Always a firm favourite the high-riding Subaru Outback wagon will shortly arrive in an all-new sixth generation model. The new five-seat Outback will arrive in a reduced three model range, the base AWD, Sport AWD and Touring AWD, all powered by an upgraded  2.5-litre flat four-cylinder petrol engine with around 7 per cent more power. Diesel power has been dropped, so too the larger capacity 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol. Prices start $2,550 dearer to the current entry model and top out at $47,790 – the increased price on the entry Outback AWD brings more standard gear including a large 11.6-inch vertically-skewed high-definition central touch screen with all the latest smartphone connectivity features.

Drive is to all four wheels via a revised continuously variable transmission – all models gaining manual shift paddles and a new eight-speed stepped manual mode. The revised CVT transmission is claimed to improve take off acceleration whilst aiding fuel efficiency. A big part of this latest Subaru Outback’s upgrades includes a wide range of advanced driver assist safety features as part of Subaru’s Eyesight Drive Assist program. Joining the Eyesight and vision assist systems for the first time is a passenger seat cushion airbag designed to push the front of the seat up to prevent the body from submarining below the seatbelt. The new Outback will be in showrooms from early March.

I’m David Berthon

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