• Sole engine not very punchy
• CVT gearbox doesn’t help matters
• Off-road ability better than immediate rivals

Petrol engine

As we mentioned previously, there’s only one non-turbocharged petrol engine on offer here, and although it’s undeniably charismatic in its layout and sound, it lags behind all of its turbocharged and hybrid rivals for performance. Unfortunately, along with its inclination to chew through a fair amount of fuel, it’s not a very quick car either.

What you get is 167hp and 252Nm of torque (compared with most rivals’ 200 and 300-plus figures), which isn’t available until 3,800rpm. To say the Outback struggles in outright pace isn’t quite true, but its performance is certainly no better than average, and you have to work it hard to keep up with the flow. It will quite happily cruise at motorway speeds, though, and climb steep hills with the engine roaring away, but strong acceleration and low-down power are not this car’s forte.

Compounding the problem is the transmission. It’s a CVT, which in principle is supposed to make the most of an engine’s power and efficiency. In practice it’s slow to pick up speed and then holds onto revs unnaturally when you put your foot down, a criticism aimed at most CVTs, such as Toyota’s famous ‘mooing’ hybrids.

What’s it like to drive?

• Surprisingly little body roll
• Brilliant ride quality on the motorway
• Good poor-weather stability and traction

Despite being a large car, the Outback doesn’t weigh that much compared with rivals because of the absence of any hybrid system or batteries. Depending on trim level, the Outback weighs between 1,641 and 1,674kg. This is part of the reason the Outback doesn’t have much body roll and handles the bends so well for a car of this size and height.

It’s a very smooth and relaxed car to drive with fantastic ride quality, thanks to high-profile tyres and oodles of ride height. It’s surprisingly good on the motorway, covering long distances without taxing the driver. Like the engine options, with wheels there is one size on offer: 18 inchers with 225/60R18 tyres. Through a combination of well-sorted suspension and those fat tyres, bumps are soaked up very nicely.

Ultimately, the Outback is more pleasant and capable than most SUVs on and off road. When the latter takes your fancy, the Outback can far exceed your expectations of what it can do, thanks to the clever X-Mode off-road software. The Snow/Dirt and Snow/Mud modes prove highly effective, keeping the wheels turning whatever sort of surface you’re on. More impressive, though, is the Outback’s hillclimbing ability.

On the way back down, there’s hill descent control that sticks to the speed at which you go over the crest. A camera mounted under the left-hand door mirror is extremely useful, providing a clear view of any obscured obstacles. Only the Outback’s relative lack of ground clearance and long rear overhang limit its ultimate off-road ability. But it’s amazingly capable and it’s no wonder hill farmers love them.