Subaru Outback UK Review 2022 | The Ultimate Estate? | OSV Car Reviews

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Meet the Subaru Outback!
Subaru has simplified the Outback line-up to make the point of entry as accessible as possible. There are three clearly defined trim levels to choose from - the well-equipped Limited, the off-road optimised Field and the luxurious Touring - and just a single petrol engine option.
But is it as nice to drive around town than it is off the beaten track? And how does it compare to other jacked-up estates like the Volvo V60 and V90 Cross Country, and genuine off-roaders like the Toyota Land Cruiser? Let’s take a look...
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⏳ TIMESTAMPS ⏳
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Overview
01:52 Design
04:54 Practicality & Boot Space
07:32 Driving
15:41 Interior
24:21 Trim Levels
25:25 Conclusion
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[@user-wt8jp4qx6l]

I have one of these. This is an OK review, but by stressing how alternatives are 'more sporty' you neglect the fact that you'd be bonkers to buy this car if you wanted a sporty drive. This car does what it has been designed for, and it does it extremely well. It has to be one of the best 4x4 systems for a car that's going to spend 90 plus % of the time on the road. The CVT is fine, it you drive the car like it was designed for, 'steady-eddie' arnd it's smooth, and steady-away. Also, you really need to check your fact guys before you review. or you'll be under-selling this fab car Firstly, THERE IS a dedicated storage area under the boot floor for the parcel shelf, (please read the manual) and importantly, you neglected to say that you can also fit a FULL SIZED SPARE WHEEL in the OB (you can't in the other Subaru e-boxer models), which is crucial for any vehicle with off-road aspirations.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thank you for your feedback, we've passed this onto our team

[@andrewleventis8341]

Best car Ive ever had, great value, safe, and reliable

[@russellhomans2173]

Interesting review. I have had a Touring spec for 18 months. The good points are very smooth ride. It has performed faultlessly in snow and muddy work sites without even using x-mode. The CVT is smooth but can rev reasonably high if you push on but that is not really what this car is for. Usable boot space is better than my old Volvo V90. I average 36mpg but around town it does use a lot of fuel. The active cruise control and driver assit are very good in most weather conditions and is no more temperamental than the Volvo system. The complaints would be the stop start control, hold system and heated seat controls are within the screen accessed menus but i understand that has changed on the new operating system. If you are looking for a comfortable load carrier that will go anywhere you will find it hard to beat.

[@Mogsy28uk]

Cracking car, recently upgraded from Gen 5 Prem to Gen 6 Touring in Magnetite Grey, ground clearance handy and the interior quality is much better, new portrait screen and nappa leather seats (very comfortable) & prem sound system is also good. One of the safest vehicles on the road (Eyesight), just wish for turbo engine to better suit Scottish roads. Acoustic front glass is good, and noticed the difference from the Gen 5, but also miss my gas bonnet struts, which the Gen 6 does not have. Driver profiles will set seat and mirrors for you also just by scanning your face. Just watch lane departure system, when on narrow roads with white lines at the sides, suggest you dial it back. Mudguards and all weather mats/boot liner a must too.

[@Muushondje]

The only car you ever need.

[@bondjamesbond9041]

Very good car and should prove reliable. Would have one of these over any VW, MB. BMW or French offering. Look forward to the review.

[@plane-amazing]

Agree that more homework needs to be done... You cant activate the reversing camera at time with just the press of a button - the button is for the near side camera which helps you avoid scuffing your wheels on the kerb. Ido appreciate though the sense of the car your review offers - Great!

[@swedishbob_7315]

Had the Outback Sports XT for 3 weeks... brillant

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Great to hear! If you enjoyed the video, make sure to subscribe: bit.ly/319ZKoT​

[@stemuhl]

Love it!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Great to hear! If you're interested in the Subaru Outback, our Vehicle Experts can get you behind the wheel of this car 👍 Fill-in this quick form and we'll get in touch: bit.ly/39YHCml

[@everydayspacenut]

How tall are you, as the car look massive on comparison with you .

[@neilholmes7313]

I have the previous model, but feel Subaru have got it wrong with the new model engine line up…or no line up!

[@misty671]

I like this car and I'm ready to buy but the wait time is 6 months.

[@robertpreston3965]

A really great machine.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for watching, Robert. Would you consider the Outback?

[@nohedes]

I wanted to like this car, looked great for the dog and hitting the hills around the Peaks and Lakes. I could live with the poor fuel economy or the lethargy but slow and thirsty is a deal breaker. Shame Subaru didn't offer a decent diesel or turbo petrol with some decent torque.

[@australianmade2659]

They make a turbo petrol. Perhaps the UK doesn’t get it

[@nohedes]

@@australianmade2659 Sadly not, we just get the gutless NA version 😩

[@robbrownfield7677]

It’s not slow and thirsty, it’s steady and reasonable. Mine is on 40k miles and my B trip has never been reset, meaning that the average fuel over the entire life of the car is 40.2mpg. It has a “Sport” mode that I flip on for overtakes, and it pulls well.

[@mertersun]

Is the car so big, or Tom is so small?

[@collinsodhiambo8316]

Detailed review Sir 🔥🔥🔥🔥Is there an automatic transmission version?

[@alanbush9666]

It is ONLY automatic!!!

[@tbeau6663]

Love the car, just hate the wheels. With a passion!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Interesting! Which are your preferred alloys?

[@makob3279]

Great car but here in continental Europe with such a low power sluggish powertrain it is basically no go. You can’t accelerate properly, car takes too much fuel for its size, so how come it looks so good and it has such a poor performance?

