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Final time I reviewed the Subaru Outback I mentioned it wanted a lift – effectively, my prayers have been answered.
Earlier this 12 months Subaru’s native division lastly added a turbocharged engine choice 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 fine addition in energy and torque, and bumps the Outback into higher rivalry towards an array of phase rivals that provide equally highly effective six-cylinder and turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
Right here on take a look at we’ve got 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 package deal?
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.
In order for you 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 provide 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 may learn our comparability between the Outback AWD Sport XT and Passat Alltrack 162TSI right here.
Past that that you must 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 common.
As I mentioned in my overview of the non-turbo AWD Touring final 12 months, the newest Outback is a return to kind for Subaru, with fairly an upmarket feel and look for not a complete lot of cash relative to the phase.
Within the Touring fashions you get pretty Nappa leather-based upholstery with perforated inserts, which characteristic heating and air flow features 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 had been correct opponents 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 pc show, which might present a wide range of menus together with driving knowledge, help programs and the like. All of it works effectively, although it’s not as high-tech as the huge centre touchscreen.
Subaru gives a graceful 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 commonplace 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 like an enormous 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 digital camera.
General Subaru’s interface is okay with out being standout. The brilliant colors and good graphics are good, however sometimes load instances generally is a contact laggy and the fonts appear like they’ll date rapidly.
Storage can 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 an enormous cellphone, 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 could 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 gadgets.
I additionally should knock Subaru’s insistence on a small moonroof fairly than going for a extra Euro- or Korean-style panoramic unit. Consider the kids!
Issues are higher within the second row, the place the Outback’s lengthy physique and wheelbase affords a good bit of passenger house, 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 children can 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 effectively… 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 gadgets, a 12V socket, baggage hooks in addition to distant launch levers for the rear seats. I efficiently transported a variety of issues for my sister’s twenty first celebration within the again the Outback that I positively wouldn’t have dreamed making an attempt 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 somewhat 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 through a Lineartronic CVT automated, which has eight programmed ‘steps’ to simulate a standard auto transmission.
By comparability, the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre Boxer within the common Outback generates 138kW/245Nm.
Subaru quotes mixed gas consumption of 9.0L per 100km, and CO2 emissions of 204g/km. The 63-litre gas tank is similar 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 could 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 no less than 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 mistaken, the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre in the usual Outback is high quality or no less than satisfactory, however it feels just like the turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four within the Outback XT was the center 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 standard automated 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 hardly ever 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, which 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 an alternative, I’d say it’s received greater than sufficient grunt to be a simple tourer, which is extra in step with the Outback’s pitch anyway.
Rolling acceleration particularly 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 foremost gripe is that preliminary response from the CVT generally is a little elastic while you attempt to punch it. It’s a typical trait of this transmission sort and it feels prefer it saps life out of the drivetrain at instances. A traditional eight-speed automated would possible supply higher response and refinement, however that’s largely down to non-public choice.
At 1730kg (tare) the Outback is somewhat 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’ll be able to 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 likewise scale a winding B-road with little fuss. Put its SI-Drive profile into the S setting, and it companies up the steering and throttle response to offer you extra keen response, and the Lineartronic CVT will supply extra distinct gear ‘steps’ as if it’s an eight-speed sports activities automated.
The journey, too, is great. Subaru’s present vary of merchandise on its new structure are typically extra comfort-focused, and the Outback is the perfect instance of that. It has a pleasant delicate journey that’s effectively 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 programs, the Outback Touring specification is decked out with every 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 vast 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 somewhat annoying over time.
At the very least the adaptive cruise management and lane centring system are intuitive and user-friendly, and commonplace blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are an additional set of eyes for this lengthy and thin automobile.
What do you get?
Outback AWD highlights:
- 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 4.2-inch journey pc
- DAB+ digital radio
- Material 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
- Automated windscreen wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Outback AWD Sport + AWD Sport XT add:
- 18-inch alloy wheels in Darkish Metallic
- Black exterior accents
- Palms-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
- Guide driver thigh assist extender
- Electrical sunroof
- Heated steering wheel
- Silver roof rails with built-in crossbars
- Removes Black exterior accents
Is the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT protected?
The Subaru Outback vary wears a five-star ANCAP security ranking, primarily based on testing carried out in 2021.
It obtained an grownup occupant safety rating of 88 per cent, a baby occupant safety rating of 91 per cent, a weak street consumer safety rating of 84 per cent, and a security help rating of 96 per cent.
Commonplace security gear consists of:
- 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
- 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. Consumers may 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 gives three- and five-year service packages, priced at $1355.16 and $2579.31 respectively.
Whereas servicing is not a Subaru bugbear, the Outback XT’s additional energy brings with it elevated gas consumption that’s a far cry from opponents providing hybrid powertrains.
I averaged an indicated 11.5 litres per 100km following every week of testing, masking practically 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. While you take note of {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 great factor and makes it even higher.
In flagship Touring specification, the turbocharged Outback gives just about every thing European rivals do for considerably much less cash, and likewise is a bigger extra sensible automobiles than mentioned opponents because of its sheer measurement.
Must you not want three rows of seating in your bigger household automobile, 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 monitor.
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 mentioned, the Outback XT’s excessive gas consumption is a foremost disadvantage in an period the place many new automotive consumers are flocking to extra environment friendly, electrified merchandise to convey 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 chief instance of how the Japanese model has taken on the suggestions from prospects.
The model’s native director, Blair Learn, just lately instructed 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.
You probably have been eager on an Outback and weren’t offered on the naturally aspirated model, it’s effectively value having a steer of the XT.
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
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