The 2021 Subaru Outback wades into Australia without a low-riding sedan or wagon Liberty brother, and the weight of expectation on its shoulders.
The long-running wagon on stilts is a perpetual best-seller for Subaru. Now into its sixth generation, the new Outback is bigger and more refined than before.
While the outgoing Outback was available in two trim levels with three different engines, the new Outback offers three trim levels but just one engine.
The range now opens with a new base model, simply called Outback AWD, which is priced at $39,990 before on-road costs – that’s $2550 more than the outgoing base model.
Subaru claims the 2.5-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine is 90 per cent new, producing 138kW of power and 245Nm of torque.
Braked towing capacity is up from 1500kg in last year’s 2.5-litre model to 2000kg while Subaru says there’s a larger, wider-opening cargo area.
The EyeSight suite of safety features has also been expanded to include autonomous emergency steering, traffic sign recognition and an intelligent speed limiter.
Lane-keeping functions include lane-centring assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning, while Subaru says the autonomous emergency braking system has expanded support for collision avoidance at intersections.
Pricing
- 2021 Subaru Outback AWD: $39,990
- 2021 Subaru Outback AWD Sport: $44,490
- 2021 Subaru Outback AWD Touring: $47,790
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
All 2021 Subaru Outback models are powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 138kW of power and 245Nm of torque, mated to a continuously-variable transmission and all-wheel drive.
Fuel Economy
Claimed combined fuel economy for the 2021 Subaru Outback is 7.3L/100km.
The car drinks regular 91RON unleaded petrol.
Dimensions
The 2021 Subaru Outback measures 4870mm long, 1875mm wide, and 1675mm tall with the AWD and Touring’s roof rails fixed.
The car’s wheelbase is 2745mm, and the boot space is 522L with the rear seats in place and 1267L with them folded.
Safety
The 2021 Subaru Outback has yet to be tested by ANCAP.
It’ll be offered with a suite of safety features, including:
- Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Driver attention monitoring
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keeping assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Traffic sign recognition
Servicing
Maintenance is required every 12 months or 12,500km in the Outback, and Subaru offers five years of capped-price servicing.
Service prices are as follows:
| Labour time | Total cost | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 1 hour | $344.95 |
| 24 months | 1.7 hours | $594.80 |
| 36 months | 1 hour | $351.14 |
| 48 months | 2.2 hours | $801.43 |
| 60 months | 1 hour | $357.55 |
| Total | $2449.87 |
All 2021 Subaru models are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Standard Equipment
The base Subaru Outback AWD gets:
- 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 4.2-inch trip computer
- DAB+ digital radio
- Cloth seat trim
- Body-coloured mirrors
- Roof rails with integrated cross bars
- Grey 18-inch alloy wheels
- Dual-zone climate control
- Paddle shifters
- Six-speaker sound system
- Four cargo hooks in the boot
- Automatic windscreen wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Opting for the Outback AWD Sport will add:
- Water repellent sports seat trim
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Front- and side-view cameras
- Black exterior highlights
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Satellite navigation
- Dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels
The Outback AWD Touring drops the black exterior highlights but adds:
- Nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with CD player
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Electric sunroof
- Heated steering wheel
- Silver roof rails with integrated cross bars
- Gloss finish 18-inch alloy wheels
