So often Ive said to myself aloud, while driving a Subaru Outbackwagon, that this is not just an all-wheel drive family wagon. Its theultimate touring car. Theres meaning to that.
Touring caris a very old expression in Australia. It described our iconic motor sport category for decades. Basically, it meant a family sedan. It also indicated the vast size of our nation. Going just about anywhere was a tour!
The true meaning of touring, however, has never been more appropriate as travel restrictions have forced Australians to reach out to drivable destinations, with all theirstuffon board or behind. Subarus All Wheel Drive wagon does it better than anything else.
Ive spent much of my driving life touring up and down the east coast, to and from university in Canberra, around the central west for my earliest work in radio, and from the big city to a vast number of places to visit relatives and friends.
Ive traversed Europe for work and leisure. To me, driving brings the freedom of carrying your own kit, making your ownwayand controlling your own schedule.
Theres also the sheer enjoyment of steering an AWD wagon
Ive spent thousands of hours on open roads where the true feel of driving takes over, the kind of feel that makes you frown when atyreis slightly deflated, an engine not quite tuned or a road suddenly off camber.
Pull all that together, and the Subaru Outback just keeps topping the list among family wagons.
Subaru has found the sweet spot with anall-wheeldrive SUV that steers like its lower to the ground. The lack of body roll around bends enables you to maintain a consistent speed that enhances your experience and keeps you on time. But it also gives you that vital 213mmminimumgroundclearance and the versatility of X-Mode when negotiating the gnarly bits that get you toreally coolplaces. On top of that, it just looks good! Thanks to the Subaru Global Platform.
Theres advanced safety and driver assist innovations, premium appointments and infotainment including Apple CarPlay & Android Auto but its also the little things.
I love the enormous variation in driving positions and, once settled, the relief of needing only to press a button to set yourfavourite. There are so many options for passenger comfort too. As much as I love getting on the road, the journey is only as good as your passengers can handle. Nothing like anare we there yet?to kill the vibe!
We still make weekend trips as a family, and that means up to three twenty-somethings in the back. Of all the clever and practical features, Ive found the recline option on the rear seat really made a difference with our crew. It just provides that extra comfort for larger bodies.
The cargo area copes with even the fussiest luggage. Theres always the option to tow something of course. Thats no fuss for an AWD Subaru Outback.
You always have the roofrails, in their streamlined simplicity, as an afterthought.
But then, theAWDwagonisanything but an afterthought.
Indeed, they thought of everything.
Bill Woods
Subaru Ambassador
16 September 2021
