2023 Subaru Outback Sport XT Review (2023)

Make no mistake, the 2023 Subaru Outback Sport XT is a wagon. Subaru markets the Outback as an SUV, and the fact that it falls into the large SUV category in sales figures is dodgy, but there's no denying its long-roof styling is adjacent to a wagon.

The model has been on Australian roads for more than 20 years, but until now has been criticized for its lack of turbocharged power. This problem no longer exists, with the introduction of the XT variant2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engineto proveinland areaBag.

If you're staunchly against buying an SUV, but still want reasonable towing capacity, useful interior features and a roomy five-passenger cabin, this is the car to buy. Read on to learn why it excels in these areas.

Subaru is launching a turbocharged Outback in early 2023. It joins the existing lineup of three Outback versions. The range starts at $42,690 (plus on-road costs) and now expands to $55,990 (plus ORC) with the new turbo option.

There are only two variants of the turbo engine -$52.190(plus orcs)Outback Sports XTand the $55,990 Outback Touring XT (plus ORC). It's the first one we've looked at in this review, painted metallic autumn green with no extra options.

In fact, there's almost no way to spend more money on an Outback without stepping up the model class -- save for certain dealer-friendly accessories like floor mats and kickstands.

That's no bad thing, since the Outback Sport XT comes well-equipped straight from the factory for $52,190. In addition to the new 2.4-liter engine (bringing strong power183 kW/350 Nmdrivetrain) with dual exhausts, sport pedals, matte black badging, green trim on the exterior and interior, front and side cameras, water-resistant trim, power tailgate, heated front (and outboard rear) Seats and automatic headlights LED .

The turbo version also has an extra 400kg of towing capacity and a retuned suspension. Of course the Outback gets itSymmetrical four-wheel drive systemHowever, it is no longer a unique selling point for Subaru these days, with many other brands offering 4WD technology in their lineups.

It doesn't take long to realize that the Outback takes up less space on the road than similar SUVs, but there's no shortage of comfort inside—there's plenty of room inside.

Driver and front passenger enjoy plenty of legroom, while electrically adjustable seats (for both) make sitting in a comfortable driving position a joy. There's plenty of storage up front—a slot next to the transmission tunnel, a pair of cupholders, a small phone above the gear selector, a large center console storage compartment, a shallow shelf above the glove box and Door pockets for larger bottles.

The waterproof interior combines dark gray and black with some green stitching. The fabric doesn't feel great to the touch, but there's no denying that it's durable and will unquestionably avoid spills. I don't like the green accents all over the car, but that's just me.

The car feels great put together with no squeaks or squeaks to report.

Rear-seat passengers leave the doors open for ample legroom and a comfortable seat base that stretches the length of your thighs. I put three passengers in the back seat, and they all commented on the impressive side-by-side room, as well as the generous headroom.

Passengers get two USB-A ports for charging devices, as well as heated rear outboard seats and a set of air vents. Like the front row, the second-row cabin is highly polished in terms of build materials and quality.

The boot opens electrically to reveal a huge square522 litersspace. Storing items above the flat floor is simple (no loading lip) and space is largely unconstrained by wheel wells, which makes life easy. There are cargo hooks and mesh storage areas to secure your luggage, while the second row folds away with latches on the wall. There's a 12-volt port to power accessories and a cargo shutter to keep out prying eyes.

Subaru is one of the few manufacturers to start offering a vertical infotainment system. In Subaru's case, not only does it blend well with the surrounding dashboard layout, but the ease of use when scrolling through the screens is surprisingly simple.

It's an 11.6-inch display that can run wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto full screen. The controls are well laid out, with a home button at the bottom and a persistent banner at the top that shows various settings or functions at a glance.

Annoyingly, it uses infotainment-based climate control, but I have to say it actually works fine in this case. At least you have physical buttons to change the temperature, it's just the tiniest detail of the infotainment that you have to delve into.

There are many icons representing different functions of the main menu. They're all big, blocky icons that you can't press wrong. The navigation system uses Tom Tom maps, beautifully rendered on the big screen.

The wireless capabilities of Apple CarPlay never faltered in my use of it, which isn't always the case with the software.

There are USB-A and USB-C ports on the front to power the device, while a small TFT screen in front of the driver displays information like vehicle speed, fuel economy and distance traveled. It also includes a small Subaru Outback graphic showing the brake lights when the car itself is braking.

