Subaru Outback MY10 launched

By Alborz Fallah | September 08th, 2009

Alongside the new Subaru Liberty, the MY10 Outback will also hit the showrooms across the country this week with a new look, more room and many new features.

The crossover wagon, which has found a niche all of its own, the Outback has been the family car that can go anywhere without needing to be an SUV. Subaru have kept the formula relatively similar, only improving on the car’s already respected design philosophy.

Similar to the new liberty, the Outback sees the addition of a variety of new features across the range, such as driver’s knee airbag, which is sure to see it continue the five star safety rating, and a cradle that keeps the engine separate from the reinforced passenger cabin in case of a heavy frontal crash.

At launch there will be two engine choices available, a 2.5-litre and a 3.6-litre, Subaru says a 2.0-litre diesel variant will arrive in November to introduce a whole new market for Subaru.

The biggest complaint with Subaru cars has always been the lack of a good automatic gearbox, however Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru vehicles, has listened and brought out a whole new gearbox called the stepless Lineartronic CVT.

This not only reduces fuel consumption but ensures a smoother ride, and it comes with paddle shifts. A six-speed manual transmission is also available on some variants.

The range starts at $37,990 for the Outback 2.5i and tops out at $55,990 for the Outback Premium with satellite navigation, which means there is no price hike for any variants over the superseded model.

CarAdvice will soon bring you a First Steer and full review of the new Subaru Outback range.

Fuel Economy:

Outback 2.5i manual 8.9L/100km
Outback 2.5i CVT 8.4L/100km
Outback 3.6R 10.3L/100km

Outback 2.5i

Safety

ABS anti-lock brakes with four-wheel discs and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Automatic transmission lock-out – need foot on brake, key in ignition “on” position, to release electronic parking brake
Brake Assist
Child seat anchor points
Curtain airbags – full length
Driver’s knee airbag
Dual front airbags
Dual front side airbags
Engine cradle – helps isolate the engine from the passenger cabin in heavy crash
Fog lights – front
Front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Double pretensioners on driver’s seatbelt
Hill start assist
Rear bumper reflectors
Rear door child lock
Seatbelt indicator lights – all seats
Side intrusion bars
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Three-point A/ELR rear centre seatbelt
Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic stability program

Interior

Climate control air conditioning – dual zone
Cargo area light
Cargo security blind
Cup holders
Electric parking brake
Height and reach adjustable steering column
Height adjustable driver’s seat
Immobiliser security system
Leather trim gear shift (manual)
Lineartronic CVT transmission option
Map lights (2)
Leather steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons
MP3/WMA compatible audio system
Multi-function trip computer
Paddle shift gear change (auto)
Power steering, mirrors and windows
Rear illumination LED instrument display
Rear seats auto fold function
Rear seats recline function
Remote central locking
Remote fuel lid release
Seatback storage nets
Six-stacker in-dash CD player, MP3/WMA, AUX jack with six speakers
Two remote central locking keys
Vanity mirrors
60/40 split/fold rear seat

Exterior

17-inch alloy wheels – large steel temporary spare
Chrome-surround grille
Colour-coded mirrors and door handles
Headlights auto off
Privacy glass (rear)
Rear roof spoiler
Rear wiper

Other features

Auto tailgate unlock on wagon
DataDot security technology
Electronic throttle control
Self-levelling rear suspension
Three-year unlimited kilometre warranty
2.5 litre SOHC horizontally opposed boxer engine – 123 Kilowatts of power at 5600 rpm and 229 Newtonmetres of torque at 4000 rpm.

Outback 2.5i Premium adds:

Electric sunroof
Leather trim
Rear air vents

Outback 2.5i Premium with SatNav adds (to 2.5i Premium):

Bluetooth compatibility
DVD/CD player (single disc)
Reversing camera
Satellite navigation – factory fitted
Three-pin RCA AUX jack

Outback 3.6R adds:

Dual exhaust
Engine cover
Light sensing headlights – auto on/off
Rain sensing auto windscreen wipers
Rear air vents
SI-Drive
Smart key access and push button start
Six-cylinder engine produces 191 kW of power at 5600 rpm and 350 Nm at 4400 rpm.
Wood-type dashboard and door highlights
Xenon HID low beam headlights with washers

Outback 3.6R Premium with SatNav adds:

Bluetooth compatibility
DVD/CD (single disc)
Electric sunroof
Leather trim
McIntosh sound system
Power driver’s seat – eight-way adjustable – and power lumbar support
Power front passenger seat
Reversing camera
Satellite navigation – factory fitted
Three-pin RCA AUX jack

Pricing (all are manufacturer recommended price):

Outback 2.5i manual $37,990
Outback 2.5i Lineartronic CVT automatic $40,490

Outback 2.5i Premium manual $41,490
Outback 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT automatic $43,990

Outback 2.5i Premium with SatNav manual $43,990
Outback 2.5i Premium with SatNav Lineartronic CVT automatic $46,490

Outback 3.6R automatic $48,490
Outback 3.6R with SatNav automatic $55,990

Lincoln

This car is looking very promising, a diesel and some half-decent ground clearance (why are cars so low nowadays??) is just what I want and my wife wants a manual. So il be very interested in November when the diesel comes out.

ian

Newsflash: MY10 Liberty wagon: no stock until Feb 2010!
I’ve placed an order in Sept 09 and I am told it is a “factory build” and have to wait 5 months.
They’ve obviously got a problem with product supply.

smokin’R32

“This not only reduces fuel economy but ensures a smoother ride”
I think you mean increases fuel economy or reduces fuel consumption

Likes A Drink

smokin’R32, given the mediocre fuel economy of Subaru’s lineup, I think the sentence is accurate as it stands.

