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By Toby Hagon

The Outback’s new diesel engine is frugal and impressively smooth, but could do with more punch down low in its rev range.

There’s no confusing Subaru’s first diesel engine as a diesel – at least from the outside.

The familiar chugging clatter is a clear indicator that this is a diesel.

So is the WRX-style bonnet scoop – the first on an Outback – that feeds cooler air to the turbo’s intercooler, which sits on top of the engine.

Inside, though, it’s a different story. The Outback 2.0d is surprisingly sophisticated, ably muting the dull drone that often accompanies diesels.

Even when revs build the Outback diesel is a master of concealment, keeping all but a low level of noise from the cabin. There’s even a hint of that characteristic Subaru burble that signifies the brand’s boxer engine (horizontally opposed) layout.

That smoothness is maintained all the way past 4000rpm, at which point the diesel is running out of puff and it makes sense to change gears. In reality it’s best to change sooner than that and rely on the muscular torque that’s on offer lower in the rev range.

Fans of self-shifters will be disappointed to learn that the Outback diesel is only available with a manual gearbox.

If you’re prepared to take control of the gears yourself, though, it’s a sweet-changing six speed that slips gracefully and effortlessly between the gears. That’s good, though, because the nature of the engine means you’re likely to become good friends with the gearstick.

Peak torque of 350Nm from the 2.0-litre engine is produced at 1800rpm, at which point it feeds on smoothly, faithfully building speed and remaining unfussed by the prospect of a hill.

But it’s below that where the engine is less useful.

At 1500rpm, for example, the diesel is almost useless, meaning you’ll have to change down a gear for decent response.

That means the tall sixth gear isn’t really usable until 100km/h, at which point it’s tapping in to that torque peak with revs sitting at 1800rpm.

Drop back to 80 or 90km/h, though, and fifth gear is a better bet for maintaining the flow on a country road.

Read more: First drive: Subaru Outback 2.0d

The conversion of the Hyundai Santa Fe to an all-turbo diesel line-up has done no harm to the driving experience the Korean mid-size soft-roader offers.

It remains alright.

Not great, not poor, just a middling effort that has undeniably more strength under the bonnet but remains underwhelming to drive thanks to the ageing platform that underpins it.

First the good part: the sophisticated new engine is definitely a solid step forward from the old diesel, as is the new six-speed auto over the old five-speed.

The engine can't quite live up to the promise of its engine output numbers - 145kW and 436Nm in auto form. That's because the Santa Fe weighs in at nearly 2.0 tonnes and that understandably means the crispness of response is dulled.

Read more: First drive: Hyundai’s new diesel Santa Fe