2015 Subaru Outback Review: A Better All-Rounder
What’s Hot: Great looks, better interior style, a spacious rear seat, practical and very nicely made.
What’s Not: Diesel models miss-out on ‘EyeSight’ safety.
X-FACTOR: The already popular Outback is now better all-round, especially at these sharper new prices.
Vehicle Style: Mid-size SUV/Wagon
Price: $35,990-$47,990 (see list at bottom of article)
Engines/Trans: 129kW/235Nm 2.5 4cyl petrol | 191kW/350Nm 3.6 6cyl petrol | 110kW/350Nm 2.0 4cyl diesel
Fuel Economy Claimed: 2.5 CVT 7.3l/100kms | 2.0D manual 5.7l/100kms | 2.0D CVT 6.3l/100kms | 3.6 CVT 9.9l/100kms
OVERVIEW
A decade ago, European rivals for the Subaru Outback were scarce. But the scene in the mid-size SUV/wagon segment has now changed with Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz all in there and capturing sales.
Subaru knew the fifth generation Outback model had to improve and the focus was on crucial areas like styling (including the interior), infotainment technology and fuel consumption.
The all-new Subaru Outback does all that and more - fuel consumption for the more powerful 2.5 litre, four-cylinder petrol model is 8.8 percent better, for the 2.0 litre turbo-diesel it has improved by 5.0 percent (six-speed manual) and for the 3.6 litre six-cylinder petrol model, it’s 3.9 percent better.