It's still easy to drive this Swiss army knife of a car, although the steering is heavy at times. Now, don't think for a moment that the Subaru Outback is a sports car, but its get-up-and-go is definitely capable of more getting and going.įor the rest, the wagon's handling hasn't changed. In the Premier XT trim, not only is the atmosphere richer with the Nappa leather changing the scent in the cabin, but with the turbo engine, the heavy wagon suddenly feels lighter. However, this is limited to the Premier XT variant. The 2023 Outback is also equipped with the EyeSight Version 4 system, which has been revised to include a new single camera (with a 100-degree angle). except for the entry-level model! The Starlink system has also been revised to accommodate new features like remote ventilated seat activation or automated tailgate opening.įinally, the quirky new what3words application (only available on models with integrated navigation) is added to the tracking technologies, but frankly, aside from its originality, we don't really see the usefulness of it. The result: those "touch buttons" are at the bottom of the screen all the time.Īpple CarPlay and Android Auto are now wireless. In addition, Subaru heard our complaints about the complexity of using the heated seats, for example. Wireless charging for smart devices is standard on the Touring model, there are new USB-C ports in both rows of seats, and the big centre screen has finally received a climate-control tweak. Well aware of automotive realities in 2023, the folks at Subaru have also upgraded the connectivity of of its resident wagon. Note also that the 18-inch wheel design, reserved for Limited XT and Premier XT trims, is new for 2023. And even though the plastic applied to the body adopts a more chiseled look – like we see on the WRX sedan - the Subaru Outback Wilderness introduced last year remains the most “rugged” option in the lineup, this even as it retains the 2022 model-year design. Otherwise, the LED headlights, LED fog lights, plastic around the wheel arches and rear bumper are all new for the coming year. I attribute this to the fact that the models I tested were dressed in dark colours, which help the plastic panels blend in a bit better with the busy front end. On a personal note, I have to admit that the car looked better to me than it did at the unveiling of the model at the New York Auto Show earlier this spring. According to Subaru, these large black plastic Cs better protect the bodywork when the vehicle ventures onto rougher surfaces. The 2023 edition model differs from the Outback introduced in 2020 by its larger front grille, but also by the design of the bumper that accommodates those fake ventilation hatches. While it still has a family resemblance to previous Legacy Outbacks - especially those in service since 2010 - the latest edition still competes mostly in the midsize crossover segment versus the likes of the Ford Edge, Honda Passport and Nissan Murano, all of which are quite different from the Outback formula. But it has been given stronger suspension components and additional protection all around the body. Now in its sixth generation, the Outback has evolved and is not quite just a wagon version of a sedan anymore. In fact, in the industry, it has become de rigueur for a brand to renew a model after three or four years. No surprise then that the Japanese manufacturer gave its model a redesign for 2023. Other manufacturers have picked up on the idea, including Volvo and Audi, but Subaru's Outback has always been a leader in the genre. Huntsville, ON - Launched in 1995, the world's best-known station wagon has proven over the years that a vehicle doesn't have to look like a truck to meet the needs of young families.
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