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Subaru

SUBARU OUTBACK ESTATE REVIEW

For The Subaru Outback comes with four-wheel drive and a long list of standard kit. The cabin is very roomy.

Against The Outback costs more to buy and run than some rivals and it's an unremarkable car to look at, sit in, or drive.

What Car? says

22 5stars

The Subaru Outback is roomy, well equipped and has four-wheel drive as standard, but it's far too dated and pricey to recommend.

What Car? readers say

4

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The full Subaru Outback review

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
The diesel is the pick
Ride & Handling
2 out of 5 stars
Comfortable and inoffensive rather than fun
Refinement
2 out of 5 stars
Not as quiet as many rivals
Buying & Owning
1 out of 5 stars
Too expensive compared with rivals
Quality & Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Drab cabin, but should give little trouble
Safety & Security
4 out of 5 stars
Decent safety kit; plenty to deter thieves
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Comfortable, but a few ergonomic flaws
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Masses of space for people and luggage
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
Every version comes stacked with kit

There are 6 Subaru Outback versions available

Estate 2.0 D S 5dr	£28,870	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Estate 2.5i S Lineatronic 5dr	£28,875	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Estate 2.0 D SE 5dr	£30,070	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Estate 2.5i SE Lineatronic 5dr	£30,075	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Estate 2.0 D SE Nav Plus 5dr	£32,370	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Estate 2.5i SE Nav Plus Lineatronic 5dr	£32,375	What Car? says:2 stars out of 5

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The Subaru Outback sits in a pretty small niche of cars that straddle the gap between estates and 4x4s. It's exceptionally well equipped, but it's not cheap to buy or run and it doesn't have the premium image or interior quality to match key German rivals.

The diesel version makes most sense – it's a stronger performer and has much lower running costs than the 2.5i petrol, which comes with a CVT automatic gearbox as standard.

Running costs are on the high side but, like every Subaru, the Outback comes with Subaru’s ‘Everything Taken Care of’ (ETCo) package as standard, which includes free minor bodywork and alloy wheel repairs, a monthly wash, and winter wheel and tyre storage. The warranty is a bog-standard three-year/60,000-mile affair, however. Subaru has a good reputation for reliability and owners generally have only good things to say about the service they receive.