Review - 2022 Subaru Outback

As a result, the Subaru Outback has asserted itself atop its competitors as one of the leading options in the adventure-ready segment, even with its competitors playing catch-up. 

In 2022, Subaru has given the Outback a series of predominantly styling updates, which begs the question of whether or not the platform remains one of the leading options in the segment, or whether or not its rivals have overtaken the Outback. 

Just how good is the 2022 Subaru Outback? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $40,690

OnlineAuto Savings: Enquire now

Subaru Outback (AWD) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Subaru Outback car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Subaru Outback lineup kicks off from $40,690 for the entry-level Outback all-wheel drive, while the recently-introduced Outback Premium Special Edition is priced at $44,190.

Opting for the Outback Sport brings the price to $45,190, while the range-topping Outback Touring variant is priced at $48,990.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You? 

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.  

What Features Does the Subaru Outback Have?

The entry-level Subaru Outback receives a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, self-leveling LED headlights, roof rails, cloth upholstery, body-coloured side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors, automatic wipers and an 11.6-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ radio. 

Moving to the Outback Premium Special Edition adds a hands-free boot lift, satellite navigation upgrade, as well as Black Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats in the front and rear of the cabin. 

Opting for the Subaru Outback Sport adds a set of metallic 18-inch alloys, as well as satellite navigation for the infotainment system, a powered boot lift, black styling highlights, front and side-mounted cameras, water-resistant sport seat upholstery and heated front and rear seats. 

Finally, Subaru’s range-topping Outback Touring receives 18-inch gloss alloys, an electric panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery in a choice of black or ivory, silver roof rails, ventilated seats and an upgraded nine-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system. 

Range Features: 

• 18-inch alloys 

• Roof rails 

• Self-leveling LED headlights 

• LED indicators and daytime running lamps 

• Cloth upholstery 

• Body-coloured side mirrors 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Rear-view camera 

• Front and rear-mounted parking sensors 

• 11.6-inch infotainment system with DAB+, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking 

• Rear cross-traffic alerts 

• Blindspot monitoring 

• Powered boot lift (Premium Special Edition) 

• Black Nappa leather upholstery (Premium Special Edition) 

• Heated front and rear seats (Premium Special Edition) 

• Satellite navigation upgrade (Premium Special Edition) 

• Front and side-mounted cameras (Outback Sport) 

• Water-resistant sport seat upholstery (Outback Sport) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Outback Touring)

• Nappa leather upholstery (Outback Touring) 

• Silver roof rails (Outback Touring) 

• Ventilated seats (Outback Touring) 

• Nine-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system (Outback Touring) 

Subaru Outback Colours

The Subaru Outback is available in a choice of colours, including Black Silica, Magnetite Grey, Autumn Green, Brilliant Bronze, Ice Silver, Crimson Red, Storm Grey, Sapphire Blue, Crystal Black and Crystal White. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

When it comes to offering Australian buyers an adaptable platform that is every bit as comfortable driving around town as it is competent off-road, the Outback is truly in a class of its own when it comes to all-round driving capabilities and comfort. 

The entire Outback range is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 138kW of power and 245Nm of torque, which is channeled by a CVT automatic transmission to all four wheels thanks to Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive platform. 

On the road, this engine translates to fairly modest acceleration around town, but when pushed and prompted into action, the powertrain offers up more than enough power for daily driving, while the CVT automatic effectively eliminates a traditional gear ‘shift’ and makes the Outback exceptionally smooth on the road. 

Around town, the Outback remains user-friendly and accessible to drivers of all confidence levels, offering some added ride height over a traditional sedan thanks to its beefed-up suspension, combined with a lightweight steering rack and a fairly compact turning circle that makes daily driving and commutes a simple task.

Where the Outback really begins to shine, though, is when you leave the city and head into the Great Outdoors. Rough, bumpy B-roads in the countryside are no match for the Outback’s rugged suspension platform, which makes it a great option for those looking for a comfortable long-distance tourer. 

The all-wheel-drive platform gives you a tonne of stability in all driving conditions while offering some light off-roading potential thanks to the slightly elevated platform and competent suspension system. This means that the Outback can continue to push further than you’d feel comfortable in a number of its peers, which was the idea of its original design brief. 

All up, the Outback remains one of the leading options for buyers looking for a flexible, comfortable and adaptable platform that feels at home on a daily school run or work commute and while pushing off-road into the Great Outdoors.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Designed as a large, family-friendly wagon, the Subaru Outback absolutely excels in the key areas of space and practicality. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a sleek interior design housing the vertically-mounted infotainment system that dominates the dash, with a relatively straight-forward cabin design featuring some premium elements, but nothing to get too excited about. 

Higher-spec variants receive Nappa leather upgrades for the interior, heated and ventilated seats, as well as a panoramic sunroof that adds massively to the sense of space inside the already-spacious cabin. 

Practical elements in the front of the Outback’s cabin include storage in the large door bins either side, two-tiers of storage inside the folding arm rest, a pair of cupholders, storage behind the gear lever for a smartphone, a compact storage area on the passenger side of the transmission tunnel and in the centre of the passenger’s dash.

Moving to the second row of the Outback’s cabin, you’ll find an extremely comfortable benchseat with acres of legroom for those seated in the rear of the cabin.

 As an adult, sitting behind even a tall driver is no problem in the Outback, which offers an impressive amount of leg and headroom in the second row of the cabin, making it a perfect option for growing families. On that note, the Outback also features a pair of ISOFIX anchors on either side of the cabin, as well as three top tether mounts for child seats, and two USB charging ports to keep your kids happy in the rear of the cabin. 

In terms of road-trip-ready cargo storage, the Subaru Outback has a boot offering 522L of storage, with a heap of tie-down points and hooks adding to the flexibility of the boot. Fold the rear seats down and you’ll find 1,267L of storage in the Outback’s boot.

Is it Safe?

The Subaru Outback has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, receiving a score of 88% for adult protection, 91% for child protection, 84% for road user protection and 96% for its safety assist technologies. 

As standard, the Outback receives a huge number of safety features, including forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking and steering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance, lane-departure warnings and driver attention monitoring. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

While it might be a large, spacious family-wagon, the Subaru Outback’s engine is surprisingly economical when it comes to fuel use. 

Officially, it’s rated at 7.3L/100km on a combined cycle, offering SUV-rivalling practicality in a vehicle that rivals a hatchback when it comes to fuel efficiency. 

Our Verdict: Is the Subaru Outback Worth it?

As a complete package, the Subaru Outback platform ticks all the important boxes for families that might otherwise be looking at stepping up to a significiantly more expensive SUV platform. 

Around town, the Outback is approachable and supremely comfortable, while the rugged platform makes it the perfect companion for long-distance road trips and even off-road adventures. 

Featuring a heap of safety equipment and SUV-rivalling space and practicality in the rear of the cabin, the Subaru Outback remains one of the most adaptable vehicles on the Australian market, and is well-deserving of a spot on your shortlist. 

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

2. Five-years capped price servicing; intervals of 12-month/12,500km

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

4. Symmetrical all-wheel-drive platform 

5. 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 7.3L/100km 

Pros 

• Refined, comfortable driving experience 

• Spacious, practical and family-friendly package 

• Comprehensive safety equipment as standard 

• Confidence-inspiring adaptability 

Cons

• Pricey pre-paid servicing costs

• Begging for a turbocharged/hybrid variant

• Intrusive safety monitoring at times

OnlineAuto Rating: 9.5/10

Subaru Outback Competition