2021 Subaru Outback pricing and specs detailed: Volkswagen Passat Alltrack and Skoda Superb Scout rival heads upmarket with new model

Subaru Australia has released pricing and specification details for the sixth-generation Outback ahead of its showroom arrival in March, with the new high-riding large wagon more upmarket than its predecessor.

As reported, the latest Outback is exclusively powered by a fresh 138kW/245Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine locally, which is 9kW/10Nm more potent than its direct predecessor. It’s mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

For reference, the fifth-generation Outback was also available with 191kW/350Nm 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol and 110kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engines in Australia, but neither have been replaced in the new model.

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That said, the former’s successor, a 194kW/375Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, is offered overseas and could be introduced locally in the future.

In the meantime, the latest Outback is available in three grades, with the entry-level AWD priced from $39,990 plus on-road costs, while the mid-range AWD Sport and flagship AWD Touring check in at $44,490 and $47,790 respectively.

2021 Subaru Outback

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2021 Subaru Outback

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As such, the Outback’s starting price is $2550 higher than before, with Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read confirming that “based on customer feedback, we’ve made a conscious decision to take Outback considerably up market”.

Standard equipment in the AWD includes a 2000kg braked towing capacity, X-Mode off-road drive modes, paddle-shifters for the CVT’s eight-speed manual mode, and a vertical 11.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to front and rear autonomous emergency braking, intersection assist, lane-keep and steering assist (including emergency), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, speed sign recognition, driver attention alert and a reversing camera.

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The AWD Sport adds black exterior trim (exclusive), dark metallic alloy wheels, roof rails with green accents, a handsfree power-operated tailgate, satellite navigation, heated front and outboard rear sports seats, water-repellent upholstery and surround-view cameras.

Meanwhile, the AWD Touring also picks up gloss alloy wheels, silver roof rails with integrated stowable crossbars, a sunroof, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a heated steering wheel and Nappa leather-accented upholstery.

According to Subaru Australia, full specifications for the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack and Skoda Superb Scout rival will released closer to its on-sale date.

2021 Subaru Outback pricing before on-road costs