Subaru has announced that its all-new 2010 Outback will be capable of up to 29 mpg on the highway when equipped with the base engine and optional CVT transmission. That model averages 22 mpg in the city, while the six-speed manual Outback 2.5i is rated at 19/27 mpg and the six-cylinder 3.6R with its standard five-speed automatic is rated at 18/25 mpg.
Subaru’s all-new 2010 Outback will start at $22,995, the same price as the outgoing model, when it goes on sale later this year. The optional CVT will add $1,000 to the price. Those seeking a six-cylinder Outback will have to step up to the $27,995 Outback 3.6R – a $4,000 decrease from last year’s six-cylinder Outback entry price.
Subaru offers both the four-cylinder 2.5 and the six-cylinder 3.6 boxer engines in three trim levels per engine: Base, Premium and Limited.
The 2.5i Premium adds to the base 2.5i fog lights, tinted rear windows, a power driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy wheels, among other options. It starts at $24,295 for a six-speed manual model.
The 2.5i Limited comes with the CVT only and adds heated leather seats, a harman/kardon audio system, 17-inch alloy wheels and a few other features for its $27,995 asking price.
The Outback 3.6R might be $4,000 cheaper than the outgoing six-cylinder 3.0R Limited, but it doesn’t include quite as many luxe features. It adds tinted windows, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, the CVT and, of course, two extra cylinders, to the base 2.5i.
For $1,000 more, the 3.6R Premium includes a power driver’s seat, heated seats and leather for the steering wheel.
Topping the range is the $30,995 3.6R Limited, which pretty much mirrors the 2.5i Limited’s trim.
The Outback shares most of the new features of the 2010 Legacy, including its 2.5-liter and 3.6-liter powertrains, as well as new six-speed manual and CVT transmission options. A 2.8-inch longer wheelbase helps with stability and ride quality while adding an extra four inches to the rear legroom. The Outback grows two inches in width, as well.
Ground clearance is up to 8.7 inches for this soft-roader. Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive is standard across the line, though each of the engine options features a specially-tailored AWD configuration.
For 2010, Outback will be available in six trim levels – 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited (all powered by a 170-horse four-cylinder), 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited (all powered by a 3.6-liter boxer-six with 256-horsepower).
The 2.5i models are powered by a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer mated to a six-speed manual or an optional “Lineartronic” CVT transmission. Subaru says fuel economy and acceleration are up with either transmission. The CVT is standard on the Limited, optional otherwise.
The 3.6R comes with a 3.6-liter, 256-horsepower boxer six-cylinder hooked up to a conventional five-speed automatic with a manual mode.
Base 2.5i models will come with 16-inch steel wheels; 17-inch alloy wheels will be standard otherwise.
Manual transmission 2.5i models feature a permanent all-wheel-drive system that employs a viscous-coupling locking center differential. CVT 2.5i models have an active all-wheel-drive system with an electronically managed continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch to send power to the rear wheels. Six-cylinder Outbacks get a planetary gear-type center differential with an electronically controlled continuously variable hydraulic clutch that offers the fastest transfer of power between front and rear. Stability control is standard across the lineup.
Standard roof rails on all models feature crossbars that swing into position when needed to alleviate wind noise and to improve aerodynamics.
07/01, 12:17 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
What is the addiction to CVTs? They are slow off the line and horrible for any offroad driving. I’m glad that I’m a manual fan… b/c it looks like the traditional automatic won’t be around for much longer.
07/01, 12:19 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
i don’t like cvt’s either, and i don’t like this car! Are these mpg’s supposed to be impressive?
07/01, 12:19 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
It’s still an ugly, low quality import POS. For the same money you can have a much more superior Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain that will last 10 -15 years longer and never have a problem.
GM. AN Americna Revolution
07/01, 12:36 PM
posted by:
davebo
Well it’s a nice improvement over the 2009’s 20/26 mpg, so that’s good. I guess it’s good for an AWD wagon.
07/01, 12:42 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
29MPG isn’t terrible for a 4000lb AWD behemoth.
07/01, 12:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Amorphous:
1. Lacking definite form; shapeless.
2. Of no particular type; anomalous.
3. Lacking organization; formless.
I’m sorry, what was the article about?
07/01, 12:45 PM
posted by:
orangecones
For an AWD wagon / Cute Ute these are fairly good numbers, considering that the competition is at least 1 or 2 mpg below that. For an apples-to-apples comparison, the 2.5L + CVT + AWD Nissan Rogue is rated 20/27 (21/28 for 2WD). So yes, I am quite impressed.
