Competing against cars like the Honda CR-V and the Nissan X-Trail, the Subaru looks a bit like an Audi A4 or A6 Allroad but with a higher driving position and larger windows. The latest Outback looks similar to the previous model but the black trim around the exterior definitely gives it a stronger on-road presence. The black protective bumpers and wheel arches look good, and combine with plenty of chrome about the grille and on the window frames. At the front, a new set of fog lights do the job and give this newest Soobie a modern, fresh look. When up against other SUV/raised wagons, the 2021 Subaru Outback has some real strengths that it can bring to the table. Let’s take a look at those strengths and see why this might be the right car for you.
You will be sitting comfortably inside this new Outback. The 2021 Subaru Outback AWD Wagon is the sixth-generation Subaru Outback crossover vehicle, and it is bigger inside and out. This latest version employs the company’s newest global platform. The supportive seats come with plenty of adjustment and there’s plenty of space for tall drivers to stretch out. Back seat passengers also get heaps of room, so no problems here for the taller adult. The Subaru Outback’s wide cabin and raised roof combine nicely with the soft and supportive seat cushioning making this a vehicle you’d be happy enough to tackle long journeys with.
As the driver, you’ll enjoy the Subaru Outback’s raised seating position, which gives you a good view out over other cars and out over the road ahead, and its large windows make it relatively easy to manoeuvre about town and in city streets. The boot is more spacious than in an Audi A4 Allroad and Volvo V60 Cross Country but it’s not quite as roomy as the load-bay in a VW Tiguan. However, flip the back seats down, which you can do using handy levers in the boot, and the Subaru Outback becomes one of the most spacious cars of its size. This can easily accommodate a mattress in the back for dossing down overnight.
Dominating the Outback’s dash is a display boasting the latest multimedia touchscreen that is a sizeable 11.6-inches in width. It is orientated vertically and looks similar to a large tablet. Soft plastics and trim along with gloss black finishing looks good around the dash area and front doors. Accented stitching on the seats and over the dash are appealing, and even the base model Outback looks good and is a comfortable place to be seated. That said, the newer model doesn’t quite feel as premium as a Volvo XC40 and XC60, Nissan X-Trail or Audi Allroad.
Storage areas about the cabin provide excellent space for your phones, bottles, cups, wallets, keys, documents, lipstick, sunglasses, maps, etc, etc. Two USB ports are found in the front and two USB ports are found in the rear. Back seat passengers get their own air vents and there are two cupholders in the rear centre armrest. Boot space is 522 litres behind the back seats. There is also a load cover screen which hides away luggage from prying eyes.
Subarus have always been quite a pleasure to drive, and with the latest Outback this likable trait continues. The 2021 model feels very solid and safe, well glued to the road, and the steering is accurate and secure, inspiring confidence for the driver in all weather conditions. AWD gives fantastic grip on any road surface, and it also gives you the ability to venture off-road should you require. Unlike the majority of SUVs, which have systems that switch between two-and four-wheel drive, the Outback’s permanent four-wheel-drive makes it capable of clambering over all manner of slippery surfaces. You’ll be surprised at how well the Outback tracks off-road; slippery surfaces, shallow creaks and muddy fields are a complete doddle.
The new Outback comes in base AWD, Sport and Touring form, and is powered by the new 2.5-litre, boxer four-cylinder engine that puts out a peak 138 kW of power at 5800 rpm and a maximum 245 Nm of torque at 4600 rpm. DOHC with VVT technology is part of the boxer’s armoury, and all this output is fed to all four wheels via a new CVT transmission that flicks between front and rear as well as side to side. Unlike the Forester or XV, you won’t find a hybrid version of the new Outback. However, fuel consumption is pretty good for a raised wagon/SUV, and with the CVT technology backing your driving style, you will see less than 8 litres/100 km on a regular basis. Spend time around the city, and the new Outback should still impress with around 10 litres/100 km. It takes ULP for fuel and you can tow a 2000 kg braked or 750 kg unbraked trailer.
All the latest safety technology including a more sophisticated version of the Eyesight system which includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, autonomous steering and acceleration, lane centring, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Five star safety will be a given with the eight airbags, seat belts in the front with load limiters and pretensioners, an engine immobiliser, ABS (Antilock Brakes), Brake Assist, an electric park brake, Alert/Warning – Collision Forward, Alert/Warning – Road Sign Display, Blind Spot Sensoring, Brake Emergency Display with Hazard/Stoplights, Collision Mitigation – Reversing with Braking, Collision Warning – Rearward, Control – Crash Avoidance with Braking, Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Detection, Lane Departure – with Passive Steer Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping – Active Assist, Parking Assistance – Graphical Display, Warning – Driver Fatigue, EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), Hill Descent control, Hill Holder, Cameras all round, Active lighting with steering, Automatic (light sensitive), Electric Level Adjustment, Headlamps – High Beam Active Shadowing, LED lighting, see me home lighting, Intermittent Wipers – Variable and Rain Sensor (Auto wipers) are all standard features, all of which add up to a pretty convincing safety kit. Other cool features include a Speed Limiter, Speed Zone Reminder – Road Sign Recognition, a Trip Computer and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system.
Even the base model gets Aux Input Socket (MP3/CD/Cassette), Aux Input USB Socket, Input for iPod, MP3 Decoder, WMA Decoder, Bluetooth, a Multi-function Control Screen – Colour, Digital Radio Receiver (DAB+), and a 6 Speaker Stereo. The Touring models boasts a 9 Speaker Stereo, an Amplifier and a Subwoofer. All models get a Clock – Digital, Digital Instrument Display – Partial and an Information Display for the Drivetrain. Voice Recognition is a cool feature that is easy to live with and makes controlling some of the features a breeze, not to mention fun.
The 2021 Subaru Outback boasts nine lovely vivid exterior colours to choose from. You are given a roomy cabin space, a very capable off-road system and decent standard equipment. Not much to not like about the latest Outback then!
The 2021 Subaru Outback models include the:
For any more information on the new Subaru Outback or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Subaru dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!