By Otsile Kadiege

The all-new Subaru Outback is the most advanced, most capable and safest car in the brand’s history.

Design and technology

The new Subaru Outback will be offered in two trim levels namely, Field and Touring. The Field adopts a more rugged design whereas the Touring has more urban trim accents. A new feature called Hands Free Tailgate function, a new technology for the brand, will conveniently open the boot by simply waving your hand or arm directly in front of the rear Subaru badge on the centre of the tailgate.

Inside, the Subaru Outback heralds the brand’s latest in-car design and cabin architecture. Both Outback grades will feature a new 11.6-inch portrait/vertical touchscreen with smartphone-familiar swipe, drag and touch features and an infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 4 USB ports as standard.

Other technology highlights of the Outback are DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System. This system makes use of cameras and facial recognition to monitor the driver for signs of fatigue or distraction and then warns the driver where it detects a lack of focus and attention to the road.

In addition to all its other functions, the award-winning Eyesight driver assistance system has been enhanced. It now includes Autonomous Corrective Steering, improved lane keeping, vibration feedback through the steering wheel and an altogether wider field of view and therefore operation through the dual cameras.

Performance

Although performance figures are yet to be released, Subaru South Africa said the Outback is powered by a new and more powerful 2.5-litre direct injection Boxer Engine as well as wholly improved levels of refinement and dynamic ability.

Pricing, warranty and availability

The pricing for the new Subaru Outback is as follows:

Subaru Outback 2.5i-Field ES R699,000; and

Subaru Outback 2.5i-Touring ES R729,000.

Each Subaru Outback model is sold with a 3yr/75,000km Maintenance Plan as well as the 5yr/150,000km Warranty.

Subaru South Africa said the new Outback will be available at all Southern African dealers from 1 May 2021.