Subaru has a reputation for producing safe vehicles, and the 2023 Outback is no exception – earning a five-star ANCAP rating based on testing conducted in 2021.

Breaking it down, the Outback net scored 88 percent for adult occupant protection, 91 percent for child protection, 84 percent for pedestrian protection, and a whopping 94 percent for included safety assist features.

Even on the base version, Subaru equips the Outback with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention monitoring, and a rearview camera.

Subaru's driver monitoring system is always on call, constantly checking to see if your eyes are on the road, or if your attention is momentarily distracted. It can be turned off in the infotainment system.

Likewise, adaptive cruise control with steering intervention keeps the car within the correct speed limit for the most part, though it may drift a few kilometers. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Subaru offers a shared five-year/unlimited mileage warranty with the 2023 Outback. It comes with up to five years of pre-order service plans, and the full five-year plan is $2,577.

For roadside assistance, Subaru has combined its program coverage with the Automobile Club of Australia. If you're a club member, Subaru offers 12 months of free roadside assistance.

We researched insurance quotes for the Subaru Outback Sport XT and based on comparative quotes from a 35 year old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW, we came up with a premium of $1469 per annum. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history and personal circumstances.

The turbocharged Subaru Outback claims a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 9.0L/100km. In our example, Subaru used a relatively streamlined8.0 L/100 km.

However, our use is skewed toward long-distance highways (outside the city), where Subaru claims 7.3L/100km. So Outback is not far from statement.

Remember this car needs premium unleaded fuel so you don't have to skimp on the petrol pump, and the fuel tank has a capacity of 63 liters.

Fuel consumption—brought to you by bp

fuel use	fuel statistics
The downside of fuel. (claim)	9.0 L/100 km
The downside of fuel. (under trial)	8.0 L/100 km
gasoline type	95 Octane Premium Unleaded
Fuel tank size	63 liters

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all of us areI am drivingThe Office has been behind the wheel of a Subaru Outback for the past few years, impressing every time, but one thing we've been clamoring for is more power. With a turbocharged engine under the hood, the Subaru Outback now presents a stunning ensemble on the driving pile.

It no longer feels beyond its depth when you put your foot down, and a surge of turbo torque gives the rear end a reassuring boost every time you press the accelerator. 1730kg van accelerates from standstill thanks to healthy183 kW/350 Nmexit. In short, it's the engine the car deserves.

Power is routed through aCVTThat doesn't show the obvious pitfalls of getting fidgety and noisy under the throttle. Paired with a turbocharged engine, the CVT is radically improved and responsive when you need it. Behind the steering wheel is a set of gear levers that change theoretical "gears."

Subaru's all-wheel-drive system maintains confidence in all weather conditions, and power circulates confidently even off the beaten track. The Outback has a variety of off-road modes that you can select if desired, though grip never faltered on the light gravel sections I drove the car on.

Unlike some "on-demand" systems in other SUVs, the Outback sends 60 percent of the torque to the front wheels as a static split and 40 percent to the rear, meaning it's less likely to be driven if conditions change. The response is captured. .

When cornering, the Outback remains composed and doesn't lean like similar large SUVs. If you're looking for car-like space and handling, the Subaru Outback is a better choice than a traditional SUV.

The steering is heavy for the size of the car while still being light enough to maneuver the car in parking lots. That said, the turning circle is also surprisingly small.

While it's the turbocharged engine that steals the show, the inner hero is the Outback's impressive ride quality. There's no flakiness when going over small imperfections, and the suspension soaks up bigger hits like speed bumps well. As the ride height increases, it feels like you can break through elevator speeds without slowing down—it's that good.

"SUV," not really an SUV, has captured our hearts before, but with a new turbocharged engine, the 2023 Subaru Outback XT now reveals the full package.

Power delivery now matches the large body and retains the car's impressive ride quality and sophisticated handling that would make a large SUV feel a bit bulky by comparison.

Not to mention, it's really affordable. You might lose seven seats, but for the price you pay, there's plenty of room for the whole family. It is backed by a simple and effective technology suite as well as renowned model security.

The Subaru Outback XT is a true jack of all trades.I am drivingColleague Susannah Guthrie;When she buys her stuff, she really caresA few years ago, perhaps an upgrade to a turbo version was needed?

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2023 Subaru Outback Sport XT Review

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