Sure-footed Subaru Outback proves it’s a car for all seasons

The Outback is Subaru's toughest and most rugged SUV to date and is described by the manufacturer as the 'original permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive crossover'. With the street outside blanketed in snow and ice, I was mightily relieved when such a practical vehicle arrived on my driveway for a week-long test. On sidestreets where I'd seen other vehicles struggling and getting stuck, the Outback's all-terrain abilities came in handy, with the vehicle feeling remarkably sure-footed.

Having previously driven the Outback on a tricky off-road course, I wasn't entirely surprised, but was impressed and thankful nevertheless. The Outback coped well in tricky conditions as the start of 2025 brought snow to parts of the UK Unlike some SUVs that pay lip service to the idea of being a go-anywhere vehicle, the Outback was built from the ground up to deliver performance you can rely on. The highly-advanced all-wheel drive system is always on and constantly sends power to the wheels with most traction to deliver optimum grip and control.

Combined with an updated 2.5-litre flat-four Boxer engine, the Outback's low centre of gravity and carefully balanced weight distribution proved perfect for the conditions, with a variety of drive modes giving you the best response for the situation. Aside from its abilities in the snow, the latest generation model feels to have matured into an excellent all-round offering, benefitting from a redesigned front fascia, the latest version of Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, and a large 11.6-inch full HD vertical multimedia touchscreen. The vehicle offers excellent practicality and space for passengers and luggage One area of improvement over previous models is its refinement at higher speeds.

On the motorway, it felt like a decent cruiser with a comfortable cabin, making it so much more than just a no-nonsense rugged vehicle. Cruise control and other improved safety features help to further enhance its motorway manners. The cabin offers an excellent amount of space, with plenty of legroom front and back, while the cavernous boot - offering 561 litres of cargo space - can swallowed a considerable amount of luggage.

The Outback available in seven colours and three trim levels - namely Limited, Field and Touring, with the latter tested here. The vehicle's fresh, bold look includes a more prominent grille and redesigned sleek LED headlights. The Outback is a capable vehicle in a variety of conditions On the sides, the expanded wheel arch cladding adds to the tough new look while providing extra protection.

Under the bonnet, there's a 2,498cc horizontally opposed Subaru Boxer petrol engine, with an output of 169ps and 252 Nm of torque at 3,800pm. The Outback will accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds, which feels swift enough for most situations, with a combined WLTP fuel consumption of 32.8mpg and 193g/km Co2 emissions. With cruise control helping with fuel consumption on the motorway, that mpg figure seemed within close reach.

The Outback's cabin is spacious An eight-speed Lineartronic gearbox comes as standard, with manual shift mode and steering wheel paddle shift controls. In reality, I didn't use the paddles much as they seemed to offer little advantage, so just let the automatic system do its thing in a relatively composed and smooth manner. Safety is at the core of the Subaru brand and the Outback comes standard with the latest generation of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.

Like a second pair of eyes for the road ahead, it uses stereo cameras, capturing three-dimensional colour images with excellent image recognition. The Outback is equipped with the latest version of the brand's multimedia system which is operated via a new 11.6-inch HD touchscreen with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. The system features a high-resolution touchscreen with combination meter integration and improved on-screen controls for audio.

Additional standard features include Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity. Subaru Outback Touring Lineartronic PRICE: GBP42,490 on the road

NET POWER: 169 PS @ 5,000 - 5,800 rpm TORQUE: 252 Nm @ 3,800 rpm

0-62 MPH: 10.2 sec ENGINE: Horizontally-opposed, 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, petrol 2,498 cc

TRANSMISSION: Auto eight-speed Lineartronic gearbox, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive