Subaru Outback Wilderness Apex review: height of anticipation

Wilderness has been a long time coming for Subaru New Zealand. It's a specification created by Subaru of America to give the brand's crossovers a more rugged flavour, with raised ride height and extra styling addenda. 

Given it's a US thing rather than a Japanese one, it's taken a while for the brand to be convinced that it's worth having for right-hand markets as well. But here we are.

In the US, you can have the Crosstrek, Forester and Outback in Wilderness specification. For NZ, it's Outback only for now, although we get two versions: the $69,990 Wilderness ($5k more than the flagship "standard" Outback, the Touring) and our $74,990 Wilderness Apex test car, which adds some comfort and convenience features.

On the outside: what are the Subaru Outback Touring's main design features?

It's sometimes hard to tell different versions of the regular Outback apart from the outside. But you'd never accuse Subaru of skimping on the styling detail for the Wilderness.

Aside from the functional aspect of an extra 20mm ground clearance, which adds even more visual presence to the SUV-like profile of the latest Outback, and dual-exhaust pipes for the upgraded powerplant (more about that in a minute), Wildnerness models wear a different front bumper and grille (complete with ute-like "Subaru" script on the grille), matte black alloys, matte bonnet decal, bright detailing for the fog light surrounds/roof rack and prominent "Wilderness" badges.

There's a choice of colours, but the Geyser Blue pictured here is exclusive to the Wilderness. No need to worry about the rest of the range being left out: the regular Outbacks get their own Sapphire Blue Pearl, which you can't have on a Wilderness.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Subaru Outback Touring cabin like?

There's plenty of extra Wilderness design inside, too. This model gets pop-of-colour trim details and bright stitching on the steering wheel and seat upholstery (which is a water-repellant synthetic leather rather than the genuine Nappa of the Touring), plus embossed "Wilderness" logos on the headrests.

Little things, but they add up to a lot. The Wilderness even gets its own outdoorsy theme for the digital instruments and infotainment screen.

The Wilderness has a slightly complicated relationship with the rest of the Outback range spec-wise. The entry-level Wilderness is based on the basic Outback, which means it's missing some of the gear you get on the cheaper (than the Wilderness, we mean) Touring, including auto door mirror adjustment with reverse-dipping, and the full exterior camera-view setup.

The Apex brings a lot (but not all) of the luxury gear back, including sat-nav, power sunroof, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio and Vision Assist+ with Front View Monitor, Side View and the full 360-degree camera.

The wave-like design of the instrument/infotainment cluster is strange but works well. Compared to the previous Outback, Subaru has stepped back a little on the digital controls, with physical buttons for the climate control. Outback is also one of the few cars on the market that not only has an obvious portal to the trip computer (not sure why this is no longer a desirable feature generally), but in fact has a shortcut button on the steering wheel.

Any Outback is a super-practical SUV. The rear seat is spacious, the boot is 530l and seats fold nearly-flat. There's no hard cargo cover: instead you get one with a "contractible surface" that attaches magnetically and can be folded (well, screwed up actually) and stored in the apron trim pocket when not in use. Love the chunky Wilderness-branded boot-mat, too.

On the road: what's the Subaru Outback Touring like to drive?

The price premium for the Wilderness isn't just about show. Both versions get a more powerful turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, there's a dual-setting X-Mode for the powertrain if you're heading off-tarmac and the raised ride height also brings electronic dampers.

Worth it? We're sceptical. The turbo powerplant adds 57kW/128Nm for totals of 194kW/382Nm, but the performance doesn't exactly have a whole lot of extra wow-factor. The continuously variable transmission takes the edge of the extra fizz (there's no Sport mode) and while you do get paddle-shifters to simulate gearchanges, the effect is unconvincing.

They're okay for some quick engine braking, but not a lot esle. If you're hurrying along, better to let the powertrain just do its own thing.

An Outback without a great ride/handling balance and composed chassis performance on gravel wouldn't be... an Outback. The Wilderness does not disappoint in its ability to soak up Kiwi country roads in a safe and engaging way, but the extra height and strength of the underpinnings does come with some opportunity cost. It's not as smooth or well-sorted on-road as the standard Outback... while still being superior to your average family crossover.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Subaru Outback Touring warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle warranty is 3 years/100,000km. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Subaru Outback Touring?

If you're an Outback buyer who genuinely wants to head off-tarmac and get stuck into some outdoorsy stuff, the Wilderness is probably the one for you. Or if you're not doing that, but still like this model's dystopian styling addenda, we get that too. It ain't pretty, but it's certainly a look.

For the rest, we'd suggest trying a Touring before you commit to the Wilderness. The powertrain and chassis changes don't necessarily make for a better Outback on-road, and the Touring still has more comfort/convenience equipment than the flagship Wilderness Apex.

Subaru Outback Touring FAQs

What kind of car is the Subaru Outback Touring?

A large 5-seat family SUV.

Does the Subaru Outback Touring have hybrid or EV technology?

No.

What’s the fuel economy of the Subaru Outback Touring?

Its rated at 10.8l/100km under the NZ 3P-WLTP protocol.

Is the Subaru Outback Touring safe?

It's yet to be tested by ANCAP, but carries a 5-star NZ VSRR rating.

What safety and assistance features does the Subaru Outback Touring have?

What are the Subaru Outback Touring's main AWD rivals?

• Subaru Trailseeker Touring ($72,490): All or nothing, right? Outback is ICE-only, but the new Trailseeker is pure-electric and the top Touring version is actually cheaper than the Trailseeker Apex.
• Toyota RAV4 Adventure ($60,990): Most SUV-oriented RAV4, with hybrid tech and E-Four AWD.
• Nissan X-Trail Rock Creek e-Power ($55,590): Off-road-themed X-Trail comes in conventional petrol, but even this money gets you the clever range-extender hybrid engine.
• GWM Haval H7 Vanta PHEV AWD ($61,990): Essentially a more rugged H6, Vanta PHEV tops the lineup.
• Riddara RD6 Pro ($69,990): It's a ute and an electric one at that, but it drives like a car on-road and will still take you to cool places.