Outstanding Outback – an off-roader for all

When you say “Subaru Outback” or any other Subaru model, people tend to scratch their heads and use Google Images to see what the car in question looks like. Subaru is not a high-profile brand, and it’s not the first name that pops into your head when looking for a new car. So why should you consider the Subaru Outback?

Over-embellished crossovers are everywhere you go, and grace many a school or shopping centre pavement. But mostly all the outdoorsy kit is only cosmetic, designed to look trendy, when in reality they’re nothing more than slightly higher-riding hatchbacks. And with higher ground clearance, often the trade-off is less-than-desirable handling. But the Subaru Outback 3.6R doesn’t fit into this department. All of the off-road finishes are there for a reason – yes, it looks ruggedly handsome, with all the boxes ticked for that bundu-bashing look, loved by car-pooling mommies (of which, incidentally, I am one). Yet, the Subaru Outback is every bit as capable as it looks, plus it’s all-wheel drive. So maybe it’s not up there with Land Rovers and Land Cruisers in the rock-crawling stakes, but it is an adventurous family car that doesn’t shy away from awful weather conditions, mud, gravel and dodgy mountain passes.

The inside of the Outback sees an all-new level of refinement. Where the gorgeous Lexus NX’s interior seems a little incoherent, the Outback’s interior has been thoughtfully put together for everything to look and feel premium. Build quality is top notch. When it comes to interior styling, the Japanese struggle to match the suave European designers, but Subaru has done an impeccable, if slightly impersonal job on the Outback’s cabin. The sophisticated-looking (and user-friendly) infotainment system’s images are crisp and clear, and the entire unit looks upmarket and expensive. All Outbacks are fitted with a 12-speaker Harman Kardonn system, which reaches its full potential in a cabin so quiet, that when I stopped for groceries, I didn’t realize the engine was still running. That said, it likes to purr like an oversized kitty when you put pedal to the metal – Subaru’s 3.6 litre, naturally aspirated Boxer engine (191kW) is hardly the downsized type, which is the norm these days. It is mated to a 7 speed CVT Gearbox – the best I’ve sampled in a long time. There’s none of that intrusive, strained noise permeating the cabin at sudden acceleration. And there are flappy paddles mounted on the steering wheel if you (quite literally) like to take matters into your own hands. Upbeat blue backlighting illuminates the neat, high-tech instrument binnacle. I have to admit that so far, there’s very little I don’t like about the Outback.

Driving the Outback is rather lovely too. Even though the steering is a little light, the Outback’s road-holding capabilities are excellent. The engineers at Subaru say it’s because of the flat Boxer engine that can be placed deeper, which translates to a lower centre of gravity. As I snaked around the ocean-fringed bends of Clarence Drive, there was very little body roll to speak of. When I overtook a slow, heavily laden bakkie, I definitely missed a turbo engine’s jolt in the spine, but the Outback made easy meat of the task. Still, I wanted just a little more power. Then I pressed the SportSharp button on the steering wheel, (which makes the Outback’s road manner’s a tad more aggressive) and I was wholly satisfied. The large engine is not too thirsty either. In town we attained a figure of 11.5 litre per 100km and on the open road, about 10. For a six-cylinder, this is good going.

In typical Japanese fashion, the Outback is super-comprehensively specced and you get plenty of bang for your buck. The list of modern convenience features is longer than Lindsay Lohan’s hair extensions. Go to www.subaru.co.za to check out its specs.
Moms will be happy to know that the Outback has a five-star EuroNCAP rating as well as seven airbags. Other safety equipment include traction and stability control (along with ABS and EBD), torque vectoring, limited slip, a rear-view camera, hill hold assist and so forth. And there are copious amounts of space in the cabin and the boot – ideal for kids and their outdoor gear.

I sincerely hope the world will wake up to the value and technological finesse that Subaru brings in the guise of the Outback, which is the ultimate all-rounder. I think it may just become on of my favourite SUV’s.

Facts & Figures

Price	: R529 000
Engine	: 3.6 litre, naturally aspirated, 6 cylinder
Power	: 191 kW
Torque	: 350 Nm
Top speed	: not available
0 to 100 km/h	: 7.6 seconds
Fuel tank	: 60 litres
Realistic fuel consumption	: About 10 – 14 litres per 100 km
Boot size	: 512 to 1801 litres
Ground clearance	: 213 mm
Warranty	: 3-year / 100 000 km
Service Plan	: 3-year / 75 000 km
Also consider	: Jeep Grand Cherokee