Back out there

SINGAPOREANS generally want to have their cake and eat it too. Hence, the new Subaru Legacy Outback should fit the bill for those looking for a car with space or an SUV with car-like handling. Making its Asia-Pacific debut at the International Motor Expo in Bangkok, the sixth-generation Subaru Outback shares many styling cues with its Legacy sedan brethren. Upfront is a bigger grille giving the Outback a muscular mien while broad, matt-finished lower body trim together with the integrated roof rails lend the car a more SUV look and stance than a raised Legacy Wagon. And it's no illusion either as it's 55 mm higher, 15 mm longer and 17 mm wider than the outgoing model.

Under the hood, there's a new 2.5-litre (FB series) naturally aspirated flat-four engine producing 175 hp and 235 Nm of torque (a 3.6-litre flat-six option won't be coming to our shores). The only transmission of choice is Subaru's familiar Lineartronic CVT that's one of the best in the business as CVTs go. The stopwatch says it takes 10.2 seconds to complete the century sprint but it feels lethargic when asked to perform impromptu stoplight sprints. Blame the sluggishness during full throttle runs on the Outback's CVT rubber band effect. But upon more subtle daily driving throttle inputs, the CVT does a decent job of mimicking a conventional automatic.

Subaru's Symmetrical AWD system is supplemented by an offroad-conquering X-mode that's simply engaged by a switch next to the shift lever. X-Mode optimises engine output, selects lower gear ratios in the CVT, increases Active All-Wheel Drive engagement and uses enhanced control logic for the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system to reduce individual wheel spin. To demonstrate this during the launch, various ramps with rollers that simulate no traction were used to give the system a workout. From the driver's standpoint, the system works seamlessly. There's also Hill Descent Control so that going down steep inclines is a simple matter of steering as the accelerator and brakes are all taken care of electronically.