One may surprise if the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT is making an attempt to be the WRX‘s huge brother. It’s a automotive that may initially have you ever second guessing its objective, however may even endear itself to your coronary heart, in time.
Let’s get this straight proper off the bat, yours actually really likes this automotive and was a bit unhappy at hand the keys again on the finish of our check. Okay, finish of assessment you may transfer alongside now. Nicely not fairly. It’s not good, not by a longshot.
It took this author some time to return round to its charms, it’s a little bit of a gradual burner in that respect. However there are a variety of issues to love concerning the Outback Touring XT. First up, it’s an amazing wanting automotive, with an actual lifted wagon really feel (somewhat 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 stated automotive maker builds it’s autos to be used off street, but it surely’s arduous to not want for a barely greater wheel and tyre mixture than the manufacturing facility 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 job, 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 gaps in site visitors. The Lineartronic CVT does job of conserving you within the zone as effectively.
The place it does really feel a bit gradual in is when pulling away from a standstill. The engine and gearbox mixture appears to take what looks like 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 effectively, with even the perfect 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 modifications 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 bear in mind although, in case you are driving in a extra spirited means, that the two.4-litre Boxer engine does wish to drink. At occasions we noticed over 14-litres/100km, and the typical through the check was 12.8-litres/100km on 95 RON gas.
An remoted freeway economic system check noticed us handle a good 7.2-litres/100km. Certain, individuals received’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 refined but a bit understated, effectively all besides the massive 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen; however I’ll come again to that in a minute. Construct high quality is excellent, and precisely what you’d anticipate from Subaru.
Ergonomically, every little thing is just about the place you’d anticipate it to be, and there’s quantity of area for driver and passenger alike. The 8-way electrically adjustable leather-based entrance seats are very snug, and supply a pleasant steadiness, with good help.
Rear passengers will probably be pleased with the area too, and there’s sufficient room for an grownup or bigger teenager within the second row, even with a taller driver. As you’d anticipate, boot area 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 measurement, we predict that’s fairly good. Again up entrance although is that aforementioned touchscreen.
Apart from the leisure issue, it controls just about each perform within the automotive. Fortunately a variety of essentially the most used features have precise buttons too, and that’s factor since you nonetheless must entry the touchscreen to vary some settings.
That’s significantly so if you wish to alter something local weather associated apart from the precise temperatures, which may 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 needs to be good, it appears a bit missing in deep tones, even after turning the bass and mid-range up. CarPlay additionally takes ages to attach, with an odd format on the portrait touchscreen.
General although, the inside is effectively thought out and a pleasant place to be. It’s a protected automotive too, with Subaru’s present era of tech working very effectively. 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 supply the identical rise up and go or dealing with because the WRX wagon, it’s received extra room and an even bigger boot.
It’s arguably extra snug, with a trip that’s an fascinating mixture of sporty compliance and a bit harshness, relying on the pace you’re going. The additional energy from the turbocharger is definitely useful when overtaking or towing as effectively.
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 having the ability to combine it up on the weekend (possibly to not the identical diploma because the WRX wagon or BRZ, however you may positively have some enjoyable).
It’s additionally at house on an outback (pardon the pun) street. Perhaps it’s the Swiss military knife of vehicles. With simply sufficient of every little thing to swimsuit most individuals, particularly in the event you don’t want a big 4WD, this might effectively be an amazing choice.
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 report, the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT is $61,559 drive away, in its as examined type.
It comes with a 5-year limitless kilometre guarantee, with elective three and 5-year care plans obtainable. 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 want finance, discuss to CreditOne.
Our check automobile was supplied by Subaru Australia. To seek out out extra concerning the 2023 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT, contact your native Subaru seller.
