Subaru Outback estate (2009 – ) expert review

The Subaru Outback received a facelift for the 2007 model year, gaining a front grille of Audi proportions. It retains the distinctive scoop in the bonnet to suck in air to the engine, but is far more subtle than on its performance models, the Impreza WRX and Impreza STI. The whole package is less rugged than the black plastic-clad Volvo XC70 or Skoda Octavia Scout, particularly with the frameless front and rear side windows – a very nice touch. The Subaru Outback certainly looks as though it could haul itself along mud-soaked lanes or across boggy fields.

The 2007 facelift saw some tweaks to the cabin. It results in an interior which is a nice place to sit, if lacking in the interesting design cues that its rivals feature. The dials are clear, and have adjustable illumination from very bright to suitably dim for driving on dark country lanes. The readouts for the radio and climate control can be a little tricky to read in the centre console. But unlike some of Subaru’s peers, and indeed some of its own other models, the Outback’s cabin feels very well built and should stand up to plenty of abuse.

The Subaru Outback scores well here. The boot grows from a handy 1,435 litres to a cavernous 1,600 litres, and there’s a low sill which flows into a flat floor, making it easy to carry awkward loads. And the boot can cope with loads up to 525kgs. As a towcar, the Subaru Outback makes even more sense, with a maximum towing weight of 1,700kgs (braked) and 1,157kgs (unbraked). There’s plenty of space for four adults on a long journey, although another could be squeezed in for shorter journeys.

Whether you can live with this Subaru Outback’s driving dynamics depends on what you’re looking for in a car. It has a wonderfully composed ride, soaking up bumps like a car costing at least twice the price. It’s quiet too, with only the nastiest motorway surfaces causing any discomfort in the cabin. As a drivers’ car, it is left wanting. There’s the kind of play in the steering usually reserved for 4×4s, and the soft suspension encourages the front end to squeal and wash wide under faster cornering, despite the impressive levels of grip afforded by Subaru’s four-wheel drive system.

The Subaru Outback is plenty quick enough for most drivers, offering up an 8.8 second 0-60mph time, and a top speed of 124mph. Unlike some diesel engines which display initial lag when pulling away from low engine speeds, this powerplant is punchy and smooth, providing plenty of urge throughout the rev range. It develops 147bhp at 3,600, but the performance has more to do with its 258lb/ft of pulling power which reaches its peak at 1,800rpm. The engine is very refined, and emits the off-beat exhaust note that has become a trademark of its more powerful road cars.

Pitched against some of its jacked-up, four-wheel drive rivals like the Volvo XC70 and Audi Allroad, the Outback is good value. It’ll lose around thirty per cent of its value over the first three years of ownership. Fuel costs are much improved over the petrol Outback, with a claimed average fuel consumption of 48.7mpg, although our week with the car exposed an average nearer to the claimed urban figure of 39.8mpg. CO2 emissions of 153g/km are markedly less than the petrol Outback (205-300g/km).

Subaru has a well established reputation for building tough, solid cars, and it appears the Subaru Outback is no exception. However, Subaru doesn’t score well in the Reliability Index, which tracks the cost and frequency of breakdowns because of its cars’ complexity.

The Subaru Outback hasn’t gone through the rigorous Euro NCAP crash test programme, but the car offers driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags as standard. It also features Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control which incorporates traction and stability control.

There are two models in the Subaru Outback range. The Outback 2.0D R features dual-zone climate control, cruise control, 17-inch alloys, bright high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps with pop-out washers, electrically-folding door mirrors, an MP3-compatible CD player, front fog lamps and Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control as standard

Big Subarus are popular with the country set, thanks to a blend of genuine ruggedness coupled with discreet looks. And now the appeal has been widened further with the new, efficient and refined diesel powerplant.