Subaru Outback colours explained

The Subaru Outback has been a good fit for Australia since it was released here in 1996, with defining features that have since become popular on other wagon-based SUVs like plastic guards and raised suspension.

As the Forester is now in its fifth generation in Australia, it has had many different colours throughout its time in production, although it has not strayed far from its original conservative theme.

Current-model Outbacks for the Australian market are built in Ota, Japan and are available in 10 colours.

Of those 10 colours, five are metallic – ‘Ice silver’, ‘Tungsten’, ‘Platinum grey’, ‘Dark grey’ and ‘Wilderness green’. Four are Pearlescent – ‘Crystal white’, ‘Crimson red’, ‘Oak brown’ and ‘Dark blue’. The remaining colour – ‘Crystal black’ is a flat mica.

Unlike the Subaru XV, the Outback is not currently available in more vibrant shades like orange, yellow, pink or purple due to its more premium market positioning (a base Outback starts from $36,240). The outback generally targets an older demographic than the Forester SUV or Impreza hatch. 

Other popular shades with older demographics like metallic gold or beige are replaced by the ‘Tungsten’ metallic colour.

None of the available colours on the Outback carry an extra charge.

The previous-generation Outback was available in nine similar shades, although most carried different names.

The previous three generations were available in fewer shades, most of which were metallic and also had a focus on darker, moodier reds, blues, silvers and greys.

Subaru Australia tells us the most popular colour on the current-generation Outback is ‘Crystal white’ by a significant margin.

Should the Outback be available in more exotic colours? Tell us what you think in the comments below.