[@stuartkennedy4202]

The boxer engine is out of date with its poor economy and power output. The U.K. range is very poor with limited versions of each of the models with outback, Crosstrek not getting Sport, wilderness versions with most other countries getting 2.5 turbo even in the Crosstrek. Subaru I feel abandoned the U.K. market. Masada CX-30 in its 2.0L non turbo even has a 184 BHP which is nearly 30 BHP more than the new U.K. Crosstrek which has dropped its output from 150 to 136 BHP. Never seen a newer model reducing its power. If it had 180 - 200 BHP I would have either one tomorrow.

[@chrispnw2547]

The new Prius has 30HP more in its base engine. Base engine needs at least 200hp and a new set of graphics for the infotainment (less 80s looking).

[@TheSpoovy]

Just had a look at one in the flesh, played with the infotainment a bit. It's an amazing vehicle, the only thing holding me back from upgrading from my XV on the spot was the touchscreen though; I really don't want to be navigating that while driving just to change the HVAC settings. And please stop calling us "guys" its infuriating. Ever seen professional TV presenters say it? No!

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Thanks for watching and your feedback 👍 We'll pass this onto our team.

[@MarthaMansbridge]

Agreed - we also had an XV and the driver aids all now being buried in software is infuriating - same goes for heating controls - whilst they’ve added a few physical buttons it’s still too much touchscreen. Biggest mistake is putting X-Mode on the screen so just when you might need a quick switch in bad conditions you’ve to faff about with the screen - there’s a ‘shortcut’ at the top of the screen but even that you have to be on the right page! Nonsensical

[@sweetfreedomGB]

Not pretty, especially the roof rails, but a solid car

[@JamesWilliam70]

Do still have to change the oil every 5k miles ? 2 services per year?

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Hello 👋 Yes, for optimum road safety we recommend changing the oil every 5,000 - 7,000 miles.

[@robbrownfield7677]

@@OsvUkVehicleSupplysince sun has an oil change increased safety? The service schedule for oil changes is 12,000 miles.

[@johnlyon6624]

Shame you didn’t do your homework. Yes, there is provision to store the load cover under the boot floor!

[@newbeginnings8566]

Am interesting vehicle let down by a lazy, lack lustre uneconomical engine that leads to heavy taxation... A new engine design would save this vehicle.. it needs more BHP but especially much more torque and low down torque. Basically it needs a turbo... So 50% more power, 50% more torque starting at 1800 rpm and finally, at least 30% better fuel economy.... Then a mild hybrid to get those CO2 figures down to help buyers not get penalised but the ridiculous European taxation on vehicles...

[@dannybrasco7928]

Was interested. Obsolete engine with low bhp and thirst. Game over. Slow

[@barrythomas9571]

The mpg is disappointing, so they dropped the diesel, probably because of so called pollutants, that would have meant greater mpg wouldn't it? Put a 2.5 litre unit in its place which has a higher tax bracket and less mpg, so over time that would pollute more? Or have I got that wrong, this is sold as a good car off road, so it is better used a an agricultural vehicle, and then a cvt, was thinking of buying one of these I think I'll pass on that, hybrids still no good for me, there are better cars, not much better but enough for me to take my money elsewhere. Thank you for the report

[@MarthaMansbridge]

Had this for 18 months - riddled with build quality issues. Many issues across the globe being reported with rattling roof panels on the sunroof model that make it sound like a creaking ship at any speed - 2.5l engine is absolutely gutless very disappointed with the quality of this car. Over 15,000 miles it has averaged 29mpg. The EyeSight system is way behind rivals - Subaru make a big deal how they’ve been developing it for 30 years… presumably it still uses computer tech from the 90’s - it fails often in poor conditions, rain, fog etc as it literally can’t see. Lane keep assist is also poor, it will turn itself off very often when it’s not happy - it won’t steer you round even a gentle bend, say on a motorway, without disabling itself. Rear and side camera are poor in terms of visibility - a car this size should have a full 360 system. We had to upgrade the reversing light with LEDs as you simply couldn’t see anything at all in the dark either through the window or the woeful-in-the-dark rear camera. In only 12 months it ate a pair of front brake pads despite average mileage - meaning this car cost me over £500 for the very first service. On the plus side, it feels very safe on the road, the ride quality is very good and the AWD capability is great. Is it worth the money? From a real owner who’s done 15k miles, over two winters - no. Don’t think I’d consider Subaru again, judging by their sales, I’d be surprised if their still in the U.K. market in 12 months anyway

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Many thanks for watching and your honest review of the Subaru Outback 👍

[@DD-oy6qd]

I test drove it and the reason I did not buy was the laughable lack of power.

[@AL-to4ro]

Out of interest, what year/generation was your outback?

[@shaun1900]

Do you have the latest generation if you are in the UK, as it hasn't been available for 18 months? Meanwhile, after 35 thousand k's in Australia, ours has been impeccable, loaded up to the snow, weekends away mountain biking, it's bulletproof - far from gutless with 4 people, all our gear and a roof box and 2 mountain bikes on the Thule bike rack it was more than capable, no it won't rip a hot hatch off the lights, but it wasn't designed to. The Nanny electronics can be mildly irritating, but that's about it. The forums are littered with happy owners in Australia, the United States (where it's the number one selling wagon by a considerable margin) and NZ - all with more extreme weather and environmental conditions than the UK.

[@sg011307]

@@shaun1900 Agree, 12 months UK owner here, very happy with this car, does everything I need. All these lame people complaining about horsepower----this isn't designed for drag race or hot hatch, its power is fine for what it is designed for.

[@roach9557]

grandpa car 😂

[@shaun1900]

It's not an SUV, it's a wagon/estate, as is the Volvo and Passat you talk about.

[@OsvUkVehicleSupply]

Apologies for this error, we've passed this onto the video team.