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All-new generation Outback moves completely away from its station wagon roots.
Outback has taken a radical step from estate to SUV. Image: Subaru
In one of its biggest overhauls since becoming a nameplate of its own separate from the Legacy in 2009, Subaru unveiled the all-new seventh generation Outback this week as a SUV instead of the off-road inspired station wagon it had always been
Marking three decades in North America this year, where the official unveiling took place, one of Subaru’s most important models in said market sees its bodystyle now resembling that of the Forester with a blockier silhouette, upright side profile and a first-time D-pillar.
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Utilising a split headlight design similar from some angles to the last generation Jeep Cherokee, squared-off wheel arch cladding, a colour-coded U-shape surround underneath and aside the grille, plus a chunky bumper with integrated LED fog lamps, the Outback offers 220 mm of ground clearance and 980-litres of boot space with the rear seats up.
While the former represents an increase of seven millimetres over the outgoing Outback and the latter a substantial uptake of 458-litres, no details regarding the newcomer’s dimensions were disclosed.
Introduced four years ago, the more rugged Wilderness remains part of the Outback range, with its respective differences comprising reinforced underbody protection, anodised copper exterior accents, matte black mirror caps, wheel arch cladding and door sills, Wilderness badges, revised front and bumpers, a black grille with block letter SUBARU badging and matte black 17-inch alloy wheels.
Equipped with revised suspension, standard heavy-duty roof rails and a model specific tune of the Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system, the Wilderness also comes specified with Bridgestone all-terrain tyres, a faster locking centre differential and adaptive electronic dampers.
Able to tow 1 588 kg, the Wilderness’ revised dynamics translate to a ground clearance of 246 mm – five millimetres more than its predecessor – a breakover angle of 21.2-degrees, approach angle of 20-degrees and departure angle of 22.5-degrees.
While no details of the Outback’s chassis were revealed, apart from those of the Wilderness, the interior sees the introduction of not only a new dashboard, but also a 12.1-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Flanking an equally new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the former no longer serves as the interface for the climate control as the old 11.6-inch system did.
Instead, these are now located separately at the base of the dash, controlled by physical buttons and dials, and with an LCD display.
Aside from the steering wheel being carried over, Subaru has restyled the centre console, but kept the gear lever while adding a pair of cupholders beside it.
Said to be more spacious as a result of the change in design, the interior’s specification sheet has also been reworked, although details depend on spec and will only be revealed once sales kick-off.
An interior said to be quieter than before as a result of more sound deadening materials, the Outback’s biggest driver assistance advance is hands-free autonomous driving up to 137 km/h.
Besides this, as well as an improved forward facing and surround-view camera system, the bevy of new or updated other EyeSight systems include:
Up front, the pair of engine options continues, but with a decrease in power for the normally aspirated 2.5-litre Boxer flat-four from 136 kW to 132 kW. Torque, however, increases from 239 Nm to 241 Nm.
The flagship powerunit, the 2.4-litre flat-four turbo, which also comes as the sole option for the Wilderness, carries over without change and as such, continues to develop 191kW/376Nm.
As before, both engines’ amount of twist goes to all four wheels via a Lineartronic CVT, which has been recalibrated for improved shifting and better efficiency.
Finally, all Outback models get the WRX’s dual-pinion electric power steering system, and, where fitted, an upgraded X-Mode off-road drive selector.
On-sale later this year in North America with the same trim level options as the previous model – Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, Touring XT and Wilderness – the Outback, for the moment, has not been mentioned for South African introduction.
At present, the three-model Outback range starts at R839 000 for the entry-level Field fitted with a 138 kW version of the 2.5-litre engine, and ends at R999 000 for the XT equipped with a detuned 183 kW take of the 2.4-litre turbo mill.
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