Subaru Outback | True to its nature

Over the years, the outback has been coated. She has too refined. However, she remained faithful to herself. This Subaru set out to trace its route by playing the card of non-conformism in the face of the surge of SUVs. An attempt that does not lack panache and is part of the tradition of this Japanese brand which dares to offer a different form of mobility.

This is one that no longer needs presentation. Popularized by Paul Hogan (interpreter of Crocodile Dundee), the outback mixed genres. However, the idea was not innovative. Indeed, ten years earlier, AMC (American Motors Corporation) had created the Eagle, a mix between a family and a utility. The idea pleased, but this success of esteem was not enough to save this brand from the sinking.

Subaru was more successful. With more than 3 million units produced (see our boxes), the outback remains today one of the spearheads of this Japanese manufacturer, mainly in Australia and North America. She also installed the idea that the Japanese brand did not intend to do like everyone else.

Throughout his career, the Outback made a rider alone and has never been worried. Finally, almost. With the exception of the first generation of Venza (Toyota) and the Crosstour (Honda) agreement, no other generalist brand has sought to block its road to it.

Specialist firms? Audi (A4 Allroad) and Volvo (XC70 Cross Country) adopted the formula, but the price requested disqualified them immediately.

Today, in a automotive universe where we swear by the SUVs, the outback which promises to be under $ 40,000 still remains current. The crossing between a family and a SUV is probably not the most obvious way, but this Subaru endeavors to round the angles. And to please as many people as possible with no less than seven variations in its catalog.

If the most expensive flavors (Wilderness, Limited and Premier) seem to be the most appetizing, the entry versions (from $ 37,161) do not leave an unpleasant aftertaste. The engine that propels them, a four-cylinder with a natural suction of 2.5 liters, perhaps lacking in passion, but displays a much more enviable energy efficiency. This is reflected not only by interesting savings in the pump and maintenance, but also in an appreciable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. The supercharged motorization by turbocharger (2.4 liters) is more reactive, more flexible and much less noisy. Much more powerful, it is also able to tow a heavier load.

Regardless of the chosen mechanics, the Outback retains the services of a continuous variation box (CVT) particularly to the point and a four -wheel drive with constant simply amazing socket. This results in a very reassuring behavior, especially if the adhesion coefficient is low.

As long as you adopt quality winter tires, the Outback is not afraid of snow or a gada. The cold season is undoubtedly the only one in the year when the outback releases the big game and builds its owners the most. But when the sun shines and the road is hot and dry, the outback enters the ranks and becomes a “ordinary” vehicle, nothing more.

We then recognize the comfort of his suspensions, his neutral behavior and without surprises. However, he is criticized for taking too many rolls when turns or for involving his driving aid far too early. A little annoying, perhaps, but there is worse.

We can dispel the boredom of his conduct by thinking of the versatility that this Subaru offers. A modular, practical chest and whose threshold is not too high. Like the roof bars, which can be reached unpaid. Comfortable, spacious and easy to access rear seats. Passenger storage not many, but sensible storage. The driving position, raised, is halfway between that of a pure juice and that of a classic sedan. And unlike these two types of vehicles, visibility here is excellent.

But everything is not perfect! Despite its elegance, the infotainment screen hardly masks its wrinkles. It is slow, not very user -friendly and brings together too many orders when they would have liked them to remain physical. All the more so because this system is not of exemplary reliability, according to certain owners. Luckily, all the other components of the vehicle are.