2018 Subaru Outback vs Kia Sorento

What's the difference?

It’s hard to think how Subaru could improve the popularity of the Outback. The current-generation model is easily the most successful version ever - but, as sure as dessert follows dinner, it’s time for a mid-life update for the high-riding wagon.

And this is it: the Subaru Outback 2018 model, a facelifted and tweaked version of the Japanese SUV that has just launched in Australia.

While at first glance the changes appear to be fairly minor, let's go through it in detail and take a good look at what’s changed. 

Big Kias are good Kias. From the Sportage to the Carnival, there isn't a dud in the range, an idea that for some reason still raises eyebrows. Between those two machines, of course, is a third; the Sorento. 

Quite why Kia is missing an R I'm not sure (the place name is definitely Sorrento, I've checked), but every time I've driven the big fella, I've come away wondering why more of these don't make their way onto Australia driveways. 

In 2017, Kia added a new top-of-the-range spec above the Platinum called the GT-Line, perhaps hoping that a bit of sporting flair will help move a few more.

And so, with a mildly surprising price tag clanging around in my head, I spent a week in what I've always thought to be one of the best-priced seven-seaters in the market.