Insurance Group: 29
MPG: 28.2
CO2: 232
0-62 Mph: 7.5 secs
BHP: 256 BHP
Range: 403 miles
PROS: The four-wheel drive system offers plenty of grip. The cabin is spacious and loaded with equipment. There is plenty of boot space.
CONS: The purchase price and running costs will make you grimace. The quality of the interior could be better. There are better value and more desirable rivals out there.
The 3.6-litre six cylinder engine offers good levels of performance. With 256bhp at 5600rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 4400rpm, 0-62mph takes 7.5 seconds and the Outback carries on accelerating up to 140mph.
The car’s suspension has been set up for comfort rather than handling and therefore while it’s easy to drive and a pleasant place to be, it's far from agile and body roll through the corners is noticeable. However, with drive going to all four wheels, it never struggles for traction.
The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable and the steering wheel can be adjusted both for rake and reach so getting comfortable shouldn’t be a problem. All round visibility is good - handy for a big car - and the mirrors are electrically folding.
While the Subaru Outback 3.6 R Auto 5dr may not be as handsome as some of its rivals, it’s certainly not a bad car to look at. With its swept back headlamps and distinctive Subaru grille, its clean and tidy sides and slightly conservative rear, its design is safe and pleasing rather than bold and daring.
The dashboard is generally well laid out but looks slightly dated when compared to certain rivals and, as with other Subarus, the quality of the materials could be better.
Inside there is a plethora of kit including dual zone climate control, folding mirrors, CD, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, Sat Nav, hill-start assist and cruise control all as standard. It also comes with alloy wheels, stability control, alarm and immobiliser and front fog lights. Metallic paint is a £480 option.
The cabin is very spacious with plenty of legroom and headroom in both the front and rear. The rear seats can be folded flat to increase the already large boot space of 526 litres to 1,677 litres.
Subarus have a good reputation for reliability and the car comes with a three year 60,000 mile warranty.
The Outback comes with a five star Euro NCAP rating. It has six airbags as well as ABS, stability and traction control systems, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to aid the already sure-footedness of its four wheel drive.
The Subaru Outback 3.6 R Auto 5dr is quite pricey at £35,895 but you do get a lot of car for the money. Subarus are built to last and if you look after it, the Outback will probably outlive you.
However, the running costs are very high for what is essentially a family estate car. You'll struggle to top 30mpg and CO2 emissions of 232g/km mean big tax bills under VED band L. Ouch.
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