Subaru Outback & Wilderness Review – Beyond the GOOAT
For thirty years, the Subaru Outback has quietly become part of the Kiwi landscape. From gravel backroads and ski-field carparks to boats at the ramp and long family road trips, it has built a reputation as the vehicle that simply gets on with it.
Dependable. Comfortable. Capable.
So, when Subaru New Zealand invited us to experience the ALL-NEW Outback and Wilderness firsthand, expectations were high. After all, the outgoing model had become what many Subaru fans affectionately called the “GOOAT” — the Greatest Outback Of All Time.
And honestly? We arrived wondering how Subaru could possibly improve on it.
Turns out… they absolutely have.
First Impressions – Bold, Different, Unmistakably Subaru
The first thing you notice about the ALL-NEW Outback is that Subaru has dared to be different.
The styling is bolder, tougher and far more purposeful than before. The new squared-off silhouette, chunkier cladding, redesigned LED lighting and more upright stance give it genuine presence. At launch, reactions were mixed at first glance — because it does not look like every other SUV on the road.
That is exactly why it works.
The more time you spend around it, the more the design grows on you. By the end of the launch, the consensus was clear: Subaru has nailed the brief. The ALL-NEW Outback looks like it belongs in the outdoors, not just parked outside a shopping mall pretending to.
And the Wilderness? It looks properly ready for adventure straight from the factory.
Wilderness Means Business
The arrival of the Wilderness to New Zealand is a big deal.
This is not just an appearance package or a sticker kit. The Subaru Outback Wilderness has been engineered specifically for people who actually leave the sealed road behind.
With 240mm of ground clearance, revised approach and departure angles, exclusive suspension tuning with e-Damper technology and Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, this thing is the real deal.
And after experiencing it off-road ourselves, we can confirm — the capability is seriously impressive.
Off-Road Experience – Confidence Everywhere
The launch route gave us the chance to properly test the Outback and Wilderness in conditions that genuinely mattered. Steep climbs, loose gravel, muddy ruts, uneven terrain and deeply corrugated tracks that would quickly expose any weakness in a soft-roader.
The Outback handled it with ease. The Wilderness simply shrugged it all off.
What stood out most was how composed and confidence-inspiring the Wilderness felt. The suspension tuning is exceptional. It absorbs rough terrain beautifully without feeling floaty or disconnected. The e-Damper system constantly adapts to the terrain underneath, helping keep the vehicle planted and settled even when things get rough.
Subaru’s X-Mode system remains brilliantly intuitive, and combined with the Symmetrical AWD system, traction is almost effortless. Point it where you want to go and it just finds grip. The turbocharged 2.4-litre Boxer engine of the Wilderness is another standout.
Producing 194kW, it delivers effortless performance with strong mid-range torque that feels perfectly suited to New Zealand conditions. Whether climbing steep tracks or overtaking on the open road, there is always usable power available.
Importantly though, the Wilderness still feels refined. Quiet cruising, comfortable seating and excellent visibility remind you that this is still an Outback at heart — just one that has spent more time at the gym.
Everyday Practicality Still Reigns Supreme
While the Wilderness grabs attention, the standard ALL-NEW Subaru Outback range deserves equal praise.
Powered by Subaru’s updated 2.5-litre direct-injected Boxer engine, the standard Outback continues to deliver the easy-driving, comfortable touring nature that has made the nameplate so successful for decades.
Inside, the improvements are substantial.
The new 12.1-inch infotainment screen is faster and more intuitive, while the 12.3- inch digital instrument cluster modernises the cabin without losing Subaru’s user- friendly feel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are welcome additions, and the available Harman Kardon audio system sounds fantastic (Premium, Touring and Wilderness Apex models).
The cabin overall feels more refined, more premium and more thoughtfully laid out than ever before. The return of physical buttons for air conditioning controls is well received and makes adjustments while on the road more efficient and safer.
Safety That Leads From the Front
Subaru has always taken safety seriously, and the ALL-NEW Outback pushes that even further.
The latest generation EyeSight Driver Assist technology is quicker, smarter and more comprehensive than before, with upgraded cameras and radar systems capable of detecting cyclists, pedestrians and intersections more effectively.
Features such as Emergency Driving Stop System, Emergency Lane Keep Assist and enhanced Adaptive Cruise Control all contribute to a vehicle that feels reassuringly intelligent without becoming intrusive.
It is safety technology done the Subaru way — quietly working in the background while letting the driver remain engaged.
Final Verdict – Beyond GOAT Status
The outgoing Outback set an incredibly high benchmark, with many believing it would be impossible to improve upon. But after experiencing the ALL-NEW Subaru Outback and Wilderness firsthand, it is clear Subaru has successfully evolved the formula without losing what made the Outback so special in the first place.
It is noticeably quieter, more spacious and feels even more planted and composed on the road, delivering a driving experience that is genuinely difficult to rival.
It is bolder.
More refined.
More capable.
More adventurous.
Most importantly, it still feels authentically Subaru.
The ALL-NEW Subaru Outback and Subaru Outback Wilderness do not just continue the legacy of the GOOAT.
They go beyond it.
Priced from $54,990 plus on road costs.
