We’re honestly glad that Subaru isn’t giving up on the whole station wagon genre. While consumers go crazy with crossovers and SUVs, here's the brand from Gunma offering not just one but two wagons in the Philippines lineup.
We are, of course, talking about the WRX Wagon and Outback. Okay, the Outback is more a mix of wagon and crossover, but there’s no denying that it looks more like the prior than the latter.
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This year, the wagon on stilts gets a new variant and it was revealed at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). It’s the Outback XT Touring, and it finally gets a welcome boost in power, literally.
Those familiar with the XT badge have probably figured out that it’s turbocharged. That's exactly the case in this instance with the Outback getting the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine derived from the Evoltis and WRX Wagon.
No, it doesn’t get WRX-levels of power and torque. For the Subaru Outback XT Touring, it's detuned but still drums up respectable power figures. The turbocharged mill packs 246hp and 350Nm of torque. It’s an improvement of 71hp and 100Nm over the standard 2.5i-S model, something we welcome very much. That engine is then mated to a continiously variable transmission that Subaru calls Lineartronic. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is a given.
From the outside, there is little to distinguish the XT from the 2.5i-S. The only giveaway here is the XT badge on the tailgate. Inside, it shares most of the features already present on the current non-turbocharged variant. That means it gets a large infotainment screen, acres of Nappa leather on the seats, a sunroof, and other convenience features. Subaru's advanced driver assist system, EyeSight 4.0, is fitted standard to this wagon on tall tires.
Prices for the Subaru Outback XT Touring starts at P2,888,000, P388,888 more than the 2.5i-S. What do you think of this the brand’s newest offering?
