Confirmed: the Subaru Outback is No More

You really, really, really wanted a Subaru Outback? You do? Huh? Well, that’s too bad. You shouldn’t have waited so long because Motor Image Pilipinas just confirmed: they’ve got no stock left. Zero. Zilch.

The last Subaru to be powered by a creamy 3.6-liter flat-6, the Outback sort of had a segment to itself—especially if you ever thought that an executive wagon/SUV was a thing. Sure, it had fuel economy that’ll give you nightmares, but my goodness, the engine was just buttery smooth. Plus, because it had real ground clearance and 500 mm of water wading, it can go where Accords and Camrys feared to tread. Pour one out as this old fashioned Subie heads off to the great wilderness park in the sky.

Fear not though, this isn’t the end of the Outback name. Motor Image Pilipinas has confirmed that they are indeed bringing in the all-new Outback. Though they didn’t mention any specifics, the all-new model pretty much sticks to the same proven recipe, only it sports a brand-new platform and, at least in other countries, a turbocharged motor. Sadly, it’s going to be a long wait. It’s understood that Subaru’s Gunma plant isn’t scheduled to run the all-new Outback until the third quarter of 2020 at the earliest.

Apart from the Outback’s demise, the entry-level Forester 2.0i-L is also gone. Though there are still some old stocks available, officially for MY2020, the Forester line-up gets the EyeSight driver assist system as standard equipment along with the Superview Around Recognition (SAR) 360-degree camera system. Meanwhile, for the Subaru XV, the base 2.0i is still offered with a traditional backup camera, but for P 20,000 more, it’ll also get the SAR 360 system.

Check out the latest prices below:

• BRZ 2.0 A/T – P 2,158,000
• Forester 2.0i-L EyeSight SAR 360 – P 1,888,000
• Forester 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 – P 2,018,000
• Levorg 2.0 GT-S EyeSight – P 2,098,000
• WRX 2.0 EyeSight – P 2,158,000
• WRX STI 2.5 – P 2,848,000
• XV 2.0i – P 1,588,000
• XV 2.0i SAR 360 – P 1,608,000
• XV 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 – P 1,858,000
• XV 2.0i-S EyeSight SAR 360 GT Edition – P 1,938,000

4 Reasons That Show Subaru Loves Dogs

From its background on the racetracks, and a strong following among enthusiasts, Subaru is now making a name for itself in one unlikely field: comfort. Indeed, modern Subarus don’t just offer commendable performance, but they tick off the requirements of every family looking for an attainable car upgrade.

One of the areas where Subaru is hard to beat is in their flexibility. Whether it’s the Forester, Outback, or the Subaru XV, each vehicle is generous space-wise, giving it the ability to transport a family of five and their cargo. Moreover, Subaru’s excellence goes beyond transporting family members of the two-legged variety—pets or “fur babies,” as they’re called nowadays are given equal importance as well.

Here are four reasons why a Subaru could be the best choice when it comes to transporting your beloved fur baby.

#1. Lots of Space

This fact cannot be stressed enough. With the Subaru XV, Outback, or Forester, you’re provided with enough seating in the back for three adults. This means that the width of the rear bench is wide enough for a medium or even large-sized dog to sit or even lie down comfortably.

#2. Designed for Pets

In relation to the space, the rear seats in a Subaru is great in accommodating all sorts of transport accessories. This includes a bench cover (to keep your leather safe from scratches and to catch any shedding hair), seat protectors, and baskets. Of course, it’s best to keep your dog strapped in with a safety harness, and Subaru’s actually done research on this matter.

In the US, Subaru gone so far to team up with the Center for Pet Safety in determining the safest and most ideal places for dogs to travel. In the upcoming three-row Evoltis (US-market Ascent), their extensive study has determined the following:

• Pets 20 lb. or less can be harnessed or secured in carriers in the 2nd row Captain’s Chair.
• Larger pets, more than 20 lb., should be properly secured and travel in the 3rd row bench directly behind one of the Captain’s Chairs.
• Never place your pet on the floor between the Captain’s Chairs in 3-row SUV models, as this could result in the pet becoming a projectile and cause serious injury to both the pet and vehicle passengers.
• When traveling with both children and pets in a 3-row vehicle with Captain’s Chairs, secure the child in the 2nd row and secure the pet in the 3rd row, on the opposite side of the vehicle as the child.

