Subaru Outback XT turbo confirmed for Australia

Subaru Australia has confirmed a more powerful Subaru Outback XT variant is coming to Australia by the end of this year or in early 2023.

Powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine offering close to 200kW, the Outback XT will head to Australia on the back of strong customer demand, as part of a 2023 update for the vehicle.

“Customers have been very open with us with feedback around wanting to see a turbo variant of the Outback,” Subaru Australia managing director, Blair Read, told local media this week.

“It was something we wanted as part of the model range, but in terms development time frames and the launch of the vehicle it wasn’t available for our market, but working really closely with the factory, we’ve now been able to deliver it as part of the next model-year change.”

The Subaru Outback XT (pictured above) with a turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder has been available in the United States since the launch of the sixth-generation model in 2020.

The engine is a revised version of the turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol four-cylinder used in the new Subaru WRX (202kW/350Nm), which in the US delivers less power but more torque (195kW/375Nm).

The turbocharged Subaru Outback serves as the flagship variant in the US range, replacing the now-defunct 3.6-litre non-turbo six-cylinder variant.

It’s likely the Subaru Outback XT will enjoy a similar treatment in Australia, jumping straight to the top of the range which currently features three variants with just a single engine choice – a 2.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder with a modest out of 138kW and 245Nm. The six-cylinder Subaru Outback was discontinued in Australia in 2021.

Pricing and specifications for the Subaru Outback turbo is yet to be confirmed. The current range-topping Outback Touring costs $49,790 plus on-road costs.

Subaru Australia says the first deliveries of the 2023 Subaru Outback XT are due start by the end of this year, or early in 2023, pending any delays.