In Sweden Subaru is #1 Most Satisfied customer among carowners, I think for the third year in a row or more! I'm geting the Outback during 2023. Love it!
A very honest review of this 6th generation outback. I got the field version last year and really like this car. If you read the reviews in say Australia you'll often hear the common complaint that the 2.4litre turbo version isn't available and the 2.5 litre is under powered. I've had more powerful cars in the past and I'm happy with the power output - it has to many other positives to get hung up on this one fact. After six months this machine has been a pleasure to drive day to day and on long drives. Really practical and the extras follow this trend. There are virtually no other 6th generations on the road so it's fairly exclusive at the moment.
Very comprehensive review as always thank you. It's a popular choice in Australia but Subaru's pricing here is much less than the UK even now in 2023. We do road trips to out of the way places on a semi-regular basis - the AWD is re-assuring if you hit an unsealed road, and here the full-sized spare is standard with all models. Main reason for us choosing it is that it's cheaper to buy and maintain than the equivalent European vehicle - apart from fuel consumption. It does have a few compromises as you've mentioned (main one being lack of power unless you pay extra for turbo) but overall a good package.
Agreed on all fronts, I have the 2022 Touring Outback and find it incredibly comfortable and refined to drive, plus its ground clearance and AWD for those awkward situations or mild off-roading are unbeatable. During those Oct 2022 record rainfalls, the Outback AWD was godsend on treacherous outer Melbourne/country roads at night. I agree, it’s a smidgen underpowered, it can be somewhat thirsty if you are confined to short around town driving, but once you get it on the highway the fuel economy dramatically shoots up for such a big and capable vehicle.
Excellent review. I have a touring spec and have put 17,000 miles on in 15 months. I achieve 38.9 average mpg and over 40 mpg on a recent trip to the lake district. The normal AWD set up is great, i have been in snow and very very muddy construction sites and never needed the X mode. The only issues really are lack of parking sensors at the front and the CVT can drone a little under heavy acceleration. The luggage space is bigger than my old V90 and the seats are better too.
Thank you for an excellent review; not many reviews on-line for the UK spec Gen 6. I drove one recently and was very impressed; high quality interior, loads of space and a lot of (standard) safety and convenience features.
“Who needs an off-road orientated estate?” That would be me, sir. I live in a part of the USA where rutted roads and rainstorms are far too common, and I often go to gatherings in forested parks, carrying a canopy to sell handmade items, or, if I’m traveling for pleasure, an abundance of festival gear. I have friends and family members who live out in the country or past mountains as well. So, people who attend outdoor festivals or visit people in rough territory, but don’t wish to invest in a van or other vehicle with poor mileage and a rich price tag.
I'm about to take ownership of my very first Subaru Outback Sports (Australia), I have trawled through what seems like 100s of TH-cam Vid's and I have found this the most comprehensive and descriptive review so far. So much so I feel the need to buy myself a Tweed jacket and a pair of sensible boots for my pick-up date on the 1st Dec'. Thank you.
Great review, although I’m a bit shocked that the UK range has (or had) a version with no spare tyre, especially for an off-road capable vehicle. Second, the price gouging in the UK is astonishing, in Australia my 2.5 Litre 2022 Touring Outback was $54,000 (£32,000) and I believe the current UK price is around £42,000 GBP, that’s an extra £10,000 for what?
Excellent review…. I’ve just bought an Autumn Green 2021 model Outback Sport ( Australian version of the Field)… wierdly what you guys pay in GBP I’ve paid in AUD. Spare wheel as standard too.
Brilliant in depth review… And the only one I’ve seen in uk as well, of course that’s deliberate because Subarus are the biggest secret on the market and on the road. After owning one, I doubt I’d have anything else. Try getting all that spec for the same money. Anywhere. They are the best :)
Bet you wish you got the XT version we get in NZ/Australia with the 2.4 Turbo engine out of the WRX. Every review I have watched complains that the manual fills the glovebox. Yet...who leaves the manual in the car?! Mine are in a drawer as soon as the car gets home.
Hi Fantastic review, no mention of settings for say 2 driver positions, etc, is it possible to leave me a link to download the full speck for the Touring model. It's a shame it's not a Hybrid Regards welshman2081
This must be a conspiracy, flawless review, perfectly laid out and systematic. But no front parking sensor in ANY spec is intentionally? not mentioned...
Wondering if this 2021 still has the problematic windshield cracking issues known to occur in the 2015 and other years? My current 2015 repeatedly cracked itself so often that I've now simply given up and accept a constant crack.
I don't want to be a dick here, but those small "speakers" you keep showing are not speakers at all, but ultra sonic emitters for the alarm system. Otherwise a quite impressed review. Extensive and informative. Will subscribe
Used to be 5 years in the UK, then was cut back to a measly 3 years. A couple of the Subaru car models are identical to sister Toyota models that come with 10 years warranty.
In Sweden Subaru is #1 Most Satisfied customer among carowners, I think for the third year in a row or more! I'm geting the Outback during 2023. Love it!
A very honest review of this 6th generation outback. I got the field version last year and really like this car. If you read the reviews in say Australia you'll often hear the common complaint that the 2.4litre turbo version isn't available and the 2.5 litre is under powered. I've had more powerful cars in the past and I'm happy with the power output - it has to many other positives to get hung up on this one fact. After six months this machine has been a pleasure to drive day to day and on long drives. Really practical and the extras follow this trend. There are virtually no other 6th generations on the road so it's fairly exclusive at the moment.
