An ode to growing up, the Subaru Outback and Mitsubishi Outlander and how they have replaced the WRX and EVO.
Dear fellow petrolheads, gather ’round as I regale you with the tale of my transformation from a speed-hungry maniac to a practical, responsible, yet still somewhat cool (go along with it) adult. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the unlikely love affair I’ve been having this year with none other than the Subaru Outback and Mitsubishi Outlander.
There was of course a time, when I couldn’t help but drool over the iconic WRX and EVO. The turbocharged symphonies, the neck-snapping acceleration, and the sheer joy of gripping the wheel of those beasts made my heart race faster than my monthly insurance premium. Think WRC aka World Rally. Think Sega Rally, Need for Speed and Gran Turismo. Bewinged turbo monsters with all-wheel drive flying around corners and literally through the sky. But oh, how the times have changed!
Flash forward to this year, where I find myself enamoured not by the raw power of yesteryears, but by the practical prowess of the Subaru Outback and Mitsubishi Outlander. I know, I can hear the collective gasp of disbelief from my younger self echoing in the distance. But trust me, folks, these SUVs are not just for soccer parents and grocery getters – they’ve got some tricks up their sleeves!
THE ONE WITH SIX STARS
The Subaru Outback, for starters, is like that reliable old friend who’s always down for an adventure, even if it’s just a weekend getaway to the nearest bike park. It’s got that classic assymetrical Subaru all-wheel drive that makes you feel like you can conquer the elements, whether it’s rain, mud, or a particularly aggressive hadeda crossing the road. And let’s not forget the cargo space! You could practically fit a mountain bike inside, albeit covered in mud. So I didn’t, relying instead on the tow bar for my rack. Yes, a SUV, but one that straddles the line with an estate yet when you drop your bum into its pew, feels like a saloon car.
Under the hood of my flagship XT model you’ll encounter a familiar flat-four, endowed with 183kW and 340Nm. Yes, it’s lost two cylinders and with it some of that character its predecessor had. I just don’t care, because the trade off is efficiency, and with no loss of performance. There’s just something about Subaru, that makes them iconic. Maybe it’s the fact that this Japanese brand insists on putting flat engines in their cars – sort of like Porsche does, but with turbocharged four-cylinders. And not just in their performance cars, but rather, in just about everything they make. Including this Outback.
THE ONE WITH THREE DIAMONDS
On the other side of the SUV spectrum, we’ve got the Mitsubishi Outlander – a true chameleon that can switch from city slicker to off-road explorer with a mere flick of the wrist. At R759,995 the Outlander Aspire costs about the same as the Pajero Sport. It’s bakkie-based sibling is marginally larger, and more offroad capable – so why not just buy that? Instead of trying to answer that right away, I lived with the car for the week and can honestly say, it not only surprised me, but became one of my favourite cars of the year.
If you’re not planning on taking your SUV on any serious off-road adventures, then the Outlander’s more comfortable ride and better handling on the highway will be more appreciated.
Of course, the Outlander is still capable of handling light off-road trails. And if you do find yourself in a situation where you need more ground clearance, the Outlander’s All-Wheel Control system can help you out.
It’s 4-cylinder DOHC petrol makes 135kW and 245Nm is paired with an 8-speed CVT, but don’t let that put you off in the slightest. The result is a tractable, refined drive via Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, despite rolling on 20 inch alloy wheels. And to the tune of a commendable 8.1L/100km. I could live with this.
SO WHAT I’M SAYING IS…
I’m old? Yes. No! I’m wiser, and my priorities have changed, and in a sea of SUVs, these two really stand out. While this is not a comparison, they after all occupy different segments and price points. They also offer different unique selling points, but at the end of the day, I think they’re excellent – and fine examples of why in 2023, you cannot discount these iconic Japanese badges. Comfy as they are. There’s an old adage that holds true here – if when you park your car, you don’t look back at it as you walk away, then you bought the wrong car. I cannot believe that I’m admitting that both of these SUVs had me doing precisely that. Now if you don’t mind, I guess I should start researching a nice retirement village next.