Subaru Outback Touring review: 7th-gen itch

You want to talk authentic crossover-SUVs? You're talking about the Subaru Outback. While Toyota and Honda blended bespoke SUV styling with passenger-car platforms in the mid-1990s, Subaru simply took its Legacy station wagon and raised the suspension - meaning you had something that was still clearly an estate car, but with the ground clearance and chunky body addenda (yes, it added some of that too) of something more 4x4-ish.

And so it continued for six generations of Outback. Whether this new 7th-gen model is quite the same thing is open to debate. It's the first Outback not to be based on a Legacy sedan or wagon: while that model disappeared from NZ back in 2020, it continued in the US until 2025 and continued to provide the base for "our" 6th-gen Outback.

But Outback is no longer tied to a passenger-car, so Subaru has taken the opportunity to make it taller, chunkier and a lot more trad-SUV-like. A lot more like every other model out there, in other words.

The new Outback is offered in three mainstream models with the 2.5-litre engine, and two more-off-roady Wilderness verisons with a turbo 2.4-litre. Our Touring test car is the most luxurious of the 2.5-litre cars.

On the outside: what are the Subaru Outback Touring's main design features?

Are we being unfair about the look? Subaru has indeed maintained styling lip-service to the station-wagon profile of the previous Outback in the new model: it does still look a little bit like an estate car.

You want to talk authentic crossover-SUVs? You're talking about the Subaru Outback.

The footprint is not too different, either: identical wheelbase, 10mm longer and just 5m wider. But it's up to 50mm taller, which is why it looks so much more like a traditional SUV. That, plus the bluff front-end and more extreme body cladding.

Those big roof rails aren't just for show, by the way. Static load capacity has been increased from an already-impressive 318kg to 363kg for the new model, to "better support adventure gear".

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Subaru Outback Touring cabin like?

For a luxury model, the Touring cabin looks pretty low-key - at least in the black-on-black colour scheme of our test car. Brown upholstery is an option on this model, and one we'd consider.

The 'contractible surface' cargo cover attaches magnetically and can be folded (well, screwed up) and stored in the apron trim pocket when not in use.

But despite the conservative ambience, the tech and luxury is certainly here. The instrumentation and infotainment displays are gathered together in a split-level "wave", but extra thought has clearly also gone into the demarkation of digital and physical. The climate controls have moved back to actual buttons and the trip computer is now one click away on the steering wheel, for example.

It's a been a Subaru thing lately that there aren't huge specification differences between the various grades. The Touring adds Nappa leather, ventilated and heated front seats (plus heating in the rear), wireless phone charger, and automatic driver-seat and door-mirror adjustment via the Driver Monitoring System (DMS) camera. Both the Premium and Touring have Harman Kardon audio.

The only way you can clearly tell it's a Touring from the outside is the gloss-finish on the 18-inch alloys.

Outback remains a super-practical SUV, with impressive cabin storage. The rear seat is spacious, the boot has grown 8 litres to 530l and seats fold neat-flat. There's no hard cargo cover: instead you get one with a "contractible surface" that attaches magnetically and can be folded (well, screwed up actually) and stored in the apron trim pocket when not in use.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Subaru Outback Touring like to drive?

The good news is that the new model drives on-road exactly like you'd expect an Outback to: a well-sorted wagon with some extra suspension compliance, in other words.

The bad news is that Subaru is sticking to its guns with the naturally aspirated, non-electrified 2.5-litre engine for its mainstream Outbacks.

Subaru has long had the knack of combining a compliant ride and a bit of body roll with great body control and confident steering. The new model keeps that character, despite the extra height.

It's still brilliant on loose surfaces, thanks to the brand's highly capable all-wheel drive system. Which can also take you off the beaten track to a greater extent that your average crossover-SUV, although nobody's claiming it's a hard-core 4x4.

The bad news is that Subaru is sticking to its guns with the naturally aspirated, non-electrified 2.5-litre engine for its mainstream Outbacks. It's also dispensed with drive modes, save a single X-Mode setting for off-tarmac use.

Subaru is a small company and its hybrid investment has gone into its biggest-seller globally, the Forester (with help from some Toyota hardware). But it must be said, the Outback remains the most popular Subaru in NZ, and the lack of hybridisation on what's already a relatively thirsty model is disappointing.

Especially so because it's quite sluggish from standstill, the continuously variable transmission taking a moment to ramp up and get the best out of the petrol engine. On the plus side, at cruising speeds the power is extremely quiet and refined.

At the time of writing, the Outback wasn't officially on sale in NZ, so we don't have a Kiwi-specific 3P-WLTP fuel efficiency figure. Subaru quotes an official Australian 8.1l/100km, which is usually a lot more lenient than the Kiwi protocol; but to be fair, we got 8.3l/100km during our test week. Not great, but not a lot more than the official number.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Subaru Outback Touring warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle warranty is 3 years or 100,000km. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Subaru Outback Touring?

The Outback is moving into its next phase of being more SUV more than wagon. That means the relative elegance and understated visual character of Outbacks past is also moving aside for a more in-your-face attitude. All a matter of taste, of course, and Subaru obviously feels this is where the market wants it to be.

The sluggish nature of the powertrain in urban driving is disappointing, as is the lack of hybrid technology - which would improve performance as well as reducing fuel consumption.

But if you're coming to this Outback looking for those familiar values of comfort, practicality and exquisite on-road/off-tarmac SUV manners, they're all still here. Subaru's crossover star is still with us, but in some different packaging.

Subaru Outback Touring FAQs

What kind of car is the Subaru Outback Touring?

A large 5-seat family SUV.

Does the Subaru Outback Touring have hybrid or EV technology?

No.

What’s the fuel economy of the Subaru Outback Touring?

No official NZ figure to hand at the time of writing, but the Australian figure is 8.1l/100km.

Is the Subaru Outback Touring safe?

It's yet to be tested by ANCAP, but carries a 5-star NZ VSRR rating.

What safety and assistance features does the Subaru Outback Touring have?

What are the Subaru Outback Touring's main AWD rivals?

• Toyota RAV4 Adventure ($60,990): Most SUV-oriented RAV4, with hybrid tech and E-Four AWD.
• Mazda CX-5 Takami ($61,990): Mazda is also sticking to ICE for the new CX-5. Takami is the top.
• Honda CR-V Hybrid X AWD ($62,000): Lower-spec than Outback Touring, but with e:HEV tech. 
• Nissan X-Trail Ti-L ($60,990): X-Trail comes in ICE or e-Power hybrid for another $4k.
• Subaru Forester Touring hybrid ($62,990): Yes, a bit smaller, but still super-practical (and hybrid).