2018 Subaru Outback Review

The Subaru Outback is one of the most sought SUVs in the Kenyan market. It’s essentially a Legacy estate with an increased ride height. It competes with Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, and Chevrolet Equinox.

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Detailed Review

 

The Subaru Outback has been in production for six generations since 1994. The first generation known as the BG was in production from 1994 to 1998. The second generation known as the BH was in production from 1998 to 2003. The third generation known as the BP was in production from 2004 to 2009. The fourth generation known as the BR was in production from 2010 to 2014 the fifth generation known as the BS was in production from 2015 to 2019 and the sixth generation known as the BT has been in production from 2020 to the present.

The 2018 Outback comes with two engine options, these are; the 2.5L EJ25 Engine and the 3.6L EZ36 Engine. Both of them come with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and a standard symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

2018 Subaru Outback Grades 

  1. 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i- This is the base grade that comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, hill descent control, hill holding assist, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, roof rails, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Starlink 6.2-inch touchscreen interface, and a four-speaker sound system.
  2. 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium- This grade comes with rear privacy glass, heated exterior mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats, cargo cover, bigger 7-inch touchscreen, voice controls, Bluetooth text messaging connectivity and a six-speaker sound system.
  3. 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited– This trim comes with 18-inch wheels, a blind-spot monitoring system, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a four-way power passenger seat,, heated rear seats a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and optional xenon headlights.
  4. 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring- It comes with 18-inch wheels, dark exterior trim, fixed low-profile roof rails without crossbars, simulated-leather extended interior trim, upgraded leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel.
  5. 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited- This grade has the same features as the 2.5i Limited trim but adds xenon headlights and a more powerful engine.
  6. 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring – This grade comes with 18-inch wheels, dark exterior trim, fixed low-profile roof rails without crossbars, simulated-leather extended interior trim, upgraded leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel.

Interior 

The 2018 Subaru Outback has a well-designed and modern interior that offers plenty of legroom for passengers. The front seats provide ample headroom and elbow room. Adults will find adequate headroom and legroom in the rear. The foot room beneath the front seats can be a little cramped, especially when the driver’s seat is fully down.

The inside features a plethora of soft-touch materials, as well as attractive trim textures. The build quality is excellent, and our test car exhibited no squeaks or rattles, even when driven off-road.

Exterior

The 2018 Subaru Outback is characterized by a tough and fashionable exterior that highlights its capabilities as a versatile and adventurous vehicle.

The Outback has a distinct body design that includes a raised ride height, prominent wheel arches, and black lower cladding to give it a rugged and athletic appearance. Roof rails are integrated into the roofline and are standard on all trims, adding to the vehicle’s versatility and cargo-carrying capabilities.

The  Outback is available in a variety of colors, including classics like Crystal White Pearl and more contemporary options like Twilight Blue Metallic and Crimson Red Pearl.

Infotainment System

Subaru upgraded the software for its Starlink infotainment system in 2018 Outback to increase speed and responsiveness, and the result is a more enjoyable user experience than earlier iterations. While the distinct power/volume and tuning knobs are quite useful, the main menu touch controls encircling the 8-inch display screen lack the pleasant feel of physical buttons.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone projection make command entry simple and familiar, and the Harman Kardon premium music system sounded fantastic.

Dimensions

The 2018 Subaru outback measures 189.6 inches in length, 66.5 inches high, and 72.4 inches wide. Its wheelbase is 108.1 inches while the ground clearance is 8.7 inches.

2018 Subaru Outback Fuel Consumption

2018 Subaru Outback 2.5L Fuel Consumption: 11.9km/l (On Average)

2018 Subaru Outback 3.6L Fuel Consumption: 9.52km/l (On Average)

2018 Subaru Outback Acceleration 
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9 secs
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 secs

2018 Subaru Outback Stability and Handling

The 2018 Subaru Outback has been praised for its handling and stability, which are largely due to its standard all-wheel-drive system and well-tuned suspension.

The all-wheel-drive system provides exceptional traction and stability, particularly in wet or slippery conditions. The system can also help improve handling by directing power to the wheels with the most traction, reducing understeer and oversteer.

In addition to the all-wheel-drive system and suspension configuration, the 2018 Outback includes electronic stability control, traction control, and a brake assist system to aid in maintaining stability and control during emergency maneuvers.

The Outback’s off-road capability is better than most vehicles in its class thanks to its high ground clearance and X-Mode which optimizes traction.

Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: At 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
A few years ago, Subaru spares parts were expensive and hard to find in Kenya, but things have changed. Subaru parts especially service parts are now affordable and easy to find both in Nairobi and other major towns. However, specialty parts such as the gearbox, engine components and sensors can get very expensive and hard to find. For a list of Subaru Spare Part dealers in Kenya, follow this link.

Reliability 

The 2018 Subaru Outback is a reliable vehicle due to its solid construction that can withstand daily wear and tear. It has a good track record of dependability with few major issues being reported by owners.

Some of the specific issues that have been reported by some owners include infotainment system glitches, CVT transmission issues and windshield cracking.

These problems seem to be fairly minor and have no impact on the reliability of the car as a whole. Regular upkeep and proper maintenance are necessary for any vehicle to ensure its dependability and longevity. We recommend that you always adhere to the guidelines outlined in the owner’s manual

Resale Value: Good

Subaru Outback Competitors:

Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, and Chevrolet Equinox.

What we like about the 2018 Subaru Outback

  • Comfortable, roomy seats
  • Excellent on-road and off-road performance
  • Standard all-wheel drive

What we don’t

  • CVT transmission issues

Conclusion 

The 2018 Subaru Outback is an excellent car that is worth the money. Its spacious cabin and big cargo space is excellent for shoppers who are after a midsized family car.

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