around safety.

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.

The visual and equipment updates are accompanied by a raft of underbody changes.

New shock absorber settings have been applied to purportedly reduce the amount of body roll, enabling "smoother handling and immediate steering response".

2018 Subaru Outback pricing (plus ORCs):
2.5i — $36,240
2.0d — $38,740
2.5i Premium — $42,640
2.0d Premium — $45,640
3.6R — $49,140