In contrast to the Subaru Forester's pure SUV positioning, the Outback is actually a crossover, and its relationship with Legacy is similar to that of Honda's Geshito to the Accord. It goes further than simply raising the chassis, completely blurring the boundaries of the positioning of traditional SUVs, sedans, station wagons, and MPV models. In terms of daily driving and control, it tends to be a sedan, in terms of space practicality, it is not lost to station wagons or MPVs, and in terms of off-road performance, it is also stronger than most urban SUVs, which can be called an all-round product.
 
This generation of Outback belongs to the fifth generation, but is based on the development of the sixth generation of Legacy Lux. The early model in China has a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine (FB25) and a top-of-the-line 2.0T turbocharged engine (FA20DIT), while the 2018 model has canceled the 2.0T power, leaving only a 2.5L self-aspirated engine with a Lineartronic CVT transmission.
 
Subaru's powertrain belongs to the normal level of self-priming models of the same level in absolute power, with a 000 acceleration score of about 10 seconds, which is not fast, but it is biased towards the front section in the throttle adjustment, and it can already output abundant power in the first half of the road, and it is relatively light and brisk to drive, and it also has S mode and I mode, which has a reasonable choice in terms of performance and fuel economy.
 
Horizontally opposed engines also have an advantage in terms of running smoothness, and unless the revs are relatively high, the presence of engine noise is weak. Fuel economy should be combined with the gearbox, the early Lineartronic transmission only simulated 6 gears, the later model is simulated 7 gears, the increase in simulated gears combined with the optimization of the mechanical structure, the fuel consumption of the later model is about 8.9 liters per 100 kilometers, which is slightly lower than the 9.2 liters of the previous model. The Outback CVT transmission has always been known for its smoothness, and the power response is also excellent in CVTs, and the reliability is also very good.
 
In addition to the Subaru BRZ, which was developed in cooperation with Toyota, the full-time all-wheel drive system is standard in Subaru cars. This full-time four-wheel drive has stronger off-road escape performance than most urban SUVs, coupled with the Outback's high chassis, it is not much of a problem for ordinary muddy roads and climbing, and Subaru's X-Mode mode specially equipped for the Outback allows many off-road novices to easily pass the more difficult sections.
 
Both Legacy and Outback are able to provide a fairly quiet cabin, although the sense of luxury has not reached the level of Highlander, but in the same class, the driving comfort of the Outback is already quite excellent, and the Outback's suspension is quite flexible, and the rear seat is also very comfortable. With a low center of gravity and a boxer-opposed engine, the Outback is probably the best handling SUV in its class, and driving it on mountain roads is exactly what a sedan feels like.
 
Subaru's "premium" is reflected in the mechanical quality, its interior has always been plain, and the new Outback Navigation has made significant changes to the center console, integrating the "SI-DRIVE" switch into the steering wheel, which can be operated without taking both hands off the steering wheel. The dense buttons on the old model are all gone, and all other functions of the entire panel are integrated into the system except for the air conditioning area, and the few function buttons on both sides of the screen have also become touch-type, much simpler, which can be regarded as keeping up with the mainstream pace.
 
Subaru's reliability has been significantly improved in recent years, and there are no high-incidence failures in the three major parts and body accessories and electrical appliances. Subaru still maintains import and sales in China, and routine maintenance and repair will be a little more expensive than the joint venture brand, but it can use 92 gasoline, and the cost of use has decreased compared with BBA.
 
In terms of safety, Subaru is a top security brand, and Outback also has a lot of credit, from 2015 to 2019, Outback has won the highest level of IIHS safety evaluation TSP, plus the addition of the 2018 Eyesight system, active and passive safety are very guaranteed, and it is the top choice in the same class.
Subaru Outback review report