Crossovers are all the rage now. They marry an SUV’s high visibility and ground clearance while retaining a car’s easy-to-drive qualities.
But the typical crossover is saddled by one major missing ingredient—it doesn’t have all-wheel drive, which is needed when road conditions go from push to shove.
The Subaru Outback is not your typical crossover. It has existed since 1994—way before the term “crossover” was ever applied to cars. And it has always had all-wheel drive.
That’s because Subaru is dead serious about taking its occupants through the most challenging road conditions. (Subaru is a bestselling brand in countries, states, and cities with heavy winter conditions, thanks to its highly effective AWD.)
And now, Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc., the exclusive local distributor of Subaru, is rolling out its all-new, state-of-the-art 2021 Outback. The award-winning crossover has been restyled inside and out, and is powered by an all-new 2.5-liter direct-injection boxer engine.
The sixth-generation Outback is now built on the Subaru Global Platform, and comes with Subaru’s most sophisticated driver assist safety system to date, while still seamlessly combining the drivability of a sedan with the versatility of an SUV.
“This car is really about giving you a refined, premium driving experience in a feature-packed model at an unbeatable price for you to go create your best memories with your loved ones. Fans of the Outback will know that it is reliable and always there for you, taking you on your best journeys, time after time. It has the latest best-in-class safety features and spaciousness usually found in luxury European brands. It will keep you and your loved ones safe and comfortable. It is stable, versatile, and practical, with a touch of luxury. It is a well-equipped high-end car, without the high-end price tag,” said Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Ltd., which owns Motor Image Pilipinas, Inc.
Class-leading safety
The new Outback marks the Philippine debut of the latest version of Subaru’s award-winning preventive safety system, EyeSight. EyeSight 4.0’s Pre-Collision Braking now covers more traffic scenarios at intersections, thanks to its improved stereo cameras and wider angle of coverage. It’s now able to help the driver look left and right to detect obstacles and help prevent potential collisions. (i.e. vehicles travelling in the opposite direction and pedestrians crossing the road at left or right-turn junctions).
EyeSight 4.0 Driver Assist Technology now includes:
- Autonomous Emergency Steering, which helps steer the Outback away from a vehicle or obstacle in front to avoid an accident. It works with Subaru’s Rear Vehicle Detection to ensure that the Outback heads towards a clear area (i.e. to the right or left within the lane).
- The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system now has a Lane Centering Function. This helps to steer the Outback to keep it in the middle of the lane, whether the road is straight or slightly curved. ACC has the added benefit of helping drivers in traffic jams by keeping the new Outback at a safe distance from the vehicle in front, helping the driver slow down or speed up automatically in these situations.
- EyeSight 4.0’s Lane Departure Warning includes Lane Departure Prevention. This nudges the steering wheel slightly towards the inside of the Outback’s lane when it detects that the driver is about to cross the line/lane markings while travelling at 60km/h or more.
- EyeSight 4.0 now comes with better stereo cameras, which provide almost double the angle of coverage. This helps EyeSight look not only at its own lane, but at adjacent lanes as well so the system can better anticipate if a vehicle to the left or right is going to move into his/her lane and take action to prevent collisions.
Driver Monitoring System
- The Driver Monitoring System (DMS) uses an infrared camera and facial recognition technology to monitor the driver’s eyes and alerts the driver should he/she be looking away from the road when driving. It also remembers the unique settings of up to five drivers for their seat and door mirror positions, climate control, and meter displays, and automatically adjusts them for each driver upon entering the car – features typically found only in luxury models.
Other safety features
- EyeSight Assist Monitor gives visual warnings on the windshield, so the driver is made aware of potentially dangerous situations.
- 8 airbags, steering-responsive headlights, adaptive driving beam, Blind-Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Reverse Automatic Braking
An overachieving platform
The all-new Outback is built on the latest Subaru Global Platform, with a full inner frame structure and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, all part of Subaru’s DNA, giving the car excellent handling and stability. Under the hood is an all-new 2.5-liter direct-injection boxer engine, which generates 188ps and 245Nm of torque, enabling the car to go from 0 to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds.
With ample ground clearance (213mm) to take you on rough journeys smoothly, it is also styled to look rugged, with sturdy bumper guards, heavy-duty crossbar roof rails, and robust body claddings. It offers a larger 537-liter luggage compartment (10 liters more than before) and a hands-free power tailgate.
True luxury
It starts with generous cabin space for five adults. The 2,745mm wheelbase has been carried over from the previous model, but meaningful increases in length (+50mm) and width (+35mm), along with significant improvements in packaging, have created a more spacious interior than the previous Outback.
Then there are the Nappa leather seats, a first for Subaru, with extra plush cushioning and premium trim all around, giving the cabin a very posh and pampering feel.
The centerpiece of the all-new Outback interior is a smart 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The high-definition, tablet-style LCD screen, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, makes managing vehicle/driving information and enjoying in-car entertainment easier than ever. Audiophiles will appreciate the 576-watt Harman/Kardon premium audio system with 11 speakers, a subwoofer, and an 8-channel amplifier.
A sole variant will be made available – the Outback 2.5i-T EyeSight. It retails for P2,380,000 and will be available in seven colors: Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, Crimson Red Pearl, Dark Blue Pearl, and Storm Grey Metallic.
All customers who reserve their unit by September 30 shall be entitled to an exclusive P50,000 introductory discount. The first batch of Outback owners shall also receive a limited-edition Bynd Artisan leather pouch.