Subaru Outback named Best Crossover Estate by 4x4 Magazine

MANILA: Subaru UK announced on Tuesday that the Subaru Outback has won the Best Crossover Estate title in the 4x4 Magazine Awards for 2023.

“There’s never been an Outback we didn’t admire, even back in the days before Subaru had started calling it that. The company knows exactly what it’s doing with vehicles like this. The latest model has more technology than ever before, but on top of that it also has everything you need to make a good, usable family wagon. Things like a roomy cabin front and rear, brilliant flexibility for carrying cargo and, no small matter, world-class safety kit. And on top of that, you can drive it in sloppy, wet, muddy conditions all day long. The Outback’s character and looks remain much as they were before. But with a new platform under the skin, it’s a far safer and more athletic vehicle – and one which continues to move the game forward in the crossover class. It’s often said that once you’ve owned a Subaru, you never want to be without one. And there’s a reason for that. The Outback is all the family car you’re ever likely to need – and, in the real world, it’s all the off-roader you’re ever likely to need too,” 4x4 Magazine Editor Alan Kidd stated.

The Subaru Outback is engineered with the Subaru Global Platform and features the latest driver assist safety system.

The Subaru Outback comes with the latest version of EyeSight, the brand’s award-winning preventive safety system, to the local market. EyeSight 4.0’s pre-collision braking features improved stereo cameras and wider angle of coverage. It can now help the driver look left and right to detect obstructions and prevent possible collisions at intersections. The new stereo cameras also help the system detect nearby lanes as well so it can foresee if a vehicle beside is going to move into the Subaru Outback’s lane.

The EyeSight 4.0’s adaptive cruise control system also comes with a lane centering function that helps the driver steer the Outback to keep it in the middle of the lane. The ACC now also helps the driver in keeping the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle in front by automatically slowing down or speeding up.

Another upgraded EyeSight feature is the lane departure warning, which now comes with lane departure prevention. When the system detects that the driver is about to cross the lane markings while traveling at 60kph or more, it nudges the steering wheel slightly towards the inside of the lane.

The Subaru Outback also comes with the EyeSight Assist Monitor that provides visual warnings on the windshield to make the driver aware of possible road hazards.

The Subaru Outback also comes with a driver monitoring system that uses an infrared camera and facial recognition technology to monitor the driver’s eyes and alert the driver when they are looking away from the road when driving.

Other safety features of the Subaru Outback include eight airbags, steering responsive headlights, adaptive driving beam, blind-spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking.

The Subaru Outback gets a full inner frame structure and symmetrical all-wheel drive that help the vehicle deliver superb handling and stability. Its 2.5-liter direct injection boxer engine churns out 188ps and 245Nm of torque, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from a standstill to 100kph in 9.6 seconds.

The Subaru Outback has an ample ground clearance of 213mm, and is designed with well-made bumper guards, heavy-duty crossbar roof rails, and durable body claddings to achieve a rugged look. It also comes with a 537-liter luggage compartment and a hands-free power rear gate.

The Subaru Outback can accommodate up to five passengers. It is the first Subaru model to be equipped with Nappa leather seats with extra plush cushioning and premium trim.

The Subaru Outback is equipped with an 11.6-inch high-definition, tablet-style LCD infotainment touchscreen which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with a 576-watt Harman/Kardon premium audio system with 11 speakers, a subwoofer, and an eight-channel amplifier.

“We are delighted that the Outback has won the 4x4 Magazine’s Best Crossover Estate of the Year sponsored by BFGoodrich,” Subaru UK Managing Director Pat Ryan said. “This is a fantastic car which our customers love and trust year after year, mile after mile. Subaru customers know what it means to be driving one of the safest, most capable and reliable vehicles on the road today.”

Photo from Subaru UK

Also read: Subaru announces lineup for Tokyo Auto Salon 2023