Subaru has announced a raft of updates to its new Outback model but customers will be delighted to learn that prices have remained frozen. Among the most significant changes to the exterior is the redesigned front grille, bumper, door mirrors and headlights. The hexagonal grille showcases a sharper, more defined shape and incorporates the distinctive Subaru wing design.

An addition to both the exterior design and the safety suite is a new front view camera, which has been positioned below the marque’s six-star badge. Placed on the front grille, the front view camera can monitor a 180-degree area in front of the car that would normally be in the driver’s blind spot. These images, as well as visible guidelines, are displayed on the touchscreen to aid drivers in gauging potential hazards in front of the car and improve overall manoeuvring.

The 2018 Outback SUV is also fitted with an additional side view camera mounted at the base of the passenger door mirror. Displaying the area diagonally in front of the passenger side of the Outback, the resulting imaging allows drivers to navigate through narrow spaces with greater ease. A ‘view’ switch has also been positioned next to the X-Mode button allowing the driver to move between display options on the centre touchscreen.

There is also the inclusion of lane keep assist, which completes the EyeSight driver assistance safety technology suite which is included as standard on all 2018 Outback models. Lane keep assist offers gentle steering control if the vehicle is about to deviate from its lane at approximately 40mph or above. Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist technology suite includes adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, lane sway and departure warning, lane keep assist, pre-collision braking system and pre-collision throttle management.

Steering responsive headlights are also new to Outback improving driver safety and increasing visibility at night. The headlight beams mirror the driver’s steering input to illuminate corners when turning.

Interior changes include a subtle redesign to improve the atmosphere for occupants. New decorative gloss black panels and silver surrounds create a consistent and sophisticated look, whilst the touchscreen size has been increased from 7-inches to a new 8-inch multifunction colour screen for the SE Premium model, which is also compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SE trim level also receives a refresh with an updated 6.5-inch multifunction colour touchscreen and fabric seating trim with heated front seats.

Outback is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol unit. Due to the size and shape of Subaru’s Boxer engine, it is installed lower down and further back than a conventional engine for a lower centre of gravity and transitions beneath the passenger compartment in the event of a collision, providing an added level of safety for occupants within the vehicle. The 2.5-litre engine produces 175PS at 5,800rpm, 235Nm torque at 4,000rpm and returns fuel economy of 38.7mpg on the combined cycle with carbon emissions of 166g/km.

Prices for the 2018 Subaru Outback start from £29,995 for the SE Model and £33,010 for the SE Premium. Pricing for the new model remains unchanged from the outgoing Outback.