The New Subaru Outback Is Here To Be Quietly Brilliant Again
Subaru has launched the all-new Outback family workhorse at the New York International Auto Show. It’s still all-wheel drive, it still uses boxer flat-four engines and you can bet it’s still brilliant at just about everything.
The new model is built on Subaru’s latest chassis architecture and is claimed to be some 70 per cent stiffer, torsionally, than before. The front suspension framework is said to be stiffer by a similar amount, allowing the springs and dampers to do a better job as well as helping to provide better front-impact safety.
Boot space has never been an issue but the new Outback boasts of up to 2143 litres of van-like capacity for suitcases, bricks, sheep or whatever you need to shift. That figure is measured with the rear seats folded down.
Providing power in the North American market is a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with either 180bhp or, in the range-topping XT models, 256bhp. In the UK – if we get the model at all – we’re likely to get a diesel and possibly a hybrid.
Interestingly, higher-spec versions gain an upholstery treatment that repels water and dirt, making the fabric easier to clean. There’s more ground clearance than in the old model, too, which will please anyone looking to use it on rutted farm tracks.
An 11.6-inch screen handles the infotainment on all models bar the most basic, which on anything but butter-smooth roads will make simple tasks a nightmare just as with any other touchscreen interface. The problem is simply more significant in a car that will see more off-road use.
Subaru expects to start selling the new Outback in the US in the autumn, with pricing yet to be confirmed.
Comments
In recent years the Outback seems to be returning more and more to its old-school station wagon shape, a very good thing.
This came out like 3 days ago
CT’s a bit slow
And such a shame that CT can’t publish all their stories at the exact moment the news breaks
Considering I can’t really afford a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 in Verde Draco, I guess I could buy this Subaru Outback in that similar colour and spec to match my dream spec Lambo instead. :P
Bro that would be heavenly. Imagine this Outback with a Murci’s front end xd
That looks like Ed’s Murcielago
I’ve owned a few late 90s outbacks and it’s refreshing to see the new ones staying somewhat true to their roots. That’s not been the case with many others as of recent.
Cough cough new Chevy Blazer
We not getting it in the UK?
these sell so much in colorado, i can see probably 20 in a day
I prefer lifted wagons over suvs.
Outback is awesome, too bad it’s got only a shit cvt
I want an Outback rly bad, but an older one cuz manual, CVT’s are ruining the modern cars
Subaru CVTs are fine, they get the job done, and return very good fuel economy. To be fair, putting a AT or DCT in this car won’t make it any more exciting than it already is.
WHERE IS THE HOOD SCOOP!?
0/10 IGN, Wont hoon again
Ikr
Car Throttle, start posting about more normal/affordable cars along with what you’re doing now and you should grow.