Hire Car review - Subaru Outback

[Falcon_Crazy]

Was given a Subaru Outback wagon when i was in Darwin last week. It had only 23K on the clock and I put 1,200 on it driving through Kakadu, Litchefield NP and Darwin.

First thing I noticed was the lack of power. I had assumed it was the 6 cylinder, but as soon as i got to m destination, i opened the bonnet and before me was a small 4 pot motor which was struggling to pull this wagon. Ive driven the normal liberty wagon with the 6 and it s a mean little performer.

This thing really struggled and it was me (75Kg) and 20kg of luggage. I can only image how much it would struggle with a family of four and luggage/camping gear on a weekend away.

At one point, I was trying to overtake a 4 dog truck and had to pull back because it was too slow and a corner was approaching!

The brakes were also a sour point - they needed significant pedal power to get them to bite. Again, wold not like to have a full load on board.

Considering this is the current model, i was surprised that there were no steering wheel mounted audio controls and the controls themselves were out of my reach. Im 6ft tall so sit back from the wheel.Changes required me to lean forward.

I was not a fan of the overly light steering and despite its AWD, found it very loose on corners that the RTV would take an 10km/h faster.

Then there are little things that annoyed me.

Had to have the gear leaver in P to take keys from ignition. I alway place autos in neutral, apply handbrake, release footbrake then place it into park. I never like my autos "resting" on park. To move gearlever, you had to have your foot on brake, ignition in the 2nd position.

Likewise, the windows could only be used when the ignition was in the second position with all the lights coming on, the fuel pump turning on etc.

The stereo was not great, the sound quality pretty average. The in glass aerial worse than the RTV - unless the wagon was stopped, it really had trouble picking up channels.

Fuel economy was OK, but it was a 4 and i was doing a lot of hwy miles. At 130km/h it picked up as the 4 pot was spinning around 3000rpm. Round town, with a load, it would be up there for sure.

It had a footrest but unlike so many BA/BF owners, I couldve lived without it. Found it too close to brake pedal.

anything nice to say about it? I like when you turn it on, all the dials light up and spin to their maximum readings - but thats it. Oh, auto up and down drivers window. Its orn would put a Dunnydore to shame and better than what they sed to fit to early Liberties.

The seats were not comfortable, the headlights and highbeam woeful the tiptronic gearchanges were the 'wrong way round' and the tailgate required a bit of effort to close - some Mums may struggle.

I like hiring cars -it really does allow you to test drive them. 5 mins around the block with dealer is no way to fully get to know a car.

Was great to jump back into the RTV and when i drop down a gear, plant my boot, that I6 pulls and pulls and pulls......