The 2025 Subaru Outback – Ready for South Africa’s toughest roads

“It’s a Volvo estate that’s been bitten by a radioactive bakkie.”

Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? The 2025 Subaru Outback isn’t just a car. It’s a statement—a declaration that you’re too posh for a Toyota Hilux but too adventurous for a Mercedes GLC. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife on wheels, equally at home dodging potholes on the N1 as it is crawling up Sani Pass. And in South Africa, where “all-wheel drive” is less a luxury and more a survival skill, this jacked-up wagon might just be the hero we need.

1. Price and Models: For Those Who Laugh at Budgets

Let’s address the elephant in the room: this isn’t a car for the faint of wallet. Subaru’s South African lineup starts at a wallet-melting R839,000 for the base 2.5i Field ES CVT, climbs to R889,000 for the Touring ES, and peaks at R999,000 for the turbocharged XT model. Yes, that’s nearly a million rand for a Subaru. But before you faint into your biltong, consider what you’re getting: standard symmetrical AWD, 213mm of ground clearance (higher than a Land Rover Discovery Sport!), and enough tech to make Elon Musk raise an eyebrow.

2. Under the Bonnet: Boxer Engines and CVT Sorcery

The base models pack a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated Boxer engine, which delivers a leisurely 138 kW and 245 Nm of torque. Translation: it’s about as thrilling as a decaf rooibos. But opt for the XT Turbo, and suddenly you’ve got 183 kW and 350 Nm—enough to sprint to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, which is quicker than a springbok spotting a lion.

Now, the CVT gearbox. Yes, it’s about as soul-stirring as a tax audit, but it’s smooth, efficient, and pairs surprisingly well with Subaru’s AWD system. Think of it as the automotive equivalent of a reliable but slightly dull spouse.

3. Off-Road Prowess: Because Gravel Roads Are a National Sport

Left: The Outback’s tech-packed interior. Right: Demonstrating its off-road credentials

Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD isn’t just marketing fluff. With X-Mode (featuring mud, sand, snow, and dirt settings), hill descent control, and that towering ground clearance, the Outback scoffs at dirt roads like a hyena at a vegetarian buffet.

And let’s talk about that suspension. MacPherson struts up front, double wishbones at the rear—this isn’t just for show. It glides over potholes like a Proteas batsman avoiding a yorker.

4. Tech and Quirks: Smarter Than Your Average Safari Guide

Inside, you’ll find an 11.6-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard like a rugby prop at a pre-school party. It’s loaded with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Subaru’s EyeSight® system—a suite of safety tech that nags you more than your TV licence renewal reminders. Lane-keep assist? Check. Adaptive cruise control? Check. Pre-collision braking? Double-check. It’s like having a backseat driver, but one that actually knows what it’s doing.

Massive 920L cargo space expands to 1,995L with seats folded – perfect for safari gear

Then there’s the Driver Monitoring System, which uses facial recognition to ensure you’re not nodding off after too many boerewors rolls. Handy, unless you’re trying to sneak a nap at a red light.

5. The Verdict: Should You Buy One?

Here’s the rub: the Outback isn’t cheap, and Subaru’s South African sales are niche enough to make a meerkat look popular. But if you want a car that combines SUV ruggedness with estate-car practicality—and you’re tired of the same-old Fortuners and CR-Vs—this is your huckleberry.

The 2025 Outback – Where estate practicality meets off-road capability

Final Thought:

The 2025 Outback is like a well-tailored safari suit: slightly eccentric, undeniably practical, and built to handle whatever the African continent throws at it. Just don’t expect it to blend in at the school run.