SOMETIMES there's no justice in this world. Take Subaru as an example. In the last decade its sales in the UK have declined by 75 per cent to a measly 2,023 at the end of 2012 (and by another 50 per cent in January), this despite various deluges and blizzards that have beset the UK in that time – just the type of thing to drive up sales of sensible 4x4 cars.
Even when the company assaulted the SUV market proper with its Tribeca it was merely a pulled punch thanks to the choice of just thirsty petrol power for a car most likely to appeal to the derv-driven farming community.
International Motors, the importer, no longer has the Hyundai, Daihatsu (technically still breathing), and SsangYong brands that it nurtured brilliantly while Isuzu, through which it once wiped the floor with Vauxhall in a spat over Trooper imports, is reduced to (albeit pretty good) pick-up trucks. It's trying its luck with Great Wall vehicles from China but somehow that's yet to add real sparkle.
Young bloods fell out of love with Subaru's Impreza hot hatches when they cooled instead of being cool and the BRZ (developed for Toyota as the GT-86) may struggle to blaze the sporting trail set alight by Colin McRae with Impreza in the World Rally Championship.
Good news is that there's still room at the diminishing number of cattle markets for Subaru estate cars and the latest Outback model shows the marque is actually at its peak.
Next week it appears at the Geneva Show with a new CVT transmission for better towing alongside the new Forester estate and Subaru has just upped its game with a five year, 100,000-mile warranty.
The Outback is better than any Subaru to have arrived on the Hardy driveway since the first in 1979 by a country mile.
It has ability, comfort, the assuredness of a sophisticated four wheel drive set-up, and the all-important diesel engine under the bonnet to give it a 45mpg real world average.
It's difficult to know how Subaru can cut the mustard again with the beefy backbone of British rural life who are its lifeblood. But somehow it must.
If this brand was lost to British buyers there would be much lamenting once it had gone. It's true that there's plenty of alternative choice and, at £30,000, the SE Outback is pricey, but it's also capable and will get you almost anywhere. It's as competent on a motorway as it is in a field and will pull 1.7 tonnes, which equates to virtually the 85 per cent of kerb weight that the Caravan Club reckons is the safest amount for any car to tow.
In fact for hobby towing enthusiasts it's hard to think of a better solution that brings the benefits of 4x4 without the bulk (and fuel cost) of an SUV. Yet still there's no caravan of buyers at dealer showrooms.
This may all sound negative but really it's a heartfelt plea. Subaru deserves better than it's getting at the moment and somehow it needs to be back on the radar of UK buyers. The Outback, with its 1,677 litres of load space (better than its wax jacket rival, the more expensive Volvo XC70), off-road ability, great ride comfort, and good economy seems to be the perfect solution. Maybe it's just that nobody has the need any more, but it's probably more that it's undeservedly overlooked.
Maurice Hardy
