SINCE its launch in 1995, the award-winning Outback has grown into Subaru's flagship model, cherished by people around the world, for its safety, comfort, practicality, and capability.

The sixth generation is the brand's most technologically advanced, luxurious, and safest yet.

It comes in three trim levels - Limited, Field and Touring.

As a rugged crossover SUV, the current Outback only comes with one engine - a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder Boxer petrol engine which produces a meagre 252Nm of torque.

It is teamed with permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive and Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). It officially returns 33mpg and I managed 29.1mpg over a good time driving.

The Lineartronic CVT has been enhanced with the gear ratio coverage expanded to a wider range so it drives more like a conventional auto. This offers a better driving performance and increased torque control, while the standard all-wheel drive, provides all-weather capability, paired with a standard active torque vectoring for improved handling and cornering performance.

Handling performance and ride comfort have been increased with significant improvements made to the suspension and chassis. By increasing rigidity of the body, front suspension and rear subframe, Subaru has also enhanced straight-line stability and minimised body roll.

With the all-wheel drive system there's plenty of grip, a decent ride over most surfaces and the fatigue-busting seats are very comfortable. Subaru has also worked hard to improve the Outback's refinement with wind and road noise kept to a minimum. It really is a pleasant drive.

The toughest Subaru SUV built to date, the Outback also comes with an X-Mode with Hill Descent Control for reliable control on steep, wet, or slippery terrain. Drivers can also switch between snow, dirt, or gravel mode or deep snow and mud mode at the press of a button. The Outback's 18-inch alloys are shod with tyres that can cope with tarmac, mud and snow.

At the press of a button, Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) also lets you adjust the throttle and gear-shift response to give you immediate power and agility on demand. Select Sport Mode for instant throttle response, ideal for enjoying winding roads, or Intelligent Mode for more fuel-efficient power delivery around town or on long journeys.

With a completely re-imagined cabin interior, the latest Outback ensures is equipped as standard with a redesigned next-generation infotainment system, you can easily touch, swipe, or drag to navigate the large, easy-to-use 11.6-inch full HD vertical display.

Carefully selected materials give a more premium feel throughout the entire cabin. Nappa leather seats give the Outback Touring a more luxurious feel while the Field model is equipped with more practical and durable water-repellent synthetic leather seats with distinctive green stitching complementing green accents on the bodywork and trim. Both front and rear seats enjoy heating and there's a heated steering wheel too.

All trims levels are very well specified with Keyless Entry and Push Button Start System, LED headlights, equipped with high beam assist and an adaptive driving beam to optimise visibility and reduce glare, and LED front fog lights standard across the range.

A rear-view camera jet washer has been added so that the camera lens is always clear of dirt, mud, and grime to assist with parking and off-road adventures.

With safety paramount, the latest Outback comes with the latest iteration of Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist technology, the company's cutting-edge stereo camera prevention collision system, with nearly twice the field of vision as before.

It includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering Function, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Speed Sign Recognition with Intelligent Speed Limiter, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention and Pre-Collision Braking System with expanded support for collision avoidance at junctions and crossroads.

There's also a Driver Monitoring System which will alert the driver when he or she distracted or feeling fatigued. Reverse Automatic braking that helps drivers to avoid collisions when reversing and mitigates the damage in case of collision is also fitted as standard.

The latest Outback is more spacious than the previous model. The windshield has been moved forward and the front door windows moved out for a more spacious front interior, resulting in a class-leading spacious cabin. The total length has also been extended to further expand the rear interior and cargo space, to create an interior where every passenger can ride comfortably.

The 60/40 fold down rear seats and a wider boot opening create a cavernous flat load area for up to 561 litres of cargo, or 1,822 with the seats down. For more versatility and safety, the Outback Field offers strengthened built-in roof rails with enhanced tie-down holes so straps or ropes can be easily tied directly to the roof rails.

The latest Outback, which also boasts a 2,000kg braked towing capacity, also comes with Subaru's first hands-free power tailgate which allows easy access to the boot when you have your hands full.