Subaru has revealed the 2023 Outback at the New York auto show, showing off its mildly updated styling, and upgraded driver assistance systems. The Subaru Outback receives a few minor styling tweaks for the 2023 model year while retaining a classic look that remains handsome. There’s extended plastic body cladding that adds more protection when taking the lifted wagon offroad, a larger grille that extends into new half-split headlights, as well as new fog lights. Around the back, the Outback looks to be identical to the outgoing model.
The 2.5-liter boxer engine remains
unchanged, and still pumps out 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque in
naturally aspirated guise, and 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque when
turbocharged. Both engines are connected to a CVT transmission with an 8-speed
manual mode function, sending power to Subaru’s venerable full-time
all-wheel-drive system. The Onyx Edition, which was a turbo-only trim in the
outgoing model, is also now available with the naturally aspirated engine, and
that might bring a small price drop too.
Perhaps the highlight of the 2023 Outback
is the upgraded technology it gets. Top-of-the-line Touring trim models will
feature a new wide-angle mono camera, which adds to the dual-camera setup of
the EyeSight system, to improve the detection of pedestrians and cyclists. A
new automatic emergency steering system is also available on trim levels with
blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, and
uses a combination of EyeSight and auto-braking to avoid accidents under 50
mph.
The Starlink infotainment system has also
been updated to the latest version, accessible through the portrait-oriented
11.6-inch touchscreen. New “What Three Words” geolocation technology debuts on
the 2023 Outback, which can easily mark a precise location on a trail or scenic
area using just three words. Overall, the Outback hasn’t changed much since the
2022 model, but that’s a good thing. As the old saying goes: “if it ain’t
broke, don’t fix it.”
The current Outback is priced at US$ 28,320,
and the 2023 model will likely see a price increase of a few hundred dollars
when it becomes available. Subaru will announce pricing and availability for
the 2023 Outback in the near future.
