Released in 2021, the sixth generation of Subaru’s Outback AWD wagon introduced fresh styling, a host of new features and numerous technical upgrades, including an updated 2.5-litre naturally aspirated Boxer four-cylinder engine, the only powerplant on offer.

Unfortunately, the long-mooted and much-hoped-for turbo version was absent at launch but that’s now been rectified with the addition of a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four-cylinder engine as part of an otherwise modest model year ’23 refresh.

The two new turbo models, the Sport XT and better-equipped Touring XT, complement the existing three Outback models and come with a price premium of $5,000 over their equivalent 2.5-litre siblings, meaning sticker prices of $52,190 and $55,990 respectively.

The turbo models are visually delineated by dual exhaust outlets, XT badging on their rumps and revised LED fog lamps featuring LEDs that mirror Subaru’s six-star constellation logo.

Buyers staying with the well-proven and more affordable naturally aspirated flat four can choose from the entry-level Outback AWD ($42,690), mid-spec AWD Sport ($47,190) and flagship AWD Touring ($50,990).

Regardless of model variant, the new Outback offers plenty of standard equipment and up-to-date infotainment technology as well as comprehensive safety and driver assistance features.

Naturally, the more you spend, the more kit you’re rewarded with.

This sixth-gen Outback is constructed on the latest Subaru Global Platform which boasts enhanced body strength and rigidity, greater use of high-tensile steels and a new inner-frame structure, all of which contribute to enhanced occupant crash protection.

It’s the first Subaru model built to withstand collision impact crash testing using a Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier, and the first to include an airbag in the front passenger seat cushion, taking the total airbag count to eight.

As a result, all new Outback models have been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating – assessed against the more stringent 2020/22 protocols – by independent testing authority ANCAP.

The plethora of standard safety technologies includes Subaru’s latest generation Eyesight driver assist package which includes lane centring function, lane sway warning, autonomous emergency steering, emergency lane keep assist, lane change assist, speed sign recognition with intelligent speed limiter, brake light recognition, lane departure warning with steering wheel vibration to alert the driver, lane departure prevention, pre-collision brake assist and throttle management, post-collision brake control and pre-collision avoidance with expanded support for collision avoidance at intersections.

Buyers can also tick off blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking function, driver monitoring system (includes distraction and drowsiness warnings plus facial recognition), adaptive driving beam and steering-responsive LED headlights.

The Sport and Sport XT equipment ‘extras’ over the base model include black exterior highlights, heated front and rear outboard seats, sports pedals, dark metallic wheel finish, premium leather steering wheel, sat nav, handsfree power tailgate, eight cargo tie points (up from four) and both front-view and side-view monitors, in addition to the standard reversing camera.

A clever and practical feature on all models is a dedicated washer nozzle for the rear camera – which is a handy on an off-road capable vehicle.

Touring model additions over and above the Sport include a nine-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system with sub-woofer and amplifier, single CD player, heated steering wheel, dual memory for the eight-way power driver’s seat, heated/ventilated front seats, driver’s seat cushion extension, gloss-finish alloy wheels, silver roof rails with integrated cross bars, auto folding mirrors, and auto-dip passenger-side mirror.

The driver monitoring system on the Touring also incorporates facial recognition that recalls and automatically makes personalised adjustments of the door mirrors, driver’s seat, multi-information display and climate settings adjustments for up to five registered user profiles.

Seat trims are unique to each grade with Nappa leather accents reserved for Touring and Touring XT being a noticeable step up in look and feel from the entry model’s black fabric and the grey and black water-repellent synthetic leather trim of the Sport and Sport XT.

The Outback’s cabin presents as well-crafted and upmarket, with soft-touch surfaces, double-stitch detailing, gloss black surrounds, and a vertically oriented 11.6-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen controlling multimedia and vehicle functions. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice command recognition, multiple USB ports, and DAB+ radio are fitted to all versions.

The entire range has come in for updates that enhance user-friendliness and driver convenience. Revised features include a powered USB-Type C socket replacing the previous Type A socket up front, wireless connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (a first in an Australian spec Subaru), a new ‘Manage Devices’ setting screen added to the ‘phone’ tab, redesigned layout of the steering wheel control switches, and altered navigation functions to allow simpler address and POI searches. Voice command recognition has also been expanded to include auto stop start, lane departure, cruise control, fan speed settings, and seat heating/ventilation. The touch screen has also been redesigned to include new shortcut buttons, updated climate control buttons, and full-screen Android Auto.

The current generation is the largest Outback to date with a particularly spacious interior.

There’s good head, leg and foot space for rear occupants, generous shoulder and hip room up front, and a well-proportioned cargo area offering 522 litres (VDA) of load volume.

That expands to a flat 1,267 litres with the split-fold rear seat folded. And full marks to Subaru for supplying a full-size matching alloy spare wheel stored beneath the carpeted cargo floor.

