Subaru e-Outback

At 4.84 m long it is the largest model in the current line-up, and with 381 PS it is also the most powerful. Its space, equipment, ride comfort and handling make it a standout among today’s electric family cars.

The best of Subaru

Subaru has long developed its electric models alongside Toyota. The e-Outback still uses the e-TNGA platform born of that partnership and shares its underpinnings with the Toyota bZ4X Touring. But Subaru builds it itself, and the brand has poured in its expertise in all-wheel drive, toughness and safety, not to mention the driving enjoyment a Subaru delivers on and off the tarmac. Like the Solterra and Uncharted, the e-Outback is fully electric, and it has every chance of becoming the brand’s flagship. Pricing starts where the Solterra’s ends, at around €50,000. That is not cheap, but it is justifiable given the performance, space, comfort and reliability on offer. Subaru also backs it with a ten-year warranty.

Strong performance, reasonable range

The e-Outback is powered by two electric motors producing a combined 280 kW (381 PS), with 268 Nm of torque at each axle. The 74.7 kWh battery sits beneath the floor and delivers a maximum WLTP range of 523 km. In practice, expect a little less. Driving across the flatlands of Flanders or the Netherlands is a very different proposition from tackling rocky mountain roads in the Veneto. On a 150 kW DC rapid charger, the battery reaches 80% in just 28 minutes.

Rugged yet refined

Rugged is the word that springs to mind when describing the e-Outback, yet this takes nothing away from its harmonious design, inside and out. The front end alone looks strong but well groomed, a theme that carries through to the rear. There is no sporty styling, even if the way it drives and performs gives it a genuinely sporty edge. The cabin avoids visual excess, favouring clarity, good build quality and generous space. That is hardly surprising given its length. A sloping tailgate opens onto a 609-litre boot, and with the rear seats folded, two Junior Woodchucks could comfortably spend the night inside rather than pitching a tent in the pouring rain. The symmetrical all-wheel drive is backed up by the two-mode X-Mode system, which ensures optimum traction on snow, mud and rough terrain. The centre console houses two wireless charging pads, and below them a button lets the driver set a target speed on steep climbs and descents, leaving them free to concentrate on steering. Naturally, there is a large infotainment screen, which makes many settings intuitive to adjust and offers all the digital information you could wish for, though you will rarely need most of it. Standard equipment includes an emergency stop system, collision-mitigation braking, emergency brake assist and the Subaru Safety Sense driver assistance suite.

Dependable, solid and comfortable

Subaru had picked some thrilling, winding routes in the hills behind Treviso, in Italy’s Veneto region. They took us through picturesque mountain scenery and small villages with streets so narrow I would never have ventured into them even in a smaller car. Fortunately, the villages were deserted and, more reassuringly, there was barely any oncoming traffic. Subarus are extremely tough and designed for off-road adventure. The e-Outback tackled steep slopes effortlessly and surprised us with its well-balanced suspension. Even over potholes and stony ground we were never shaken about excessively, and we made our way over hill and dale thoroughly impressed. The steering also deserves a mention, light and precise, as does the straight-line stability on country roads and motorways, where the e-Outback glided along with the ease of a luxury saloon. Acceleration is remarkable for a car weighing 2,010 kg. In everyday use, consumption could settle at around 15 to 16 kWh/100 km, but only with smooth, anticipatory driving. Even then, the 500 km mark will be the exception on flat roads and out of reach on the motorway. So be it. Regenerative braking, adjustable over four levels using paddles on the steering wheel, recovered a fair amount of energy in the mountains. In Luxembourg that will be less the case, as everyday traffic does plenty of braking for you.