2018 Subaru Outback launched with EyeSight system in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: For years, the Subaru Outback has served the commuters in Malaysia, who wanted a capable yet spacious ride, that can be driven in any weather or road condition. Subaru gave the Outback a refreshed look at the end of 2017, but here, we were still stuck with the same old model. Well now, the wait is over, and the 2018 Subaru Outback has finally been launched in Malaysia. It also gets the much awaited new EyeSight suite of driver assist systems as well.

2018 Subaru Outback is an SUV, with a crossover shape which is favoured by buyers today. The first thing that catches your eye is the wide hexagonal chrome grille and it has the Active Grille Shutter to improve fuel consumption. The new Outback also gets sharper redesigned LED headlights with auto levelling system and stylish C-shaped LED DRLs. The newly designed 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels are wrapped in 225/60 profile tyres along with a redesigned bumper as well.

With the use of improved materials for the trim and in other areas, the dashboard layout almost remains similar. We now get an additional eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system which supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also has USB ports in the rear console to charge your gadgets and famed Harman Kardon music system.

The 2018 Subaru Outback comes with a host of features for the driver, like the keyless entry/start, paddle shifters, and an eight-way power seats (with memory function). For comfort, it has dual-zone climate control with rear vents, automatic tailgate with special PIN access, 60:40 split-folding seats, power sliding sunroof, and has reclining rear seats too.

The 2018 Outback is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that gives a max power of 175 PS at 5,800 rpm and a peak torque of 235 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The power goes to all four wheels through the Lineartronic CVT, and it rides on the new Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

The new SUV now employs the Stablex-Ride system that provides better ride quality with less amount of body roll. Also found on the Forester as well as the XV, Subaru’s X-Mode and SI-Drive functions are carried forward in the new 2018 Outback as well. They help optimise the powertrain control over any terrain.

With safety, the Subaru team has not taken any chances and has installed its proprietary EyeSight suite system. It includes safety features like Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Sway Warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Along with the EyeSight system, the 2018 Outback features Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection, seven airbags, blind spot monitor, hill start assist front/side view monitors, steering responsive headlights, Vehicle Dynamics Control, and Active Torque Vectoring.

Compared to earlier, we now have a total of nine colors to choose from, which are Crystal Black Silica, Crimson Red Pearl, Dark Blue Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Twilight Blue Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Wilderness Green Metallic, and Crystal White Pearl. The 2018 Outback also includes a standard five-year manufacturer warranty and free service labour package as well.

The 2018 Subaru Outback comes in only one CBU variant, 2.5i-S EyeSight and costs a whopping RM 246,188 (OTR without insurance). Now, we will have to wait and find out, whether the refreshed 2018 Subaru Outback with the automaker's new updates, have improved the appeal of this crossover-like SUVs with the Malaysian people or not.