Subaru have enhanced their Outback range for the 2014 model year with a new model line-up featuring Boxer engine power, Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission and Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

The three distinct models

First up is the Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium Lineartronic equipped with the naturally aspirated Boxer power plant producing 123kW of power and 229Nm of torque.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, hard-wearing bumpers and side sills, a sunroof, roof rails, ambient cabin lighting, leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a rear-view camera, an electric driver’s seat with memory function, a six-speaker sound system (MP3/CD/AUX/USB) and Bluetooth.

Next up is the Outback 2.5i-S Premium Lineartronic, which features the same drivetrain as the 2.5i. However it gets colour-coding and its front features dark-painted headlight clusters and a black radiator grille with a chrome accent.

The eighteen-inch gunmetal alloy wheels and silver-painted roof rails also increase visual appeal and set it apart from the entry-level model. Feature upgrades to go with the Sport nomenclature on the inside include carbon-like interior trim and sports alloy pedals.

Lastly, the “robust” Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium Lineartronic is fitted with a turbo-diesel engine developing 350Nm from just 1800rpm. According to Subaru, the diesel CVT consumes just 6.5-litres of 50 ppm diesel per 100km on the combined cycle.

The range-topping diesel model further benefits from dark-painted 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and push-button starting, and roof rails which feature built-in cross-bars that can be folded across the roof for fitment of a bike rack or roof storage box. There are also contrasting black-painted side skirts and bumper edges and an intercooler scoop on the bonnet, along with dark-painted xenon headlight clusters and a black-painted grille.

High-spec safety features

All Subaru Outback models feature the manufactures Ring-Shaped Reinforcement along with seven airbags, seat belt warning buzzers for all five seats, a collapsible brake pedal, ISOFIX child seat anchor points and whiplash-reducing seats.

The Outback’s five-star ANCAP and EuroNCAP safety ratings were achieved thanks to a host of electronic aids which include ABS, EBD, BAS, VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) and traction control. The Subaru Outback also received the IIHS Top Safety Pick award, something it shares with the rest of the Subaru product offering.

Subaru Outback Range Price in South Africa

Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium Lineartronic – R409 000

Subaru Outback 2.5i-S Premium Lineartronic – R419 000

Subaru Outback 2.0D Premium Lineartronic – R469 000

All Subaru Outback models come standard with a three-year or 100 000km warranty. Both the 2.5-litre petrol models feature a three-year or 75 000km maintenance plan, while the diesel model features a three-year or 60 000km maintenance plan.

Subaru Outback gallery