It’s almost a cult brand – albeit one that seems to be catching on with the mainstream. Subaru , how the rest of the industry envies you.
And you have to admire their pluck in continuing to bring a station wagon to market regardless of what the general consensus toward that style of vehicle has been.
So it was with great interest when we hopped into the driver’s seat of a four-cylinder Subaru Outback to really see what this was all about. We’ve selected a fancy-pants Limited version equipped with Subaru ’s high volume powertrain.
Now in its fourth generation, Subaru says it’s responsible for the current crossover trend that the auto industry is still Jonesing over. But no matter, people still happen to buy these boxer-motored grocery-getters like they are going out of style.
What is it?
A five-passenger station wagon, masquerading as an off-road hooligan, the Outback manages to keep station wagon dimensions while offering space for people, pets and other stuff. In the grand scheme, it is the largest version of Outback since its introduction back in 1995. Having spent most of its life looking like the separated-at-birth sibling of the original Hyundai Santa Fe , it’s now one of the better-looking versions to come along as well.
What’s it up against?
The field is extremely crowded with contestants from other manufacturers in this, the crossover segment. Among them are the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-7 , Ford Escape , and Nissan Murano . All are available in front or all-wheel-drive configurations, while the Outback is only available with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive.
Of course, the Outback inspired a handful of imitators (although one could argue that the AMC Eagle inspired the Outback, but that’s a conversation for another day). Ever seen an Audi allroad? How about a Saab 9-3 x? Volvo XC70 ?
Same concept.
Any breakthroughs?
First of all the size. Subaru has managed to make a shorter vehicle overall, while increasing the interior room by seven percent. Wheelbase has increased by 2.8-inches, while backseat legroom has grown by four-inches. Two-inches wider, it has grown to accommodate the expansion of America.
A revised 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine mated to a new continuously variable transmission is now part of the powertrain lineup (a manual transmission is still standard) and a new hill holder function is also in place to, uh, keep the Outback in place on hills and inclines. This one is different though. While previous versions would only hold the Outback on the hill for a few seconds, the new version will hold it until the driver applies pressure to the accelerator.
Useful anywhere but the flatlands of Florida, where this writer sampled the Outback.
How does it look?
No longer does a Subaru owner have to make excuses to the neighbors over his or her choice of vehicles. The days of post-apocalyptic Japanese design have been gone from the company for a few years, and it finally seems that Subie’s artists and designers are finally designing with a general theme that is attractive and modern at the same time. In fact, for all their modern design, they really do look the part of a support vehicle for the US Ski Team.
Bulging wheel wells and fenders offer ample room for shock travel of the 17-inch wheels, which we think could easily tolerate up to 20-inch samples. Black body-armor style cladding helps to protect the underside with a touch of bling in the form of aluminum accents at front help to keep the undercarriage unscathed during those off-road excursions that a few owners might attempt.
The look of the liftback is non-offensive to most, and features a spoiler/backlight shade that also houses the highpoint brake light. A nice touch is the privacy glass for the second row and cargo area glass, to keep out those prying eyes, dontcha know.
And on the inside?
The interior of the Outback is where it really shines. The look and feel of materials is generally top notch, and features an understated sense of elegance that you would find in cars costing thousands more. We thought the seats could be bolstered a bit more, but we’ll live with them.
The dashboard is a typical T-style arrangement with a gauge binnacle housing a tachometer, speedometer, mpg meter, and fuel gauge. Subaru decided to keep it simple here. A flamed maple-looking piece of veneer (at least we think that’s what it imitates) is used to add design interest across the dash and the doors. It actually looks quite nice, if not a touch too red and adds a color accent to an interior that is rather vanilla-colored unless you spec a different shade.
The center stack houses an excellent 440-watt harman/kardon nine-speaker audio system. If ordered with navigation like our example was, it comes with a single CD player; otherwise you get the full-blown six disc CD changer. Either way, it’s enough to blister your eardrums.
The usual array of cupholders and cubbyholes are located all around the interior. We were probably most impressed with the amount of rear seat legroom. It’s just more than we are used to in this size segment. On the other hand, there is not enough room behind the second row for a third one, which is just fine with us. Cargo area with the seat up is 34.3 cubic feet, while it grows to 71.3 cubes with them folded flat.
But does it go?
We had questions when we first realized there was only a boxed (horizontally-opposed) four-cylinder underhood, and a normally aspirated one at that. Our fears, as they say, were quickly put to rest. Our 2.5i test model featured a revised 2.5-liter Boxer engine that now puts out to the tune of 170-horsepower and 170 lb-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Sadly there’s no direct fuel injection lurking here: The fuel induction is by sequential multiport arrangement.
The transmission is a six-speed “Lineartronic” (in Subie-speak) CVT with shift lever or paddle shifter controls. We tried but couldn’t get used to the idea of paddling our way through the turns in a car that rides so high, although they might be more useful on unpaved terrain. The 2.5i uses Subaru’s Active Torque Split AWD to move the power front to rear as needed, depending on road conditions.
The Outback’s suspension is the typical arrangement of MacPherson struts with coil springs in front and a double wishbone in a subframe setup in the rear. Stabilizer bars at both ends finish the arrangement. For off-roading and stump pulling around the estate, the Outback’s ground clearance is a generous 8.7-inches – way better than pretty much anything this side of a Jeep Wrangler . Don’t let its looks fool you. Curb weight for the Subie is 3,564 lbs., and the EPA clocks fuel mileage at 22 city and 29 highway, which is actually pretty darn good for a vehicle of the Outback’s size.
We felt the Outback offered really good road feel with its variable power assist rack and pinion steering system. As we previously mentioned, we were not too keen to try any late braking maneuvers on sharp turns, but were nicely surprised at the overall refinement in ride quality that it offered. Wind noise was barely audible at best, and the 17-inch Continental ContiPro Contact tires did their part to take the harshness out of the ride
Why you would buy it:
The drummer you march to is playing to a way different beat, and you don’t mind being part of a cult, anyway.
Why you wouldn’t:
Your four-wheel-drive vehicles have V8s and can tow ski boats.
Leftlane’s bottom line:
Subaru buyers have always been a bit different. Whether it was the quirky styling, or the AWD that attracted them, or the horizontally opposed Boxer engine, it has been these types of differences that have fed the faithful for all these years.
Finally, Subaru has managed to balance its unique flavor with mainstream attributes by creating a model that appeals to nearly everyone interested in this type of vehicle. Sales are breaking records and Subaru’s Indiana plant can barely keep up with demand. We understand why.
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited base price, $27,995. As tested, $32,198.
Option Package 8 (Navigation, iPod connector, Moonroof), $2,995; Cargo net, $52; Sirius Satellite Radio, $461; Destination, $695.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
A second opinion
As ubiquitous in some parts of the country as an L.L. Bean sweater or a Mountain Hardware backpack, Subaru’s Outback has long supported the brand. With a more mainstream overall lineup going gangbusters, the Outback doesn’t carry as much weight on its shoulders as before – but that’s not stopping the redesigned 2010 model from breaking sales records.
Few vehicles provide a similar combination of utility, comfort and value in the way the Outback does and none are as endearing. After just a few short miles, the Outback becomes an inseparable best friend, filling nearly every vehicular void you never knew you had.
No, it won’t carry Kate plus eight and it’s not exactly an SCCA track day rock star, but it humbly fulfills every daily demand without feeling utilitarian. It just makes sense.
- Andrew Ganz
