Subaru Outback for sale in Kenya

The first Outback came as a trim offering courtesy of the Subaru Legacy L wagon. The first model in 1995 was just a legacy wagon with plastic body cladding and a sturdier cloth interior. The suspension list the Outback is known for at present was instituted in the very next generation. The 1995 Legacy Outback would be barely recognizable by today’s standards. The original was not yet modified considering the additional ride height, which would come with the later models. The engine option was the same2 .2 liter EJ22, which was present in the Subaru Legacy at the time. There was an optional 2.5 liter 116 kW engine, though. The output of the former was 96 kW. There was a third option for a 3.0 six-cylinder engine, which was capable of 154 kW. At this time, the drivetrain was all-wheel drive though the transmission for the highest engine capacity was a four-speed- automatic while the others had a five-speed manual transmission. The change that brought the first generation and variable engines was a response to the changing consumer tastes for a more durable utility-based wagon.

By 1996 the kinks which were in the first version were smoothed over. The significant change that was made to the second in the first generation line would include the addition of at least 7 inches of ground clearance. It brought the car closer to the generations which have been known for excellent off-road capability. The tires were also swapped to allow for those who would do better on gravel roads. The first generation Impreza outback was released as a hatchback. The sport edition provided a higher ride compared to the original Outback though it was still designed under the inspiration of the Legacy wagon. The Outback Sport was either offered with the EJ22 or a 1.8 liter EJ18 with a manual transmission. The output on the EJ18 was 81 kW.

There were more changes for the Outback with the second generation. The new line provided some noticeable updates such as a roomier interior, which was not only longer but also much more extensive compared to the previous models. The rear suspension system was also revised to provide more cargo space, and this presented a significant challenge to the competition within the market. As opposed to sticking with the 2.5-liter engine, which was one of the notable options of the first generation, it was replaced with the range-topping 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit, which was linked to the four-speed automatic transmission. The result was a generation that had 154 kW, which was still quite something at that time for road cars.

In the progressing evolution of the Outback, the next generation would have a car that did not have the legacy badge, but it was similar in many ways to it, considering the body shape. It did come with a new platform, though, and added safety features like dual-stage frontal airbags, electronic brake force distribution and ABS. Seven engine options were available, ranging from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit to a 3.0-liter six-cylinder option. The base engine had an output of 110 kW while the range-topper churns out 180 kW. There were three transmission options which included a five-speed manual, four-speed automatic and a five-speed automatic. There were two diesel unit options which had a displacement of 2.0 liters. All of the iterations were all-wheel drive.

The fourth generation of the Outback saw a significant wheelbase gain at 2.8 inches tough the width only increased by 3.6 inches. The changes were made the fourth generation have a spacious cabin and that helped bring the Outback back into the midsize crossover scene. The turbocharged engine was discarded, allowing for a flat-four or a flat-six naturally aspirated option. The displacement of the six-cylinder was increased to 3.6 liters, and the output raised to 190 kW on regular gas as opposed to the premium requirements the 3.0-liter iteration demanded. The transmission options in this case entailed a CVT or a six speed manual. It was the last generation to offer a manual transmission on the Outback.

The dimensions with the fifth generation increased but only slightly on the wheelbase. These changes resulted in appreciated improvement of the interior dimensions. The volume of the cabin rose from 105.4 to 108.1 cubic feet and the cargo area also gained an extra two cubic feet. The engine options significantly reduced with the fifth generation to include a 2.5-liter all-wheel drive and a 3.0 liter, six-cylinder option. The output of the former is 129 kW, while the larger engine is capable of 188 kW. There are also two diesel engines which entail a 2.0 four-cylinder with an output of 110 kW. The transmission levels where a CVT and a six-speed manual transmission, though the manual is only available with the diesel engine. The new generation also got the latest version of Subaru’s Eye-Sight advanced safety suite, and it even got a new infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen.

The latest offering of the Outback maintains the body style of the Outback, which is a mix of crossover/ wagon and SUV. There are a few changes, though, such as sleeker headlights and new taillights. It also has an improved interior. The new Outback utilizes the Subaru Global Platform that is stiffer and provides a common base for other powertrains, which will soon become a factor such as EVs and hybrids.

