By Paul Gover.
The good times are back at Subaru.
That means cars you can happily recommend to your besties, including the latest Outback.
The 2023 Forester is nice, but the Outback is plush and comfy and would make an ideal choice to tour – no surprise here – the Aussie outback.
It’s not as flashy as a Hyundai or Kia, and there are plenty of people who prefer the big-box type of SUV over the raised wagon look of the Subaru, but it’s a very, very sensible choice for families.
So it’s a same-same – but more – story for the latest Outback, which has had a tickle and tweak for 2023 after a few years where it was easy to overlook.
The ’23 update is reflected in minor body changes, a better infotainment system – bigger screen and wireless smartphone connectivity – as well a a new suspension tune and enough extra go in the turbo for a claimed 22 per cent cut in the time it takes to get to 100km/h.
The XT turbo motor also means the towing capacity jumps up by 400 kilograms to 2.4 tonnes. Which will be a deal clincher for some people.
But that’s for the top-line XT models, not the basic Outback priced from $42,690.
Getting into an XT, and there are two trim levels, costs at least $52,190 but that’s not a lot in today’s family SUV scene.
It also means a fully-equipped wagon that’s nicely swift for overtaking, quiet and comfortable in any conditions.
Gliding away with the newest Outback brings back plenty of old memories and helps to create some new ones.
A Subaru promises to cope handily with any road – or beach or track – in Australia, and do it without any fuss.
In the ’23 car, there is a renewed plushness to the suspension that brings back the best of previous Subaru models. It’s firm but still compliant, with good cornering grip on any surface, and that’s not something you can say about most family SUVs.
The new dashboard is a very welcome upgrade and the wireless CarPlay system works faultlessly, something not remotely true – even with a cable connection – in a lot of other cars.
The headlights are not great, and the CVT transmission means you need to take manual control with the flappy paddles to get the car moving swiftly, but most owners will have no complaints.
The only significant annoyance is the EyeSight safety system. It’s far too eager, over-aggressive if you dare to even flirt with the white lines on a freeway, and constantly issues reminders about concentrating on the road. Some people might need this excessive assistance, but they are more like passengers than drivers.
And that’s the thing about the Outback.
The styling is a bit clunky to some eyes, and it’s not as flashy in the cabin as some rivals, but it has what it needs and it does what it does.
With the turbo engine in the XT package, it’s definitely a keeper.
SUBARU OUTBACK
Position: mid-sized family SUV
Price: from $42,690
Engine: 2.5-litre flat-four turbo petrol
Power: 183kW/350Nm
Transmission: CVT auto, all-wheel drive
Plus: plush feel, nice driving
Minus: dozy engine, intrusive driver tech
THE TICK: back to its best
Score: 7.9/10