Very comprehensive review as always thank you. It's a popular choice in Australia but Subaru's pricing here is much less than the UK even now in 2023. We do road trips to out of the way places on a semi-regular basis - the AWD is re-assuring if you hit an unsealed road, and here the full-sized spare is standard with all models. Main reason for us choosing it is that it's cheaper to buy and maintain than the equivalent European vehicle - apart from fuel consumption. It does have a few compromises as you've mentioned (main one being lack of power unless you pay extra for turbo) but overall a good package.
Agreed on all fronts, I have the 2022 Touring Outback and find it incredibly comfortable and refined to drive, plus its ground clearance and AWD for those awkward situations or mild off-roading are unbeatable. During those Oct 2022 record rainfalls, the Outback AWD was godsend on treacherous outer Melbourne/country roads at night. I agree, it’s a smidgen underpowered, it can be somewhat thirsty if you are confined to short around town driving, but once you get it on the highway the fuel economy dramatically shoots up for such a big and capable vehicle.
Excellent review. I have a touring spec and have put 17,000 miles on in 15 months. I achieve 38.9 average mpg and over 40 mpg on a recent trip to the lake district. The normal AWD set up is great, i have been in snow and very very muddy construction sites and never needed the X mode. The only issues really are lack of parking sensors at the front and the CVT can drone a little under heavy acceleration. The luggage space is bigger than my old V90 and the seats are better too.
Thank you for an excellent review; not many reviews on-line for the UK spec Gen 6. I drove one recently and was very impressed; high quality interior, loads of space and a lot of (standard) safety and convenience features.
Appreciate that!
handsdown the best car review i ever seen! very detailed.
thank you!!
“Who needs an off-road orientated estate?” That would be me, sir. I live in a part of the USA where rutted roads and rainstorms are far too common, and I often go to gatherings in forested parks, carrying a canopy to sell handmade items, or, if I’m traveling for pleasure, an abundance of festival gear. I have friends and family members who live out in the country or past mountains as well. So, people who attend outdoor festivals or visit people in rough territory, but don’t wish to invest in a van or other vehicle with poor mileage and a rich price tag.
I'm about to take ownership of my very first Subaru Outback Sports (Australia), I have trawled through what seems like 100s of TH-cam Vid's and I have found this the most comprehensive and descriptive review so far. So much so I feel the need to buy myself a Tweed jacket and a pair of sensible boots for my pick-up date on the 1st Dec'. Thank you.
So glad it was helpful!
What a comprehensive review! Excellent.
Thank you!
Excellent review, thanks! I really love this car. Greetings from Spain.
Gracias!
Great review, although I’m a bit shocked that the UK range has (or had) a version with no spare tyre, especially for an off-road capable vehicle. Second, the price gouging in the UK is astonishing, in Australia my 2.5 Litre 2022 Touring Outback was $54,000 (£32,000) and I believe the current UK price is around £42,000 GBP, that’s an extra £10,000 for what?
Import, essentially. Unfortunately this beauty of a brand has, shall we say, a limited/niche market, so most of parts (and cars) are imports.
Excellent review…. I’ve just bought an Autumn Green 2021 model Outback Sport ( Australian version of the Field)… wierdly what you guys pay in GBP I’ve paid in AUD.
Spare wheel as standard too.
Outstanding review. Well done!
thanks!
Brilliant in depth review… And the only one I’ve seen in uk as well, of course that’s deliberate because Subarus are the biggest secret on the market and on the road. After owning one, I doubt I’d have anything else. Try getting all that spec for the same money. Anywhere. They are the best :)
Thanks for the feedback! Please let us know what you’d like to see next.
Good review but the constant cutting to earlier models marketing footage grates.
Bet you wish you got the XT version we get in NZ/Australia with the 2.4 Turbo engine out of the WRX.
Every review I have watched complains that the manual fills the glovebox. Yet...who leaves the manual in the car?! Mine are in a drawer as soon as the car gets home.
Hi Fantastic review, no mention of settings for say 2 driver positions, etc, is it possible to leave me a link to download the full speck for the Touring model. It's a shame it's not a Hybrid Regards welshman2081
This must be a conspiracy, flawless review, perfectly laid out and systematic. But no front parking sensor in ANY spec is intentionally? not mentioned...
Wondering if this 2021 still has the problematic windshield cracking issues known to occur in the 2015 and other years? My current 2015 repeatedly cracked itself so often that I've now simply given up and accept a constant crack.
I don't want to be a dick here, but those small "speakers" you keep showing are not speakers at all, but ultra sonic emitters for the alarm system.
Otherwise a quite impressed review. Extensive and informative. Will subscribe
Is it correct that the Outback comes with a 3 year warranty?
Yes, 3 years /60000 miles in the UK, not the 5 year / 100000 miles mentioned (and applied over most of the rest of the world). More's the pity.
Used to be 5 years in the UK, then was cut back to a measly 3 years. A couple of the Subaru car models are identical to sister Toyota models that come with 10 years warranty.
Outback without skihatch...why, Subaru...why?
Indeed, long level hatch in my case very annoying.
Beautiful but lack luster