Final time I reviewed the Subaru Outback I stated it wanted a lift – properly, my prayers have been answered.
Earlier this yr Subaru’s native division lastly added a turbocharged engine possibility that had beforehand been reserved for the North American market, addressing what was arguably one of many Achilles heels of the new-gen crossover wagon.
It brings with it a great addition in energy and torque, and bumps the Outback into higher rivalry towards an array of phase rivals that supply equally highly effective six-cylinder and turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
Right here on check we have now absolutely the flagship of the present vary – the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT.
The XT badge brings a profitable nameplate to Subaru’s native vary, beforehand adorning turbocharged variants of the smaller Forester that includes WRX energy beneath the bonnet. It’s an identical story right here.
Is that this simply what the physician ordered for what already was a succesful, compelling bundle?
How a lot does the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT price?
The highest-spec Outback AWD Touring XT is priced from $55,990 earlier than on-road prices.
If you need the most cost effective Outback XT variant, the Sport grade is $3800 much less at $52,190 plus on-roads.
Whereas the Outback is classed as a Giant SUV by VFACTS, there are few direct rivals at this value level that supply the jacked-up crossover wagon kind issue.
Maybe its closest rival is the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, which begins at $51,390 for the bottom 162TSI and climbs to $63,390 for the 162TSI Premium which is arguably this Touring grade’s equal rival. You’ll be able to learn our comparability between the Outback AWD Sport XT and Passat Alltrack 162TSI right here.
Past that you might want to step up into the Audi A4 allroad 45 TFSI quattro ($78,169) or the Volvo V60 Cross Nation Final B5 ($69,490) that are considerably costlier.
2023 Subaru Outback pricing:
- Subaru Outback AWD: $42,690
- Subaru Outback AWD Sport: $47,190
- Subaru Outback AWD Touring: $50,990
- Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT: $52,190
- Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT: $55,990
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT like on the within?
Should you’ve sat in any high-spec Outback on this present technology, it’s enterprise as typical.
As I stated in my evaluation of the non-turbo AWD Touring final yr, the newest Outback is a return to kind for Subaru, with fairly an upmarket feel and appear for not an entire lot of cash relative to the phase.
Within the Touring fashions you get beautiful Nappa leather-based upholstery with perforated inserts, which characteristic heating and air flow capabilities along with energy adjustment with driver reminiscence presets.
It positively harks again to the luxurious interiors of the 4GEN Liberty and Outback of the 2000s, which have been correct rivals for the likes of Audi and BMW again within the day.
The flagship Outback’s atmosphere is additional elevated by the stitched leather-look surfaces lining the centre tunnel and dashboard, in addition to the padded armrests within the door and the chunky front-centre relaxation that hides an enormous storage space.
Forward of the driving force you get old-school analogue gauges flanking a small-ish TFT journey laptop show, which may present quite a lot of menus together with driving knowledge, help techniques and the like. All of it works properly, although it’s not as high-tech as the large centre touchscreen.
Subaru presents a sleek 12.3-inch LCD digital cluster in Japan, although we don’t know if or when it’ll make it to Australian fashions. It’s an identical story for the associated WRX Sedan and Sportswagon – the latter recognized overseas because the Levorg.
The 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system has a whiff of Tesla Mannequin S about it by way of integration with the dashboard, however it’s in any other case fairly customary Subaru fare with its vibrant tiles and easy connectivity choices together with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
We discovered smartphone mirroring labored flawlessly, even when the upright orientation takes a second to get used to because it seems to be like a giant iPad. There’s additionally DAB radio and embedded satellite tv for pc navigation, which tends to beep and bong at you each time you strategy a street security digicam.
General Subaru’s interface is okay with out being standout. The intense colors and good graphics are good, however sometimes load instances generally is a contact laggy and the fonts seem like they’ll date rapidly.
Storage can also be high-quality however not fairly up there with the best-in-segment.
There’s a shallow cubby beneath the infotainment show that may half match a giant telephone, and there’s no wi-fi charging pad to maintain you juiced whereas utilizing smartphone mirroring. Fortunately, AUX, USB-A and USB-C ports all characteristic.
A few cupholders cut up the hole between the shifter and front-centre armrest, and the door pockets are fairly deep however might not match bigger bottles.
There’s a slim shelf forward of the passenger that may match telephones and wallets, and the deep front-centre cubby can swallow even bigger objects.
I additionally should knock Subaru’s insistence on a small moonroof somewhat than going for a extra Euro- or Korean-style panoramic unit. Consider the youngsters!
Issues are higher within the second row, the place the Outback’s lengthy physique and wheelbase affords a good bit of passenger area, even towards phase rivals.
Giant adults will match behind bigger adults, and it’s full with heating, reclining seatbacks, air vents, and two 2.1A USB cost ports. Subaru hasn’t added a 3rd zone of local weather management, however there are directional vents which covers that base.
