TWO months out from its Australian launch, Subaru has revealed the native pricing and specification highlights of its new sixth-generation Outback massive SUV with the high-riding wagon transferring decidedly up-market.
Now driving on the ‘Subaru International Platform’, the sixth-gen Outback will begin from $39,990 plus on-road prices – marking an entry value enhance of $2550 – when it arrives right here in March and prime out at $47,790 earlier than choices.
In comparison with the present mannequin, Subaru Australia has streamlined the Outback’s line-up to now include simply three variants – Outback AWD, Sport AWD ($44,490) and Touring AWD – all powered by the identical 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder petrol engine.
Described by the model as being “90 per cent new”, the engine is an evolution of the acquainted 2.5-litre powerplant as seen within the present mannequin albeit with round seven per cent extra energy and 4 per cent extra torque, equating to peak outputs of 138kW/245Nm.
Followers holding their breath for the return of a high-output or diesel mill needn’t achieve this, with Subaru Australia nationwide company affairs supervisor David Rowley beforehand revealing to GoAuto that neither choice was on the playing cards for Australia resulting from manufacturing unit availabilities and the marque’s portfolio-wide transfer away from diesel powertrains.
Regardless of this nevertheless, the brand new mannequin brandishes a best-ever braked towing capability of 2000kg, sufficient to place it on even phrases with greater, seven-seat autos just like the Kia Sorento.
As ordinary drive is shipped to all 4 wheels through a revised repeatedly variable transmission (CVT) with all variations scoring paddle shifters and a subsequent eight-speed handbook mode – up from seven.
This further “ratio protection” not solely aids efficiency when used at the side of the elevated energy and torque, but in addition reportedly enhances gas financial system, nevertheless Subaru Australia is but to disclose any concrete particulars in both regard.
With an all-new platform and closely reworked drivetrain, Subaru Australia has made the acutely aware determination to push the Outback additional upmarket and adorn the vary with loads of commonplace equipment and security options to additional justify the admittedly modest beginning value enhance.
Creature comforts and security tech each on the bottom mannequin and throughout the vary embody a vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the most recent model of the Subaru Eyesight driver help system and imaginative and prescient help, driver monitoring and auto stop-start system.
Becoming a member of the Eyesight and imaginative and prescient help methods on the security entrance is a brand new passenger seat cushion airbag designed to push the entrance of the seat up within the occasion of a frontal affect to “forestall the physique from sinking under the seatbelt and enhance the restraint safety efficiency, serving to to scale back chest accidents” and minimise leg contact with the dashboard.
Stepping as much as the Sport AWD in the meantime provides water repellent sports activities seat trim, heated entrance seats, heated rear outboard seats, entrance view monitor, facet view monitor, black exterior highlights, hands-free powered tailgate with reminiscence peak operate, inexperienced highlighted roof rails, satellite tv for pc navigation and darkened alloy wheels.
On the high quality, the Touring AWD doesn’t brandish the identical black exterior highlights because the Sport but it surely does boast the entire different toys in addition to 9 Harman Kardon audio system for the audio system which additionally features a CD participant, Nappa leather-based accented seat trim, electrical sunroof, heated steering wheel, silver roof rails with built-in stowable cross bars and gloss alloy wheels.
In keeping with Subaru Australia normal supervisor Blair Learn, this new push upmarket is available in response to buyer suggestions and cements the Outback because the flagship of the model’s present portfolio.
Mr Rowley in the meantime added that the brand new variant naming mannequin was prone to be expanded to the remainder of the model’s line-up over time and as fashions evolve.
“Definitely we’re contemplating mannequin title, grade and AWD as a constant theme from hereon and it’s one thing that might evolve with the passing of mannequin years and generations,” he stated.
Final yr Subaru bought 4828 Outbacks nationally, equating to a strong 5.3 per cent share of the crowded and various sub-$70,000 massive SUV phase.
2021 Subaru Outback pricing*
| Outback AWD (a) | $39,990 |
| Sport AWD (a) | $44,490 |
| Touring AWD (a) | $47,790 |
*Excludes on-road prices
