New Subaru Outback 2015 and Forester 2015, presentation and road test in Madrid

Subaru celebrates 20 years of the Outback with the launch of the fifth generation, a new generation that arrives with major changes, especially in design and safety. We were able to drive it at its national presentation, and we are going to tell you about the main new features of the Outback and our first impressions behind the wheel.

All Subaru Outback models with the Lineartronic automatic gearbox debut a safety system designed entirely by the brand, which works very well according to our tests: EyeSight. The new Outback starts at 29,900 euros with comprehensive equipment and with the essence of the model intact: space, symmetrical all-wheel drive and boxer engine.

New design, as spacious as ever

The aerodynamics have been improved, and it grows 2.5 cm in length to 4.81 metres and 2.0 cm in width to 1.84 metres. For use off the asphalt, it has a ground clearance of 20 cm.

On the outside, the design has been refined. The sharp lines of the previous generation have given way to new curved lines. The hexagonal grille, the brand’s signature element, appears, the fog lights remain very large (true to this design for years), and the headlights debut LED lighting for the low beams and position lights (the daytime running lights are bulb-based).

At the rear, the lights debut LED technology and the tailgate is electric depending on the trim, while it keeps an enormous 512-litre boot plus 47 litres under the boot floor.

Inside, the most notable thing is the sense of quality. It now has a more premium finish, both in the design of the dashboard and in the use of new materials that are more pleasant to the touch and look more high-quality. The centre console stands out especially, with a fine finish.

The colour instrument cluster is very complete in terms of information, and it also debuts a new 7-inch touchscreen, which comes as standard with or without navigation. It works quickly with large keys, and the navigation works really well and is easier to use than the previous one.

EyeSight, two high-definition eyes watching over our safety

The biggest launch in this new generation of the Subaru Outback is without doubt EyeSight. It is a system of two stereoscopic cameras with CMOS sensors on either side of the rear-view mirror, which capture all kinds of traffic information, detecting vehicles, pedestrians and brake lights of cars. If, after warning of a possible accident, the driver does not act, the system does so by braking the car.

According to Subaru, it is capable of bringing the car to a complete stop from a maximum speed of 50 km/h. To convince us, they set up a small test with a dip in the road, and we had to set the car to 50 km/h and release the pedal to see whether it detected an obstacle or not. The result is very convincing, above all because it is one of the few systems that brakes at such speed and simultaneously recognises several types of object.

Also taking advantage of the technology, it features adaptive cruise control (from 0 to 180 km/h, with the vehicle coming to a complete stop), the lane departure warning, the collision warning and braking (up to 50 km/h), and it even warns you if you are stopped at a traffic light and the vehicle in front of you moves off while you remain stationary (when it advances more than three metres and we are still stopped, distracted).

Engine range and better handling

Some things in the engine range or the gearboxes do not change: the engine is still a boxer and the gearboxes are still Lineartronic, but with some improvements to both the powertrain and the gearbox. The petrol is the 2.5 four-cylinder boxer with 175 CV, with better consumption and emissions (homologated at 7 litres per 100 km).

The diesel is the 2.0 four-cylinder boxer with 150 CV of power. Almost all of its components have also been revised, and it has managed to reduce consumption and increase torque delivery, now available from 1,600 rpm up to 2,800 rpm, while it is homologated at 5.6 litres per 100 km.

In dynamic terms, it debuts a new chassis that is stiffer than the previous model. The VDC stability and traction control system stands out in particular, as it adds for the first time the Active Torque Vectoring function (inherited from the STi), which improves cornering by braking the wheels and distributing torque among all four for better handling and greater agility.

Another new feature is the inclusion of the X-Mode system for models with the automatic gearbox, with a hill descent assist that acts on traction, the engine, the brakes and the transmission, improving traction on difficult terrain or in low-grip conditions.

Behind the wheel of the Subaru Outback 2.0 Boxer diesel 150 CV Lineartronic

The first thing we noticed as soon as we got on board is the quality of the materials. According to the brand, ride quality has been increased, reducing noise and vibration. We found that it still has very refined road behaviour and the engine remains very smooth.

The Lineartronic gearbox has changed (with seven preset ratios). Now, if we accelerate hard, it reacts like a manual gearbox rather than staying stuck at high revs as it did before. We tested it and liked it a lot, because it makes this gearbox, which has always impressed us with its smoothness, feel more natural.

The increase in the torque range is also noticeable: it now responds better at low revs. Finally, on an estate (which seemed never to end) we took a slightly more rugged route to see how the car performs off-road. Although the route was not very demanding, we confirmed that symmetrical all-wheel drive is always a safety asset (we ourselves checked the effectiveness of the traction in snow with the previous generation).

Equipment and prices

The base trim comes very well equipped. The Sport trim, where the range starts, already includes: Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), Active Torque Vectoring, ARP anti-rollover system, LED low-beam and position headlights, 7 airbags including knee airbag, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, multifunction leather steering wheel, cruise control, rear-view camera, electric handbrake, hill start assist, electric driver’s seat, heated front seats, light and rain sensors, 7-inch Starlink multimedia system with CD/MP3 and 6 speakers, Bluetooth, USB and AUX sockets, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, on-board computer with a 3.5-inch colour LCD screen, folding, heated and electric door mirrors, among other features.

The next trim level is the Executive, which adds, among other things, navigation, keyless entry and start, an electric sunroof, or an electric tailgate. The top-of-the-range Executive Plus adds leather, electric seats and rear air vents.

The prices start (with discount included) at 29,900 euros for the Sport diesel, while the Executive starts at 33,100 euros (both manual). For the Lineartronic models, the Executive starts at 35,200 euros and the Executive Plus at 36,900 euros.

The petrol range starts with the Sport trim at 31,900 euros, the Executive from 35,200 euros, and the Executive Plus from 36,900 euros.

The Subaru Forester gets an update

Taking advantage of the presentation of the Subaru Outback, they also showed us the changes the Subaru Forester 2015 has undergone. These are minor details, such as the new navigation system from the brand or the improved torque of the diesel engine (as in the Outback).

Among the new features, the 2.0 diesel engine with 148 CV has improved low-rev torque, and the automatic gearbox is now also available for the diesel engine, with the X-Mode system.

Vibration and noise have been reduced to improve on-board comfort, and the centre console has been updated with a new 6.2-inch touchscreen (standard) or 7-inch on the higher models.

In a brief first contact, we confirmed that it keeps its off-road qualities intact, and we also tested the X-Mode system together with the hill descent control, which is always a great help off the asphalt.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

EstateSubaru Outback3 versions · from 42,900 €