Crossovers are a curious breed. Equal parts SUV and car, they are (on paper, anyway) the proverbial silver bullet – imbued with the go-anywhere capability of an SUV and the easy-handling characteristics of a conventional car. In real life, though, a car that is all things to all men usually means one that is riddled with compromises.
Japanese automaker Subaru’s take on this is the Outback. Around since 1993, the Outback (which is essentially the Legacy estate on “stilts”) is now in its sixth generation, and the latest model made its Asia-Pacific debut two months ago at the International Motor Expo in Bangkok.
As for its styling, the all-new Outback is familiar, yet subtly different. It sports Subaru’s new corporate “face” and lots of SUV styling cues, such as matte black cladding and sturdy-looking integrated roof rails. In short, the Outback looks more SUV-like than ever before, because it has grown a fair bit larger.
The numbers back this up – the Outback is now 15mm longer, 17mm wider and 55mm taller. Torsional rigidity has been improved by more than 50 percent and there’s an aluminium bonnet to keep weight in check.
Because it’s now a bigger car, this translates to more interior space, and thanks to the generously sized glasshouse, all-round visibility is excellent. Passengers on the rear bench, too, get a good view of the road ahead, thanks to a “stadium” seating arrangement (which means it’s slightly higher than the front row). Thankfully, headroom hasn’t been compromised at all, with plenty of space even for taller occupants.
Other notable niceties include an infotainment system with a 7-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, Harmon Kardon sound system (complete with subwoofer), sunroof, cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel complete with paddle-shifters for Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
On that last point, keener drivers still have a thing against CVTs and might argue the need for paddle-shifters in the first place, but Subaru’s CVT is one of the better ones around. That said, at the open space designed to put the Outback through its paces, the CVT is slow in getting the 1552kg Outback off the line. I’m sure part of the reason is the rather anaemic 175hp 2.5-litre flat-4, but it’s also clear that hard launches are just not the transmission’s forte. However, with more measured throttle inputs, the Outback demonstrates adequate urge.
The Outback’s real strengths lie in how refined it is, no doubt helped by the new acoustically optimised windscreen and liquid-filled engine mounts. In general, few external noises penetrate the cabin, and the way it handles is somewhat similar – hushed and rather remote.
Yes, that means it’s not the most competent machine on tarmac, but for light off-roading duties, the Outback shines. Simply engage X-mode and you only have to steer, with the car’s electronics taking care of the rest (lower “gear ratios” are used and thresholds for the electronic traction aids are lowered).
Granted, most Outback owners here will spend all their drive time on beaten paths, but as a “lifestyle” vehicle for adventure junkies to transport their $10,000 mountain bikes and wakeboards, it’s a no-nonsense, fuss-free proposition.
It may not stand out in any one department, but then again, it is a crossover, which as I mentioned earlier, is something which is supposed to be half car and half SUV. If nothing else, the Outback will come in handy come house-moving time… or when your flame-spitting WRX decides to break down.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 2498cc, 16-valves, flat-4
MAX POWER 175bhp at 5800rpm
MAX TORQUE 235Nm at 4000rpm
GEARBOX CVT with 8-speed override
0-100KM/H 10.2 seconds
TOP SPEED 210km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.9km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 177g/km
PRICE INCL. COE
To be announced
