It's a firm Kiwi favourite, slotting in seamlessly to the lifestyle we all enjoy so much. Outdoors, out there, enjoying wild places.
Now Subaru's Outback gets a full-on update with more of everything that cemented its position in the Kiwi psyche.
It also gets a new outdoorsy top model, the American-inspired Wilderness, with more ground clearance, more capability and a 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer engine.
This is the seventh-generation version and it is a serious step forward - and up.
Where once it was a 'lifted' Subaru wagon, now it's a full-on AWD SUV. It rides on an evolved Subaru Global Platform and the driveline is managed by a fresh version of the company's X-mode system.
Outback is offered in two distinct guise: Outback and the Wilderness, which is a US-inspired 'adventure' version. Wilderness has 240mm of ground clearance, associated improvements in approach and departure angles and distinctive ‘tough’ styling. Significantly, it has electronically controlled dampers that transform ride and road-holding.
The range starts at $54,990, the Premium is $59,990 and the Touring is $64,990. The Wilderness is $69,990 while the Wilderness Apex (sunroof, navigation and more) is $74,990. At launch yesterday we drove the Outback and Wilderness out at the Pukerau coastal farm east of Auckland. The Outback is a worthy successor for the model it replaces, while the Wilderness is likely to 'conquest' a whole new set of devotees.
The interior features a new 12.1-inch horizontal infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Like many manufacturers, Subaru has listened to owners and dropped key functions back off-screen and onto proper buttons. For the driver, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with several different views to choose from.
The Outback's seating position is one of those 'wow' moments, instantly fitting but unobtrusive. Height adjustment meets the needs of tall or short drivers, enabling drivers to sit higher on rough tracks.
There’s more headroom for all five occupants and rear legroom is increased.
Outback has a 137kW/254Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated flat four. Not massive, until the Subaru's unibody construction and AWD layout are considered. No separate chassis keeps weight down low, while high strength steels maintain rigidity. Generation seven Outback is bigger and has a lot more equipment on board - but weights are still in the range of much less capable 'crossover' vehicles: the base Outback weighs in at 1705kg, while the Wilderness is 1802kg.
Outback's official fuel efficiency is 8.1l/100km.
The Wilderness gets the 2.4 turbo with 194kW and 382Nm. Fuel efficiency is 9.7l/100km.
Transmission for both is Subaru's 'eight speed' CVT.
Outback gets one level of X-mode, Wilderness gets two. In both cases the system engages hill descent control and switches off 'townie' driver assists.
Driven, the handling is impressive.
A unibody design is always going to be better at communicating what's going on between vehicle and road. Outback's agile and holds a line through corners well with minimal body roll. Thanks to its electronically controlled dampers, Wilderness sits impressively flat on tarmac and feels more 'connected', to the point that it almost feels like it has more tyre contact area - which it does not.
The steering of both versions is responsive, and the Outback still evokes the earlier versions in its overall on-road 'feel'. Previous generations carved a niche among Kiwis who are active outdoor types - mountain-bikers, ski and snowboard fans, hikers and families. That's not going to change any time soon.
While other manufacturers have gone the full body-on-chassis route, the 'Gen 7' Outback is a confident player in the mid-size SUV market.
- Mark Baker
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