2021 Subaru Outback: Australian launch confirmed for March
The next Outback is due to land early next year, but the current model is still selling strongly.
The 2021 Subaru Outback is locked in for a March arrival in Australia, the Japanese company has confirmed today.
Only three months after it was announced the Liberty would be leaving our market, Subaru has committed to the sixth-generation Outback – first unveiled in April 2019 – confirming the model will be produced in a specification unique to the Australian market
While Australian-market details of the upcoming Outback are limited, Subaru has said all variants of the high-riding wagon will be powered by the brand's horizontally-opposed 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine.
While yet to be officially confirmed, it's likely outputs will mirror those of the North American-market, 2.5-litre Outback, which develops 135kW of power and 238Nm of torque. In the States, the mill is mated to a CVT automatic gearbox and all-wheel-drive system.
Above and top: The 2021 Subaru Outback (overseas model shown).
Subaru has also promised the new Outback will benefit from an uprated towing capacity of 2000kg – an increase of 25 per cent over the current model – making the vehicle more attractive to the large 'grey nomad' market.
Inside, Subaru has confirmed an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen (above) will be available on certain variants, alongside nappa leather-accented seat trim.
Safety and technology is almost expected to be a feature of the new model, including the latest generation of the company's 'EyeSight' driver assist system, and the driver monitoring system which first appeared on the Forester.
Other available technologies are expected to include forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and a 360-degree camera.
Despite the current Outback nearing the end of its production life, its popularity has remained strong, with the soft-roader accounting for the brand's third-highest sales in 2020.
Above: US-market 2021 Subaru Outback
In fact, Subaru dealerships have sold nearly as many Outbacks in 2020 than Impreza, Levorg, Liberty, and BRZ models combined.
The Outback has also accounted for 5.5 per cent of all sales (year-to-date) in the crowded, sub-$70,000 large SUV segment.
On the 2021 model, Subaru Australia boss Blair Read said: "Outback will have an incredible specification list cementing it as the flagship of the Subaru range".
The 2021 Subaru Outback will go on sale in Australia in March, with further pricing and specification details to be announced in the new year.
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