Aside from the seat, any Subaru SUV’s trunk has the capacity to accommodate a standard pet bed, basket, or carrier, with enough space leftover for luggage or accessories.

#3. The Right Height

Ideally, you want your pet to be able to get in and out of the vehicle on its own, especially if it’ll be riding with you inside the cabin. One of the factors that make Subaru easy for almost anyone is the seating height. It’s optimized in a way that makes it easy for humans to simply slide their legs in and out while still allowing even small dogs to safely step or jump in easily. Oh, and even the ground clearance is just right, making it easy for dogs to safely climb in or jump out.

#4. Unbeatable Comfort

Thanks to the award-winning Subaru Global Platform, Subarus now have great comfort and stability. Meant to give it an edge in flexibility, it can traverse uneven roads smoothly, adapting easily to any condition.

Of course, human comfort takes precedence, but surprisingly, this comfort extends to our four-legged friends. Take it from our 7-month old hyperactive beagle. Once he settles in the seat and the Forester begins to move, he is out like a light. And that is what you want, as opposed to being restless all the time.

Putting all of this together, it’s no surprise that Subaru’s taken pet comfort as part of their car’s development process. They’ve even collaborated with renowned animal behavior expert Cesar Millan, too. Whether it’s a sedan, crossover, or SUV, Subarus are safe and reliable choice when it comes to transporting anyone you love. It’s all part of “Heart”—a Subaru promise that they’re more than just a car company. They’re committed to foster a lasting, genuine relationship for every member of the family, including those of the four-legged variety.

Words and photos by Gen Tiu.

Subaru Still Has A Couple of Old Stock Left and the Discounts are Huge

New Year, new Subaru? Well, that’s the gist since distributor Motor Image Pilipinas is giving up to P 350,000 off selected models until the end of the month.

Somewhat a continuation of their promo last year, you can still snag 2018 (yes, that’s not a typo) models including the previous Forester XT (they still those?) for just P 1,698,000—that makes it cheaper than even the current top-the-line Forester and the new one doesn’t even have a freakin’ turbo!

At the rate Subaru’s discounting their cars, it’s not anymore a question of how low they can go, but how long they can go—discounting, we mean. Still, discounting these last remaining stocks is a good way to remove bad juju entering 2020. Remember, they did say they want to shed their discounting policy this year. Or maybe because they want to introduce the FUCKS too?

If the Forester’s not your thing, here are other Subaru models that are part of the promo:

• 2018 Forester XT – P 350,000 discount (net price: P 1,698,000)
• 2018 Subaru XV 2.0i – P 150,000 discount (net price: P 1,268,000) 
• 2018 Subaru XV 2.0i-S EyeSight – P 150,000 discount (net price: P 1,518,000)
• 2018 Subaru XV GT Edition (wasn’t this launched in 2019?) – P 120,000 discount (net price: P 1,648,000)
• 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R-S EyeSight – P 350,000 discount (net price: 2,058,000)

The promo runs until January 31, 2020 and all models (including those not part of the promo) do have Subaru’s new 5-year / 100,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Subaru Philippines is Now Offering Up to P 350k Discounts on Selected Models

Buying a brand-new Subaru? Well, you’re in for a surprise because distributor Motor Image Pilipinas is clearing their older 2018 inventory and to do that, they’re offering their biggest discount yet with up to P 350,000 off selected models until December 31, 2019.

