Category Archives: Motoring

AWD, Motoring, Subaru, SUV

2024 Outback: Performance and Practicality

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Subaru Outback

By Bill McCarthy

The impressive Outback serves a particular niche market, impressing loyal buyers and the motoring media. It has been around for a long time, 25 years in fact. It has become a staple for those who love full-fat off-roaders. It’s also favoured by those in semi-rural locations who may need that kind of capability in remote country lanes when the weather closes in.

This upgraded version offers improved technology, sleeker styling, improved, although not brilliant, economy and bullet proof reliability.

A key area is practicality and the 60/40 split fold-down rear seats deliver a cavernous flat load area of 561 litres of cargo space. For extra stowage, the roof rails, which vary depending on trim level, feature built-in crossbars for carrying loads such as paddleboards or canoes.

Field and Touring models are fitted with a hands-free power tailgate, which can be activated with a wave of an elbow near the rear badge, provided the operator has the vehicle smart key.
Subaru has also been named as a top manufacturer this year in a survey. It topped the Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction Survey for 2024. The Japanese brand claimed the top spot beating more mainstream and prestige brands in the list of 32 manufacturers.

You can see why it gains the accolades, with sophisticated safety technology alongside the latest driver assistance and collision avoidance technology, making it the most luxurious and safest yet.

This latest upgrade features new front fascia and grille redesigned sleek LED headlights.

In addition, larger expanded wheel arch cladding adds to the tough new look while providing additional protection. It sits high off the ground with smart 18-inch alloy wheels, to maintain that rugged yet sophisticated appearance.

Gone is the previous agricultural look of the past, to be replaced with sharp exterior design and an upmarket interior, dominated by a stylish tablet-style touchscreen which controls key functions such as navigation, smartphone connectivity, and infotainment.

There are three versions, Limited, Field and the range-topping Touring. All are packed with equipment with this mid-range Field model the latest version of the clever Subaru Eyesight safety technology, which features facial recognition that detects tiredness in the driver with sharp and sometimes annoying warnings.

I know, I know, it’s keep you safe. It can also remember the driving preferences of five users.

With a high level of standard specification, the Touring X Limited Edition also includes a luxurious Nappa Leather interior, heated front & rear seats, smooth leather-wrapped steering wheel, sunroof, and digital reversing camera. 

An 11.6-inch Subaru Infotainment system is portrait-mounted and comes with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™, and is complemented with an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon® sound system. 

It is powered by a 2.5 litre Boxer engine mated with the now familiar Lineartronic transmission. Economy is not what this is about, although at around 33mpg for a 2.5 litre engine pulling such a hunk of metal is not too shoddy. That power also gives it a two-tonne towing capacity.

Acceleration is brisk for this kind of vehicle and it hits 60mph in just over 10 seconds, and although I am not a huge fan this type of transmission, the shifter paddles behind the steering wheel give the chance for a more engaging drive.

There are plenty of creature comforts including eight-way powered and heated front seats with lumbar support, climate control, heated and powered door mirrors, and aluminium pedals.

Just like before, the car comes with Permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-MODE. Using the touchscreen, the driver can switch modes for snow, dirt, gravel, or mud conditions. When X-MODE is activated, hill descent control automatically maintains a constant speed when travelling downhill.

Safety kit, which also includes the latest EyeSight, adds adaptive cruise control, lane assist and centering assistance, plus lane sway and departure warning.

FAST FACTS

Subaru Outback Field AWD

Price: £37,995

Mechanical: 169PS, 2498cc, 4-cylinder, petrol engine driving all wheels via Lineartronic CVT transmission

Max Speed: 120mph

0-62mph: 10.2 seconds

Combined MPG: 32.8

Insurance Group: 17

C02 emissions: 193g/km

Bik rating: 37%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

First drive, Motoring

Easy as ABC with new BYD Dolphin models

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Choosing a spec for a Dolphin supermini is as simple as ABC, says Chinese electric car maker BYD (Build your Dreams).
Well, you should make that as simple as ABC and D with the launch of two new trim levels.
The Active and Boost compact hatch models join the Comfort and Design specs (ABCD, geddit?), but come with a smaller battery.
All are smart with excellent standard equipment, are spacious and offer decent range.
All are well specified and there are also a couple of innovative features like the tablet-style info screen that can swivel to landscape or portrait, depending on your preference. A bit like you mobile phone.
Prices start from £26,195 for the Active and £27,165 for the Boost which have a 44.9kWh battery as opposed to the 60.4 kWh output of the existing models Comfort and Dynamic models.
The range for the Dolphin Active on a full charge is 211 miles with the Boost, which has a more powerful motor capable of up to 193 miles. It can also power normal AC equipment via its Vehicle to Load (VtoL) technology


In the Active version, the battery is paired with a 95PS motor and can be charged using AC power up to 7kW or by DC power up to 65kW. The Boost version features a 176PS motor and can be charged using an 11kW AC (3-phase) charger or by DC power up to 65kW.
On both models a 100 kW DC charger can top up the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes.
It’s a decent size, accommodating five and features heated and powered vegan leather sports seats. The rear seats provide ample legroom, and when split increase boot space from 345-litres to 1,310 litres.
The vehicle also includes over 20 practical storage spaces.
Another premium touch is the panoramic camera provides the driver with 360-degree visibility for safe vehicle manoeuvring.
On the road, both are quick, as electric cars are, although the Boost offers a bit more grunt. The Active feeling hits 60mph in a shade over 12 seconds, the Boost a little quicker.
All Dolphin models feature a comprehensive list of safety kit.
They are good value for money and boast about being the fastest growing brand in the UK. Well that depends on your starting point. But they do have plenty to offer.
The Chinese are serious players in the EV market with BYD, MG and now Ora. The traditional brands need to keep on top of their game to compete.