Called Lineartronic, it features seven ‘virtual’ ratios that are accessed using the steering wheel-mounted paddles. EnginesĪs with all Subarus, the Outback is fitted with one of the brand’s trademark flat-four ‘boxer’ engines, which sends power to the permanent four-wheel-drive system through a continuously variable transmission. The X-Mode off-road system and 200mm ground clearance mean it inspires more confidence than other high-riding off-road estates, and can tackle obstacles that would normally be limited to dedicated SUVs. For extra off-road ability, there’s also the X-Mode function that tweaks the traction control and activates hill descent control. When the going gets tough, the Outback can easily mud-plug its way through slushy and craggy routes. It features an electronically controlled centre diff that can shift torque to the axle with the most grip versions fitted with a six-speed manual get a conventional viscous coupling. Turn into a corner and you’ll discover the Outback’s steering lacks feel, but there’s a surprising amount of grip. Refinement isn’t as strong as in an Audi A4 Allroad, but once the boxer unit is warmed up it’s rarely intrusive, while wind and road noise are kept to a minimum. You should also consider the Outback if you're looking at crossovers and SUVs with four-wheel drive, but you need a car that can deliver genuine off-road ability. Still, you can consider the Skoda Octavia Scout, Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer and Volkswagen Passat Alltrack as rivals, as is the Audi A4 Allroad, although that's more expensive and none of these models will be as good as the Outback off-road. The Outback is a fairly unique proposition on the new car market, as no other rival offers the same type of permanent 4WD that it comes with. Prices start at around £33,000, with the sole option - apart from the auto box on the diesel - is metallic paint at around £500. Lineartronic cars get Subaru's EyeSight system that adds adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping. There's a single trim offered, SE Premium, and as you would expect, it's loaded with kit, including a host of safety systems. The former comes with Subaru's Lineartronic CVT auto as standard, while it's a £2,000 option on the diesel, which gets a six-speed manual as standard. In the UK, the Outback comes with a choice of two engines, a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer petrol and a 2.0 flat-four diesel. There are horizontally-opposed boxer engines under the bonnet, while the four-wheel-drive system is a permanent set-up that sends power to all four wheels at all times, rather than the reactive 4WD systems seen in some rivals that only send power to the other wheels when it's needed. However, it's directly related to the Legacy Mk6 that's sold in other parts of the world (although that car is now only offered as a saloon), and it features plenty of traditional Subaru touches. Therefore it only carries the Outback name, with no reference at all to its Legacy heritage. The current Outback went on sale in 2015, and it's the sole version of the Legacy that's sold in the UK today. Ever since, Subaru has produced a high-riding version of the Legacy estate. The first Outback arrived in 1994, and was a development of Subaru's Mk2 family estate, the Legacy Wagon. While cars like the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Qashqai came along to redefine what a crossover was, the Outback has continued in its own tradition, and has since been joined by similar high-riding estates. It's arguable that it was the first crossover, as it mixed the practicality of an estate car with the rugged looks of an SUV. While the high-riding 4WD estate seems like a new fad with some car makers, Subaru has been at it with the Outback model for nearly 25 years.
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