Opting for cash transaction gets you the following discounts:

• 2018 Subaru Forester XT (previous model) – P 350,000 discount (net price: P 1,698,000)
• 2018 Subaru XV 2.0i – P 150,000 discount (net price: P 1,268,000)
• 2018 Subaru XV 2.0i-S EyeSight – P 150,000 discount (net price: 1,518,000)
• 2018 Subaru XV GT Edition – P 120,000 discount (net price: 1,648,000)
• 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R-S EyeSight – P 350,000 discount (net price: P 2,058,000)
• 2018 Subaru BRZ 2.0 A/T – P 170,000 discount (net price: P 1,888,000)

This is actually quite historical for Subaru. Why? Because the turbocharged Forester, albeit the previous model, is now cheaper than the current normally-aspirated one; the Subaru XV 2.0i is cheaper than the Kia Seltos or Honda HR-V; and the Outback is cheaper than the all-new Accord.

Oh, if you opt for financing, the Forester XT is available with a zero, yup, zero percent downpayment, while the Subaru XV 2.0i can be yours with just a P 29,000 downpayment.

All Subaru models in this promo feature Motor Image Pilipinas’s new 5-year / 100,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty.

The Subaru XV is Now Just P 1.298M While Supplies Last

Motor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines is offering the last few 2018 model year (MY2018) units in their inventory at a substantial discount while supplies last.

The offer adds P 20,000 off on top of existing discounts on the Forester XT (previous model), Subaru XV, Outback, Subaru BRZ, Impreza, Levorg 1.6 GT-S, and Legacy 2.5i-S. With that, expect these to be the new net selling price when you walk into any authorized Subaru showroom:

• 2018 Subaru Forester XT – P 1,728,000
• 2018 Subaru XV 2.0i – P 1,298,000
• 2018 Subaru XV 2.0i-S EyeSight – P 1,548,000
• 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R-S EyeSight – P 2,088,000
• 2018 Subaru BRZ 2.0 A/T – P 1,888,000
• 2018 Subaru Impreza – P 1,348,000
• 2018 Subaru Levorg 1.6 GT-S – P 1,568,000
• 2018 Subaru Legacy 2.5i-S – P 1,978,000

For those who want something newer (i.e. MY2019) models, Subaru is adding a new low downpayment scheme for the Subaru XV and Forester models. With that, drive home the Subaru XV for as low as P 99,000, while for the Forester, it’s at P 118,000 (2.0i-L) or P 149,000 (2.0i-L EyeSight). For cash customers, the 2019 Subaru XV is also available with an P 80,000 discount, while the Forester 2.0i-L has a P 90,000 discount.

BlackBerry to Power Future Subaru Connectivity, Infotainment System

Remember BlackBerry? The smartphones with a crisp physical keyboard so good users were called “CrackBerry” at one point? The brand may have all but disappeared in the smartphone space, but they’re finding new life in Subarus.

Denso Corporation and BlackBerry announced that the first integrated digital cockpit system powered by BlackBerry QNX will be used by Subaru. The technology dubbed, “Harmony Core” will be available first in the United States from the end of this year in the all-new Legacy and Outback.

Co-developed by BlackBerry and Denso, in collaboration with Subaru, this leading-edge digital cockpit solution uses BlackBerry QNX Hypervisor (virtualization) technology to enable integrated control of in-vehicle (Human Machine Interface) or HMI systems.

This approach is unique is that typically vehicles are equipped with device-specific operating systems made to work in unison. Because of this, it was not possible to coordinate them to display content and sound in a uniform way. With the BlackBerry QNX Hypervisor technology, it enables the independence of several operating systems with different characteristics and controls the integration with one microcomputer.

Subaru is the first vehicle manufacturer in the world to commercially deploy the jointly developed digital cockpit platform. Moving forward, more automobile manufacturers around the world will sequentially launch new car models with the integrated HMI.

Subaru is Offering Dirt-Repellent, Vegan-Friendly Seats in the 2020 Outback

Subaru is doubling-down on the image of its owners being the outdoorsy type by offering a third interior trim option for its 2020 Outback that’s made of water-repellent material.

Joining fabric and leather (Nappa Leather, mind you), Subaru’s new seat material is called StarTex. Apparently, it’s a unique application in the auto industry that the carmaker was awarded the copyright for it.

