One may marvel if the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT is making an attempt to be the WRX‘s massive brother. It’s a automotive that may initially have you ever second guessing its objective, however will even endear itself to your coronary heart, in time.
Let’s get this straight proper off the bat, yours really truly likes this automotive and was somewhat unhappy at hand the keys again on the finish of our take a look at. Okay, finish of evaluation you’ll be able to transfer alongside now. Nicely not fairly. It’s not excellent, not by a longshot.
It took this author some time to return round to its charms, it’s a little bit of a sluggish burner in that respect. However there are a variety of issues to love concerning the Outback Touring XT. First up, it’s a fantastic trying automotive, with an actual lifted wagon really feel (relatively than an SUV).
This isn’t a foul factor. The outside has a chiselled muscular look to it. It’s extra John Cena than Vin Diesel. No pointless bulges, heck even the intercooler chilly air consumption has been hidden behind the grille in a pleasant contact from Subaru.
We additionally know mentioned automotive maker builds it’s autos to be used off street, nevertheless it’s exhausting to not want for a barely greater wheel and tyre mixture than the manufacturing unit 225/60 R18. Whereas we’re at it, we did discover the Bridgestone tyres a bit on the sketchy aspect for spirited driving.
That’s a process, by the way in which, this automotive is surprisingly good at. Energy supply could be very linear and most torque is on the market from a low 2000rpm, which is nice for zipping by means of gaps in site visitors. The Lineartronic CVT does a very good job of protecting you within the zone as properly.
The place it does really feel somewhat sluggish in is when pulling away from a standstill. The engine and gearbox mixture appears to take what looks as if an age to return alive and work out what it’s purported to be doing. It’s a bit like when your alarm goes off three minutes early.
The suspension setup additionally lets down the Outback Touring XT, though when driving at an affordable tempo it really works exceptionally properly, with even one of the best that Sydney’s roads can throw at it, being soaked up with little to no fuss in any respect.
Sadly, when driving sedately this all adjustments and even the smallest imperfections appear to trigger it to clatter and skip round. Maybe that sporty nature isn’t buried too deep in spite of everything.
Simply keep in mind although, if you’re driving in a extra spirited means, that the two.4-litre Boxer engine does prefer to drink. At instances we noticed over 14-litres/100km, and the typical throughout the take a look at was 12.8-litres/100km on 95 RON gas.
An remoted freeway economic system take a look at noticed us handle a good 7.2-litres/100km. Positive, individuals gained’t purchase the XT model for its gas economic system, however it’s price mentioning. Inside, the XT Touring is spot on. It’s not an excessive amount of and never too little, in that typical Subaru means.
It’s subtle but somewhat understated, properly all besides the big 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen; however I’ll come again to that in a minute. Construct high quality is great, and precisely what you’d count on from Subaru.
Ergonomically, the whole lot is just about the place you’d count on it to be, and there’s a very good quantity of house for driver and passenger alike. The 8-way electrically adjustable leather-based entrance seats are very comfy, and provide a pleasant stability, with good assist.
Rear passengers shall be proud of the house too, and there’s sufficient room for an grownup or bigger teenager within the second row, even with a taller driver. As you’d count on, boot house could be very spacious at 522-litres with the again seat up.
Pull the boot mounted seat releases and this expands to 1,267-litres, or 1711-litres if packed to the ceiling. For a automotive of this dimension, we predict that’s fairly good. Again up entrance although is that aforementioned touchscreen.
Except for the leisure issue, it controls just about each operate within the automotive. Fortunately a variety of probably the most used features have precise buttons too, and that’s a very good factor since you nonetheless should entry the touchscreen to vary some settings.
That’s notably so if you wish to alter something local weather associated apart from the precise temperatures, which could be distracting. That apart, the Outback options wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Touring additionally grabs a 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and whereas that must be good, it appears somewhat missing in deep tones, even after turning the bass and mid-range up. CarPlay additionally takes ages to attach, with an odd structure on the portrait touchscreen.
Total although, the inside is properly thought out and a pleasant place to be. It’s a secure automotive too, with Subaru’s present technology of tech working very properly. It’s additionally not overly intrusive, so you’re much less more likely to change it off, or worse, simply ignore it.
On the efficiency entrance, the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT is nice for 183kW and 350Nm. Towing capability is 2,400kg braked. Whereas it doesn’t provide the identical stand up and go or dealing with because the WRX wagon, it’s bought extra room and an even bigger boot.
It’s arguably extra comfy, with a experience that’s an fascinating mixture of sporty compliance and somewhat harshness, relying on the velocity you’re going. The additional energy from the turbocharger is definitely helpful when overtaking or towing as properly.
With the mixed floor clearance and efficiency, it’s a good selection of automotive that may do the inner-city faculty or work run, in addition to with the ability to combine it up on the weekend (perhaps to not the identical diploma because the WRX wagon or BRZ, however you’ll be able to positively have some enjoyable).
It’s additionally at residence on an outback (pardon the pun) street. Perhaps it’s the Swiss military knife of vehicles. With simply sufficient of the whole lot to swimsuit most individuals, particularly when you don’t want a big 4WD, this might properly be a fantastic possibility.
You simply have to resolve whether or not the $5K worth hike over the naturally aspirated mannequin, is price it for the additional energy and sportier suspension. For the document, the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT is $61,559 drive away, in its as examined kind.
It comes with a 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee, with non-compulsory three and 5-year care plans accessible. Two inside trim choices can be found, each in Nappa leather-based, in both plain black, or black and ivory.
There’s a raft of exterior colors to select from together with Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Good Bronze Metallic, Crimson Pink Pearl, Storm Gray Metallic, Autumn Inexperienced Metallic, Sapphire Blue Pearl, Magnetite Gray Metallic and Crystal Black Silica.
You will discover out extra on the Subaru Australia web site. Should you’re eager on one and wish finance, speak to CreditOne.
Our take a look at car was offered by Subaru Australia. To search out out extra concerning the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT, contact your native Subaru seller.
