EURO NCAP Awards five stars to the Subaru Outback.

• New Outback scores highly across the board
• ‘Eyesight’ driver assist system to debut

Subaru Europe nv/sa, the European subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd today announced that the new Subaru Outback (2.0D 'EyeSight', LHD, European specifications) has been awarded the highest five-star rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP)* for its 2014 overall safety performance test.

While Subaru vehicles have also received numerous awards for their safety performances from other authoritative bodies, the 2014 rating reflects the performance of the new Outback against Euro NCAP’s latest requirements.

The new Outback scored highly in all four key areas of adult occupant protection (85%), child occupant protection (87%), pedestrian protection (70%) and safety assist, as well as achieving maximum points in the side impact barrier test, with good protection of all critical body areas.

Tests on the front seats and head restraints, and a geometric assessment of the rear restraints, indicated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. Moreover, the Outback scored maximum points for its protection of the 18-month dummy in the dynamic crash tests. The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians' legs in all areas tested.

Multiple airbags feature in the new car including in the front, knee, side and curtain airbags. Subaru’s VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) is standard on all models. The body structure benefits from further advancements in Subaru’s “ring-shaped reinforcement frame body” while the  use of high tensile steel plates has also been increased.

Subaru's highly developed 'EyeSightⁱ' autonomous braking system which utilises advanced stereo cameras, will debut in Europe on the new model. The system incorporates multiple driver assist features and contributes to making new Outback one of the safest cars in its class.  

Since Subaru pioneered the crossover concept back in 1995, the Outback has been acclaimed world-wide for its combination of superior driveability and ride quality, while the unique Symmetrical AWD (All-Wheel Drive) bestows both on road balance and traction and the ability to venture off-road where others would fear to tread.

The new Subaru Outback goes on sale in the UK in Spring.