The Subaru Outback is already the de-facto choice for active, outdoorsy
types. How can you possibly improve on such a popular formula? With the most
exciting two and a half words in the English language. Hmm, we might have
oversold that. Nevertheless, the Subaru Outback offers a range of simple yet
substantive improvements. The exterior's rugged attitude has been lightly
amplified with reworked headlights and body cladding. More meaningful updates
can be found inside. We already loved the Outback's pre-update interior with its
extendable sun visors, soft touch door panels, and well cushioned armrests. Post-update
our affinity has only grown stronger. Subaru has improved material
quality throughout the Outback lineup but they've also made numerous subtle
changes. For example the clock readout is slightly larger, the climate control
indicator has moved to a more logical spot in the center of the dial, and I'm
told the air-conditioning cools the cabin more quickly. Though I will take
them at their word because I'm not going to rip out the ducting...or am I? Okay, none
of these updates are life changing but they come affixed to an already
well-sorted cabin. The front seats are contoured for comfort, though depending
on how you drive a little more lateral support would be nice. In back, legroom
is plentiful with reclining seat backs and sculpted knee cutouts adding to
passenger comfort. Whichever seat you occupy the Outback's
Goldilocks ride height means you don't have to climb up or drop down to come
aboard. I'd feel even better about the interior if you didn't have to buy one
of the higher trims to get rear AC vents.
I'm not gonna do anything funny. It's just vents.
Of course the Outback's ability to carry gear endures as a major strength. Total
cargo volume is essentially identical to the Ford Edge but with the added benefit
of a low 28-inch load-in height. The cargo area also features an underfloor
storage box and handy rear seat fold-down levers. Flip the rear seats up and a
healthy 35.5 cubic feet of storage space remains. For stashing smaller items
there's a deep center console compartment and a concealed storage bin.
Besides a penchant for gathering fingerprints the Outback's infotainment
offerings are great. An updated 6.5-inch unit comes standard but the available
8-inch unit gets my vote and not just because it's bigger. Because it uses
swipe and pinch gestures just like a smart phone. Sweet familiarity. On that
note, Subaru offers modern smartphone integration on both systems
with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and on higher trims embedded TomTom
navigation and a pair of USB ports for rear seat passengers.
On the go the fifth-generation Outback is outstandingly civilized, offering
refined ride quality, a quiet cabin aided by insulated front side glass, and
stellar visibility in all directions.
In addition to a commanding SUV-like view the driver's seat affords its occupant
a super comfortable driving position. At the same time the Outback navigates
tight spaces with car like agility, thanks to well-calibrated steering and a
reasonable 36-foot turning circle. Power comes from one of two sources, a 2.5
liter 4 cylinder or a 3.6 liter 6 cylinder, each sporting a horizontally
opposed cylinder layout. For reference the horizontally opposed engine layout
means you can have a flatter engine and consequently a lower engine, giving
you a lower center of gravity, which is good for handling all sorts of stuff. It
also sounds kind of cool if you have a dumb exhaust on it. This car does not.
While efficient the 4-cylinder struggles to propel the Outback's more than 3,600
pound curb weight with authority. Naturally, the heartier 6-cylinder is a
more satisfying pairing but it's also less efficient and it is only offered on
the high end Limited and Touring trims. Interestingly, the Outback is rated to
tow a modest 2,700 pounds with either engine. Both engines also share a
continuously variable transmission, though it's beefed up when teamed up
with the six cylinder to accommodate all that extra torque. Despite an absence of
actual gears the continuously variable transmission does its best to emulate an
automatic transmission with fake gear changes as you accelerate and a manual
shift mode. All you need to know, as an average driver, is that it feels like the
transmission is doing what a transmission should do. Nothing to see
here...except everything in all directions. Wow! Look at that visibility! Whoa!
For slippery roads or. do we dare. actual off-roading the Outback offers
8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive with an
electronically managed hydraulic transfer clutch that sends torque to the
front or rear tires as needs demand. For more serious off-road frivolity
the Outback's X-Mode alters CVT, engine and, stability
control settings to reduce wheel spin while also activating Hill Decent
Control, which as its name implies let's the vehicle automatically control its
speed when descending a hill. For less than $27,000 including destination a
basic Outback comes equipped with an electronic parking brake, roof rails, a
USB port, and a backup camera shown on the previously mentioned six and a half
inch touchscreen. Spend more and you can enjoy a power tailgate, blind spot
warning, adaptive LED headlights, power and heated front seats, a heated steering
wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a system that'll automatically
hit the brakes if the driver's backing towards danger, and Eyesight, a
camera-based active driver assist system that incorporates lane departure warning with
steering assist, dynamic cruise control, and forward collision alert.
While it really is a wagon, compared to five-passenger crossovers like the Ford
Edge and Nissan Murano the Outback is a great value with its standard all-wheel
drive, above average residual numbers, and $3,000 cheaper
base price. Stick with all-season wagons and the VW Golf Alltrack is worth a
gander, though it offers less space than the similarly priced Outback.
Truthfully the Subaru Outback's popularity is unsurprising. It's a versatile
value-rich wagon with an upscale interior and more than enough capability for most
outings. Plus, that distinct wagon shape puts out a vibe of adventure more
effectively than most SUVs. Whether canyoneering or hauling provision
home from Whole Foods the Outback is a fundamentally excellent ride that Subaru
keeps making better and better.