Versatility Redefined, Everything and More: The Subaru Outback

Subarus are kind of everything, can go everywhere, and can haul your family, all at once. The midsize crossover, wait no, wagon, wait no, compact SUV, whatever it is, is an extremely versatile vehicle meant for more than just city slicking. 

What makes the Subaru Outback such a special treat in the Subaru lineup? There are a bunch of things that make it a worthwhile investment as your next family adventure, road trip hero, of a crossover/wagon/compact SUV. With a lot of things going for it, let’s dive a little deeper into some of the specifications, features, and special traits that make it an interesting choice in the market. 

Stanced tall and strong, the Outback evokes a sense of adventure from every angle. Conversely, it’s also classy enough to blend into the city and conduct your in-city errands in comfort and sedate style. More than just a city crossover, its mature styling also lends itself well inside the business districts of the metro, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. See, Subaru isn’t all about class and elegance alone when it comes to their cars, they’re also fond of going on adventures and making vehicles that can do it all and then some. 

What makes it so versatile, however? Bringing up the history of the brand in the World Rally Championship, Subaru went on to win multiple years in the rally series, bagging victory after victory and taking that experience and trickling it down to passenger cars. The Outback carries some of the DNA, but in a package that is fit for almost any terrain. Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive is the result of all that experience, and Subaru doesn’t just save that system, with all of its drive modes and its terrain modes, for the Outback. Even its smaller crossovers and its famed WRX and WRX Wagons are recipients of this drivetrain technology. 

What all this means is that the Subaru Outback has the tech and the chops to handle pretty much anything that you throw at it. Whether it’s being stuck in traffic, going down the highway climbing a mountain, or even going beyond where the road ends, the Outback has your back, in a manner of speaking. 

We will admit, most cars of this class start to feel the same. Inline engines paired with heavy unibody chassis are the norm in this segment, but the Outback has a bit of an ace up its sleeve, which is an engine layout that no other manufacturer is brave enough to adopt, and that is the Boxer engine. Boxers feature a lower center of gravity compared to inline and V motors. The 2.5-liter boxer engine delivers 185 hp and 235 Nm of torque mated to a Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). 

Engine power doesn’t just influence this car’s behavior front and back, it also helps it side-to-side. The low center of gravity that the boxer engine delivers allows it to roll less in the corners, and result in a sharper feel while turning at speed. The engine layout counteracts the vehicle’s mass, making for a car that drives smaller than it actually is at speed. 

When it comes to cars, some people just want it all, and the hardest “all” to give to people is with regard to driving dynamics. Crossovers are often that middle ground segment that most manufacturers gravitate toward because it’s just perfect in terms of driving dynamics, comfort, and versatility. However, that didn’t seem to be enough for the Japanese marque manufacturer, since they added a bit of wagon into the mix, as well as a bit of SUV as well. 

On the wagon side of things, the rear features an elongated overhang that gives the Outback a cavernous rear cargo area. On top of this, the rear seat space is also quite generous, and taller individuals will not find it a hassle to fit inside the rear seats of the Outback. The vehicle is longer, which results in a decent road presence. On top of that, a wagon must be comfortable and unlike an SUV. With most wagons being closer to sedans in terms of style and construction, the Outback still retains a lot of the unibody wagon comfort, but with the added ground clearance of an SUV. With that in mind, and with the refinements that Subaru knows how to execute, it makes for a mighty comfy city or highway cruiser. 

On the SUV side of things, the Outback features the afforemrentioned Symmetrical AWD system, a powertrain technology that was forged in the fires of racing. Adopted for “civilian” use, the Outback adopts a do-it-all attitude similar to that of today’s SUVs, but we have to remember the refinement that the platform it is based on brings to the table. 

However, being a jack of all trades may not be ideal especially if you want this car to do tons of off-road, but all the yummiest ingredients are there from each of the segments. In a phrase, the attitude of an SUV with the refinement of an estate car, is what the Outback is. 

In the segment, only a few other models give their full attention to the safety systems plus advanced assists that make the driving experience all the more amazing. In terms of autonomy, the Outback delivers a level two autonomous driving experience, and that is just one step below the fully-autonomous level-three-capable systems that are found in some of the most teched-out cars in the market. 

Subaru’s EyeSight is the feature set to look out for when it comes to level two autonomous driving. Subaru has been perfecting the EyeSight suite for quite some time now, resulting in a system that is polished, easy to use, and meaningfully makes things safer for the driver and passengers of the vehicle. Listing all the features and technologies that make up the EyeSight package, it will include a driver monitoring system, steering responsive headlights, high beam assist, EyeSight assist monitor, reverse automatic braking, multi-view monitor system, Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection System, multi-view monitor system, and pre-collision throttle management. 

Of course, you won’t be short-changed in terms of passive safety features such as airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, stability control, and more, but it’s also worth noting that Subaru has been a consistent five-star scorer in the ASEAN NCAP’s battery of tests, so rest assured that you can rest easy with regards to they Outback’s safety. 

All that tech isn’t good for anything if it isn’t properly presented. The big screen in the middle of the dashboard comes in at 11.6 inches diagonally, and it is huge. The bigness of the screen is matched by its functionality. Instead of having to sift through menus and wait for buttons and info to load on the screen, why not just display everything you need and then some? 

On top of all of that, you even get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the mix, and seeing your phone’s pairing app on the big screen is also one more reason to love driving the Outback. Seeing your maps alongside your virtual music controls, and/or other apps is something to behold if you haven’t experienced it yet.