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Teste - 2015 Subaru Outback 2.0D SE Premium Lineartronic - Autocar
Updated chassis, engines and styling, plus a new interior, aim to improve the Outback's popularity in the UK
Updated chassis, engines and styling, plus a new interior, aim to improve the Outback's popularity in the UK
What is it?:
It's tricky to figure out exactly what the Subaru Outback is trying to be. It's more estate than SUV (just), and you can argue that it competes with a vast array of different four-wheel drive models, but most pertinent to its potential buyers will likely be whether to spend more on a Volvo XC70, less on a four-wheel-drive Skoda Superb estate or Octavia Scout, or roughly the same on a top-end Hyundai Santa Fe.
This comprehensive upgrade of the Outback brings with it the addition of the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine, although the (now more economical) 2.0-litre boxer diesel tested here will be the big seller. Among the big changes for this new model are a quicker steering rack, new dampers and suspension geometry, and a redesigned interior complete with new multimedia system.
What's it like?:
The results do add up to a substantial improvement over the old model. Our diesel test car was fitted with a CVT automatic, which is a remarkably quiet powertrain at low revs, and doesn’t do the classic CVT thing of over-revving combined with no real performance pick-up - unless you ask for absolutely everything at once, at which point the engine does sound pretty ghastly. Essentially, this is a car that encourages really relaxed progress anyway; at 9.9sec to 62mph, it’s fairly slow no matter how hard you rev it.
The handling is none too vivacious, either. The steering is better, and makes the Outback effortless to drive smoothly at a middling pace or around town, so few will have any quibbles about that. Grip from the permanent all-wheel drive is very good, too, and although the Outback will still understeer fervently if you enter a corner with more optimism than sense, it’s easy to moderate it with sensible throttle adjustment.
Body-control is relatively taut, so there’s less pitch and wallow than before, but overall this is a car that feels very much a sedate cruiser. That, however, makes it even more unfortunate that the ride comfort never settles regardless of surface and speed, and it feels a touch under-damped and brittle over sizeable potholes.
Still, plenty of Outback owners are likely to want to make use of the mud-plugging ability, and it won’t disappoint. Our car was on winter tyres, and with a new X-Mode system that optimises the electronic systems for off-road surfaces, and includes a hill-descent function, it makes light work of properly deep mud and grass ruts.
Between this and the cavernous interior space, which is really comfortable and roughly on a par with that of a Skoda Superb, it’s easy to see why this car has a fan-base among those who spend time lugging equipment around fields, although there are cars at this price that will tow more than the Outback diesel's 1.8 tonnes.
The new interior should be appreciated by more than just Subaru's traditional audience. The all-new multimedia system is standard on both available trims, and forms the cabin's focal point with a big, glossy colour touchscreen that offers relatively quick responses and logical menus. It's not flawless - some icons are fiddly to hit precisely, and it seems mad that you can’t get digital radio even as an option, but it is yet another big improvement for the big Subaru.
Beyond that, you get broad, well-cushioned and electrically adjustable seats, climate control, Bluetooth, automatic lights and wipers, and reversing camera, even in entry-level cars. SE Premium adds leather and a sunroof, and all models get spring-loaded rear seats that fold flat for a flat load bay of around two metres in length. It's worth noting that adding the CVT auto also brings Subaru's new automatic emergency braking system.
Should I buy one?:
Maybe. The Outback is cheaper than similarly sized premium rivals, a bit more upmarket-feeling than more budget SUVs and is characterised by that unpretentious, durable, 'go anywhere for the rest of time' feel that Subaru loyalists swear by.
Yet, charming as the Outback is, it makes more sense to buy a Skoda Octavia Scout, which may be a mite smaller but is still faultlessly utilitarian, and is also faster and cleaner and will do the very same job for many thousands of pounds less. Knowing that, if you can find a worthy reason to pay the extra for the Subaru, then it's sure to satisfy.
Subaru Outback 2.0D SE Premium Lineartronic
Price £32,995; Engine 4 cyls horizontally opposed, 1998cc, turbodiesel; Power 148bhp at 3600rpm; Torque 258lb ft at 1600-2800rpm; Gearbox CVT automatic; Kerb weight 1689kg; Top speed 120mph; 0-62mph 9.9sec; Economy 46.1mpg (combined); CO2/tax band 159g/km, 27 per cent
Mais dois testes da Auto Express e Top Gear.
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