Just a year after its current iteration debuted on New Zealand shores, Subaru has already revealed an update to its popular Outback.
Shown off at the New York Auto Show, the 2023 model year Outback feature mostly cosmetic changes and upgraded active safety features.
Appearing to draw some inspiration from the Outback Wilderness trim sold overseas, the MY2023 Outback adopts more black plastic cladding all round, underlining the model’s rugged persona.
This is best represented by the new front fascia, with black ‘tusks’ that extend from the headlight to the bash plate. The headlights, grille, wheel arch extensions, fog lights, roof racks, and wheels are new, with the rear end of the Outback appearing largely unchanged.
The 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder engine under the bonnet is unchanged, meaning it still produces 138kW of power and 245Nm of torque. It’s also still paired to an eight-step continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s inevitable all-wheel drive system.
Barring the aesthetic changes, the other big upgrade with the MY2023 Outback is with its EyeSight technology.
Higher trims are set to get a new wide-angle mono camera. This will improve the car’s ability to detect pedestrians and cyclists as part of its autonomous emergency braking software.
The latter is also set to work in tandem with a new automatic emergency steering system. Subaru says it is capable of avoiding accidents under 50mph (80km/h). The model is also available with blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Other tech updates include the infotainment system using the latest iteration of Starlink. As part of this change, Subaru has added a new ‘What Three Words’ geolocation feature, which allows users to mark locations while out in the wilderness using just three words.
Local pricing, specifications, and arrival times have yet to be confirmed by Subaru of New Zealand.