There’s a fold-down centre armrest with cup holders, ISOFIX anchors on the outboard seats in addition to top-tethers on the again of all three rear seats.
The thin center seat most likely is the place the Outback falls behind extra conventional SUV competitors with wider our bodies, however youngsters shall be high-quality there even with the large transmission hump within the flooring. Maybe extra annoying is the roof-mounted centre seatbelt feed, which simply feels properly… low-cost.
All variations of the Subaru Outback quote 522 litres of cargo capability with the rear seats in place, increasing to a wholesome 1711L with the again seats folded – although the latter measurement is to the ceiling, it’s 1267L to the highest of the seatbacks.
There’s a small netted cubby to stow smaller objects, a 12V socket, baggage hooks in addition to distant launch levers for the rear seats. I efficiently transported a lot of issues for my sister’s twenty first party within the again the Outback that I positively wouldn’t have dreamed attempting with my Golf.
A full-size spare wheel lives beneath the boot flooring.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
XT variations of the Outback characteristic a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat 4 ‘Boxer’ petrol engine beneath the bonnet.
Within the Outback the turbocharged Boxer motor is a bit detuned in comparison with the sportier WRX vary, quoting 183kW (5200-6000rpm) and 350Nm (2000-4800rpm).
That grunt is channelled to Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system by way of a Lineartronic CVT computerized, which has eight programmed ‘steps’ to simulate a traditional auto transmission.
By comparability, the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre Boxer within the common Outback generates 138kW/245Nm.
Subaru quotes mixed gasoline consumption of 9.0L per 100km, and CO2 emissions of 204g/km. The 63-litre gasoline tank is identical as non-turbo fashions, thought XT variations use premium 95 RON unleaded whereas atmo fashions can run on 91 RON.
The Outback XT sees a lift to towing capability too, with the corporate quoting a most 2400kg braked towing capability and 240kg towball downball ranking. That’s up 400kg and 40kg on the non-XT fashions respectively.
How does the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT drive?
It might have a stack extra grunt, however firing up the Outback XT may be very acquainted Subaru fare.
Push the starter button and also you get that acquainted Boxer rumble on startup, and at the very least initially there’s no apparent signal that you just’re within the turbocharged Outback XT.
When you begin transferring, although, it’s oh-so apparent that you just’ve opted for the gruntier powertrain.
Don’t get me flawed, the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre in the usual Outback is high-quality or at the very least enough, however it feels just like the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four within the Outback XT was the guts it was all the time meant to have.
There’s such easy shove proper off the road, and the Lineartronic CVT does a superb job at mimicking a traditional computerized beneath acceleration after which dropping the revs at a cruise like a CVT sometimes does.
All 350Nm is on faucet from 2000rpm, and whereas that’s not fairly proper off idle like some European rivals, the Outback XT not often feels overly boosty – the CVT is fairly fast to get you within the engine’s sweet-spot and maintain you there.
Subaru doesn’t quote an official 0-100 time, however founder Paul Maric managed a 7.2-second sprint to triple figures with out a lot effort, that means the Outback XT isn’t far off one thing like a Skoda Octavia RS Wagon.
Whereas the Outback XT has a WRX heartbeat, I wouldn’t go as far to say this new powertrain has abruptly made the Outback ‘sporty’. As a substitute, I’d say it’s acquired greater than sufficient grunt to be an easy tourer, which is extra according to the Outback’s pitch anyway.
Rolling acceleration specifically is a standout, which is nice for overtaking on nation highways while you’re inevitably taking the Outback XT on a street journey out of city. It actually hustles, even when it may be a bit lazy with preliminary response because the efficiency-focused CVT will get itself into gear.
My major gripe is that preliminary response from the CVT generally is a little elastic while you attempt to punch it. It’s a standard trait of this transmission sort and it feels prefer it saps life out of the drivetrain at instances. A standard eight-speed computerized would probably supply higher response and refinement, however that’s largely down to non-public choice.
At 1730kg (tare) the Outback is a bit lighter than equal AWD SUVs – for instance a Kia Sorento Diesel AWD is available in round 200kg heavier, although it’s a seven-seater.
That weight benefit and the decrease peak (and centre of gravity) makes the Outback really feel extra car-like than rival SUVs, and lends it a greater sense of agility and dealing with response.
Whereas I famous earlier the Outback doesn’t really feel overly sporty – much less so than the WRX Sportswagon which itself is extra GT than nook carver – it does supply predictable and correct dealing with that’s backed by the surety of full-time AWD traction. It’ll lean a bit in corners, as you may see within the picture beneath.
Rain, hail or shine, and it doesn’t matter what the velocity restrict, the Outback will fortunately cruise alongside and in addition scale a winding B-road with little fuss. Put its SI-Drive profile into the S setting, and it corporations up the steering and throttle response to provide you extra keen response, and the Lineartronic CVT will supply extra distinct gear ‘steps’ as if it’s an eight-speed sports activities computerized.
