{"id":2272,"date":"2024-10-18T17:39:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T14:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/?p=2272"},"modified":"2024-10-18T17:39:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T14:39:47","slug":"subaru-outback-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/subaru-outback-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Subaru\u00a0Outback review"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The\u00a0Subaru<\/a>\u00a0Outback has been a firm fixture in the manufacturer’s line-up since 1995 and is now in its fourth generation. It\u2019s essentially a\u00a0Legacy<\/a>\u00a0estate with a raised ride height. A practical, dependable and likeable family car, it\u2019s a quirky alternative to the\u00a0Audi A4 Allroad\u00a0and\u00a0Volvo XC70<\/a>. All versions benefit from the famous Subaru symmetrical four-wheel-drive system and a range of characterful flat-four \u2018boxer\u2019 engines. Specifications are a little limited, as there\u2019s only three trim levels to choose from and all are quite pricey. However, standard equipment levels are high.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Engines, performance and drive<\/span><\/h3>\n
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There\u2019s limited engine choice, with two petrol engines and one diesel available. Entry-level models get a smooth 167bhp 2.5-litre petrol with a Lineartronic CVT automatic gearbox, which is refined but works hard in this big car. The 256bhp 3.6-litre flat-six petrol is not short on performance, completing the 0-62mph sprint in 7.5 seconds, but its only available with a clunky five-speed automatic gearbox. Our pick of the range is the punchy 2.0-litre diesel, which comes mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and suits the go-anywhere attitude of the Outback. A 10-way adjustable electric driver\u2019s seat is standard, so getting comfortable behind the wheel is incredibly easy. Plus, the combination of good visibility and a poised and grippy four-wheel-drive chassis makes the Outback surprisingly capable on the road. Raised ground clearance over the Legacy means the Subaru feels assured in mud and snow, too.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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MPG and running costs<\/span><\/h3>\n
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With residual values of around 40 per cent and so much standard kit, you won\u2019t need to splash out on any expensive options with the Outback.\u00a0 As with the Legacy, petrol-powered Outback models are not cheap to run. Unsurprisingly it\u2019s the 3.6-litre petrol that features the most wallet wilting costs, courtesy of claimed fuel consumption of just 28.2mpg. The 2.5-litre is only slightly more efficient, but has much less straightline pace. So that leaves the diesel to uphold the eco-friendly honours for the Outback. Its relatively impressive figures of 167g\/km and 44.1mpg are a match for the Audi A4 Allroad 2.0 TDI. If you want to lower your running costs even further, it might be worth considering an lpg conversion for the Outback. Lpg costs around half the price of petrol or diesel, but it is worth remembering that the new tank would take up quite a lot of space in the boot and that very few petrol stations offer lpg in Kenya . However, while opting for a conversion will invalidate the manufacturer\u2019s own engine warranty.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Interior, design and technology<\/span><\/h3>\n
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The Subaru Outback features a gaping grille, large headlamps and bulging wheel-arches. Jacked-up suspension and tough-looking plastic mouldings hint at its off-road potential. Buyers can choose from S, SE and SE Nav Plus trims, although they all look identical externally. Climb inside and you\u2019ll find a robust and workmanlike cabin. It\u2019s solidly screwed together, but the materials don\u2019t feel as upmarket as rivals, while the dashboard design is dated. Still, there\u2019s plenty of equipment, with all versions getting climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and heated seats. Go for the SE and you\u2019ll benefit from leather seat trim, while Nav Plus models include a clunky sat-nav set-up.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Practicality, comfort and boot space<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Given its dimensions and estate car roots, it would be a surprise if the Legacy didn\u2019t impress in this category. There\u2019s plenty of space inside for five adults, while the large glass area creates a bright and airy atmosphere. A multitude of cubbies, deep door bins and a large glovebox mean there\u2019s a decent amount of storage, while opening the large tailgate reveals a usefully low loading lip and a generous 526-litre boot. Fold the rear bench flat \u2013 which you can do with a touch of a button – and the carrying capacity increases to a van-like 1,677 litres. And of course, the combination of grippy four-wheel drive and self-levelling rear suspension makes the Outback a first-rate towing vehicle.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Reliability and Safety<\/span><\/h3>\n
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The Outback is mechanically and structurally identical Legacy brother which has secured a five-star rating. All versions come fitted with electronic stability control, six airbags, seat belt reminders and ISOFIX mountings for baby seats. The Outback also scores with its permanent four-wheel-drive system, which delivers reassuring traction in all weathers whether you\u2019re on or off road. Owners can expect dependable service from the tough mechanicals fitted to the Subaru, while the solidly constructed interior feels like it will withstand all manner of abuse. And while maintenance costs aren\u2019t the cheapest, two of the firm\u2019s biggest problems are its heavy four-wheel-drive transmissions and thirsty boxer engines, which drive up running costs considerably.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Subaru\u00a0Outback has been a firm fixture in the manufacturer’s line-up since 1995 and is now in its fourth generation. It\u2019s essentially a\u00a0Legacy\u00a0estate with a raised ride height. A practical, dependable and likeable family car, it\u2019s a quirky alternative to the\u00a0Audi A4 Allroad\u00a0and\u00a0Volvo XC70. All versions benefit from the famous Subaru symmetrical four-wheel-drive system and a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2275,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1915,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-car-review","category-carmakers"],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pej6K6-AE","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-content\/uploads\/subaru_outback_2_0d_se_5dr_diesel_estate.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2272\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magaripoa.com\/gari\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}