New Subaru Outback has grown into an SUV
The boxer engine and off-road focus has been retained despite the Outback’s new SUV look
The Subaru Outback has been a family estate car for more than 30 years, but the latest version has become an SUV for 2025 – and it’s looking to take on the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Kodiaq in the process.
However, it won’t be toughing it out against those cars in the UK, because Subaru’s general manager for Europe, David Dello Stritto, revealed to Auto Express that the new Outback would be “simply unsellable in Europe” due to the amount of CO2 it will produce, and the high taxes it would attract as a result.
So what do other regions get in the new Outback? Well, a very upright and chunky-looking SUV. As we’ve seen with the culling of the Audi’s Allroad models, Volvo’s Cross Country load-luggers and the Mercedes E-Class Estate All-Terrain, jacked up estate cars are not in fashion so the Outback turning into a family-friendly SUV isn’t so much of a surprise.
Still an off-roader
Off-road ability should be at least as good as before, however, given that Subaru claims 220mm of ground clearance (the same as in the old car). The Outback comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, apart from models in Wilderness trim, which sit on 17-inch wheels wrapped in chunkier all-terrain tyres.
The new Outback will be available with the same naturally aspirated 2.5-litre and turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engines found in the previous generation, producing 178bhp and 256bhp respectively. Both are paired with a CVT gearbox that features an overriding eight-speed manual mode, plus Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel drive system.
There’s also a revised ‘X-Mode’ system for better performance off-road, and drivers can toggle between terrain modes via buttons on the steering wheel. Meanwhile the all-wheel drive system now offers a faster center differential lock-up for reduced wheelspin and uses steering-angle data to improve stability.
Other tweaks include a version of the Impreza WRX’s dual-pinion electric power steering rack for better low-speed handling. Plus not only has the luggage capacity grown, but the boot area is also now taller and wider, so it should be easier to load with larger items.
Equipment, tech and prices
A 12.1-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver’s display can be found inside - though you’ll notice on the centre of the dash Subaru has retained physical buttons for the Outback’s climate controls. Subaru says the infotainment system runs a new ‘advanced processor that offers more responsiveness and customizability’, though there’s a choice of wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility as standard too.
Subaru has also introduced its latest iteration of ‘EyeSight’ to the Outback. The semi-autonomous driving system consists of three forward-facing cameras and radar sensors to allow for hands-free driving at up to 85mph. Subaru says the system can “help reduce fatigue on longer journeys”.
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