Comments on: First Drive: 2010 Subaru Outback [Review]

By: kevdawg40

kevdawg40 — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:32:25 +0000

An Audi A4 will be in the shop 1/2 the time you own it. Trust me, I’ve experienced it. I’ve had 2 Outbacks with no major problems, one of which has 170k and is 10 years old-only standard up-keep needed.

By: EvoJohn

EvoJohn — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:53:44 +0000

“with its optional chain-driven “Lineartronic” CVT with paddle shifters”

So it’s a transmission with no gears that has paddle shifters?

I don’t get it.

A base with a 6spd would be nice though.

By: reedfast

reedfast — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:58:13 +0000

for 30k, you could buy an a4 avant with a way better interior. It is also safer, faster, and better handling than the subaru.

By: Fromes

Fromes — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:33:48 +0000

I lived in vermont for 5 years and can say this is the vehicle to have. I swear everyone from college students to retirees drove some variton of an outback. I had friends drive theirs every where, and rack up well over 150,000 trouble free miles no sweat. They allowed the tree huggin types to have 95 percent of the cability of a SUV with out the gas guzzling and anti green image that comes with it. My only concern is that they “toyotified” this car a little to much, it looks a little to big and bulky for my taste, perhaps they are strarying from the winning formula just a little to much.

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:29:51 +0000

JakeK66.. the Outback looks better than the Outback? The Outback looks better than the Outback? I think you mean to echo A.J.’s assertion that the Outback looks TONS better than the Legacy now, with which I wholeheartedly agree. Outback is now totally overstyled, where the Legacy is just awkward.

I saw one of these sitting on the lot between an ’09 Outback and a Tribeca and immediately noticed the much taller profile of the new model.. it has moved much closer in size and appearance to the Tribeca, and will probably force it out eventually unless it grows too.

By: aggie531

aggie531 — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:14:41 +0000

The only thing i dont like is the headlights and pretty much the front end. The back and interior are good.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:19:47 +0000

This does look better than the Outback. I’ll miss my last gen Navy Blue Legacy with tan interior… That was one of my favorite designs ever for any sedan.

At least, though, LLN had the decency to say the last gen’s interior was good, many overlook that fact and brag how this one is better. It’s not. It’s bigger, but not built any better.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:19:47 +0000

This does look better than the Outback. I’ll miss my last gen Navy Blue Legacy with tan interior… That was one of my favorite designs ever for any sedan.

At least, though, LLN had the decency to say the last gen’s interior was good, many overlook that fact and brag how this one is better. It’s not. It’s bigger, but not built any better.

By: A.J.

A.J. — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:48:16 +0000

The Outback pulls off the new look so much better than the Legacy.

By: Andrew Ganz

Andrew Ganz — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:39:15 +0000

DenverGuy217: The Outback 2.5i comes standard with a six-speed stick and offers a CVT for a grand more. The Outback 3.6R comes only with a five-speed automatic. There are no four-speed offerings and the only six-cog is the stick.

By: A4

A4 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:30:00 +0000

At least you can still get them with a manual. The same cant be said for most other wagons.

By: Lionwithoutpride

Lionwithoutpride — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:56:48 +0000

Don’t overestimate beauty at the cost of utility. Volvo should take a page from Subaru’s book. There will always be a market for “quirky” cars that are more utilitarian than anything else. Throw in safety and ugly becomes a badge of honor for mothers and fathers who have a desperate need to let everyone know how highly they value their children’s safety.

Volvos are even more utilitarian than the Subarus I’ve seen, but Subaru will best them every day on price. Whether Volvo is better in safety is probably just an issue of perception. Throw in the green image that Subaru’s marketing department is toiling to win and Subaru looks to fill the niche that Volvo drivers of old wish to fit into. That’s not a huge market, but it’s a good one. Especially if you already produce vehicles like the WRX that attract a wholly different audience. For a “small” brand, Subaru is well rounded.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:54:13 +0000

If the Outback means "success" then all I gotta say is Vive Le Failure!

By: DenverGuy217

DenverGuy217 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:46:04 +0000

We looked at these over the weekend. The package and price is very attractive. The car? not-so-much. There just seems to be no cohesion in the styling of the front with the profile and with the back. And the car has gotten longer and looks it which throws off the profile esp towards the rear. Still comes with only a 4-speed auto unless you are willing to pay $1000 for the 6-speed. Something you still cannot get on the nicer Forrester.

For the price though, it will still sell wildly in the snow climates.

By: slider5634

slider5634 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:44:17 +0000

I’ll third that. They should have stopped at the last gen Legacy. That was a good looking car.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:23:47 +0000

^^Agreed. Out back is where they should take their styling department to put them out of their misery.

By: A4

A4 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:10:57 +0000

If “dont mess with success” means “lets keep making it uglier” then i guess they hit the nail on the head.