Anyhow, StarTex covers the seats in a lightweight and extremely durable urethane material that will not absorb water or moisture. It’s also said to be easy to scrub clean even if occupants bring in mud or other debris.

Even more aligned to typical Subaru owner values, this new material doesn’t contain any animal component in the manufacturing process making it vegan-friendly. StarTex also doesn’t contain polyvinyl chloride, phthalate, or chlorine. The material’s backing contains 25 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

Currently, Subaru is limiting StarTex to one single variant: the Outback Onyx XT. Not only does this variant ditch the chrome for a sportier look, but it’s so far the only variant to get a full-sized spare tire (you can’t be too careful during those off-road adventures) and a dual-mode X-Mode system.

Now, while it’s very clear that Subaru’s targeting the active crowd with the Outback Onyx, the option of water-repellant on seats will make it quite handy for those who have families as well.

The Subaru Outback will be sold first in its biggest market, the U.S. by the third quarter of this year. After that, the rest of the world will soon follow. For the ASEAN market, the best bet would be a launch sometime in 2020.

Subaru Celebrates Tanabata Festival with Savings on the Forester, XV, and Outback

Motor Image Pilipinas’ annual Tanabata Festival is back, and with that comes great savings on your dream Subaru vehicle.

Known in Japan as the “Star Festival,” locals would traditionally write wishes on tanzakus (colorful strips of paper) that are hung onto bamboo trees hoping for them to be granted. If you wish to own a brand-new Subaru, it’ll sure to become reality with these special deals on the all-new 2019 Forester, Outback, Subaru XV, and outgoing Forester XT:

• 2019 Subaru Forester: low-downpayment of P 168,000 with free 3-year LTO, 1-year comprehensive insurance, and Chattel Mortgage Fee (based on Forester 2.0i-L on 20 percent downpayment).
• Subaru XV: P 80,000 cash discount (Subaru XV 2.0i model only)
• Subaru Outback: Zero interest for 60 months (for Outback 3.6R-S on 50 percent downpayment).
• Forester XT: Zero downpayment with free 3-year LTO, 1-year comprehensive insurance, and Chattel Mortgage Fee

The offer is only good from today until July 31, 2019.

Get the 2019 Subaru Outback at 20 Percent Down, 36 Months to Pay at Zero Interest

All attention may be on the all-new 2019 Subaru Forester, but there’s a special offer ongoing for the Outback which may make it an enticing purchase this May.

The Outback is Subaru’s very unique take on the executive sedan. Call it an “executive SUV” if you want, but it’s fitted with top-of-the-line features, a powerful 3.6-liter flat-6 motor, the trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and the Subaru EyeSight driver assist system.

This month, purchasing the Outback 3.6R-S EyeSight is made easier with two possible purchase options.

For those who opt for cash, you get a whopping P 250,000 discount putting the price effectively down to P 2,158,000 (SRP is pegged at P 2,408,000). In addition, you get a P 50,000 voucher which can be used for service maintenance, paint protection, car care services, fuel, and/or Subaru merchandise.

If you want to go the financing route, the Outback 3.6R-S EyeSight is being offered with a rare low downpayment option which means you can drive home a Subaru with just a P 481,600 downpayment (20 Percent). This already includes free 3-year LTO registration, chattel mortgage free, and 1-year comprehensive insurance. What’s more, expect a manageable monthly thanks to zero percent interest for 36 months!

The offer is valid at all Subaru dealerships nationwide.

Subaru Unveils 2020 Outback: The Most Advanced Yet In Its History (w/ 17 Photos)

Subaru has unwrapped the all-new 2020 Outback offering the most advanced features, design, and capability in its history.

The 2020 Outback delivers a blend of car-like ride and handling with SUV capability with Subaru’s trademark Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 220 mm of ground clearance, Active Torque Vectoring, and X-MODE.

Aside from the normally-aspirated 2.5-liter Boxer with 182 horsepower and 238 Nm of torque, the Outback is now available with a turbocharged engine. In this guise, it has 260 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque. All Outback models have a Lineartronic CVT transmission with an 8-speed manual mode function with steering wheel paddle shifters.

