Facelifted 2018 Subaru Outback unveiled

Subaru has taken the wraps off its facelifted Outback, a four-wheel-drive crossover estate with a focus on safety. The updated car gets improved safety equipment, plus styling tweaks and a better-quality interior. The car is available now; prices for the new Subaru Outback start at £29,995.

The Outback is the latest Subaru to abandon diesel power; the company has already announced that it'll no longer produce diesel engines. There’s now just one petrol engine in the range: a 2.5-litre flat four that produces 173bhp, returns 38.7mpg and emits 166g/km of CO2. Four-wheel drive and a CVT automatic gearbox are standard on all models.

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Changes to the Outback’s styling include a new hexagonal grille, new door mirrors, redesigned bumpers and new headlights, while inside there are new decorative panels and silver trim pieces. The car’s updated infotainment system features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB digital radio, while its screen measures 6.5 inches on the standard SE model and eight inches on the higher-spec SE Premium.

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Subaru’s focus on safety is reflected in the Outback’s collection of ‘EyeSight’ driver assistance and active safety technology. Systems featured as standard on all models include (but aren’t limited to) lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking (AEB) and pre-collision throttle management. Headlights that follow the angle of the car’s steering are also new for 2018.

The new Outback is available to order now, for the same price as the outgoing model despite the changes for 2018. The entry-level Outback SE starts at £29,995, with SE Premium available from £33,010. All Outbacks come complete with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty.