√2023 Subaru Outback update due in Australia early next year

Subaru has revealed an updated Outback wagon in the US – but Subaru Australia has not confirmed if everything pictured here will reach local showrooms next year.

An updated 2023 Subaru Outback has been revealed in the US, with a restyled front fascia, new wheel arch designs, and improved technology – ahead of expected Australian deliveries in early 2023.

Subaru Australia has confirmed an “Australian specification” Model Year 2023 Outback will reach local showrooms early next year – however it’s not clear if the Australian model will receive all of the updates bound for the US model, including its bold new front end.

The facelifted Subaru Outback revealed last week is built for North America at a factory in the USA; cars bound for Australia are made in Japan – where production only began around 18 months ago, compared to three years ago in the US.

Versions of the current Subaru Outback sold in Australia and the US already wear different front fascias, and sport unique wheel arch cladding, alloy wheel and rear bumper designs – plus a 2.4-litre turbo engine, which is exclusive to US-built examples.

As a result, there’s no guarantee the US-market Subaru Outback exterior facelift – which includes a larger front grille, reshaped LED headlights, fog lights and lower front bumper, and new wheel-arch cladding – will make it to Australian showrooms.

One notable omission on the current model Subaru Outback sold locally: all variants lack the basic convenience of front parking sensors, a helpful feature in tight parking spots.

While Subaru Australia is yet to confirm details, the interior and safety updates headed for the US may appear on Australia’s updated ‘MY23’ Subaru Outback due early next year.

The 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen (standard on all models in Australia) now has revised software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (rather than wired), and ‘what3words’ navigation, which can “communicate precise locations using just three simple words”.

Other new interior features include black nappa leather (with tan stitching) and a digital rear-view mirror on the flagship Touring, a 12-way power driver’s seat with lumbar (replacing 10-way), a heated steering wheel that heats the entire wheel, and illuminated charge ports.

The ‘EyeSight’ active safety suite adds a wide-angle ‘mono’ camera capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists in intersections at low speeds, with braking for obstacles enhanced through a new electric brake booster.

A new Automatic Emergency Steering function can steer away from obstacles at speeds up to 80km/h – in addition to braking for them – using the blind-spot monitoring system to ensure the car isn’t crossing into another vehicle’s path while doing so.

There are no changes under the bonnet, with US buyers continuing to be offered a choice of 2.5-litre non-turbo and 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ‘boxer’ engines – both with continuously-variable (automatic) transmissions (CVTs) and all-wheel drive.

However, only the non-turbo engine is built at the Japanese factory in right-hand drive, with Australian models developing 138kW and 245Nm.

Subaru Australia says it is “working closely with the factory” to bring the turbo Outback to local showrooms, however a launch is yet to be locked in.

The 2023 Subaru Outback is due to go on sale in the US between July and September 2022, ahead of first Australian deliveries of its Japanese-produced equivalent early next year.

The extent of the upgrades will determine how much prices will rise over the current range, which costs between $40,690 to $48,990 plus on-road costs.

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