Overview

The days where Subaru was a leading World Rally Championship team and producing some of the best affordable performance cars have long since passed. Today, Subaru UK sits in relative obscurity, selling in very small volumes. In April 2022, new models registered in the UK totalled 72. For Toyota, it was over 6,000. With that in mind, the Subaru Outback is charged with turning around the Japanese company’s fortunes over here. 

It’s available in the UK in three trim levels starting at around £35,000 and is one of the original rugged estate cars that predates the SUV craze, with this version sticking to the old recipe: lots of space, off-roader inspired styling, reasonable ground clearance, plenty of tech, and Subaru’s signature boxer engine and full-time four-wheel drive. 

Therefore, the Outback should appeal to those who demand space, a taller ride height, and a long list of safety and comfort features with some genuine off-road ability. Rivals include jacked-up estate cars such as the Volvo V60 and V90 Cross Country along with family friendly SUVs such as the Skoda Karoq, Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan. 

While many of the Outback’s traits pair up nicely with current requirements, there is one obvious outlier. There is only one engine option that comes with this car and it’s not a hybrid or small frugal unit boosted by turbocharging. It’s a big 2.5-litre petrol which combined with the full-time four-wheel drive means efficiency and economy aren’t very impressive at all. Not ideal with fuel costs something of a worry for many. 

Of course, the Outback isn’t some off-road wannabe, it’s the real deal with capabilities far beyond your typical front-wheel drive SUV. In the coming pages, we will look at the Outback’s practicality, its interior, the big question of running costs, how the Outback performs, and concluding with a definitive verdict.