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Everyday’s Subaru
SUBARU OUTBACK
Everyday’s Subaru
Words by Marco Mancino
Photos by “Vecchio Mio”
The new generation Outback is completely renovated and positions itself at the top of the Subaru range, while remaining halfway between an SUV and an XL-sized station wagon. It would appear that versatility is the buzzword here, but there is not a Subaru without a boxer engine, in this case a 2.0 liter with 150hp and 350Nm, mated to the so controversial CVT (continuously variable transmission), an automatic gearbox that continuously manages to move through the gears (virtual), and that can also be used by the paddles behind the steering wheel. I drove it for several weeks, taking the opportunity to compare it with the smaller Forester, tested a few months ago (see ACM #42) and trying to figure out if a base price of 35,000 € is too high or just right.
We have to emphasize that this is a car for the family, suitable for everyday life and to those people who need space, simplicity and safety. At times it almost seemed to have gone back in time, with the Volvos of the early 90s, as the passive and active safety is a crucial point for this Outback, which among the many things it has stereoscopic cameras that incessantly scan the road ahead in order to offer a constant support in case of danger. Another aspect that blinks the eye to those who prefer roominess instead of performance (0-100 in 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 195 kph) is given by its dimensions: outside is huge (4.8 meters long and 1.8 wide), but inside it looks even more spacious, though not resulting impossible to handle in urban areas, where parking sensors and a rear view camera helps a lot. The dashboard is virtually identical to that of the sister Forester, but you will feel a greater overall care – such as the pleasant sound when closing the doors. At the voice consumption, the 2.0cc 4-cylinder boxer answers well, both on the motorway and in city traffic. At the wheel of the Outback you won’t be interested in racing, you will not think even remotely to the racing blood of the WRX STI, both for the car’s dimensions, which suffers for a slight roll when you decide to take a bend with too much emphasis. There is a sat navigation system, but in this case is located in a too unfavorable position because of the reflections of the sun, further amplified by the glossy black frame around the display – if you then add the boring fact that it warns you about nonexistent “traffic jams”, you’d end using a Tom Tom.
If on road it performs well, the Outback is perfectly able to deal with demanding surfaces, thanks to the X-Mode, device that manages the differentials downhill and uphill and a considerable ground clearance is useful when things get really tricky. Certainly it is not easy to be emotional talking about a car very close to an appliance, but this does not mean that this Subaru could not be a potential candidate for most of your days. The Outback does so many things and does ‘em well. It is slightly noisy with the engine idling or moving at low speed, then it becomes smooth and pleasant for the life of every day, without being afraid of slippery roads or any kind of adverse situation. The price remains a question mark, as we enter a challenging segment, especially when you are going to opt for a top spec model, like the one we tested. As mentioned, a good car, it does its duty, including weekends if you have small children and a lot of luggages, weekend excluded, if you have the luck to bring out a sports coupe to round off the week.
SUBARU OUTBACK (2015-)
Layout – front-engined, all-wheel-drive
Engine – 4 cylinder boxer 1998cc – turbo
Transmission – Continuously Variable Transmission
Power – 150 hp @ 3600 rpm
350 Nm @ 1600-2400 rpm
Weight – 1638 kg
Acceleration – 9,7 sec.
Top Speed – 195 kph
Price – from 36.000 €
