2023 Subaru Outback facelift unveiled in New York

The Subaru Outback has gone to the plastic surgeon and emerged with a bolder face, and a bag of extra tech bits.

It’ll go on sale in the US from late in the third quarter of 2022.

Subaru Australia says it’ll reveal details of the local-spec 2023 Outback closer to launch, ahead of an introduction early next year.

Most of the surgery has occurred up front, where there’s a new pair of LED headlights with an L-shaped driving light protruding from the bottom.

This is matched to a wider, sharper and deeper grille, and a redesigned bumper with black plastic inserts that stretch upwards to meet the headlamps.

In a nod to the past, Subaru has enlarged the LED fog lights significantly to emphasise their circular shape. Along the sides the Outback has chunkier plastic wheel arch protectors.

The rear looks to be indistinguishable from the car currently gracing showrooms across the world.

The interior is largely unchanged from the current car, although there are some trim fiddles, including new black Nappa leather seats with contrasting tan stitching.

All variants Stateside are fitted with the company’s latest EyeSight safety package, which includes a new electric brake booster, a wider field of vision, and more up-to-date software.

Top-spec models in the States come with a digital rear-view mirror, and a new wide-angle mono camera for the EyeSight system.

As before there are two infotainment systems offered. In cheaper models there are two 7.0-inch touchscreens, while higher-end variants have a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirroring with full screen display are now standard with the 11.6-inch unit.

In the US the Outback will continue to be offered with a naturally-aspired 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine making 136kW at 5800rpm and 239Nm at 4400rpm, as well as a more powerful 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine generating 194kW at 5600rpm and 376Nm at 2000 rpm.

Only the atmo 2.5-litre engine is currently available in the Australian range.

Both engines come standard with all-wheel drive, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight virtual gears.

MORE: Everything Subaru Outback