Christmas comes early to the Outback

Subaru has taken the wraps off the all-new, tougher-looking seventh-generation Outback. It's been almost 30 years since the launch of...

Subaru has taken the wraps off the all-new, tougher-looking seventh-generation Outback.

It's been almost 30 years since the launch of the first Outback way back in 1996.

Redesigned from the wheels up, Subaru says the new Outback ushers in a bold new design and engineering direction, with outdoor adventure at its core.

Leading the charge is a new variant called Wilderness, the most adventure-ready and capable Subaru ever produced.

Wilderness rewrites what an SUV can do off road, with 240mm of ground clearance, greater approach and departure angles and distinctive tough styling.

It is powered exclusively by a 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer engine that produces 194kW of power and 382Nm of torque.

It's paired with an enhanced Lineartronic CVT with 8-speed manual mode, tuned for quieter operation and more natural, responsive acceleration.

X-Mode remains standard across the range, while Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system now features improved Active Torque Split control for more precise delivery, helping ensure confidence on various surfaces.

In Wilderness, capability is elevated again through exclusive suspension tuning, even higher ground clearance and electronically controlled dampers linked with X-Mode.

Together, these elements make Wilderness the choice for drivers who aspire to go further and tackle terrain that would stop most SUVs.

Breaking with tradition, new Outback adopts a more conventional SUV-style while staying true its rugged character, with increased height and width, a stronger, more upright front end and bolder surfacing that projects confidence on any road or trail.

The cargo area opening is now 50mm higher to make loading and unloading easier.

High-strength ladder-style roof rails are adopted, with static load capacity increased from 318 to 363kg.

First generation Outback

 

Redesigned seats feature new structures that better support the lumbar and pelvis areas while reducing vibration.

Wilderness variants feature hard-wearing, easy-to-clean hydrophobic synthetic leather with an anti-slip embossed finish, ideal for outdoor and off-road use.

The interior introduces an all-new 12.1-inch touchscreen, this time horizontal in shape rather than the previous vertical display, with up to 2.5 times more processing power.

A new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard, offering multiple viewing modes including Classic, Calm and Eyesight, while Map and Projection modes are also available for variants that have built-in navigation.

Essential controls such as air-conditioning and auto vehicle hold are now physical hardware switches for safe, intuitive use.

For those wanting an elevated audio experience, a 12 speaker Harman Kardon system is available with higher grades.

Subaru's Scott Lawrence said the Outback has always struck a chord with Australians.

"For 30 years it’s been the car people rely on every day, and the one they trust when they want to get out and explore," he said.

"Wilderness takes all the capability so core to our SUVs and cranks it up.

"It’s the most capable SUV we’ve ever built, engineered for when the road ends.

"It’s no accident Outback is the first Subaru to wear the Wilderness badge here, given it kicked off our modern capability story back in 1996.

"Wilderness opens more of the map for our customers, and we can’t wait to see where it takes them.”

Prices start from a competitive $48,990 for base model, rising to $62,690 plus on-roads for Wilderness Apex with all the bells and whistles.

Warranty, at five years, could become an issue for the company when some manufacturers are now offering twice this figure in order to attract customers.

The new Subaru Outback is available to order now, with test drives offered at selected dealers.

 

 

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