Subaru Outback 2024 – review, drive | Road tests

• Auto123 tests the 2024 Subaru Outback Onyx.

What is on Onyx?
Let’s be clear: the Onyx version of Subaru’s Outback wagon offers no performance improvements. First introduced for the 2023 model year, this is a package to behold. There’s nothing wrong with adding a little flair to an all-wheel drive vehicle, especially if it makes some people happy.

Subaru Outback Onyx 2024 gray | Photo : D.Boshouwers

The Outback Onyx carries over many features from the Touring version, such as a large 11.6-inch media screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also includes heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control and inductive cell phone charging. On the other hand, under the hood we find a small 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, and not the 2.4-liter turbo of the most advanced models in the family.

Some of the unique features of this model include:

– chairs with all-season surfaces
– alloy pedals
– strong black interior accents
– black exterior logos
– hands-free electric tailgate
– LED lights, headlights and fog lights

La Subaru Outback Onyx 2024, brief description

La Subaru Outback Onyx 2024, brief details | Photo : D.Boshouwers

2024 Subaru Outback Price

Onyx is on the third row of the Back column. The Basic Comfort model starts the ball rolling, followed by the Touring, Onyx and Limited variants. On top of that, there are the Wilderness, Limited XT and Premier XT versions. Here’s the Outback’s pricing structure for 2024:

– Exterior Simplicity – MSRP $33,995
– Outback Touring – PDSF de 38 295 $
– Outback Onyx – PDSF from 40 595 $
– Outback Limited – PDSF from 42 295 $
– Outback Wilderness – PDSF from 44 795 $
– Outback Limited XT – PDSF from 45 295 $
– Outback Premier XT – PDSF from 47 395 $

Interior of the 2024 Subaru Outback Onyx

The interior of the Subaru Outback Onyx 2024 | Photo : D.Boshouwers

2024 Subaru Outback Onyx Interior

The Subaru Outback Onyx may not be very high in the hierarchy, but it is quite generously equipped. As mentioned earlier, you have dual-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as inductive phone charging. In addition, both rows of seats provide more than acceptable comfort, and behind them is a large cargo area, providing 920 liters of usable space (2144 liters with the rear seats folded).

Onyx multimedia screen for 2024 Subaru Outback

2024 Subaru Outback Onyx multimedia screen | Photo: D. Boshouwers

The multimedia screen differs from the norm with its blocky shape, more or less vertical, and I have to admit that every time I drive a Subaru, I pay attention to the purple color (or the abundance of the primary color) that stands out the most. screen. But it doesn’t matter, the screen is big and the system is quite intuitive.

Subaru Outback Onyx 2024 tested | Photo: D. Boshouwers

2024 Subaru Outback cars driving

The engine for this version of the Onyx is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that develops 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, mated to Subaru’s continuously variable transmission (CVT). It’s not a setup that guarantees a sporty driving experience, but that’s not the main focus of the Outback.

The official consumption of this model and this power train is 9.2 liters/100 km in the city, 7.3 liters/100 km on the highway, for 8.3 liters/100 km on the combined cycle.

By comparison, the top-of-the-line 2024 Outback, like the Desert, has a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that develops 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which still has a CVT transmission.

2024 Subaru Outback Onyx Exterior Design | Photo: D. Boshouwers

Driving the 2024 Subaru Outback Onyx

As we mentioned, it’s not exactly a sports car, performance wise. But it is sporty in the sense that it is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Weekenders rely on an all-wheel drive system, family-friendly size and dynamic exterior features, more than acceleration and handling, so to speak.

It’s not that the Outback is light or unpleasant to drive, quite the opposite. Let’s not forget that this car is based on the Legacy sedan, which remains very pleasant to drive.

Another thing to remember is that, if you are serious about pushing your Subaru Outback to its limits off-road, then the Desert Edition is probably more for you, because it includes features designed for this purpose. This Onyx variant is, to oversimplify, the urban cousin of the country Desert.

In both cases, of course, you have Subaru’s adaptive all-wheel drive system, rightly considered one of the best on the market. In the winter it may not be as important as it used to be, even in Canada, but it’s still nice to have when you need it. My week with the Outback included two beautiful snowfalls, and I live on top of a hill. In the moments before the snow was cleared, I had the pleasure of passing a few cars that were having trouble getting up the hill.

Official average consumption, including: 8.3 liters / 100 km

Our average consumption, during the winter season: 10.2 liters / 100 km

The 2024 Subaru Outback Onyx was tested by Auto123 | Photo: D. Boshouwers

The last word
The Outback doesn’t offer the most exciting ride or design, but the model – and its important family structure – remains relevant and a solid choice. Cargo space is far from negligible and, even in our “new” winter, the all-wheel drive system is an excellent travel companion.

The Onyx model has to deal with smaller engines and I admit that I would have liked more muscle with the 2.4 liter turbo engine. It’s up to you to decide if paying more is worth it to enjoy the top-of-the-range offering.

Overall rating: 80%

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