The 2020 Subaru Outback is equipped with a slightly better engine as compared to the fifth generation. It is a 2.5-liter H-4 engine that is capable of 135 kW while the previous engine has an output of 130 kW. Slight alterations have been made to the CVT of the Outback to make sure the extra power was available without having to decrease the level of fuel efficiency on the model. The engine returns a fuel economy of 10.62 kilometers to the liter in the city and 13.6 on the highway. Subaru has also ditched the old 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine and included the Ascent’s 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four as the upgrade engine. The new offering makes up to 193 kW.

Considering the unique body style is the main selling point of the Outback, there were unique changes made to the look of the 2020 model year. It seems almost identical to the 2019 Outback. The grille on the 2019 model had chrome accents though these were changed to black for the new model. The headlights and taillights were also slightly altered to give a more stylish appearance for the new model.

The current crossovers are getting larger with each iteration. It is also the case with the Outback; however, the dimensions have not changed much from the previous model. The new Subaru Outback comes in at 191.3 inches in length, 73 inches wide, and 66.1 inches tall. That means it has grown only 1.4 inches in length over the predecessor. The width though, increased by 0.6 inches though the height has stayed the same. The wheelbase has also not changed. These slight changes to the exterior dimensions, though, have significantly altered the way cabin with a definite increase in the amount of space available. When it comes to the interior, the Outback did have a few changes. The steering has the same dials which were on the previous model, but the dashboard appears to be redesigned. At the center of the console, air vents were next to each other on top of the infotainment screens. They currently sit on both sides of the screen.

The Active X Tough personality happens to be set by the Onyx Edition package. That would feature a grey toned interior with seats that are set in a water repellent material. The Onyx Edition was also present in the fifth generation. It has a front view monitor, and a Dual Mode X Mode. It seems to be an attribute of the symmetrical AWD system, which assists one in getting downhill faster and safer than previously.

The new model also made driver assist package; Subaru EyeSight system accessible for every level. It allows for cameras and various sensors to track and identify other vehicles on the road, pedestrians, and other objects. In the right circumstances, the Eyesight system applies the braking and decreases input of the throttle to mitigate or even avoid a collision. The system comes packed with different functions such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lead Vehicle Start Alert as well as Lane Keeping and Lane Departure Warning. The brand claims its system requires time to analyze. That would mean the system could miss certain things in the environment it is programmed to get because the events are happening to fast. Subaru is trying to improve the level of technology and should have a more accurate system in time.

The infotainment system is the same in the previous model, which is Subaru’s Starlink system. It is compatible with Android Auto as well as, Apple CarPlay though phone integration is not standard. It is possible to gain advantage over other updates to the infotainment optioned with the ‘Chimani’ application.

The Subaru Global platform is the one that underpins both models, and it has been refined specifically. It is much stiffer as concerns the front suspension and torsional rigidity. There is a 100 percent improvement in the stiffness of the front lateral flexural and the rear frame sub-frame rigidity compared to the platform of the previous Outback. Subaru also mounted MacPherson struts to the front of the 2020 Outback to have a lighter and more responsive suspension as opposed to the earlier version. The struts came with an internal rebound spring, hollow stabilizer bar, and aluminum lower L arms. It means the fifth generation Outback is going to handle much better than the fifth generation.

The base trim of the Outback has eight airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver. Some of the other safety features onboard the Outback includes the LED Steering Responsive headlamps, blind-spot detection, and Reverse Automatic Braking. There is also Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Several of these packages are tailored to avoid collisions to the back because of pedestrians or traffic. There is also Blind spot warning and lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning for these eventualities. The driver-assist package, Subaru EyeSight system has now been integrated on every level, which was not a feature of the previous model. The new Outback seems more invested in safety by making packages that were on the top of the line trims available in the base models.

You can get a low mileage, fifth-generation 2015 Subaru Outback for just a little over Ksh3.6 million at AutoAssista. That price can go even up to Ksh4.2 million for the 2017 models. The new 6th-generation Subaru Outback will retail at over Ksh. 5 million.