Popular adventure wagon has plenty of space, good features and safety – but it’s missing one thing…
Appearing more like a jacked-up wagon than a traditional SUV, the Subaru Outback has carved out a handsome sales niche thanks to its off-road capability and robust reputation. Following the all-new sixth-generation’s arrival in 2021 we snagged the mid-spec Outback Sport for an extended test and we’ll keep you updated on our ‘ownership’ experience over the next few months. Priced from $45,190 and fitted with an impressive array of standard features and safety systems, it makes a strong first impression.
Value for money
Like the average wait time for a new vehicle delivery nowadays, it’s taken me almost 12 months to snaffle the keys to the sixth-generation 2022 Subaru Outback. But the wait has been worth it, with the Outback large SUV living up to its rugged name while offering good comfort levels, safety and useful technology integration.
After spending the summer break in the Subaru Outback, fully loaded with two kids, partner and gear, the pros outweigh the cons. After familiarising myself with the new model, it’s not surprising to see the loyal Subaristi and new buyers alike flocking to the latest Outback SUV en masse.
As the third best-selling large SUV in Australia in 2021, behind the all-conquering Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X, the Outback Sport makes a strong case in terms of standard features and value for money. But let’s be clear from the get-go, it is missing two key elements – a three-row option like it’s rugged ladder-chassis rivals and a muscular engine… but more on that later.
Our new long-termer is a Subaru Outback Sport model-grade finished in Autumn Green (a no-cost colour option) and the $45,190 mid-spec variant on test is the model-year 2021 version which is cheaper by $700, and not the newer MY22 Outback. The Sport model-grades MY21 and MY22 vehicles are identical save for a different colour option (Dark Blue Pearl replaces Sapphire Blue Pearl) and an exciting ‘new seatback pocket design’. Wowee.
The Outback Sport off-road wagon comes with all the good stuff offered across the Outback range, like the large and easy-to-use 11.6-inch portrait-style central touch-screen and camera-based ‘EyeSight’ driver assistance tech that can accelerate, brake and steer the car semi-autonomously.
Electrically-adjustable front seats, a push-button electric park brake and rain-sensing wipers make your drive largely effortless, as does an inoffensive automatic (CVT) transmission. Like most Subarus its range-topping large SUV comes with AWD as standard, along with a smart key with push-button start, tyre pressure monitoring, a boot cargo blind and 18-inch alloy wheels.
For what will cost you just over $50,000 once on-road costs are added, according to Subaru’s calculations, the Outback Sport adds 18-inch alloy wheels with a dark metallic finish, green highlights on the roof rails, a hands-free powered tailgate, satellite navigation, heated front and rear seats, plus unique neoprene-like ‘water repellent’ seat trim with green stitching.
The seats are broad and comfortable on longer journeys and the distinctive upholstery is easy to clean should you have toddlers who are messy eaters.
A bolder exterior style is included in the ‘Sport’ package with a black grille, black front and rear bumper guards, shark fin antenna, rear badging and door mirror caps. The Subaru Outback Sport also gains two extra ‘Vision Assist’ features, namely front and side view monitors, along with sports pedals.
Subaru covers the Outback with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, five years capped-price servicing at around $500 per annum or every 12,500km. Owners also get one-year roadside assistance via a complementary motoring club membership.
The safest car on the road
The Japanese-built 2022 Subaru Outback Sport’s inherent body structure is robust and together with all the latest safety tech, recent ANCAP safety and crash testing confirming it to be one of the safest vehicles on the road today, awarded a five-star rating.
The headline technology act for the Subaru Outback – and most Subarus for that matter – is the EyeSight driver assistance package. Using a pair of front-facing cameras to scan the road and its constituents, the upgraded system can steer, accelerate and brake the vehicle without any input from the driver.
The most-used system during this first tranche of our long-term journey was the adaptive cruise control. It works very effectively at maintaining the sign-posted speed limit and keeping distance from cars in front, by working in tandem with the new speed sign recognition system and intelligent speed-limiter.
However, during a particularly heavy downpour travelling at 102km/h on the freeway, the camera system shut off due to the intensity of the rain, suggesting the technology could be improved to work in absolutely all conditions and scenarios.
Lane centring and lead car follow functionality worked well, keeping the Subaru Outback within clearly marked lanes on the freeway by manipulating the electric power steering. The car will vibrate the steering wheel if you come too close to the lines and while all the EyeSight features are welcome, the incessant beeping and bleeping can become a little tiresome.
The driver monitoring system is pretty clever, with a facial-recognition system (that doesn’t like sunglasses!) analysing distraction and drowsiness to impressive effect and alerting the driver – with more beeps and bleeps, naturally. Adaptive headlights, automatic reversing braking, rear cross traffic alert and a blind spot monitor are also part of the package and are useful features.
