So good, it doesn’t need classification
Most automakers see trucks, compact crossovers, mid-size sedans or compact cars as the bestsellers, but for Subaru, its breadwinner is the Outback, which is unique because it’s an alternative to the usual SUVs and crossovers.
Refreshed for 2018, the Outback is best described as a wagon on stilts, which is actually how the vehicle was brought to life back in the ’90s, as a quick and easy way for the Japanese automaker to keep up with the booming demand for SUVs.
Today, the car is in a category of its own. It fills the gaps left by other offerings around the marketplace and does a bit of everything. This year, the automaker focused on the details of the car and has refreshed its styling with more ruggedlooking bumpers and more premium touches in the interior.
The front end gets a new grille opening that’s wider and lower, while the bumper design gets new black plastic around the lower portion of the vehicle, raising up at the fog lights to protect them from the elements as well. The headlights come with standard LED daytime running lights and can be optioned up to full LED peepers that feature steering-responsive headlights and high-beam assist. These additions should continue the Outback’s tradition of earning the top safety award given by the IIHS, something it has done for the past seven consecutive years.
A few more exterior details will help the new Outback stand out, such as an adjustment to the grey, blue and red metallic paint offerings, for example, that helps them sparkle in the sunlight. A new 18-inch wheel design is also offered on higher trim Outbacks as well.
Interior improved Inside, the car gets a number of significant changes. Techies will be happy to know that the car comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while those who don’t connect their devices will appreciate that the 6.5-inch and eight-inch infotainment offerings are more responsive, streamlined and userfriendly than before.
The Outback gets stitched dash and door panels in its higher-trim grades now, and also uses a new steering wheel design plucked from the new Crosstrek that also just debuted. It features a number of big buttons and toggles to simplify operation while on the go, and the new HVAC settings and screen display the cabin temperature within the control knobs, which is a nice touch.
Helping keep the cabin a serene place is the inclusion of double pane glass in the front windows. The cabin has 3061 litres of passenger space and behind the rear seats, the trunk has 1005 L to take advantage of. Fold those rear seats down and there’s a total of 2075 L to haul all your gear.
Under the hood (behind the mud) The Outback also sees a number of important revisions under the sheet metal. It still arrives with either a 2.5-L, fourcylinder boxer engine that makes 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque or a larger 3.6-L flat six engine that makes 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Both engines provide power to all four wheels through a CVT, which has been updated for 2018 to provide a smoother response in four-cylinder models. It’s also quieter and has more consistent throttle feel than before.
Beyond the drivetrain changes, the Outback gets a revised suspension as well.
On the road, it’s obvious that all those little changes paid off because the Outback has become an extremely easy vehicle to live with. Soft and comfortable on asphalt, the Outback is a great cruiser for everyday commutes. Driving around, the Outback feels like a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord on stilts, not a traditional SUV. It’s comfy and accommodating.
It’s also quiet and responsive, with the revisions to the 2.5-L powertrain leading to a smoother and more refined experi- ence. Fuel economy remains the same as last year with the four-cylinder netting a combined 8.4 L/100 km and the sixcylinder delivering 10.7 L/100 km. Track testing confirms that the six-cylinder engine is a hefty power upgrade over the four-cylinder while also delivering that signature boxer growl as well. There were times, however, especially on the track, when I wish the six-cylinder had more power. An output closer to the 300-hp mark would work wonders. The fourcylinder won’t excite you, but it is surprisingly smooth in terms of power delivery.
Both powertrains can be equipped with paddle shifters that will simulate six forward gears, which is an interesting choice because other turbocharged vehicles with CVTs in Subaru’s lineup such as the Forester XT and WRX can simulate eight.
In addition, the location of the blind spot monitor light, which is now much bigger and on the mirror frame rather than within the mirror itself, also helps make the Outback easier to live with.
It’s not all perfect, mind you, as the high riding position should give you a commanding view of the road, but the placement of the rearview mirror seems to be right in the middle of the windshield, which blocks visibility. The B pillars of the Outback are also quite large, making shoulder checking your blind spot a bit more difficult. Fortunately, the Outback can be had with Subaru’s advanced EyeSight suite of technology, which adds a number of driver aids and safety features. This tech includes pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist and reverse automatic braking, which all worked as advertised.
Going off-road The Outback sheds its garden-variety persona when it goes off-road. With 220 millimetres of ground clearance, it can tackle every obstacle thrown its way during the pretty serious forest trail we went on. Banked turns, huge rocks and foot-deep moguls were all handled without any worries or concerns from the driver’s seat. Steep inclines and declines were also handled nicely, although as mentioned before, I had a bit of an issue with visibility at some points (there’s only so much you can see when pointed skyward, anyway).
The easy-like-Sunday-morning attitude of the Outback in the mud is achieved through an extra drive mode called XMode, which helps control the vehicle during downhill ventures as well as adjusting various traction and stability control systems to ensure the car has traction where it needs it the most. Weekend warriors who tackle campsites or cottages in the countryside will definitely find the Outback’s capability worthwhile, and those who live in areas that see inclement weather will also probably feel more confident in this big all-wheel-drive SUV alternative.
The verdict Spacious and capable, the 2018 Subaru Outback adds a number of important refinements this year. It starts at $29,295 for a 2.5i model, and will go all the way to $42,195 for the 3.6R Premier with Eyesight package. Even if the Outback straddles the line between crossover and Wagon, it doesn’t need to be classified in any particular way because it’s just that good.