Amid the best month of Outback sales Subaru Canada has ever had, resulting in 3,455 units down the road in April for a 21.4-percent gain over the same month last year, the refreshed 2023 model was revealed at the New York International Auto Show.
This mid-cycle update integrates the brand’s new WRX-inspired grille design, showing a wider, happier grin-like shape that should put a smile on the faces of brand loyalists, plus even more radical (although not as aggressive) front fascia updates than outgoing Wilderness trim, which include massive matte black end pieces that square off the frontal design as they wrap upwards to underscore a complex set of new multi-angle LED headlamp clusters. Additionally, new fog lights are integrated within a tougher looking lower fascia below.
The edgier new fender flares look as if they’re pulled right off of 2022’s Wilderness model, which ironically sees no visual updates for the new model year, while the rocker panel cladding appears unchanged. The meaty roof rack and sizeable rooftop spoiler look the same too, but the new Outback’s matte black rear bumper shows a less aggressive design, incorporating smaller horizontally positioned reflectors to each side in place of the outgoing model’s vertical set that featured larger, angular bezels. A variety of new wheels round out the updates.
New Onyx trim follows the popular blacked-out trend
A new Onyx Edition, previously only available in the U.S., will be positioned just below Wilderness trim for 2023. As the name implies, exterior elements that might otherwise be bright metal are finished in black, including the 18-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, while Subaru has even gone so far as to apply black badging, and an exclusive grey two-tone cabin. The seats are covered in a soft-touch, all-weather water-resistant material to enhance comfort and durability, while other features added over Touring trim include alloy foot pedals, heatable rear outboard seats, and dual-function X-MODE.
Unlike the American-spec version, which solely utilizes the optional XT powertrain, which is a 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer-four that’s good for 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, the Canadian iteration gets built upon naturally-aspirated Touring trim, which includes a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine making a more modest 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
All 2023 Outback models, which remain five-seat crossovers in all trims (Subaru buyers that need more seating will want to look to the larger Ascent), come standard with Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) touting eight-speed manual mode, complete with steering wheel paddles. Subaru Canada estimates 9.0 L/100km in the city, 7.1 on the highway and 8.2 combined for the base engine, or 10.1, 7.9 and 9.1 respectively for the XT turbo, while the Wilderness is separately rated at 10.9 L/100km city, 8.9 highway and 10.0 combined.
Subaru adds new standard and optional features across the Outback line
All 2023 Outback trim levels, including Convenience, Touring, Onyx, Limited, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Premier XT, receive plenty of interior updates including new four-way adjustable power lumbar support for the driver’s seat, plus a rear USB-C port, while all the standard features from the previous base model continue forward, including heated side mirrors with welcome lighting, LED interior dome lights, a full-circumference heatable steering wheel rim, heated front seats, automatic climate control (dual-zone in second-rung Touring trim), a power-adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear USB-A ports, and one-touch folding rear seatbacks.
Of course, Subaru’s symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive is standard too, as is active torque vectoring, Vehicle Dynamics Control and X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. Of note, regular Outback models get 220 mm (8.6 in) of ground clearance, while Wilderness trim adds another 10 mm (0.4 in) to 230 mm (9.0 in). Notably, this is more ground clearance than many so-called SUVs, yet Subaru keeps the Outback’s overall ride height closer to terra firma in order to provide easier access via a lower step-in height.
EyeSight safety and convenience tech has been improved for 2023
Subaru’s latest EyeSight driver assist technology is standard too, although the system has been improved for smoother operation under more variable conditions. This is managed by providing cameras with a wider field of view, while the control software has also been updated, and an electric brake booster added. Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering Assist is also included, while Touring trim and above receive Reverse Automatic Braking and Subaru Rear/Side Vehicle Detection {SRVD) with Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Safety in mind, the 2023 Outback will continue forward with eight standard airbags, including one for the driver’s knees, while all of the above, as well as the Outback’s 2017 update to the Subaru Global Platform, which helped to increase torsional and front-suspension rigidity by 70 percent, front lateral flexural and rear subframe stiffness by 100 percent, and overall crash protection via more than 40-percent more energy absorption in front/side crashes than the prior model, the new model should once again qualify for a another five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as well as an additional Top Safety Pick+ placement from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
New Outback extras join long list of carryover options
Additional new items for Touring trim include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as part of this model’s carryover upgrade to the larger 11.6-inch high-resolution Starlink infotainment touchscreen (increased from 7.0 inches in the base model), while a front USB-C port and a wireless phone charger is now also included in this trim (which is made more useful thanks to the wireless smartphone integration).
What’s more, an additional bit of Touring (and above) tech dubbed what3words (W3W) could be quite popular once users adapt to it. It’s an innovative location system that allows for easy navigation to just above anywhere in the world via a short three-word prompt. As Subaru explains it, “W3W has divided the world into a grid of 3-metre squares and given each square a unique combination of three words — a what3words address. Customers can navigate to and share trailheads, scenic overlooks and other hard-to-find places with precise accuracy using just three words.” Cool, eh?
Carryover items in this Touring model continue to include proximity-sensing access with pushbutton ignition, a windshield wiper de-icer, an auto-dimming centre mirror with a Homelink universal remote and compass, Subaru Starlink connected services, and a moonroof. Additionally, on Touring trims and above, which come standard with aforementioned SRVD and more, EyeSight includes new Automatic Emergency Steering that works in conjunction with Pre-Collision Braking to help in collision mitigation at speeds below 80 km/h.
Subaru gives customers plenty of good reasons to move up into higher trims
Having already gone over Onyx features, next-in-line Limited, plus upper-level Limited XT and Premier XT trims gain a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System that utilizes a dedicated infrared camera and facial recognition tech to identify signs of driver fatigue, such as tired eyes, or distraction before providing audible and visual warnings to alert the driver and passengers that it might be time to rest.
Moving up, the Outback’s most off-road capable Wilderness trim, along with its top-tier Premier XT model, now have the option of a Front View Monitor, which shows a 180-degree forward video image of the driver’s blind spot ahead of the front bumper on the 11.6-inch infotainment display, increasing safety in all types of conditions, whether parking or off-road.
Lastly, the range-topping Premier XT gets a new Wide-Angle Mono Camera that works in tandem with the Outback’s main dual-camera EyeSight system to further expand its overall field of vision. It now has the ability to more quickly recognize pedestrians and bicycles when entering an intersection at low speed. Once a potential collision is detected, EyeSight alerts the driver, and if required applies the brakes automatically. A full LCD Smart Rearview Mirror is also new for Premier XT trim, complete with auto-dimming capability, a compass, and a Homelink universal remote.
So far Subaru Canada hasn’t announced pricing for the refreshed 2023 Outback, but these should be available on their website fairly soon, with deliveries starting later in the year. Until then, the 2022 Outback starts at $31,195 plus destination, while Touring trim can be had for $35,395, Limited for $39,595, Premier for $41,395, Wilderness for $41,995, Limited XT for $42,395, and Premier XT for $44,195. New 2023 Outback prices should remain fairly close to those for the outgoing model.
Story credits: Trevor Hofmann
Photo credits: Subaru