Subaru Outback

Subaru has given the Outback an all-black theme with contrast silver accents around the AC vents centre console, surrounds for the power window controls on the door pads and spokes of the multi-functional steering wheel. This cabin might have a darkened appeal due to the all-black layout but is high on space and comfort. However, at the same time, the cabin looks a bit dated, especially when other crossovers and SUVs in the same space are now coming with much more tech-laden cabins.

The driver’s cockpit looks very plain and outdated with a basic design for the steering wheel and a very functional instrument console with simple-looking analogue dials. The huge 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment system is the saving grace of the cabin, which is placed in the middle of the centre console and is flanked by vertical AC vents.

This screen also houses controls for the dual-zone automatic climate control and has a slanted lower centre console which accommodates the transmission lever. Other features on offer in the cabin of the Subaru Outback are powered front seats, sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.

The overall stance and dimensions of the Subaru Outback will make you believe that it is a station wagon. However, Subaru has made its overall styling appear a bit rugged in appearance, which makes the Outback look tough and muscular like an SUV. This crossover look of the Subaru Outback makes it look versatile and unique, as not many cars in the market have an appearance similar to that of the Outback.

The front profile of the Subaru Outback looks very sleek when compared to the rest of the vehicle’s design, with the Outback having an angular hexagonal grille with two satin chrome horizontal slats within it. The angular headlamps, which have slightly curved inner edges, come incorporated with LED projectors and C-shaped daytime running LEDs around them. The front profile looks rugged due to the tough black cladding across the front bumper, which also surrounds the fog lamp housings and comes integrated with a silver skid plate in the middle.

The side profile of the Subaru Outback makes you believe that it is not an SUV, but a low-slung crossover, due to its rather low ground clearance. While the rounded wheel arches come with mouldings over them, the lower part of the door panels has tough-looking protruding claddings over them. More cladding can be seen around the large and functional roof rails, with the Outback also getting chrome surrounds for the window frame and a satin chrome finish for the door-mounted rearview mirrors.

At the back, the Subaru Outback also features a raked windscreen with thick black skirts on the sides and a roof-mounted spoiler for added aerodynamics. Like many other Subarus, the Outback also comes with C-shaped combination tail lamps with LED inserts in them. Here also, the bumper gets thick cladding all over it, while also having a stretched silver skid plate in the middle.

The Outback has all the Subaru genes in its chassis and suspension setup, which is a combination of Macpherson struts at the front and double wishbone at the rear. This suspension setup has been optimally tuned to strike a fine balance of ride quality and handling, which for a car that measures over 4.8 metres in length is very appreciable.

The Subaru Outback is available only with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated Boxer petrol engine, which is offered only with the CVT gearbox at the moment. This engine develops a maximum power output of 188 PS and peak torque output of 239 Nm and enables the Outback to have a top speed of 206 kmph and a fuel efficiency of 13.7 kmpl.

The Subaru Outback is offered with the brand’s EyeSight 4.0 driver assist technology, which includes a long list of ADAS features, along with six airbags, hill start assist, hill descent control, active torque vectoring and rear camera.

The Subaru Outback might not be a true-blue SUV, but it tries to come close to offering the attributes of one with ruggedness in its appearance and ride quality. The Outback has a great sense of space and comfort like a traditional sedan, which further enhances its practicality.