THOSE people who cruise around town in big four-wheel drive machines are an interesting lot.

I don’t for a moment believe too many of them plan to tackle the Tanami Desert, the Canning Stock Route or some other horrendous track that really demands the power and low ratios of their heavyweight vehicles.

At best, they might pull a trailer once in a while and go camping "sometime next year."

Unlike most makers in the four-wheel drive segment, Subaru started with a car and developed it into an off-road wagon. Most of the others started with a truck and tried to disguise the fact by shoving in lots of plush bits and big stereos to muffle the drivetrain racket.

The Outback is based on the Liberty wagon, which like all current production Subarus, has four-wheel drive as standard equipment. (Subaru insist that theirs is All-Wheel Drive).

It has the 2.5-litre version of the horizontally opposed four-cylinder boxer engine, revised suspension and bigger 16-inch wheels which give a substantial 200mm of ground clearance.

There are also some minor styling changes from Liberty models.

Outback prices start at $37,490 for the five-speed manual and automatic transmission is a $1900 option.

Those after extra luxury can get the Limited version, which for about $5000 more adds leather upholstery, twin sunroofs and a CD player to the regular model’s impressive equipment list.

Standard features include climate control, power windows, stereo with CD player, cruise control and remote central locking.

There’s also ABS, twin airbags and lap-sash seatbelts for all back seat occupants.

It’s a luxury wagon, a competent four-wheel drive, a spacious family conveyance and an efficient vehicle for business needs.

It can run with the sports cars, outhandle just about everything else on a dirt road or in the wet, park like a mini and use no more fuel than a medium-sized sedan.

The engine capacity went up from 2.0 to 2.5 litres a little more than a year ago and those extra 500cc made a big difference.

Power is115kW, but the big plus comes from the motor’s 223Nm of torque, available at a low 3600rpm.

The result is strong performance and impressive economy from the smooth four-cylinder motor.

Drive it and it’s like an old friend: Every control is where it’s expected to be, the performance is better than expected and the roadholding is superb.

Go off the bitumen into the rough and low ratios can be engaged by lifting a lever between the front seats. No fiddling with locking hubs and suchlike, either. Just engage and go.

The interior is good, though I didn’t like the rear seat headrests which obscure rearward vision.

The front seats are comfy and supportive, and the height-adjustable seat and steering column ensure perfect posture for all drivers.

There’s a handy-sized cargo area with a retractable security blind and a useful12-volt socket.

In short, the Outback is a sophisticated and very capable vehicle, equally suited to the social demands of a night at the opera or a week in the bush with Mick Dundee.