Subaru Outback 2.0D and 3.6R 2009 Review

OVERVIEW
-- Offroad wagon grounded in Subaru's Legacy
Subaru has a long history of building offroad wagons -- as opposed to SUVs. The company was building high-riding four-wheel drive wagons based on two-wheel drive models as long ago as the 1970s.

When the Outback arrived here in 1996, it was just a new name applied to the Liberty wagon with all-wheel drive and raised suspension. In concept, it was little different from the L-Series and Touring wagons that preceded it.

For the latest generation model, the Outback remains dependent on the Liberty's platform, body panels, drivetrain mechanicals and interior trimmings. As for the Liberty though, the new Outback is a major advance over its predecessor -- particularly in packaging.

In addition to the added space and quieter running however, the new Outback introduces items to the range, such as the larger 3.6-litre flat six in the Outback 3.6R, the Lineartronic CVT in the 2.5-litre four-cylinder models and the new-to-Australia diesel boxer in the Outback 2.0D. We recently drove the six-cylinder and diesel models on separate drive programs.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
-- Affordable diesel alternative to petrol engines
Subaru's positioning of the new diesel variants places them -- in three levels of trim -- roughly half-way between the 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder variants and the 3.6-litre petrol six-cylinder Outback models.

There's a $2500 premium for the diesel models over their respective Outback 2.5i counterparts. As a proportion of the total cost of the car, $2500 over the cost of the petrol engine for the diesel powerplant seems like a pretty good deal.

The diesel undercuts the six-cylinder petrol variants by a considerable margin -- a difference of $9500 favouring the satnav-equipped diesel over the petrol equivalent, although the latter includes automatic transmission, versus a manual box only for the diesel.

Prices are as follows:
Outback 2.5i manual $37,990
Outback 2.5i Lineartronic CVT automatic $40,490
Outback 2.5i Premium manual $41,490
Outback 2.5i Premium Lineartronic CVT automatic $43,990
Outback 2.5i Premium with satnav manual $43,990
Outback 2.5i Premium with satnav Lineartronic CVT automatic $46,490
Outback 2.0D manual $40,490
Outback 2.0D Premium manual $43,990
Outback 2.0D Premium with satnav manual $46,490
Outback 3.6R automatic $48,490
Outback 3.6R with satnav automatic $55,990

Standard features fitted to the Outback 2.5i comprise: Dual-zone climate control; electric parking brake; height and reach adjustment for the steering column; height-adjustable driver's seat; leather-bound steering wheel and gear knob (manual only); six-speaker six-stack MP3-compatible CD audio system; trip computer; shift paddles (automatic only); electric windows/mirrors; remote central locking; 60/40 splitfold rear seat; 17-inch alloy wheels and auto-on/off headlights.

The Premium grade -- for both petrol and diesel variants -- adds: Electric sunroof; leather seat trim and rear air vents. In addition to this specification, the satellite navigation option includes navigation with a single-disc DVD/CD audio-visual system in lieu of the CD (audio-only) six-stacker; Bluetooth connectivity; reversing camera and three-pin RCA auxiliary jack for the audio system.

Along with its 3.6-litre horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine, the Outback 3.6R adds to the four-cylinder Premium specification: Dual exhaust; rain-sensing wipers; SI-Drive; smart key access and start button; woodgrain decorative trim and xenon headlights. This variant does without the sunroof and leather seat trim of the four-cylinder Premium Outback.

In addition to the comfort and convenience features of the Outback 2.5i satnav, specifying the optional satellite navigation for the Outback 3.6R also adds a McIntosh audio system; eight-way electrically-adjustable driver's seat with powered lumbar adjustment and electrically-adjustable front-passenger seat.

MECHANICAL
-- Three engines, three transmissions, one set of wheels
The new diesel engine in the Outback range is the biggest news. It's a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine; something Subaru claims to be a world first. Developing 110kW of power at 3600revs and 350Nm of torque at 1800revs, the diesel Outback uses 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle. Just one transmission is available with the diesel powerplant -- a six-speed manual.

Other variants in the Outback range are largely powered as per the Liberty equivalents, so you have naturally-aspirated four and six-cylinder petrol engines (for the Outback 2.5i and 3.6R, respectively). Power and torque figures for the two engines are: 123kW and 229Nm for the 2.5-litre engine and 191kW/350Nm for the six. Fuel consumption, in combined-cycle testing, is 8.9L/100km (2.5i manual), 8.4L/100km (2.5i CVT) and 10.3L/100km (3.6R auto).

The manual transmission for the Outback 2.5i is a six-speed unit and this is complemented by the option of the Lineartronic CVT. In the case of the Outback 3.6R, the only transmission available is a conventional five-speed epicyclic auto box.

All Outback variants are fitted with wheels and tyres measuring the same dimensions, Yokohama Geolander 225/60R tyres on 17x7.0J alloys.

Turning through a circle of 11.0m diameter, the new Outback features rack and pinion steering, the power assistance for which varies with engine speed. Four-wheel disc brakes are ventilated at the front and the suspension is a combination of front MacPherson struts and a double-wishbone layout at the rear.

PACKAGING

So the relationship between driver, pedals, instrument and controls was as good in the Outback as it had been in the Liberty -- which is to say very good.

As is the case with the Liberty, packaging in the Outback marks a substantial step forward from the old car, with plenty of headroom even with the sunroof fitted. In the luggage compartment, there are additional fold-down hooks around the perimeter of the compartment, and lever latches to release the rear seats for folding.

