Subaru debuts tougher-looking Outback for Australia [w/poll]

Tue, 17 Sep 2013

If you're going to name a car after a specific location or region, you'd better make sure it's taken seriously in the place it's named for. You're not likely to see a Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Monaco, and the Alfa Romeo Montreal was never even officially offered in North America, but the Subaru Outback is another story.

Subaru apparently takes the Australian market, whose wilderness its jacked-up Legacy wagon is named for, very seriously. So it is apparently rolling out a revised version of the current Outback in Australia itself. The updated Outback, which arrives less than a year before the all-new model is expected to bow, answers Aussie customer feedback with a more rugged look. It's got new roof rails, body cladding, wheel arches, mud flaps, underbody protection plates and blacked-out headlight surrounds and grille trim.

The Motor Report reports that the AUD $2,500 worth of extra equipment – around $2,300 USD – comes with just an AUD $500 ($468) price hike. As far as we can tell, though, there are no plans to bring this latest look to our shores – Subaru has already detailed North America's Outback for the 2014 model year, and these changes aren't mentioned. Should this look be offered in our market? Vote in the poll below and then have your say in Comments.

Subaru What's New for 2014

Outback
EyeSight driver assistance system now optional on 2.5i Premium model; previously available only for Limited, and now also standard on Special Appearance Package models. EyeSight® integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning.

Adaptive control is standard on all CVT transmission models. Based on vehicle inputs received by the transmission control module, pulley gear ratios are always optimized based on driving preferences and road conditions.

New Alloy Wheel Package for 2.5i model includes 17-inch alloy wheels, 225/60 R17 all-season tires and fog lights.
Rear vision camera included with Power Moonroof Package on Premium and Limited.

Aha® Infotainment smartphone integration included with the optional navigation system.

The electroluminescent illumination instrument cluster with the center mounted color LCD display is optional on the 2.5i Premium model with the Eyesight system.

By Noah Joseph