Since 1996 Subaru UK have sold over 11,000 Outbacks in the UK, which is quite a high number from this relatively small importer and you would be forgiven for admitting you have never seen one. This Subaru is fairly anonymous and if you did see one, you would probably not know what it was anyway.

Subaru, like most other Japanese manufacturers and importers, have suffered in the recent past with the exchange rate between the Japanese Yen and Sterling. Not long ago it was 240 Yen to the Pound and then it dropped dramatically to 140 but has recently recovered to around 160. This translates in to very uncompetitive pricing when the cars arrive in the UK , which in turn means profit margins are very thin to enable the cars to compete with the other manufacturer offerings in the UK market. But the management, including Paul Tunnicliffe the MD of Subaru, have kept going and are continually ‘negotiating’ with the Japanese to get the prices right and remain reasonably competitive.

There are currently around 60 dealers in the UK with more being added all the time. Subaru would like to have 70 in the near future, which is still lower than Subaru would ideally like. But on the positive side dealer numbers are now going up and not down.
The new or rather facelift Outback remains anonymous and you have to look at the badge to see what it is or at least most people do. But it does have new 17-inch wheels, larger front fog lamps and silver roof rails.

The interior gets an updated instrument binnacle. The centre console has been rearranged to be more convenient, as the old one simply got in the way. For the first time the parking brake is electronic which does give that bit of extra room between the seats. Areas of carbon fibre look-alike materials have been added to give it a bit more of a sporty look and also improve the quality look and feel.

Overall the interior of the Outback has been slightly improved but is still a bit dated and old fashioned. In its favour though is, it is solid, everything about the cabin is well put together and you feel that there will never be a rattle or anything will fall off it. A modernisation programme might have been in order from the designers. There’s loads of rear leg room, more MPV like than estate. The boot also has plenty of room for luggage, shopping, some shooting equipment or for farmers, a couple of sheep, as this car is ideally suited for the countryside fraternity.

The biggest addition now is the introduction of a 7 Speed automatic gearbox.This is a first for Subaru, having a diesel with an automatic gearbox. The 7 Speed Lineartronic gearbox has been available on the current petrol version for some time. But the fuel economy of this powertrain has meant that it has not been a popular choice to date.

The Outback is all wheel drive and powered by a flat four boxer diesel engine that produces 150ps, has a 0 – 62mph time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 121mph. It has a combined fuel consumption figure of 44.8 mpg and a Co2 emission figure of 155g/km for the manual and 166g/km for the automatic. It does drive OK but is not as user friendly as many of its direct competitors, although on the more positive side it does feel rock solid and as safe as houses.

We took the Outback SX diesel automatic around Harrogate and found the automatic gearbox to be smooth and efficient but nothing outstanding and certainly no better than any of its German premium competitors or any other automatic gearbox really.But at least Subaru have now caught up with the times and offer a combination that people actually want.

Subaru say that they will be re-introducing the Impreza WRX in March next year, so that will no doubt make the boy racers and those who like to wake everyone up in the middle of the night happy once again. Prices for the Outback diesel range from £29,995 to £31,495.

If the Outback was to be used as Noahs Ark, as it has a large load capacity and is often used for transporting animals, you could say: ‘The Animals went in Subaru……'

UK Press Launch, Harrogate

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager