I’m at an age now when trying to look fashionable comes at a cost. The price I pay goes beyond parting with my cash, I also part with my dignity and my comfort. Trying to squeeze into the slim-fit, tailored clothes that have dominated men’s fashion recently is embarrassing at best and downright dangerous at its worst.

It’s a gradual transition and sometimes you won’t even notice it happening but, at some point, those loose-fitting khaki corduroy trousers in M&S become must-haves and going to bed without a nice hot cup of cocoa is suddenly unthinkable.

I still, occasionally, dare to follow the crowd but I’m lagging further and further behind, the trend-setters becoming nothing more than dots on the horizon.

That’s probably part of the reason the Subaru Outback is so appealing. The jacked-up estate is as close to a comfy pair of slippers as you can get.

It’s had a bit of a refresh with a new radiator grille, new 17in alloy wheels, redesigned headlamps, bigger front fog lamps and different roof bars. The styling is slightly awkward in places, but overall it’s quite a handsome machine and unmistakably Subaru, largely thanks to the front end and the bonnet vent that feeds air to the 2.0-litre flat four diesel.

Its unique configuration aside, there’s nothing that really sets the diesel unit apart from its peers. Economy and emissions are acceptable, but unremarkable, while power and torque peaks at 148bhp and 258lbft. It is very quiet and, to my ears at least, is devoid of the typical diesel clatter, even at start-up. Instead occupants are treated to a satisfying, but muted, rumble. It doesn’t disturb the comfortable ambience in cabin even when pushed hard.

The CVT (continuously variable transmission) gearbox ensures that progress is as smooth as it is quiet. As unremarkable as the engine is, the Subaru-developed transmission is a delight. It’s unfussy, responsive and unobtrusive. There’s a manual option with access to seven seamless ratios if the mood takes you, but I can’t imagine too many Outback drivers taking up that option. Subaru’s ‘Symmetrical’ four-wheel drive system ensures that the power is delivered to the road with the minimum of fuss.

Should you wish to put the Outback’s handling to the test - and that’s another thing I can’t see owners doing - it shouldn’t disappoint too much. The suspension is quite firm, helping to keep body roll to a minimum, and the steering is reasonably direct and communicative. It’s not too hard to push beyond the limits of the tyres, but its quite progressive and the Outback rarely does anything unexpected.

According to my wife, who is an expert on these matters, the ride quality is excellent. It’s not without its faults - it can be a little fidgety - but generally the Outback coped well with whatever humps, bumps and potholes Kent’s roads threw at it.

There’s a lot to like about the interior and, compared to other models in the Subaru stable, it’s a step up in design. The controls are nicely laid out and easy to reach, and the instruments are clear and simple to read but some of the audio functions are hardly what I would describe as intuitive. Try as I might I couldn’t work out how to pair my phone over Bluetooth and, though it pains me to admit it, in the end I had to read the manual.

There’s plenty of room for passengers in the front and back. I had ample legroom - and I’m 6ft 1in - even with the front seats pushed all the way back. The boot will swallow 562 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,677 litres with them folded flat which, incidentally, is just a case of pulling a couple of levers - one for each section of the rear seats - on either side of the boot and they drop down automatically. It’s a wonderfully simple system. Unfortunately it doesn’t work the other way round.

Handling and performance isn’t high on many buyers’ lists these days. As the price of fuel rises - and I write this while fully acknowledging that it has dipped significantly recently - other priorities have emerged, particularly efficiency and economy. It’s true that the Outback doesn’t really excel on either count so why buy one? Just pop on your favourite pair of slippers and you’ll understand exactly why.

Subaru Outback 2.0D Lineartronic

Price: £31,495

Engine: 2.0-litre flat four diesel

Transmission: Lineartronic Symmetrical AWD

Power: 148bhp

Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.7sec

Maximum speed: 121mph

Urban: 37.2mpg

Extra urban: 50.4mpg

Combined: 44.8mpg

Emissions (CO2): 166g/km

For more information about Subaru cars click here.