Launched in Europe in 1996, the original Subaru Outback pioneered the ‘Crossover’ concept, combining the comfort, interior space and superior on-road handling of a family estate with the off-road capability and ground clearance of a sports utility vehicle.
The Outback line-up has received a visual upgrade, refreshing the vehicle’s looks. Emphasising the Outback’s sense of toughness and its ability to tackle all roads and conditions, the latest model features body-coloured cladding in place of the previous iteration’s black plastic.
Buyers now have a wider range of colours to choose from – including two new colours: Deep Sea Blue Pearl and Dark Grey Metallic – while larger fog lamps and the addition of a gloss black finish to the front headlamps give the car greater road presence than before. The alloy wheels now have a gunmetal finish as standard.
The upgraded cabin of the latest Outback features clearer and more modern instrumentation – including the addition of a liquid crystal instrument cluster display and new materials for a number of dashboard elements. Black metallic panels bring about a more modern and premium appearance and feel, while instruments within the cockpit have been moved to improve user-friendliness.
Upgraded for the 2014 model year, Subaru engineers have now realised further improvements to the Outback, enhancing the car’s handling characteristics with revised suspension components and the latest incarnation of Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control. The model also features a revised design for both the interior and exterior.
However the most significant change for the Outback is the introduction of a new powertrain pairing. A world first, Subaru engineers have combined the popular 2.0-litre Boxer diesel engine with a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) – bringing improvements in driveability, fuel economy and emissions while also widening the car’s appeal immensely.
With the new engine and gearbox combination the 2014 MY Subaru Outback will return 44.8 mpg and 166g/km CO2 on the combined cycle.
