2024 Subaru Outback 2.4 XT Touring EyeSight Review

In Malaysia's D-segment crossover SUV market, family users and outdoor enthusiasts often struggle to balance "urban comfort" and "mild off-road capability" — they want both smooth and quiet daily commuting and the ability to handle unpaved suburban roads. The Subaru Outback 2.4 XT Touring EyeSight, which was just launched in September 2024, targets this demand with its 2.4T turbocharged engine + all-wheel-drive system as its core selling points, paired with the EyeSight safety system and luxury features, aiming to differentiate itself among vehicles in the same price range. In this test drive, we focus on verifying: Is its power sufficient? Is the AWD system practical? Do the luxury features meet family users’ expectations?

At first glance, the Outback's overall style leans towards steady and practical, without overly flashy designs. The front face retains Subaru's family-style hexagonal grille, with chrome accents added just right to avoid looking cheap; the sharp design of the side LED headlights integrates daytime running lights, providing high recognizability when lit. The body side profile is smooth, and the waistline extending from the A-pillar to the D-pillar gives the body a sleek appearance. The minimum ground clearance of 213mm is higher than most urban SUVs in the same class, complemented by 18-inch alloy wheels, providing enough crossover feel visually. The rear design is simple, with LED taillights arranged horizontally, echoing the front headlights, while the silver skid plate under the rear bumper reinforces the off-road vibe.

Opening the door, the interior is dominated by dark brown and black tone colors, with solid materials used throughout. The center console and the inner side of the doors are covered with soft-touch leather, offering a comfortable feel. The most eye-catching feature in the center control area is the 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen with a simple and intuitive system interface supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the operation responsiveness is pretty good. The fully digital instrument cluster displays vehicle status, navigation information, and other content clearly and legibly. In terms of configuration, the front seats support 10-way electric adjustment (driver's seat) and 8-way electric adjustment (passenger seat), with good seat wrapping and support, ensuring comfort over long periods of travel. The rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB ports, ensuring passengers' comfort. In terms of storage space, the front central armrest box has a large capacity, and door storage compartments can hold large water bottles. The trunk has a standard capacity of 522 liters, which can be expanded to approximately 1,800 liters when the rear seats are folded down, meeting the needs of family outings or transporting large items.

Starting the vehicle, the 2.4T turbocharged engine (249PS horsepower, 350N·m torque) provides direct power output. Shift into D gear, and a light press on the accelerator gives you a noticeable push-back feeling. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 7.5 seconds, and in actual test driving, starting and overtaking are both easy; even when fully loaded with 5 people, the power does not feel sluggish. The transmission is a CVT continuously variable transmission, with decent shifting smoothness, making it nearly impossible to feel any jerking. However, there is slight rev climbing delay when the accelerator is pressed hard. There are standard, sport, and snow driving modes to choose from. In sport mode, throttle response is more sensitive, suitable for overtaking on highways; the snow mode optimizes the AWD system’s torque distribution, enhancing stability on slippery roads.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal slack. At high speeds, the steering wheel becomes more stable, providing ample confidence. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson and rear double-wishbone independent suspension, tuned for comfort without being overly soft. When going over speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out vibrations, and there’s no noticeable jolting inside the car. When cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, with sufficient support. The full-time all-wheel-drive system performs excellently, distributing power promptly when driving on unpaved roads (such as muddy or gravel roads), with minimal wheel slippage. The 213mm ground clearance also makes it easy to tackle most small obstacles.

In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel economy is 7.3L/100km. During actual test drives, it was about 8.5L/100km in urban conditions and around 6.8L/100km on highways. Considering the 2.4T engine and all-wheel-drive system, this fuel economy is above average for its class. Noise control is well-done, with minimal wind and tire noise at high speeds. The Harman Kardon 11-speaker audio system delivers clear sound quality, further enhancing the driving and riding experience.

The core advantages of the 2024 Subaru Outback 2.4 XT Touring EyeSight are evident: the 2.4T engine and full-time all-wheel-drive combination make it suitable for users who enjoy outdoor activities or need to handle complex road conditions. The EyeSight safety system (ACC adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, active braking, etc.) enhances safety during daily commutes. Its interior is luxurious and well-equipped, and its practicality meets the needs of family users. Compared to competitors in the same class, its all-wheel-drive system and off-road capabilities are its biggest highlights, while its price (RM 310,390) is mid-range within the D-Segment crossover SUVs, offering good value for money.

Overall, this car is suitable for two types of consumers: first, families that value practicality and off-road capability, as it can meet both daily commuting and weekend outdoor travel needs; second, users who enjoy light off-roading and have a demand for power, as the 2.4T engine and full-time all-wheel-drive provide a satisfying driving experience. If you are looking for an "all-rounder" crossover SUV, the Outback 2.4 XT Touring EyeSight is worth considering.