2018 Subaru Outback pricing and features

The facelifted Subaru Outback has arrived in Australia with a fresh look, updated cabin, additional active safety tech and improvements to its 2.5-litre petrol/CVT powertrain.

The changes, which arrive a year out before an all-new model is due, also see the deletion of the six-speed manual gearbox, which was previously available with the 2.0-litre diesel engine, making the CVT automatic the only shifter across the range.

This means it now costs a little extra to buy into the Subaru Outback range, however the pricing for the entry-level 2.5i and 2.0d CVT variants remain unchanged at $36,240 and $38,740, despite some considerable extras.

5

These include external tweaks including a newly designed front bumper, grille, headlights, alloy wheels, and wing mirrors, with the more expensive Premium and 3.6R variants also gaining LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights.

Stepping inside the 2018 Outback reveals a redesigned centre dashboard panel with a 7.0-inch touch screen, which grows to 8.0-inches in the Premium and 3.6R versions, and displays Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

5

The cabin has a more premium look about it with high-gloss black surfaces and stitching along the soft-touch dashboard leading to a newly designed steering wheel.

Safety has also been boosted with all Outback variants, now equipped with the third-generation EyeSight driver assist system which adds lane keeping assist along with enhanced pedestrian avoidance and pre-collision braking assist. The adaptive cruise control now recognise brakes lights and sees vehicles from longer distances and wider angles, making it even safer on multi-lane roads or when vehicles cut across lanes, and also brings autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

5

Premium and R3.6 variants are also equipped with a new side-view parking monitor and adaptive anti-glare high beam.

Subaru’s engineers have tinkered with the Outback’s 2.5-litre petrol variants’ suspension and CVT auto for greater handling, throttle response and efficiency.

5

While entry-level pricing remains the same as the superseded CVT models, the Premium and 3.6R variants are up by about $400 due to their additional extras.

The 2018 Subaru Outback is now available at dealers across Australia.

2018 Subaru Outback pricing

• Outback 2.5i - $36,240
• Outback 2.0D - $38,740
• Outback 2.5i Premium - $42,640
• Outback 2.0D Premium - $45,640
• Outback 3.6R - $49,140