Complementing the new powertrain is a shift to the Subaru Global Platform that increases torsional rigidity by 70 percent and lateral and rear subframe rigidity by 100 percent. In addition, the all-new suspension is lighter and more responsive than ever before. The front suspension utilizes MacPherson struts with new internal rebound spring, aluminum lower L-arms and new 23mm hollow stabilizer bar. The rear suspension renders a double-wishbone layout with subframe, coil springs and new 19mm hollow stabilizer bar.

The 2020 Outback offers a peaceful cabin that is almost 3 dB quieter at highway speeds. Subaru engineers worked extensively to find ways to reduce unwanted noise coming into the cabin, fitting the Outback with new door weather strips that feature a baffle in the mid-section and dual lips on the roof side for improved quietness. Sound-insulated glass, which uses a sound-insulating inner film for the windshield and front-door glass, has been adopted, while glass thickness all around has been increased for quietness.

Following a “Dynamic x Solid” philosophy, the all-new Outback is anchored to an “Active x Tough” concept. The result is a rugged and functional design that inspires wanderlust and enables active lifestyles. The 2020 Outback projects a large presence from thicker profile panel surfaces and raised rear gate as well as a sense of speed from its dynamic silhouette. Wider fenders, large hexagonal grille, front cladding and LED fog lights on the corners emphasize the SUV’s capability. Cladding on the side of the Outback is meant to resemble a hiking boot that further enhances this concept.

The interior design uses a widened windshield and long lines from the center of the instrument panel to the door panels to create an open environment. On higher trim variants, it leverages luxurious appointments inside and out, including Nappa leather, high-gloss black molding for the pillars, chrome plating decorated door handles, and satin tone plated side mirrors.

For safety, the Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard and this time, it now includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering. It also has DriverFocus, a distraction mitigation system that uses a dedicated infrared camera and facial recognition technology to identify signs of driver fatigue or distraction and provides audio and visual warnings to alert the driver and passengers.

In another Outback first, the 2020 model offers a Front View Monitor, which captures images within the driver’s blind spots in front of the vehicle and displays a 180-degree view on the 11.6-inch display, providing safety and assistance when checking road conditions ahead or parking.

The 2020 Subaru Outback hits the U.S. market by the third quarter of 2019 with other markets to follow soon thereafter. For the Philippine market, expect it to debut (at the earliest) during the 2020 Manila International Auto Show.

The 2020 Subaru Outback is Almost Upon Us

The world won’t have to wait long for Subaru to pull the wraps off its all-new 2020 Outback. In fact, a week to go before its global unveil, the Japanese automaker revealed a teaser photo.

Shot down low, it’s hard to make out what sort of silhouette the Outback will have, but it’s a safe bet that it’ll retain the same mutant-wagon look that’s made it so popular in markets like the United States. What can be made out of the single official photo is that it won’t simply be a Legacy on stilts anymore.

It seems the 2020 Outback will gain an entirely different front-end from the Legacy as seen in the shape of the headlights and bumpers. There’s also a strong SUV vibe this time with the Forester-like vertically-arranged LED fog lamps and the black lower body cladding that now runs across the entire length of the car. The side view mirrors also appear to be of a completely different design with a chrome strip running across it while the “Outback” badge looks to have moved to the rear door. Despite the changes, Subaru is keeping the tire size the same as the current model: 225/60 R 18.

Subaru hasn’t revealed anything about the Outback’s running gear but because it’s the latest model to migrate to the Subaru Global Platform (SGP), it’s sure to gain better handling, comfort, and safety. As always, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard as will the Subaru EyeSight driver assist technology.

Given Subaru’s propensity to share its mechanicals, the Outback will probably gain access to the FA24DIT engine making 260 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque—outputs similar to the current 3.6-liter flat-6, while the base models will be motivated by a FB25 with 182 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque.

All eyes will be on the New York International Auto Show where the 2020 Subaru Outback will make its debut.