The experience, too, is superb. Subaru’s present vary of merchandise on its new structure are usually extra comfort-focused, and the Outback is one of the best instance of that. It has a pleasant mushy experience that’s properly managed on the rebound so it doesn’t wallow or bounce about over undulations or high-frequency imperfections, and the chunky 225/60 R18 tyres assist additional.
As for help techniques, the Outback Touring specification is decked out with every little thing Subaru can throw at it. From a semi-autonomous freeway assistant to encompass parking cameras and sensors, you rapidly can get comfy piloting this 4870mm lengthy and 1875mm broad household wagon.
Like we’ve present in different Subaru fashions, nonetheless, the incessant chiming of the EyeSight system for issues like driver consideration monitoring and velocity cameras will get a bit annoying over time.
Not less than the adaptive cruise management and lane centring system are intuitive and user-friendly, and customary blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are an additional set of eyes for this lengthy and thin car.
What do you get?
Outback AWD highlights:
- 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 4.2-inch journey laptop
- DAB+ digital radio
- Fabric upholstery
- Physique-coloured mirrors
- Roof rails with built-in cross bars
- Gray 18-inch alloy wheels
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Paddle shifters
- 6-speaker sound system
- 4 x cargo hooks in boot
- Computerized windscreen wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Outback AWD Sport + AWD Sport XT add:
- 18-inch alloy wheels in Darkish Metallic
- Black exterior accents
- Fingers-free energy tailgate
- Water repellent sports activities seat trim
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Entrance- and side-view cameras
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
Outback AWD Touring + AWD Touring XT add:
- 18-inch alloy wheels in machined end
- 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- CD participant
- Nappa leather-based upholstery
- Black or Ivory/Black or Tan (Touring)
- Black or Ivory/Black (Touring XT)
- Ventilated entrance seats
- Handbook driver thigh help extender
- Electrical sunroof
- Heated steering wheel
- Silver roof rails with built-in crossbars
- Removes Black exterior accents
Is the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT secure?
The Subaru Outback vary wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking, primarily based on testing performed in 2021.
It obtained an grownup occupant safety rating of 88 per cent, a toddler occupant safety rating of 91 per cent, a weak street person safety rating of 84 per cent, and a security help rating of 96 per cent.
Customary security tools contains:
- 7 airbags incl. driver’s knee
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Ahead, reverse
- Pedestrian, bicycle owner detection
- Junction help
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane maintain help
- Site visitors signal recognition
How a lot does the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT price to run?
The Subaru vary is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee. Patrons will even obtain 12 months of Subaru Roadside Help with buy.
Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
The corporate presents three- and five-year service packages, priced at $1355.16 and $2579.31 respectively.
Whereas servicing is now not a Subaru bugbear, the Outback XT’s further energy brings with it elevated gasoline consumption that’s a far cry from rivals providing hybrid powertrains.
I averaged an indicated 11.5 litres per 100km following every week of testing, masking almost 600km throughout a mixture of metropolis and freeway driving, together with every week’s value of peak-hour commuting.
That’s about on par with most six-cylinder rivals, however nonetheless fairly a bit. Once you have in mind {that a} Toyota Kluger Hybrid or Kia Sorento Hybrid can common between 5-7L/100km with three rows of seating, the Outback XT appears fairly thirsty for a brand new automotive in 2023.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT
The Outback XT takes a very good factor and makes it even higher.
In flagship Touring specification, the turbocharged Outback presents just about every little thing European rivals do for considerably much less cash, and in addition is a bigger extra sensible automobiles than stated rivals due to its sheer measurement.
Must you not want three rows of seating in your bigger household car, the Subaru Outback stays a superb decide for the adventurous, with nice all-round functionality and segment-leading floor clearance and off-road modes this facet of correct 4×4 wagons if life takes you off the crushed observe.
The addition of a turbocharged drivetrain makes this a way more succesful tourer, whereas sustaining the consolation and refinement that already made the bottom automotive a phase favorite.
With that stated, the Outback XT’s excessive gasoline consumption is a major downside in an period the place many new automotive consumers are flocking to extra environment friendly, electrified merchandise to carry down operating prices, and the at instances elastic response of the CVT transmission received’t be to the tastes of these wanting a extra dynamic drive – in addition to the softer setup.
Subaru has actually carved out its nook of the market, all issues thought-about, and the Outback XT is a main instance of how the Japanese model has taken on the suggestions from clients.
The model’s native director, Blair Learn, just lately informed CarExpert the Outback XT vary is already accounting for round one in three Outback gross sales simply months on from launch, so clearly the demand is there.
When you’ve got been eager on an Outback and weren’t bought on the naturally aspirated model, it’s properly value having a steer of the XT.
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
