New Subaru Outback more expensive
Popular off-roader goes upmarket with premium kit but higher prices and fewer engine optionsRolling into Australian showrooms at a shade under $40,000 from March 2021, the new-generation Subaru Outback brings big equipment, technology and safety upgrades but ditches two engines and is more than $2500 more expensive at the entry level.
The base-grade 2021 Subaru Outback AWD is priced from $39,990 plus on-road costs, representing a $2550 increase over its predecessor, however the new model comes with a wider range of standard kit including a massive 11.6-inch vertically-oriented high-definition central touch-screen system with all the latest smartphone connectivity features.
The mid-spec Subaru Outback AWD Sport is priced from $44,790 plus ORCs, representing a price rise of $550 compared to the current mid-spec model, and the top-spec Outback AWD Touring slides in at $47,790 plus ORCs.
Rivals for the Outback in the large SUV segment include the category’s top-seller, Toyota Prado (from $59,840), along with the Hyundai Santa Fe ($43,990), Mazda CX-9 ($45,920), Mitsubishi Pajero Sport ($46,990) and Isuzu MU-X ($42,900), among others.
Despite being the flagship vehicle in the Subaru portfolio, the Outback does not have seven-seat or diesel powertrain options like many of its rivals.
Arriving in Australia almost two years after it was revealed in April 2019 at the New York motor show (back when motor shows were a thing), the 2021 Subaru Outback sports a new design inside and out, bringing Subaru’s third-best-selling model after the Forester and XV into the modern era.
While the design and features have been completely renewed, all models are powered by a carryover (but upgraded) 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine (138kW/245Nm) which gets modest improvements in power and torque.
A muscular 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine (195kW/375Nm) offered in the US – and expected to power the next-generation Subaru WRX STI – is not available Down Under.
Subaru has also ditched the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder and 3.6-litre petrol six-cylinder powertrains in a bid to simplify the range.
All Outback SUVs come with Subaru’s all-wheel drive system designed to improve grip levels on sealed and unsealed surfaces.
Dual-function X-Mode off-road settings for mud and snow are part of the package on all models and an upgraded CVT automatic transmission with an eight-speed semi-manual mode is part of the package too.
Subaru says the updated transmission “improves take-off acceleration and aids fuel efficiency” but hasn’t confirmed fuel economy figures yet.
Subaru has upped its safety game with a range of advanced safety features as part of its EyeSight Driver Assist suite, which include semi-autonomous acceleration, braking, steering and monitoring systems such as:
• Lane centring function
• Autonomous emergency steering
• Emergency lane keep assist
• Speed sign recognition with intelligent speed limiter
• Lane departure warning with steering wheel vibration
• Lane departure prevention
• Pre-collision braking system with enhanced collision avoidance at intersections
Other features such as a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, EyeSight assist monitor and lane change assist are also standard across the new-generation Outback model range.
A driver monitoring system to improve focus joins a front passenger seat cushion airbag as new features, the latter designed to stop occupants sliding below the seat belt to reduce chest and leg injuries in the event of a front-end collision.
The new-generation Japanese-built Outback large SUV is also larger now and has a bigger cargo area.
Detailed specifications will be announced closer to its March on-sale date, but Subaru has confirmed that mid-spec Outback Sport models will gain the following features:
• Water-repellent sports seat trim
• Heated front seats
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Front View Monitor
• Side View Monitor
• Black exterior highlights (exclusive to the Sport AWD variant)
• Hands-free powered tailgate with memory height function
• Roof rails with green highlights
• Satellite navigation
• Dark metallic finish for alloy wheels
Top-spec Outback Touring model grades get all the above along with the following items:
• Electric sunroof
• Nappa leather-accented seat trim
• Heated steering wheel
• Gloss finish alloy wheels
• Harman Kardon nine-speaker audio system with subwoofer, amplifier and CD player
• Silver roof rails, with integrated stowable cross bars
Sales of the Subaru Outback dipped by 33 per cent in 2020 but the new model should benefit from Australian buyers increasingly eyeing up adventurous and off-road-capable vehicles in the face of restricted overseas travel.
“The aggressive rugged design, along with the suite of luxury features, technology, infotainment and safety inherent in every Outback will only add to its rock-solid reputation for value and whole-of-life costs,” said Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read.
“Based on customer feedback, we’ve made a conscious decision to take Outback considerably upmarket, confirming its status as the flagship in the Subaru range,” he added.
How much does the 2021 Subaru Outback cost?
AWD – $39,990 (+$2550)
AWD Sport – $44,490 (+$550)
AWD Touring – $47,790 (new)
*Prices exclude on-road costs
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