The Deep Snow/Mud option is fun as it offers maximum torque and allows a good deal of wheelspin, just in case your off-road route permitted such things. In Normal mode it seems to work things out efficiently, but there are Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes if you’re on set terrain. The X-Mode alters the likes of traction control, throttle response and torque. Included Hill Descent Control kept progress smooth and controlled on loose gravel downhills, while with some careful positioning we managed not to bottom out over some of the chunkier rocks.įront, rear and side-view cameras, accessible at the touch of a button, prove incredibly useful to avoid scrapes and knocks. Our route through Queensland’s Maleny National Park involved some sizeable, exposed rocks and steep inclines and descents. No, it won’t climb mountains as there’s no low-range 4WD or proper all-terrain tyres, but if you want to tackle not-too-deep sandy tracks or some lumpy gravel routes, you may be surprised how capable an Outback is. You’ve got permanent all-wheel-drive, Subaru’s impressive traction-bringing X-Mode system, decent 213mm ground clearance and fat (for these days) 225/60×18-inch Bridgestone rubber. Fair play to Subaru, the Outback appears properly fit for purpose. ![]() ![]() Its overall design favours rugged, adventure-ready looks over the chrome-heavy over-styled bodies ubiquitous on many large SUVs these days. The ‘Outback’ lettering on the chunky plastic body cladding also stands out in sparkling green. It scores black exterior highlights and badging exclusive to the grade, dark metallic 18-inch alloys and ladder-type roof rails with little green flashes. The Outback Sport’s engine may not have a sporting bent, but it’s certainly aimed at those keen on a sporty, adventurous lifestyle. With no current replacement for the dearly departed six-cylinder Outback 3.6R of old, all Outbacks – including our Sport – feature the rather tame 138kW/245Nm naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder petrol. A new “Premium Special Edition” grade includes a few high-end treats and should also cost about $50,000 drive away, while there are increasingly strong whispers a 194kW 2.4-litre turbo Outback could grace the line-up. The Outback AWD starts at about $45,500 on the road our Sport from about $50,000 and the luxe-filled Touring about $54,200. A rival to the VW Passat Alltrack, Audi A6 Allroad or Volvo V60 Cross Country all criminally underrepresented in our sales charts. For me, the Outback comes across more as an off-road wagon rather than a cumbersome large, high-riding SUV. I’ve a soft spot for wagons and lament their demise as the hurricane of SUVs fill showrooms and driveways. ![]() Big scalps.Ĭhasing Cars editor Tom Baker acknowledged the Outback as a “very accomplished family car” in his launch review, so what better way to properly test this than fling my two adventurous offspring in an Outback Sport AWD for a typical week of school runs, weekend sports and off-road exploring? ![]() Only the Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X sold more in the large SUV segment, meaning the Outback comfortably outperformed the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Everest. We welcomed the sixth-generation Outback in early 2021 and it enjoyed a stellar sales year. Subaru’s been shifting Outbacks here since 1996, and last year achieved its 150,000th model sale. This wagon-cum-SUV with ample off-road credentials makes a strong argument as the most suitable family all-rounder for the sunburnt country. This side of the Holden Jackaroo it’s the most Aussie badge to ever grace a car.
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