Comments on: Subaru Outback Diesel Review

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:34:48 +0000

We DO have snow on the mountains here in the south, in winter, and lots of people use the Subies for their annual skiing holiday. The other thing is that we have a lot of dirt roads, especially in national parks, etc, and the subie is superb in the dirt. Our Japanese Subies have suspension tuned for Australian roads, so generally handle better than the US models from what I’ve read.
The 6 speed manual is very easy to use, except that you can sometimes get 3/4 and 5/6 confused.
A lot of people like to have AWD because it’s a lot safer. Funny thing is that a lot of car reviewers here don’t mention the AWD as a feature (even as a safety one) and will dismiss the Subie because it’s $2000 more than a Mazda, eg.
I own a 2010 diesel and it has a lot of grunt and sensational economy but the headlights do take a bit of getting used to. It’s great powering up steep hills at 100K in 6th without having to change down (it’s doing 1800rpm, which is the start of the 350NM torque range).

By: Bruve Armstrong

Bruve Armstrong — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:25:14 +0000

Greetings from the snowy north of Canada. Lots of people here waiting for the diesel as well, since VW shifts huge numbers of TDIs. But we are stuck living next to the Americans who are fairly blind, deaf and dumb and living in their own little world, so we get Subaru editions meant for the US. Except that they cost 30 percent more in dollar terms than in the US, when our dollar is at 95 percent of the US. Talk about ripoff pricing! Seems like you lot get taken to the cleaners as well.

Regarding servicing – my 2008 Liberty (Legacy) GT has to have its oil changed every 6,000 klicks to maintain warranty, as all turbo models have been designated as operating under “severe service”, whatever that means in the rather demented minds of the Subaru people in North America. So 6 month servicing seems great to me.

Am not impressed by the gigantic scarab beetle shape of the new Liberty, and the Outback wears Grandma’s false teeth in a rictus-like grin as a front grille. Horrid. The centre console is a good imitation of a 10 year old Korean audio mini-system with no class.

But at least you lot get the 5 speed auto with the turbo engine if you want, and who wouldn’t after trying the typical Subaru manual. I refuse to put up with that contraption. So I hope the diesel if it ever makes it here has an auto option.

Here’s what I don’t understand: what are Australians doing running around in AWD cars when you typically don’t get any snow worth talking about? We have a foot coming in the next day around here, and I rely on the AWD to get about.

Had five Audis before my Subies, and all I can say to those contemplating purchasing a VW product is this: how well do you want to get to know Hans, the immigrant service manager from Deutschland, who regards you the customer as an utter fool for complaining about German reliability? I got to know mine far too well, and he was an utter incompetent in my book. Also, I was a twit for thinking for years that German engineering was great, and looking down my nose at Subaru. Once I got one I was sold.

It’s just that these new Subarus are so ugly to my eyes. Most others seem to disagree, and sales are well up. Oh well.

By: David Morgridge

David Morgridge — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:48:02 +0000

Any news as to when the outback diesel wagon will be available in the US? thanks

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:51:35 +0000

Took delivery of the new diesel outback 2 weeks ago, have just clocked over 2000K\’s and am very impressed. went off road last weekend after travelling interstate – highway or dirt roads plenty of power, and we had large load including luggage pod on the roof.

push button praking brake seems odd, and hill hold takes a little getting used to.

shame they didn\’t make the cargo area larger instead of the back seat, but the extra height is great.

So far economy is better than my MYO6 petrol outback was.

very pleased…

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:49:04 +0000

Took delivery of the new diesel outback 2 weeks ago, have just clocked over 2000K’s and am very impressed. went off road last weekend after travelling interstate – highway or dirt roads plenty of power, and we had large load including luggage pod on the roof.

So far economy is better than my MYO6 petrol outback was.

very pleased…

By: matthew

matthew — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:14:17 +0000

I agree with montageq – what gives? Surely its the same gearbox as in the GT. They both feel the same – notchy and long throw to me (standing still). But not a reason not to buy. Boooked in for a test drive next week.

By: Neo Utopia

Neo Utopia — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:09:22 +0000

I am slowly warming to the garish looks of this and the Liberty compared to the previous. The engine is what Subaru should have developed 5 years ago IMO.

I am not sold on the interior dash though, I mean does Subaru actually think people like to see a block of bright silver in the middle of their car which looks like it was not well integrated into the interior design?

I agree with reckless, 6 month serve intervals may deter potential buyers if they research how much a Subaru service is (more compared to conventional two wheel drive), or maybe this is how Subaru maintain their high reliability while earning the extra.

For me I would have to test drive a plethora of similar cars to develop a sound consensus. As for a better Outback, yes is becoming more European (in the good ways) while probably keeping the good parts of being Japanese (reliability, lower price and easier to market to the Australian audience).