MotorMan

Compared to what?
Camry is similar size, similar engine size/power, not as well equiped, FWD only, not anywhere near as dynamic to drive, not as safe – and uses MORE fuel!

All things considered the Outback is a great allround package. And before anyone mentions it, this looks far better than anything with a Skoda badge on it.

Devil666

Are you smoking crack?

This thing is heinous. Look at the brand new 2010 Skoda Octavia Scout. Miles ahead in looks.

Tack

Sorry Devil666, NO~~~~~~
This isn’t pretty good looking car, but far better than any Skoda.
You are wrong very much.

Bob

SooBaroo are famous for making some ugly cars, but this thing is truly hideous!

MotorMan

So you’ve only looked at the photos then Bob. Get out and look at one in the metal. They are a nice proportioned car, and do really look quite good. Certainly more attractive than the “bump” styled Toyotas that were sitting next door to one I looked at.
mad max

Get down to a dealership and drive one. Ignore the pictures and look at one in the metal. They look great and drive even better.

Shak

Ive seen one at the dealerships and it looked hideous(my opinion). the drive on the other hand was beautiful. The interior presentation could have been better but then again Subies arent know for looks and interior are they.

Tack

Yha Bob,
Go out and get real life.

Mike

I agree with Bob, I saw one on the weekend and it was very odd looking, Thumbs down.
Andronicus

I had a look at one on the weekend at my local Suba dealer. It was as ugly in the metal as it is in these pictures. Looks like it has had an eye lift that has gone too far. Interior was lovely though.

MotorMan

Really, which dealer was that? When I asked I was told that only “Show display stock” is available at the moment.

mad max

In Melbourne all dealers have the range in stock. I drove a Liberty and an Outback at Glen Waverley. Foutain Gate has most models in stock and have 4 cars to drive covering Outback and Liberty in both Sedan and Wagon.

davie

Another own-goal styling wise for Subaru.

I own one – a MY99 hatch impreza, back when they had a cohesive if inoffensive exterior styling.

Styling – This thing from the front is amateurish. Its embarrasing. It looks like the old model has been punched and kicked to within an inch of its life.

The old model shape was great looking, very cohesive. Perhaps it sold too well for subaru and now they want to make it harder for prospective buyers?
DON

Finally, Subaru has a car that I have to change my mind. After nearly 20 years with Honda (Accord, Integra, CRV gen 1 and CRV gen 2) and I was considering to wait for a new facelift CRV, I made a decision last week after testing drive this new Outback that it was a time to dump Honda. I placed an order for an Outback 2.5i premium with CVT auto transmission last weekend and followings are my main consideration: 1. Outback is made in Japan and price is cheaper than Honda CRV luxury despite that Subaru has to pay 10% import duty (no 10% import duty for CRV thank to the Free Trade Agreement with Thailand). 2. Outback’s average combine fuel consumption is 8.4 litres/100 kms – CRV is 10 litres/100 kms. 3. Outback offers 6 speeds CVT auto transmission with paddle shift – CRV offers an old style five speeds auto transmission. 4. Outback comes with rear air-conditioning vent – none in CRV. 5. Electronic Parking Brake in Outback – Foot Operated Parking Brake in CRV

Tim

Hi Don,

Just wonder, how much do you pay? I’m also interested this car.

Cheers

Shak

One thing this article says is that the car is being releaed this week. That is false as my local dealer has had them for over three weeks now. I drive past everyday and see those hideous things.
Carfanatic

ah Don, electronic park brakes are the dog’s nuts mate. I first experienced them in a Renault of all cars and I loved them.
rental

I own an Impreza which I love to DRIVE but not to look at.
Hey guys, you can’t SEE your car from the inside (unless you cruise past shop windows)
So I’m happy another fugly Sooby is born! Welcome!
Devil666

This car will not be as good as the last model, which was exceptional. This car has been created for an American market, has grown in every dimension, and it’s truly a backward step in exterior and interior design, even with the increase in features (and weight). This car is too close to an SUV to be a wagon anymore, and as such it competes too closely to the Forester.

Much needed features aside, I’m thoroughly unimpressed that the taught Outback of yore spent the last six or so years living in the land of ‘Bigger = Better’.

Oh, looks just as horrid in the metal, so don’t try any of that around here.

Tack

But Aussie are as fat as American these days…

andre

Ugly and overrated, once more fools do rush in.
tommo617

Taking delivery sometime in Dec. No stock in Oz. These things are walking out the door and they haven’t even got the Diesel here yet.

So much for people not liking the way it looks!
gander

crap roof rack. lousy bar spread – way to dangerous to carry a boat. Not for the the serious outdoor enthusiast.
Taffy

I placed an order for a red 3.6R on 19th August, well before the official release date. Still waiting for delivery. Now advised delivery is approx.10th November. This will be my third Outback.
Take_that

I have a 2009 territory and drove past Subaru, commenting to my partner how ugly the outback looks. So we went in and I looked at it close up, took it for a drive and placed an order. It doesn’t have the power of the territory but mine uses on avg 15.5l/100ks. I’m sold, and anyone that doesn’t like it will get used to it cos I’m sure your going to be seeing a lot around.
Alex

Looks. Looks! Who cares, you won’t notice the looks once they are covered in mud and snow from ehad to tail after all the dirt roads the owners can drive them down, even in the wet season.

They’ll look a darn site better than the Mazda 6 which couldn’t climb a kerb to park!