The Outback’s ‘elevated station wagon’ body styling versus its larger and boxier SUV rivals remains a key part of the model’s charm.

There are bigger offerings in the large SUV class with more spacious interiors, some with third-row seating, but the Outback’s more car-like proportions will appeal to drivers who don’t want acres of excess metal around them.

The car-like mannerisms continue out on the road, where the Outback proves amazingly comfortable and relaxing, whether being pedalled around town, or chasing down country miles.

It’s an ideal touring vehicle that takes varied conditions effortlessly in its stride.

New underpinnings and revisions to the fully independent suspension as well as active torque-vectoring have delivered confidence-inspiring handling marked by strong grip, good balance and excellent cornering poise.

The supple and cosseting ride qualities are near as good as it gets when it comes to dealing with the gnarls and imperfections of our urban and regional roads, while the steering is light but still pleasingly accurate.

Comfortably supportive seats add to the Outback’s relaxed, soothing style, as do effective measures to reduce NVH to a minimum, ensuring suitably low cabin noise levels.

Even at highway speeds on coarse noise-producing road surfaces, normal conversation levels can be easily maintained.

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The new turbo models are around 70kg heavier than their non-turbo equivalents prompting Subaru to tweak the front and rear dampers and retune the front coil springs accordingly.

The car maker’s claim of improved driving stability and ride comfort appear to be vindicated based on our test drive experience.

Subaru claims the 2.5-litre direct-injection Boxer petrol four-cylinder engine fitted to the non-turbocharged sixth-generation Outback is 90% new.

The comprehensive reengineering improved efficiency and liberated an extra 9kW of power and 10Nm of torque, taking maximum outputs to 138kW at 5,800rpm and 245Nm between 3,400 and 4,600rpm.

The engine feels smooth and has enough muscle to deliver solid performance both around town and out on the highway, including high-speed overtaking.

The Si Drive system allows a choice of modes – ‘I’ for milder performance and optimisation for fuel efficiency, or ‘S’ for sharper throttle and transmission response to enliven performance.

Plenty of buyers will be satisfied with the engine’s all-round performance, but given the quality of the Outback’s underpinnings, a better engine with more oomph is certainly justified.

Enter the new direct-injection 2.4-litre turbo engine mustering a heartier 183kW between 5,200 and 6,000rpm and 350Nm between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm.

Subaru doesn’t provide a 0-100km/h sprint time in seconds but does say the turbocharged Outback is 22% faster than the naturally aspirated model, which is emphatic enough.

The turbo powerplant shares its essential DNA with Subaru’s sporty hero model, the WRX.

However, in this application its power output has been wound back from 202kW to 183kW, while the peak torque figure is on a par but achieved in a marginally different rev range.

The turbo models’ additional torque is immediately noticeable out on the road, particularly in the lower rev range.

The engine just gets the job done that bit easier, requiring less throttle opening than does the 2.5-litre.

It doesn’t transform the Outback into a slightly milder WRX, but certainly enhances driveability and gives it the performance boost the rest of the package deserves.

The extra kilowatts and Newton metres also underpin an increased maximum braked towing capacity of 2,400kg and maximum ball load of 240kg, an increase of 400kg and 40kg respectively on naturally aspirated engine variants.

The downsides are the new engine consumes more fuel with combined cycle consumption rising from 7.3L/100km for the naturally aspirated engine to 9.0L/100km for the turbo, and it requires minimum 95 RON premium fuel, where the 2.5-litre is happy on 91RON.

Both engines are mated to a Lineartronic CVT auto with paddle shifters that’s also had some engineering enhancements to improve efficiency, reduce NVH, and enhance driving performance on take-off and during high-speed cruising.

The changes include a wider spread of possible ratios and a manual mode with eight steps, one more than the previous generation.

It’s one of the better CVT transmissions we’ve driven.

Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system with active torque split and X-Mode with settings for snow/dirt, normal and deep snow/mud on all models helps with excursions away from sealed roads.

The Japanese-built Outback is covered by Subaru’s standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre new car warranty.

Capped price servicing applies with 2.5-litre models scheduled for a trip to the dealer at 12-month/12,500km intervals and turbo versions at 12-month/15,000km intervals.

The first five services tally up to nearly $2,675 and $2,580 respectively.

The popular Subaru Outback is a polished and ultra-likeable crossover wagon and with a new turbo engine on offer, it looks set to win even more friends.

Key stats

• MLP: $52,190
• ENGINE: 2.4-litre Boxer four-cylinder turbo-petrol
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: 5 stars (2021)
• FUEL CONSUMPTION combined cycle: 9.0L/100km (204 g/km CO₂)
• FOR: Enhanced performance of turbo engine, uprated tow capacity, plush ride comfort, well-appointed, nicely refined, quality fit and finish, good safety credentials, roomy interior, full size spare wheel.
• AGAINST: Five grand dearer than equivalent non-turbo model, higher fuel consumption, requires PULP, no cordless phone charging pad in any variant, narrow front door storage bins.