SAFETY
-- Five-star safety for the six-star brand
As with all Subaru models sold in Australia, the new Outback boasts a five-star ANCAP crash-safety rating. Features fitted as standard to achieve this result include: Stability control, ABS/EBD, Brake Assist, full-length side-curtain airbags, a knee airbag for the driver, dual front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, an engine cradle to divert the engine away from the passenger cell in a crash, front seatbelt pre-tensioners/load-limiters, seatbelt indicators for all seat positions and a three-point seatbelt for the centre-rear seat.

COMPETITORS
-- Scout surveys Outback claim
Skoda's Octavia Scout is the car that most closely competes with the Outback 2.0D, but the Czech-built car has nothing to offer against the Outback 3.6R. The Skoda is well known for its practicality and interior space -- and interestingly, it's actually $500 less than the cheapest Outback diesel. Unfortunately for Skoda, we believe the better brand image of Subaru can win out in this contest.

It's a curious quirk of VFACTS market segmentation that the Outback is considered a 'compact SUV', but is actually very slightly longer than the resolutely medium-SUV Toyota Kluger. Expect the same sort of conundrum when Peugeot launches its 4007 SUV into the market as a medium SUV. The Peugeot is heavily based on the Mitsubishi Outlander, which competes in the compact SUV segment. Obviously size doesn't matter when you're talking SUVs! All that said, the Outback is no wider than other compact SUVs.

For the price, even the entry-level Outback punches above its weight in this market segment, but not necessarily when it comes to offroad work. It's probably at the softer end of the spectrum for SUVs and won't compare with such vehicles as the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the much improved Jeep Patriot for ability to step over rocks and plough through mud.

On the other hand, if you spend a lot of time on bitumen, the Outback is a better bet than Nissan's Dualis and we expect it would remain more capable offroad than the Honda CR-V. As with most vehicles in this segment, the Outback has a little parcel of market all wrapped up for itself. Even its sibling, the Forester, is markedly different in its design brief.

ON THE ROAD
-- Doing double duty, offroad and on
Subaru's Outback was sampled by the Carsales Network in two different variants over two different drive programs. The petrol-engined Outback 3.6R was driven in wet and muddy conditions around Daylesford in country Victoria, whereas the diesel Outback 2.0D was tried around Canberra in much drier, dustier conditions.

From the Outback 3.6R, it's apparent that the ride comfort was at least on a par with the Subaru's compact SUV rivals -- so quite acceptable, in other words. On the day we drove the diesel Outback, we also drove the Exiga peoplemover and it was immediately apparent that the Outback's ride is firmer, but better controlled than the Exiga's.

The six-cylinder Outback's grip in sloppy mud was limited by the tyres, but adequate in the circumstances. While the natural handling trait is understeer, the Outback can be set up to oversteer with some engine-braking inducement.

Steering generally felt a little heavier in the Outback 3.6R than in the Liberty, and the added weight of the six-cylinder engine driven may have contributed to that. With the four-cylinder block, the Outback 2.0D felt a little more agile and cornering was accomplished with reasonable turn-in and a fairly flat attitude.

The diesel boxer engine is the Outlander 2.0D's greatest strength -- because diesel buyers are unlikely to find another diesel four-cylinder for the money that is so refined. Its Achilles Heel is its power, with the engine delivering lacklustre performance below 2000rpm. Even that, though, is a qualified weakness.

Watch the transmission shift indicator light and you'll note that the car is prompting you to change up while the engine is only running at about 2000rpm. In other words, this is an engine that will run frugally at the speed where power is deficient. Keep it below 2000rpm (which is relatively easily accomplished in sixth gear at highway speeds) and you'll record fuel consumption figures as low as around 6.5L/100km.

Fuel consumption with the 3.6-litre flat six was 13.0L/100km over the course of the drive program (much open-road and some slower-speed stuff on slippery unsealed roads).

While the flat six is very refined and torquey enough to work well with the standard automatic transmission, even in offroad applications, the diesel is not actually as happy offroad. It's an engine that would be pretty sweet in the Impreza, for example, where stump-pulling torque is not vital, but fuel efficiency is a higher order of precedence. It's a passenger-car diesel, not an SUV or truck engine, per se.

Those who either care little for or know virtually nothing about diesels will find the new engine quite appealing. If the low-down torque for which diesels are known is all there is to owning an oiler, you may feel disappointed with the Outback. There's not enough torque for the car to just trickle away in first gear from idle. One journalist on the launch complained of stalling the car from a standing start. It's one thing to stall a diesel on a tough climb offroad, but quite another to stall one on flat, dry bitumen!

That said, the Outback diesel is not a hard car to drive. The transmission shift quality was better than you'll encounter in most manual-equipped SUVs and the clutch take-up was where it should be.

Based on reports from overseas, the Subaru diesel has polarised opinion. The same was true here, from the first drive of the Outback 2.0D. Some argue that the engine lacks torque -- and there's some truth in that when you stack the car up against rival SUVs. It's our view though that the Outback is not going to go bush-bashing the way some SUVs do (occasionally...).

Consider that the Outback is much more a 90 per cent on-road vehicle that, on weekends, will tow boats up ramps, transport skiers to the snowfield or take hikers into the bush. In this type of role, the Outback succeeds admirably and, with the possible exception of the Skoda Scout, there's nothing to approach the Subaru for packaging, refinement, fuel efficiency and safety.