Tow Test: Subaru Outback 2.0D CVT

It was about 12 months ago that we tow-tested the top-spec 3.6R Premium version of Subaru’s five seat Outback all-wheel drive wagon.

Powered by a gutsy 191kW/350Nm 3.6-litre six-cylinder, petrol engine matched to five-speed auto transmission, it proved a decent tow tug although we had reservations about its ability to comfortably haul the maximum 1800kg.

This time around we’re sampling an Outback with the 110kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, hooked up to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), as opposed to the more conventional auto 'box available exclusively on the range-topping 3.6-litre Outback.

Introduced in March, the CVT transmission brings for the first time the convenience of automatic gear shifting (as well as manual shifting via steering wheel paddles) to the turbo-diesel Outback, previously only available with a six-speed manual.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Now four-years-old in its current guise, the Outback recently benefitted from some minor updates and price reductions to keep it on the radar of family wagon and mid-sized SUV buyers.

Among the changes for the 2013 model year were revised corporate grille/bumper, front foglight surrounds and newly styled wheel patterns. Pricing has been slashed by up to $4000 while extra equipment including satellite navigation has been added to some variants to boost value.

As tested here, the Outback 2.0D CVT is priced from $42,490 and comes with a decent amount of kit including dual zone climate control, cloth seat trim, leather steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, seven inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, reversing camera, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming -- not to mention Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system -- as standard.

For an additional $2500 the ‘Premium’ pack adds electric sunroof, leather trim, eight-way power driver’s seat with memory and electroluminescent gauges with colour information display.

Diesel Outback models miss out on some of the fancy collision avoidance technology available on the top-spec Outback Premium 3.6 model, although you do pay up to $15,000 more for the privilege.

But even in mid-spec Outback 2.0D form, the Japanese mid-sized wagon presents well with a smart, roomy and practical cabin, latest Bluetooth technology and other gadgets, and an on-road composure and performance that compares well with its high-riding SUV rivals.

LET’S TOW!

The diesel Outback has a braked towing capacity of 1700kg, which makes it on paper slightly less capable than the 3.6-litre petrol Outback with its 1800kg maximum.

However, on the road the diesel Outback proves better suited to towing duties, with its maximum torque of 350Nm (the same as the 3.6 Outback) kicking in from as low as 1800rpm, compared to the petrol’s 4400rpm.

With all this low-rev pulling power, the diesel Outback made light work of a Jayco pop-top weighing 1343kg; accelerating smoothly and willingly from standstill without the need to over-rev. 

The smooth diesel also works really well with the CVT transmission, which has been strengthened with a larger, twin-damper torque converter to suit the high torque output of the turbo-diesel engine.

With seven ‘stepped’ gears on offer, changes are rapid, almost seamless, and it’s rarely found wanting in the wrong gear. There's enough torque to keep revs under 2500rpm in most circumstances including maintaining speed up hills. That said, it willingly kicks down a couple of gears, quickfire, for some extra urge, without getting raucous at higher revs.

Another highlight was the easy-to-reach paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, which with a couple of quick taps located the perfect gear for engine braking down longer, steep hills.

Officially, the diesel is more economical than the 3.6 petrol (6.5L/100m Vs 10.3L/100km) and this bore out in practice. Driving solo, the 2.0D Outback’s trip computer settled on 7.0L/100m, rising to 11.6 when towing. By comparison, driving in similar conditions the 3.6 petrol Outback recorded 11.2L/100km (solo) and 14.3 (towing).

Subaru doesn’t recommend the use of a weight distribution hitch, but with our rig sitting down marginally at the rear, it wasn’t really a concern in our case. Out on the open road the Outback felt reassuringly stable, while the Jayco behind tracked confidently over some twisty, hilly sections.

With the low-slung pop-top van providing good aerodynamics, the Subaru was also quite happy cruising along at 100km/h or more on the freeway.

Overall, the diesel with its more relaxed, fuss-free towing demeanour, not to mention better fuel economy, makes it the pick of the Outbacks for towing.

However, there are better tow tug options in the mid-size SUV market such as the
Kia Sorento, which offers more torque (421Nm) and greater towing ability (2500kg) or Ford Territory diesel (440Nm and 2300kg).

* Thanks to Page Bros RV in Seaford, Victoria, for loan of the Jayco Starcraft pop-top for this test.

SUBARU OUTBACK 2.0D CVT

Engine: 2.0-litre, horizontally-opposed four cylinder turbo-diesel
Max. power: 110kW at 6100rpm
Max. torque: 350Nm at 1800-2400rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Length: 4790mm
Width: 1820mm
Height: 1615mm
Wheelbase: 2745mm
Ground clearance: 213mm
Kerb mass: 1606kg
Fuel: 65lt
Towing cap. unbraked/braked: 750kg/1700kg
Tow ball mass maximum: 170kg
Fuel economy (claimed): 6.5L/100km
Price: from $42,490 (MRRP)
More info: Subaru Australia