By: Conrad Owens

Conrad Owens — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:37:26 +0000

6 month service intervals are responsible. Comparing Japanese build quality to a Holden is plain bizarre. The Xtrail diesel has a nice engine but the rest of the car doesn’t match the Outbacks build quality. To suggest Subaru’s are cars that should top out at $40 is like suggesting Ferrari’s deserve a ceiling of $150k, more weird stuff.
The biggest problem with Subaru in my opinion after checking the new Mazda CX7 diesel against the Outback diesel was that the sales team at Subaru were uninspiring and morbid, seemed to be expecting the car to sell itself at Waneroo Subaru, calling Osborne park dealership also received a very average level of service. Subaru has some great competitors and they’ve got excellent cars, pity their Australian team seems to think they need to overly focus on modelling the brand as exclusive, its simply a waste of time as truly exclusive people will go out and whack a lot of money on a high end merc (no, not a bmw or an audi).

By: OSU811

OSU811 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:42:08 +0000

all Australian subaras are built and assembled in Japan, except for the Tribeca as it was designed for America so is assembled there as they dont sell them in Japan!!
but the engine/gearbox is built in Japan..

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:34:42 +0000

I’m inclined to trust the engineers that work for VW, Skoda, and other companies like BMW, Mercedes, etc, than to agree with your opinion.

12 months is not too long at all, and 15000k is not too long either.

In the days of carburettors and poor quality oils, there was much more petrol blowing past the rings and diluting the oil than with today’s engines. Lets face it, if you’re doing 6.0l/100ks, all the fuel is used – there isn’t any left over to dilute the oil.

By: chris

chris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:22:44 +0000

Can someone please tell me why they moved the hand brake to the dashboard?

Surely thats a dangerous place for it if needed in an emergency,trying to push a little button,taking your eyes off the road instead of an easy to locate regular hand brake. Ford used under dash brake for years and switched to a lever with the EF Falcon.They finally understood people hated it under the dash.

By: tommo617

tommo617 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:32:41 +0000

Subarus for the Australian market are built in Japan. The only other place they are built is America, and that is for US domestic (and Canada) only. In some markets the diesel is being referred to as ‘Euro spec’ and has different trim levels to the remainder of the range but is built in japan. Australia as the second largest market outside Japan for Subarus (behind the US) gets a fair bit of say on what we get, hence our trim levels mirror the petrol versions.

The Diesel is designed and built in Japan as well – not in the US. American do not buy diesel cars (they don’t seem to understand the concept of a ‘compact’ anyway and putting ‘a truck engine’ in one makes even less sense to them)

By: maxthestork

maxthestork — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:08:54 +0000

Hi All,

does anyone know where the diesel engine and the car overall is made. I love my Forester and the reliability and quality is (I think) a bit to do with being made in Japan. Would think long and hard b4 buying an american or european made Subaru.

By: montageq

montageq — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:53:12 +0000

Is this the same 6 speed gearbox as in the liberty that has been criticised by motoring journalists elsewhere?

You seem to be quite happy with it. I have been holding off ordering a liberty turbo until i could drive a vehicle with the same gearbox.
What gives?

By: OSU811

OSU811 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:18:07 +0000

all outback/liberty’s now use the CVT or new 5 speed auto!!, no 4 speed available!!!!!!!, the current cvt cant handle the torque load!, but the 5 speed auto could easily as its behind the 3.6l six and GT 2.5 turbo models with no dramas!!
but comes down to the diesel was primarily for the euro market to begin with, as they buy mainly manuals it was the smart choice, they are working on a suitable auto now!!(who cares anyway I would only buy a manual anyway)why buy an auto which they would charge more for and would use more fuel in the diesel model and isnt as good to drive as a manual anyway!

By: Carz

Carz — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:09:04 +0000

New Outback looks great. Subaru cars are awesome…diesel engine on this car makes it more interesting.

By: Paul D

Paul D — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:39:43 +0000

Hmmm, no auto, not surprised as the existing is only a 4 speed and I wonder in standard form could it handle the torque, maybe the Tribeca box could fit, otherwise its a CVT which Subaru are desiging for across the board adoption, I wonder what that would be like after a few years with all that torque flowing through the chain.

Lovely day in the bush ruined by BANG, chink chin chink, fiz!!!!!!

Call a tow truck, not out here you wont.

By: ssbob

ssbob — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:14 +0000

Hideous thing it is.

2000-2500rpm powerband? sounds, ah, tedious – maybe 3500?

wonder how long until the clutch starts shuddering?

By: OSU811

OSU811 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:37:36 +0000

I personally would always service my car every 6 months regardless!!
12 months is too long for oil to be left in an engine imo..

By: davie

davie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:26:29 +0000

Alborz,

Thanks for that. I’m quite excited about this engine and transmission combo.

looking forward to the additional testing information.