On October 11, the Almaty Region hosted the Subaru Territory: Dala Dodasy test drive, which offered participants a rally route with challenges, followed by trials on rocky roads, sand, and steep climbs. A Kursiv Auto journalist competed in the general classification and tested the capabilities of the new seventh-generation Subaru Outback, according to infohub.kz.

Participants started at the Subaru dealership in Almaty. After receiving route sheets with numbers and checkpoints, the crews set off. The Kursiv Auto journalist was behind the wheel, with a blogger who has long been a fan of the Japanese brand as co-driver. The goal was not just to reach the finish but also to pass the checkpoints.

At one checkpoint, driving precision was tested. A narrow corridor with two turns was built from cones: it had to be driven forward and then reversed back. Two minutes were allotted for the task. On a tight slalom, it is easy to make a mistake, so what mattered here was not speed and engine power but the driver's accuracy and experience.

The main part of the event took place at ASP Club, where routes were prepared for the new Subaru Outback and Forester. Asphalt gave way to rocky sections with large stones, sand, and steep climbs. On such surfaces, it was possible to evaluate the vehicles' behavior and the operation of electronic aids.

The star of the show was the seventh-generation Outback – its off-site test drive in Kazakhstan was held for the first time. The model has 220 mm of ground clearance and a trunk volume of 530 liters.

Under the hood is a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 187 hp, paired with a Lineartronic CVT and permanent all-wheel drive. This combination is important not only on intercity highways but also where the asphalt ends.

The Forester is more compact than the Outback but is equipped with a flat-four engine of the same displacement, a CVT, and all-wheel drive. On difficult sections, the X-Mode system helps by adjusting the powertrain, transmission, and stability systems to driving conditions. The set of modes depends on the trim level.

The route was overseen by Vladimir Borodin, a multiple champion of Kazakhstan in autocross and rally and founder of an extreme driving school. He and his team helped participants navigate the course and tackle difficult sections.

Dala Dodasy was conceived not only as an automotive test. While adults got to know the cars, children were offered activities with animators and workshops.

The program also included go-karting and other activities, and in the evening participants gathered for a campfire dinner and an awards ceremony.

In the end, instead of a usual test drive, it turned into a full day behind the wheel in various formats. For the new Outback, the event was its first off-site test in Kazakhstan, and for participants and customers, it was an opportunity to get acquainted with both models beyond the asphalt.

Earlier, Kursiv Auto reported that the Subaru Forester was found to be safer than Volvo by American experts.