X marks the sweet spot
Subaru’s all-new Outback is a superb blend of luxury and confident ability on and off the tarmac, writes Damien O’Carroll.
Subaru has been throwing extraneous Xs around on its cars for a while, with active, outdoorsy trim in bright colours being the main differentiator over more traditional models.
The Outback was actually one of the first to get an X model back in the last generation, and it was also one of the first models in the all-new Outback’s lineup. We see what an X can do.
Outside
On the outside the Outback X doubles down on the ‘‘active, outdoorsy lifestyle’’ look, with day-glo sportswear-style green highlights on its badges and roof racks (which are different to the other Outbacks’ integrated setup), as well as a black grille, door mirrors, fog light surrounds, and front and rear bumper inserts.
These admittedly minimal changes do bring a sense of active outdoorsy-ness to the Outback, making it simultaneously more interesting than the base car and less conservative than the range-topping Touring. It’s sort of like wearing bright green shoe laces in your R M Williams hiking boots.
The X also scores some rather attractive dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels (my personal pick of the standard wheels available across the Outback range), and a powered tailgate with a handsfree sensor in the Subaru badge – no foot waving, just brush your hand or elbow (or even a knee at a pinch, I guess) in front of it and it pops open.
This may vary depending on your attitude towards bright green, but I rather preferred the X’s slight hints of fun on what is a handsome SUV (that has grown from a wagon), which also looks like it means some proper off-road business too, with its blatant underbody protection proudly on show.
And it isn’t just posturing here, because the Outback is actually rather impressive in the rougher stuff too.
Inside
Subaru has gone for the same effect in the interior of the Outback X too, with waterresistant ‘‘synthetic leather’’ upholstery (that does a very impressive impersonation of the real thing, plus is very rugged one) throughout, heated seats front and rear, a leather steering wheel, front and side cameras, and integrated satellite navigation, as well as the obligatory green stitching.
The green highlights are more reserved here than the much more in-your-face orange highlights in the Forester X, which is expected and appreciated in the more mature and luxurious Outback.
And, yes, it is very luxurious inside the Outback now, with Subaru drastically upping the quality and style of its interior game for the new Outback. Everything is nicely finished with high-quality soft touch materials, while the seats are superbly comfortable, and the big dash-dominating touchscreen is a delight to use, even if it does feel slightly under-used.
Under the bonnet
For now, the only engine available in the Outback range is the ‘‘90 per cent new’’ version of Subaru’s 2.5-litre, four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 138kW of power (up 7 per cent on the old one) and 245Nm of torque (up 4.2 per cent), and is hooked up to a revised version of the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission that now features an eight-speed manual mode, up one over the previous version’s seven.
So while it’s not exactly the keen driver’s choice (although the manual mode isn’t bad at providing some small semblances of fun), it is extremely well-suited to both urban commuting and off-road wanderings. The CVT keeping
things nicely in the meat of the torque during both.
Of course, it does get a bit strained and coarse at higher revs, but for 90 per cent of the time it is a nicely refined, pleasantly drivable unit.
On the road
But it is a shame that the 10 per cent that is a bit strained and coarse is where the Outback would actually excel as well, namely on a winding back road.
The Outback X (and, indeed, all Outback models) has a lovely, fluid chassis that feels absolutely unflustered over any surface the road throws at it. It changes direction sharply and smoothly, with delightfully responsive steering and sharp turn-in.
There is noticeable body roll present, but it is beautifully controlled and consistently telegraphed by the car, so you always know what to expect from it. As a comfortable, highspeed tourer, the Outback is simply wonderful and the upcoming 193kW turbo version of the engine will suit it perfectly.
The current naturally aspirated one, however, is the Outback X’s weakest point. It’s
not terrible, or even particularly lacking, it just could be so much better.
Verdict
For the vast majority of buyers who aren’t too bothered about a car’s ultimate back road-carving abilities, the Outback’s 138kW/ 245Nm engine and CVT will be perfectly fine. Better than fine, in fact, because it is a wonderfully smooth and refined thing the majority of the time, even out on the open road.
Those who want a bit more punch from their luxurious roadoriented, yet still capable SUV would be advised to wait for the turbo. But don’t bother waiting for the six – Subaru has already confirmed there won’t be one.
But as it stands, the X is the absolute sweet spot in the current Outback range, with its pitch-perfect blend of luxury, confident on and off-road ability and sharp looks. Even if you don’t like green.