There are underrated cars, then there are underrated cars. The Subaru Outback has always fallen under the latter. Being one of the most misunderstood vehicles in the Japanese carmaker’s lineup, it has always had a special place in our hearts. Looking like a station wagon but driving like a car, and equipped with the ride height of an SUV, it tends to be overlooked by people in favor of Subaru’s more contemporary offerings.
What makes the Outback so weird, however, is also what makes it so endearing. Did you ever want a car that’s sporty to drive, but affords you the security of a Fortuner’s ground clearance? Here’s your car. Did you ever crave the practicality of a station wagon, but dislike wallowy handling? Well, the Outback has Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD and handling that can live up to the hype.
In being a jack of all trades, then, can this weird vehicle excel in anything? Or does it fall flat in everything? We have a long-term Outback with us, and we will find out over the next few months just what makes this car tick.
Overview: Subaru Outback XT
Launched at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show, the Outback XT is the new version of the model that has been sold for a few years by local Subaru distributor Motor Image Pilipinas. More than just a mild change, the XT in the name shows that this version finally receives the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the WRX.
While it is a bit detuned from its sports-sedan stablemate, the engine is still good for 246hp and 350Nm of torque. Due to a difference in gearing, some media outlets have put its 0-60mph (0-97kph) times at around 5.8-5.9sec, or about as fast as the current WRX—which is insane. Insane and great, since the previous naturally aspirated Outback had some owners complaining about the sluggish acceleration, which resulted in bad fuel economy (we will get to that in a bit).
Besides the change in engine, the Outback is still as practical as it always has been. It has a ground clearance of 213mm and Symmetrical AWD. For safety, it comes with the latest generation of the Subaru Eyesight system, which allowed this generation of Outback to achieve the highest overall score (88.8%) of all cars assessed by Euro NCAP.
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Delivery
We took delivery of the Outback XT at the newly opened Subaru dealership along C5. The dealership used to belong to another brand just a few years ago, but from the way it was laid out, you wouldn’t know it. The dealership was bright, and while not the most exciting, it had a good amount of models on display, in case of last-minute changes of mind.
The release went quickly, with the car already tinted when we arrived, and after a few minutes of signing some documents and removing plastics, we were on the road.
First impressions
The first thing you notice when you sit in the Outback is just how car-like its interior feels. Subarus have always had decent cockpits, and this is definitely no exception. The driving position could be adjusted low enough to sort of be sporty, and the OEM Recaro seat offers a lot of electric adjustability and lateral support. Touch points are all generally soft to the touch and covered in leather.
We’re dismayed by the giant touchscreen, as Subaru has moved a lot of the functions away from physical buttons and into the screen. Only time will tell if we will truly adjust to using the screen to access a lot of the functions of the car. Thankfully, Subaru has left some physical switchgear, including the A/C controls (although the blower control is a touch button), the volume knob, and the defoggers.
Power is delivered seamlessly and immediately. A lot of people tend to hate on Subarus for having CVTs, but in the case of the Outback, it just makes sense. The smooth, seamless way the power comes on helps the car feel very light on its feet, despite its heft.
It may feel light, but that could also be because of how fast the Outback drinks its fuel. We average a dismal 5km/L in the city, and see numbers as low as 3km/L in heavy traffic. We are hoping that as we get used to the car and take it out on longer drives, this number will improve. At least we hope it will.
In the short time we’ve had the Outback, its handling has left a good impression. This really does drive like a sporty sedan, even looking the way it does. In terms of practicality, this wagon’s most underrated feature is the amount of space for passengers in the second row—it is absolutely cavernous. Add to this a humongous cargo area and what you have here is potentially one of the best five-seater non-SUVs you can buy.
SPECS: 2024 Subaru Outback XT
Engine: 2.4-liter turbopetrol boxer-four
Transmission: continuously variable
Power: 246hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 2,000-4,800rpm
Driver’s notes
Current mileage: 24 km
Months of ownership: 0 months
Average fuel economy: 7km/L
Cost breakdown
Price: P2,888,000
Comprehensive insurance: P46,000
Registration: P7,918
Tint: P8,000
