SUBARU has many specialist skills, but its World Rally achievements and formidable reputation for all-wheel drive technology are perhaps its main forte.

So it is not surprising to discover that the upgraded Outback SX is all set to tempt a host of new buyers with a world first powertrain pairing, improved handling, refreshed interior and exterior, a 166g/km CO2 rating, the ability to return 44.8mpg on the combined cycle and a price tag of £31,495.

Launched in Europe in 1996, Outback has maintained a firm fan base ever since.

But this fourth generation version, with powerful 2.0-litre Boxer diesel engine mated to Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, can break previous sales records.

Just look at a few of its bonus points. 

It is a well equipped, spacious family estate with a front legroom of 1,091mm and 960mm at the rear, it boasts generous reclining rear seats and can swallow 526 litres of luggage with these seats upright, and 1,677 litres with them folded. 

Its towing weight - braked trailer - is 1,700kg, it can hit 121mph and reach 62mph in 9.7 seconds.

Finally its urban fuel return figure is 37.2mpg and its extra urban figure a respectable 50.4mpg.

On the safety side the Outback's robust structures form the foundation of a truly safe car, to which the company has added a range of passive and active safety systems.

This diesel automatic is a delight to drive, with quiet, easy ride performance on the motorway, that had lots of punch for overtaking when required.

And its all-wheel drive showed exactly what this model really is about. It was surefooted on wet and rather tight Cotswold hill roads and, during an off-road wet and muddy grass track test, it held the line superbly.

On sale in November, the diesel Lineartronic will soon be joined by a manual version at £29,995, but whichever model customers choose they can rest assured that the Outback class of 2014 is the best yet.