More capable than most

Not all SUVs are created equal. Some look the part, but deep down they’re not really up to the task. Then there are the others, built from the ground up to deliver performance you can rely on.

Subaru’s SUVs and crossovers – Forester, Outback and XV – are the real thing.

These rugged, reliable, yet refined and inherently athletic-looking vehicles love a challenge. And, more importantly, our engineers relish putting them through their paces on all sorts of tests before approving them for use by on- and off-road drivers around the world.

Extreme testing is important because when you find yourself in a tricky situation, it’s too late to regret being sucked in by some sort of pretender…

When you’re in a tight spot – with others starting to slip sideways around you halfway up an icy hill, when you’re faced with a rough-and-rutted gravel track in fading light as you try to reach a remote cabin getaway or where you find yourself on the wrong side of a local flood when you’re on your way to an important appointment – you need confidence that your car can take every situation in its stride.

Built to be Better Where It Matters

Subaru and capability are synonymous. Subaru’s SUVs and crossovers are more capable than most, because they’re specifically built to be Better Where It Matters.

Safety and reliability are, quite rightly, always prime considerations for discerning car buyers. But there are some circumstances in which capability and driving performance also become key priorities.

If you know you’re likely to have to navigate muddy roads, steep inclines, rough tracks, uneven verges, minor flooding, water regularly running off hillsides and across road surfaces, or maybe even the deceptively slick surface of a grassy field during the course of your everyday driving, for example, capability is a clear requirement.

Even in urban environments or on a dual carriageway commute, there are potholed road surfaces, bumps and slopes, and increasingly variable weather patterns to deal with. Regardless of where we live and drive, many of us are experiencing more frequent ice or snow, and we’re all aware of the potentially treacherously slippery conditions caused by rain – be it showers or storms, at seemingly any time of the year.

If you want a car that will confidently handle pretty much any road or weather condition you could throw at it, a Subaru SUV or crossover is a sound choice.

Capability tested for every situation and type of terrain

A purpose-built proving ground facility in Hokkaido, Japan, ensures that every Subaru Forester, Outback or XV is able to tackle the toughest, as well as the most common, challenges with ease, confidence – and comfort to spare.

Subaru Corporation has created dedicated test tracks to simulate everything from tight-turning urban streets and twisty country roads to North American freeway surfaces and the most extreme off-road terrain. The location was even specifically chosen to enable winter driving tests on snow.

The Hokkaido proving grounds are also used to develop the advanced driver assist technologies that are fitted as standard in all Subaru SUVs and crossovers.

With maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety ratings across the range, Forester, Outback and XV all feature sophisticated EyeSight driver assist technology, which acts like a second pair of eyes on the road (or track) ahead, plus Blind Spot Monitoring, Front and Side View Monitors and Reversing Cameras. These functions are all part of a whole host of active and passive safety technologies designed to keep Subaru drivers, passengers, the vehicle and other road users protected, informed and secure at all times.

Safety (in every situation) is paramount to Subaru. So our vehicles are also specifically designed to offer superior visibility.

Every Subaru SUV or crossover offers an optimal driving position and commanding perspective with exceptional front and rear visibility – ideal for spotting awkward rocks or other potential obstacles on trickier terrain, for navigating past a partial road blockage on a country lane, or simply for checking available space as you squeeze your way around a multi-story car park. Blind spots are kept to a minimum, with well-positioned A-pillars and integrated partition windows, so you can easily check your surroundings. The side mirrors are also placed onto the door panels to ensure a wide, open field of view.

Core technologies make the difference

How your car handles in variable road, surface and weather conditions is key to driver confidence. And Subaru’s core technologies make a real difference when it comes to capability you can rely on. These innovations set us apart, allowing us to deliver the unique driving experience that only Subaru vehicles can provide.

Subaru SUVs and crossovers are well-known for their relentless capability – and that’s primarily due to the expert engineering that underpins them.

These include always-on Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD), the unique Boxer engine and the Subaru Global Platform.

Setting the standard with always-on all-wheel drive

Permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is one of the things Subaru is renowned for. While other brands manufacture models that offer AWD or 4x4 ability (either switched on when it’s really needed or as an optional extra), Subaru SUVs and crossovers comes with permanent SAWD as standard – to deliver superior capability at all times and on any surface or terrain, on- or off-road.

Always-on AWD gives the driver maximum confidence and control by continuously shifting power to the wheels that have the most traction, ensuring excellent road-holding in all conditions.

As well as providing perfect capability for off-road terrain and drivers in rural areas, permanent SAWD is ideal for everyday situations, such as motorway driving and regular commutes on urban streets.

This is because it delivers many benefits over and above the optimal traction – including less noise and vibration, responsive handling performance and straight-line stability (with less steering correction required from the driver), for an easier drive, ride comfort and general road-holding. All of which – combined with the quality Steering Responsive LED headlights with High Beam Assist* you’ll find on Subaru’s SUVs and crossovers – means you feel less fatigued at the end of your journey.

Strength, stability and more responsive steering

Another singular attribute that contributes to the superior capability of our SUVs and crossovers is Subaru’s Boxer engine (and the e-BOXER version that’s used by our self-charging hybrid SUVs).

The horizontally-opposed configuration of the Boxer engine used by Subaru gives our SUVs and crossovers a lower centre of gravity – despite their impressive ground clearance. This provides more balanced weight distribution compared with conventional 4-cylinder V-type or transverse engines, for exceptional handling and poise, as well as long-lasting performance.

Meanwhile, the Subaru Global Platform chassis provides an outstanding platform for our SUVs and crossovers. Excellent weight distribution and the lower centre of gravity design combine with an enhanced suspension system and rigidity improvements to improve stability, increase strength, reduce body roll, and deliver more responsive steering.

All of this means that your Subaru will respond immediately when you need to take evasive action to avoid hazards on the road. Additional systems and technologies such as vehicle Dynamics Control and Active Torque Vectoring will also come into play to enhance stability and handing when cornering or avoiding an obstacle.

Everything about our SUVs and crossovers is designed to keep you safe and secure, every day and in every way – while also delivering the capacity and reliability that’s expected of a Subaru.

Navigate challenging terrain with utmost confidence

When the going gets tough, the tough get going – and Subaru will safely get you and your passengers to where you want to go. This is particularly the case if you encounter any extreme terrain during your travels and adventures.

As ever, you can rely on the exceptional capability of a Subaru whenever you want to ‘get out there’.

Wannabe SUVs will shrink from some challenges, their chassis shaking and shivering at the sight of a steep gravel descent, for example. But it’s a completely different story if you’re at the wheel of a Subaru SUV or crossover.

Simply switch Forester, Outback or XV into X-MODE with Hill Descent Control and your vehicle will take control of the situation, managing the engine, transmission, Symmetrical AWD, brakes and other components for you, to ensure optimal traction and grip when it matters – so you can concentrate on steering a safe route through the mud, ruts and rocks. Substance to match the style If you’re interested in buying an SUV, you’re likely to be looking for the perfect package of versatility, safety, reliability and capability. Some might add sporty looks to that list too. Your personal driving requirements for everyday routes and trips further afield will dictate your particular priorities. But if you’re looking for substance to match the style, you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at how a new Subaru could fit into your lifestyle.

Give your local Subaru dealer a call today to discuss what Better Where It Matters means for you and your family, and to explore the exceptional capabilities of Subaru’s SUVs and crossovers.