Subaru Outback The Original SUV.

The Outback is the Subaru model that keeps going and gives the brand its reputation for reliability, performance and handling.

When I lived in Colorado, everyone wanted to own a manual Outback as a go-anywhere vehicle in any weather condition.

Jeremy Webb from Road Tests and Reviews. www.roadtestsandreviews.co.uk. tests the original SUV that is so popular in the USA and now around the rest of the world. The fabulous Subaru Outback is practical and versatile, retaining the same basic design as the original but with a modern look. Tackling storms and the British road system proved no hassle for the Outback with its superb road holding and offroad driving modes. The Outback is not a car you buy for high performance, although it doesn't lack power or the ability to cruise all day. Put your foot down hard, and it stays in the low gears, revving high, and the speed soon builds and impresses.

The buyer of an Outback knows what Subarus can do, how reliable they are, and what they intend to use the vehicle for. That is why many Farmers, Vets, and country estate managers drive Outbacks.

The Subaru Outback is frugal on fuel, and I never saw the gauge going down mile after mile of driving. However hard I pushed the car, the mpg stayed at an average of 35. When the Outback was delivered, it showed a range of 410 miles, and in all types of driving, urban, twisties and motorway, I handed it back, showing 150 miles to go and just under half on the fuel gauge, which is incredible.

One trivial complaint for me is the indicator column, which is far too easy to switch to the opposite indicated direction when cancelling your original input. Only on roundabouts did it self-cancel after operating, so any direction change that required indication had to be manually stopped, but more often than not, it flicked to the other direction, especially when cancelling after an overtake.

In the UK, the Outback has two engines: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer petrol and a 2.0 flat-four diesel. The former comes with Subaru's Lineartronic CVT auto as standard, while it's a £2,000 option on the diesel, which gets a six-speed manual as standard.

SE Premium is packed with equipment, including a host of safety systems. Lineartronic cars get Subaru's EyeSight system that adds adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping. Prices start at around £33,000, with the sole option - apart from the auto box on the diesel - is metallic paint at around £500.

The Outback is a unique proposition on the new car market, as no rival vehicles have the same type of permanent 4WD that it comes with. The Skoda Octavia Scout, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack and Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer are competitors you may wish to look at, but none are as good off-road, which is a massive plus for the Outback.

Changes to the Subaru Outback's suspension give a stiffer ride and better corner handling, providing greater confidence when pushing through the twisties. The CVT gearbox keeps the 2.0-litre engine around 2,000rpm, where peak torque is delivered, and if you wish to control the transmission, there are the wheel-mounted paddles. However, CVT is so effective in auto mode that it's best left engaged.

The Outback can quickly plough through quag and rocky trails when the going gets tough. An electronically controlled centre diff that can shift torque to the axle with the most grip; versions fitted with a six-speed manual get a conventional viscous coupling. The X-Mode function also tweaks the traction control and activates hill descent control for extra off-road ability. The X-Mode off-road system and high 200mm ground clearance provide confidence to tackle trails where other high-riding off-road estates couldn't venture.

Subaru knows its market and tailors its vehicles to the buyers' requirements, which, as I mentioned, are generally in the outdoor environment a lot. Vets, Country GPs, Farmers, and even Blacksmiths all love the capabilities of the Outback. It comes with a wide range of technology that supports the car's driving ability. Additions include body cladding and a raised ride height, giving plenty of off-road presence, with the dark trim around the bottom of the bumpers and side sills adding to its 4x4 credentials. The Subaru Outback headlamps are sharp, with an exciting LED running light design and bold rails embellish the car's look.

The safety technology and occupant comfort are splendid with Bluetooth, sat-nav, reversing camera, cruise control, heated leather seats, and keyless go. The central touchscreen controls many functions, and the basic layout of the centre console is clean.

SE models have automatic LED headlamps, cruise control, active torque vectoring, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, an electrically adjustable driver's seat, tinted windows, and a seven-inch touchscreen. SE Premium models have an added sunroof, keyless entry and push-button start, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, and a powered rear tailgate.

All Outbacks get Subaru's Starlink infotainment system as standard, working around a seven-inch touchscreen, simple to operate, and boasting awesome graphics.

The SD-based sat-nav is easy to set and straightforward to follow, while the rest of the menus are in logical order. The Bluetooth facility allows hands-free calls and streaming of music.

With excellent accommodation for five with lots of luggage, the 4x4 Outback also tows well, augmenting its usefulness with Farmers, Estate Managers, etc. The Subaru Outback has dimensions similar to an estate so that it can carry many cargo types, including the family sports kit. The interior is bright and airy, with significant room for all occupants to comfortably travel. To go with this, Subaru has provided generous storage with plenty of cubbies, a large glovebox and good-sized door bins. A cubby with USB ports and a 12V supply is ahead of the gear lever.

Plenty of adjustment allows drivers to get comfortable, while the raised driving position aids visibility. The standard rear camera is a bonus when parking or towing.

The Subaru Outback has plenty of leg and headroom for the Driver and front passenger, and the driving seat has height adjustment as a standard feature. The rear headroom will be fine for all but the tallest passengers, who may find the legroom a little restricted. Child seat ISOFIX mountings are standard on the outer two rear seats.

I prefer the Outback with CVT transmission and 'EyeSight' technology, which Subaru believes is the most advanced crash-prevention system. Two cameras in front of the rear-view mirror continuously scan the road ahead for obstacles and pedestrians. A lane departure warning system is featured, along with adaptive cruise control.

Subaru provides a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which negates reliability concerns over the car's life. The cover outclasses rivals, mainly offering only three years and 60,000 miles. The Outback's service schedule requires a journey to the dealership every 12 months or 9,000 miles, more frequent than some rivals, offering flexible intervals extending up to two years. The lack of manufacturer-supported fixed 'menu' pricing means you could pay a bit more, too.

I recommend the Subaru Outback as a solid SUV/ Estate car with superb practicality and functionality. It is a workhorse on and off-road, robust and reliable; you can see why Outbacks have been popular ever since they launched. If it isn't broken, don't fix it; augment, which Subaru has done, bringing the model up to date. A vehicle that can take you up Snowdian or tackle the supermarket car park, the Subaru Outback is a pleasure to drive.