Also given Subaru’s history with the rock solid quality on their wagons, i would expect this car to be a smart option for somebody who is looking for a wagon / cute ute.
Also CVTs are not that bad. I have a Rogue and I was a bit unsure at first, but now I prefer CVT to a standard cog-based automatic any day of the week.
07/01, 12:48 PM
posted by:
GT_R BOY
I get it the guy who writes about high GM quality is joking.I thought he isn’t.
07/01, 12:56 PM
posted by:
tastyorange
They made it wider… which it needed…. but then took away the folding mirrors… THAT makes a lot of sense… and made it kind of homely instead of sleek.
Totally lost interest in replacing my 05 with a new one… will be looking at other wagons or hatches.
07/01, 1:13 PM
posted by:
davebo
Raine: the 2009 with the 4 cyl engine was only like 3400lbs I think. At that weight with AWD I’d say 22/29 is pretty average. If the new version gained 600lbs and it still got 22 in the city then I’d be impressed
07/01, 1:26 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
22/29 is better then Rav4-CRV-Escape, and all others I can think off.(4WD) I agree it does look bland, but this entire segment of cars is generally bland…
07/01, 1:42 PM
posted by:
slider5634
Dear Lord!!! WTF happened to the Legacy/Outback?!?!?! The last gen legacy was one of the best looking sedans I’ve ever seen. This thing is just fugly. One step forward and two steps back.
07/01, 1:57 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Subaru hopes the at the new style will keep buyers from noticing the poor quality and design. It’s the whole reason why the new Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX look so stunningly beautiful .They have gorgeous styling to go with the bulletproof reliability and world class quality that Gm is known for around the world.
GM. An American Revolution
07/01, 2:17 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
yeah, and NMOFGM hopes that one day, his peanut size brain will magically grow! We all know that won’t happen, but shhhhhhh!!! don’t tell him!
07/01, 2:33 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
29mpg, but 61 vpm (vomits per mile) due to the sheer ugliness of this
07/01, 3:25 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
29 mpg highway is good considering the awd factor…it is a bit fugly, though…very generic in some places, but that blocky back bumper really looks weird to me…i’m sure it only costs 2k to replace if you back into a pole at 5 mph, too…
07/01, 4:54 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Thanks slider5634, that’s what I said when I bought my Navy Blue ‘06 Sedan LTD. It was one of the best looking sedans out there, for any price. The new one is just so unflattering as a Sedan. I think the Outback looks OK though, it’s never been purposely a looker, and now it’s a half size bigger, which is good. I’m still a fan of the last generation, but I could see buying this Outback – albeit after I turn into a 250 lbs Lesbian.
07/01, 5:03 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
May I add that they simplified the model range to a point which makes it understandable, even me, the Subaru Order Analyst took a while to completely comprehend the previous model lines and what was available/different for each, they usd to change model lines mid year too to make it even more complicated.
07/01, 6:10 PM
posted by:
Borat
The Outback I had was 2 gens ago and had 22/28 rating that it basically kept (closer to 30 on highway and we always carried 2 kids and a dog with all the family crap). It’s ain’t progress in my book. I agree it looks homely (or butter face), but hopefully will last longer then 3 years and 36K miles, unlike mine.
07/01, 11:31 PM
posted by:
bcjohnso99
Uhh, so a 170hp 4 cyl version gets the same highway mileage rating as a 304hp Chev Camaro.
Forgive me if this does not even come close to impressing me…
07/02, 9:16 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
“but hopefully will last longer then 3 years and 36K miles, unlike mine.”
Subarus are only good for about 50 thousand miles before heading to the junkyard.
“Uhh, so a 170hp 4 cyl version gets the same highway mileage rating as a 304hp Chev Camaro.
Forgive me if this does not even come close to impressing me…”
Nobody is impressed with anything Subaru builds. Everyone knows they are pieces of sh1t. The Camaro will outlast and outperform any Subaru by 30 fold.
GM. AN American Revolution
07/02, 1:30 PM
posted by:
mwc5446
Wonder if they fixed the leaky head gasket issue that creeps up every 50k miles or so on the 2.5 liter. I too am not impressed by the MPG.
Looks like Toyota has made their imprint on the Subaru brand…
07/02, 2:39 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
Once again, none of the mentioned cars would win a beauty contest. Yes, I think the current Legacy looks better. The fact of the matter is NO current all wheel drive model acheives this mileage rating.
07/08, 1:26 PM
posted by:
reedfast
Looks like a squished highlander. Also, i hate to say it, but every day i see subaru’s from
the 80’s with 500k+ miles on them. My dad has A 96 that has 150k and is still running fine. Slow, but fine.