Another major tech feature of the Outback is the 11.6-inch vertically-aligned touch-screen infotainment system. The context-sensitive system is one of the better systems I’ve used, with intuitive and quick responses to input. I like the fact you’ve got hard buttons for the volume and the tuning, but also that you’ve got a small zone for the climate control temperature controls.
The six-speaker stereo delivers surprisingly good audio quality and when using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto there’s enough digital real estate on the screen to toggle the climate controls without having to leave the iOS or Android systems.
The lack of a fully digital instrument cluster makes it feel a little less advanced than some competitor cars, but all the relevant info is in there and the small 4.2-inch digital display wedged between the speedo and the tachometer dials is easy to operate.
Paltry power delivery
If there was only one thing I could change about the 2022 Subaru Outback, it would be the engine. At best the ‘new’ 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol boxer powertrain is underwhelming… at worst it’s undesirable.
It’s the only engine available and the problem is power, or lack thereof.
The horizontally-opposed four-cylinder donk bangs out 138kW of power (at 5800rpm) and 245Nm of torque (over 3400-4600rpm), which sounds reasonable on paper, but when the 1.6-tonne off-roader is lugging around a full tank of fuel, a boot full of luggage, kids, child seats, food, drinks, bikes and so forth, it struggles.
The Outback feels taxed heading up hill even under full throttle and doesn’t feel like it would be able tow much. Subaru says the Outback is rated to tow 2000kg and it may well be capable but acceleration would be incalculably lethargic.
Subaru says the 2.5-litre engine is 90 per cent new (it feels 90 per cent old) but without the diesel engine, which was also pretty limp, there’s no longer a go-to tow-friendly engine.
Frustratingly, customers in the USA can opt for a new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine in the Outback SUV, generating an impressive 195kW/375Nm. That FA24 engine is also being deployed in a 202kW tune for the rally-bred Subaru WRX.
As well as being underpowered the engine isn’t particularly pleasant to the ear, either. That’s partly because of the CVT automatic transmission and along with poor acceleration fuel efficiency isn’t amazing either. We managed 8.9L/100km over around 2000km of mostly highway driving.
The only positive I can think of for the engine is that because of its age all the kinks should be ironed out and reliability ought to be very good, and on rough roads the lacklustre thrust and weak power delivery means you’ll always maintain good traction.
Excellent driving manners
Despite the uninspiring engine, the 2022 Subaru Outback is a good all-rounder in terms of drive dynamics on- and off-road. It also delivers impressive comfort levels and once up at freeway speeds the monotonous drone of the engine siphoning power through the automatic transmission fades away.
Ride comfort is very good, the soft suspension soaking up lumps and bumps on poorly maintained roads with fluid ease. Another bonus of the softly sprung suspension and reasonable 213mm ground clearance is that it glides along dirt roads and traverses ruts and potholes without too much protestation.
I wholeheartedly echo what Alexandra Lawrence said in her launch review of the Outback; the suspension delivers the sort of all-round competence few other SUVs manage.
The full-time four-wheel-drive system adds confidence too, and this came into effect during one freeway drive as heavy La Nina-induced rain created minor flooding, the Subaru a predictable bubble of stoicism.
When driving around town and in the suburbs it doesn’t feel like a big SUV either and the turning circle is much better than expected. Indeed, it’s a cinch to park and weave in and out of tighter spaces and the high riding position delivers good vision, but the lack of a 360-degree parking camera is embarrassing on a $50K vehicle, especially when many $30K cars offer it standard.
The interior is spacious and comfortable, I liked the four-stage headrest adjustment, the heated rear seats are a nice touch, as are twin USB ports and air vents for the back seats. The two ISOFIX seat anchorages got a solid workout with two child seats as well. There’s also three top-tether points.
While the boot isn’t as big as some large SUV rivals, at 522 litres, small touches like the netting in the side pockets so you can jam in extra water bottles is neat and the robust roof racks are very good. There’s also a full-size spare tyre which is reassuring.
The (almost) complete package
The 2022 Subaru Outback Sport is a tough-looking, well-equipped and very capable large SUV with only two significant drawbacks – a lack of third row seating and a dreary engine.
If neither of these are huge issues, the Outback should definitely be on your shopping list.
Subaru’s Outback builds on its predecessor’s breadth of capability and ease of use to deliver a very impressive all-round package. While it doesn’t push the envelope in any particular fashion, Subaru loyalists will be stoked with the latest Outback while newcomers to the brand will also find lots to like here.
How much does the 2022 Subaru Outback Sport cost?Price: $45,190 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 138kW/245NmTransmission: Continuously variable automaticFuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)
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Keyword: Subaru Outback 2022 Long-Term Review