A powerful new turbocharged engine will be added to the Subaru Outback range in Australia by the end of 2022
The Subaru Outback will gain an optional 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine in Australia within months – with the first Australian deliveries of the Outback Turbo due before Christmas 2022.
Chasing Cars reported in June that Subaru would move to add the 183kW/350Nm turbo powertrain to the local Outback line on the back of customer and media feedback.
At the time, Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read hinted that there may be more than one turbocharged Outback grade – and it’s turned out to be two force-fed Outback XT variants.
Two new turbocharged Outback variants will wear XT badging
The first Outback XT models to arrive in Australia will not wear the facelifted styling confirmed for the 2023-year American-market Outback that is built in the United States.
The basic structure of the Outback line-up will remain identical to today, but the existing mid-range Outback Sport and flagship Outback Touring variants will be optionally available with the turbo. The rugged-spec Outback Wilderness variants have not been confirmed at this time.
But prices will rise across the existing variants for the second time in four months. The base grade – exclusively powered by an existing 138kW/245Nm naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre engine – increases from $41,490 before on-road costs to $42,690 – a $1200 jump.
The naturally-aspirated Outback Sport ($47,190) and Outback Touring ($50,990) grades have also seen their prices increased by $1200.
The new 183kW/350Nm turbo engine represents a 32% power increase over the existing 2.5-litre
Upgrading to the turbo engine costs an additional $5000 on the Sport and Touring grades, with the 2.4T versions priced at $52,190 for the Sport XT and $55,990 for the Touring XT.
Turbo variants see their power increased by 32 percent (45kW) while torque ascends by 42 percent (105Nm), while the force-fed models also see their braked towing rating improved from 2000kg to 2400kg.
The arrival of the Outback XT turbo models in Australia sees the local powertrain lineup finally align with that of the United States, while the 2.4-litre turbo engine adds an upgrade path for owners of the previous-generation Outback 3.6R six-cylinder. The XT variants will compete squarely with the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 162TSI.
In exchange for the additional $5000 outlay, the XT variants also gain revised dampers, dual tailpipes, six-LED fog lights and specific badging.
Pictured is the flagship Outback Touring XT
Notably, for 2023, all Outback variants sold in Australia pick up these new features:
- New 18-inch alloy wheel design
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto smartphone mirroring
- Redesigned software for the existing 11.6-inch touchscreen
- Redesigned steering wheel buttons
- One USB-C port, replacing one USB-A port
- Extended voice command software
- Easier one-field navigation input
Key range-wide specification highlights include standard Eyesight driver assistance technology, roof rails with integrated cross bars, X-Mode for the AWD system, and a power tailgate.
Sport grades step up to offer water-repellant seat upholstery, black and green exterior trim highlights, heated front and rear seats, and sports pedals.
The prestigious Touring grade adds nappa leather seating, a sunroof, nine-speaker Harman-Kardon stereo, a heated steering wheel, two-position memory driver’s seat, and silver mirror caps.
The Outback’s interior is centred around this 11.6-inch touchscreen, now with new UX design
Subaru Outback 2023: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- Outback (base model): $42,690
- Outback Sport: $47,190
- Outback Touring: $50,990
- Outback Sport XT (turbo): $52,190
- Outback Touring XT (turbo): $55,990