SUBARU has been without an automatic option on its diesel-powered Outback crossover since launch in 2009, and has therefore been fighting an uphill battle in auto-mad Australia.

That’s changed now, thanks to the addition of a CVT with seven artificial manual-mode ratios and paddles, and as such, the small independent Japanese brand expects an accordant sales jump.

This week’s launch gave us a chance to try the new shifter, but also re-acquaint ourselves with the rest of the Outback package, which remains a comfortable and well-equipped high-riding wagon with a niche almost all of its own.

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