Should you buy a Subaru Outback? We’re finding out over 10,000km | Chasing Cars Long Term

Welcoming our new Subaru Outback AWD Touring to the Chasing Cars test fleet

The third vehicle to join our new cohort of long-term test vehicles is an MY21 Subaru Outback AWD Touring – the top version of the new-generation Outback that rides on Subaru’s new SGP platform. In Australia, only one engine is offered: a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol. It is the most popular station wagon in the country.

We all want the turbo, but out there in the real world, is the NA 2.5 enough? Journalist Tom Place will be finding out over the next six months and 10,000km, acting as the custodian of this $47,790 Outback Touring, finished in Crimson Red Pearl over a black nappa leather interior.

The Outback has a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine making 138kW (185 hp) and 245Nm of torque (180 lb ft). It competes with the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Skoda Superb Scout, and Volvo V60 Cross Country.

What do you want us to test on your behalf in the Outback? We’ll act as many of your requests as we can.

Read Tom’s Subaru Outback review at the Chasing Cars website:
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[chasingcars]

What do you want us to test on your behalf in the Outback? We’ll act as many of your requests as we can.

[michaelbennett]

I purchased a MY21 Touring 3 months ago. I had been waiting and waiting for an availability date for a 2.4l turbo engine version. My use is 80% road trips not towing. Despite all the fuss over CVTs, I am finding its characteristics very similar to a torque converter transmission and makes remarkably good use of what the engine does produce. I would describe the power and torques as “just enough” for a moderately loaded vehicle. More power from a turbo engine would be welcome, but a turbo would be using more fuel all of the time.
To store your phone there is a long shallow shelf on the passenger side of the centre console. It works much better for me than under the armrest or under the USB ports.
There is an infra-red camera facing the driver. In addition to checking the driver is paying attention, it also allows driver’s faces to be registered and all settings saved per driver. The face of the driver is scanned as the driver’s door is closed and requires you to face forward. If the camera does not recognise you, your settings are not restored. You don’t even have radio station pre-sets, if a driver has been registered, and a registered driver not recognised. You must open and close the driver’s door again and ensure you are facing forward for a couple of seconds. This system even deactivates the seat memory buttons on the driver’s door.
Using the built-in tomtom navigation takes a lot of experimentation to perform many basic tasks. A passenger cannot type in a destination when the vehicle is moving. You must use voice control and then know the key command words. If you wish to go to a town centre, you have to say, “Navigate to town name”. It then prompts you with “Do you wish to go to town name city centre” to which you must say yes. When stopped you can search for a town name. To then select the town centre, you must touch the Places of Interest tab, to then be able to select town centre. This took weeks to work out and not covered in the manuals. Sure, you can use Android Auto, which is much more intuitive, but you need mobile reception.

[AnhYeuEmMaiMai]

my 2010 Outback has 166K miles (267k km) . been totally reliable and relatively problem free...

[tonycoz]

If only we got the 2.4 Lt. Turbo in Australia. Hopefully it becomes available from Japan.

[HomesteadOnThePreserve]

I'm 52 years old and NEVER thought I would own a station wagon! Well, my 2022 Outback Wilderness is by far the greatest vehicle I ever owned!

[yvmedia]

Yess Tom good to see you in front of the camera!

[andrewrobinson]

Yes to the tow test, 2000kg. including on some good dirt roads please. And please review the headlights in both urban and country roads at night. Headlights are something that should be tested in every car review, I’ve had some poor ones in the past.

[Gangat_Car]

Would certainly be interested to know the headlight performance on highways on night drives. Happy Motoring.

[michaelostrowski]

Well Tom, since you've asked...Could you, please, check the following for me (us?):
You drive on a freeway at 110kph, switch on the active cruise control and set it to the actual 110 (so, say, 114 on the car speedo), the car in front sits also at indicated 114 and your Outback follows it. Then there is a 60kph sign, the car in front DOES NOT slow down. What will your Outback do? Slow down or follow the other car right into a radar speed trap?
Also, does the Outback ACOUSTICALLY indicate school zones, speed cameras etc?

[WizzleWazzle]

I’d love to see it fully loaded, roof racks in use to see how the engine manages

[cybermatstrikes]

wish they'd bring back the British racing green from the 90's

[Intrepida]

I bought a 2022 Outback last December here in the States. On the lane keep assist function, if you go through the menus as you showed and select warning buzzer only, not completely turn the function off, the car will maintain that selection after you cycle the ignition. This setting will beep at you if you cross the line but it won't actively try to steer you back where you came from. At least that's how it works here in the States. Is the car programmed differently in Australia?

[gene]

I am excited for you testing the wagon long term! :) Always been a big fan but never owned one.

[vn]

What happened to the follow up video on this? I thought all our questions below will be answered in that. 😀

[defjam]

Looking forward to this one.
One request would be for views on longevity and reliability

[alfstewart]

2:46 why not just purchase a 20cm cable for easy cable management? You're welcome.

[lachlandoughty]

Would appreciate an appraisal of performance in cold, mountains and snow. Love your work☺️

[kodessa]

I really wish Subaru Australia didn't tweak the front end of this. The US version looks much more rugged compared to this.

[stephenravenscroft]

Interested in the engine performance when the car is fully loaded with passengers, camping gear, roof racks etc.

[angelady]

CD player ???I’m waiting for a turbo and lifting up the clearance .but not plastic look that would be a hot sale in Australia