Interior & Creature Comforts
Inside the cabin, pleasant blue illuminated rings grace the dash gauges in the mostly well thought-out interior of the Outback. A soft dash with tasteful metallic accents invites longer rides, creating a pleasant travel environment.
To the left of the console, the driver has easy access to liftgate switches – one to open the liftgate and another to open to a preset height. As well, there are switches for the steering responsive fog lights, traction control, blind spot monitoring system, lane departure warning system, and dash brightness settings.
The Premium model and above boast a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and power lumbar support adjustments. Upscale Limited and Touring trims feature memory settings for seat positions.
The Outback’s leather wrapped steering wheel feels significant when gripped with easy to reach buttons for stereo, Bluetooth calling, and adaptive cruise control, which adjusts to the speed of vehicles in front of you without intervention – unlike simpler cruise control systems that require frequent throttle fiddling or braking.
Combined with lane keeping assistance, the 2017 Subaru Outback nearly drives itself on the highway, adjusting throttle, or braking automatically to maintain a pre-set speed and following distance while making subtle steering corrections to maintain your course in the center of the lane.
In the middle of the instrument cluster, a handy trip computer can be toggled to display MPG, miles to empty, a digital speedometer, and other interesting trivia regarding your trips.
A large touchscreen in the center dash provides navigation on equipped models as well as controls for the stereo which supports USB input, microSD, or an auxiliary input. The stereo also supports Bluetooth integration for phones and can display recent calls and contacts as well as provide voice dialing.
The touchscreen doubles as a display for the wide-angle lens back-up camera and also features a vehicle monitor, offering information about the Outback’s primary mechanical systems.
While Subaru’s StarLink is available – which provides news, weather, and roadside assistance – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not supported on the 2017 models.
A large rubber-lined cubby space below the stereo can serve as a safe USB charging station for phones and electronics, and it has a closing lid to keep your goodies and gizmos out of sight. However, back seat drivers need to plan ahead as the rear seat area of the Outback has no charging or power outlets.
Image via Subaru Canada
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