Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

I was looking around to trade my Subaru Levorg for something more comfortable, spacious and with more ground clearance plus 4WD or AWD. This Outback has all I needed.

In general terms, it's not as comfy as a sedan (my Renault Talisman that I have as a second car) but the ground clearance and the AWD makes up for that. That said, it's still good enough for long journeys and of course way, way comfier than the Levorg I previously had.

The performance with the 2.0 diesel (we only have this engine available over here) is not sports car level of course, however it's largely sufficient for every type of use: motorway, city, secondary roads etc.

Fuel consumption is fair given the ground clearance and the AWD. The average is around 6.4 lt/100 over 1500 km on a mixed usage (30% city/town, 40% motorway and 30% single or double carriage ways)... as long as you are smooth on the throttle and do not try to overdrive the engine, but let it flow.

I got the car from the owner of the independent garage who was looking after my Levorg too. So, I don't expect any big maintenance soon.

The engine noise level is a tiny bit higher than I expected, specially when cold, nothing dramatic really.

Space for the occupants, front and rear, is excellent and the luggage compartment too.

The only bit that I do not like is the infotainment system that I will get replaced with an aftermarket one soon.

So far so good, I'll drive this for a couple more months and later most likely get rid of the Renault Talisman as the Outback is a good all rounder overall. Sedan space and comfort + ground clearance for everyday use + good bad weather and off tarmac capabilities.

I test drove a handful of Foresters also with different engines (2.0 150 hp, 2.0dit 240 bhp and the 2.0 diesel) and I am happy to finally have the Outback over any of the Foresters. Because Foresters are basically Impreza or Levorg with more ground and head clearance. They even use the exact same dashboard, so not wider either.

Speaking for Subaru 2019 or before, the Outback is the Subaru to have if you're tall guy like me and feel too confined in narrow cars and require lots of legroom and foot well room.