Subaru Outback road test reports and car reviews

Subaru Outback 2.0d REN 2009

My recent cars have been high spec diesel BMW 5 Series and Audi A6/A4 Estates. Times have been tough more recently, so its been necessary to be a bit sensible. I had often admired the Outback from afar for the practicality it offers, good spec and slightly left field appeal. But why would you have one when you could have a £40k BMW? Well now I can’t, so I did get one. The car has been absolutely great and I have to say that on balance I am not missing my previous car at all. It’s comfortable, practical, has all the toys (which would have cost £7k+ in options on an A4 Allroad), rides exceptionally well, handles great and I got a fantastic deal on it. The quality of the interior is not quite up there with BMW/Audi, but its not like Japanese cars of old and it certainly has a premium feel. I was a little dubious about the claimed mpg, but I have managed to average 52-54mpg on a few longish motorway/dual carriageway runs no problem and I am regularly getting 44-48 in every day driving. It has also proved to be a very good amateur lumberjack’s companion, being great at crossing fields to recover sawn trees for the log burner at home....something the 5 Series was not good at to be honest! Get one, you would not be disappointed. I am not convinced by the new shape one mind you. A backwards step in many ways I feel.