2021 Subaru Outback pricing

The 2021 Subaru Outback is finally arriving in Australia in March almost two years after its motor show debut.

The diesel and the flat-six are gone, and the turbocharged four-cylinder available in US-built models remains off the table.

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.

Those figures are up from 129kW of power and 235Nm of torque in the outgoing model.

The CVT, which comes with an eight-speed manual mode, has also been retuned for better acceleration and fuel economy.

Braked towing capacity is also up from 1500kg in last year’s 2.5-litre model to 2000kg while Subaru says there’s a larger, wider-opening cargo area.

A vertically-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes pride of place in the new interior.

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.

Additionally, there’s blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse autonomous emergency braking.

Subaru has added a passenger seat cushion airbag that’ll push up the front section of the seat in a frontal collision to help prevent your waist from moving forward and stop your body from sinking below the seatbelt.

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

Subaru will confirm ADR fuel economy figures closer to launch.

Dimensions

According to Subaru of America, the 2021 Outback measures 4859mm long, 1854mm wide and 1679mm tall including the roof rails. It rides on a 2745mm wheelbase.

Servicing

Subaru will confirm servicing prices closer to launch.

All 2021 Subaru models are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

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

Standard Equipment

Subaru hasn’t confirmed the full list of equipment for the base Outback AWD, though it says 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 finish for 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 stowable cross bars
• Gloss finish for alloy wheels

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