Subaru Outback SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The Subaru Outback is currently on its fourth generation. The first generation was developed to be the first all around sport wagon crossover and the results were stunning. The US population loved the all wheel drive, the go anywhere rough and tough attitude with the ease of driving a car instead of a box. Of course, the last twenty years have brought styling and design changes to each of the class of cars. Yet the Subaru Outback is still one of the main contenders when it comes to finding quality, durability, style, and strength all in the same package.
The latest Subaru Outback design resembles an SUV crossover but still maintains that traditional Outback styling. The higher ground clearance gives it more opportunities to go off road and take on the elements like an SUV but the body style is still very easy to digest and take in. Despite the fact that there have been similar vehicles to hit the roads since the introduction of the Subaru Outback the original is still claiming its title.
With room for five the Subaru Outback can be out done when you're looking to transport nine people on a daily basis. However, if you are looking for quality options and a list of standard features that goes on for miles you may have found exactly what you were looking for. There are six trim levels. The base model included each one comes with cruise control, roof rails, cruise control, height adjustments for the driver's seat, the tilt and telescoping steering column, and a sound system with CD player and MP3 auxiliary jack input.
The higher trim levels show that the Subaru Outback is just as much in touch with technology as other car manufacturers. Between the Harman Kardon sound system and the addition of the voice activated navigational equipment that links into your iPod input, Bluetooth connectivity, and the streaming Bluetooth audio you'll find that there are plenty of technological features that make the Subaru Outback just as savvy on the highway as it is off the beaten path.
In order to develop a larger range of consumer interest the Subaru Outback was redesigned to be more in line with some of the other crossovers on the market. The design team took an inch off the length, stretched the wheel base by about 3 inches, and added 2 inches of additional width. They then gave it about 4 more inches of height to make sure that the interior space was roomier than ever and gave all the passengers plenty of elbow room. This also added to the cargo space, which is now 71 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
Each of the six trims comes with its own configuration of engine size and transmission type. The base model starts off with a 2.5 liter engine that is horizontally opposed and kicks out 170 horsepower from its four cylinders. The 6 speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission is on the list for the base model. If you want more power you can opt up to the 3.6 liter engine that operates on six cylinders to provide 256 horsepower. The only available transmission with this set up is the five speed automatic in the traditional style.
The latest Subaru Outback design resembles an SUV crossover but still maintains that traditional Outback styling. The higher ground clearance gives it more opportunities to go off road and take on the elements like an SUV but the body style is still very easy to digest and take in. Despite the fact that there have been similar vehicles to hit the roads since the introduction of the Subaru Outback the original is still claiming its title.
With room for five the Subaru Outback can be out done when you're looking to transport nine people on a daily basis. However, if you are looking for quality options and a list of standard features that goes on for miles you may have found exactly what you were looking for. There are six trim levels. The base model included each one comes with cruise control, roof rails, cruise control, height adjustments for the driver's seat, the tilt and telescoping steering column, and a sound system with CD player and MP3 auxiliary jack input.
The higher trim levels show that the Subaru Outback is just as much in touch with technology as other car manufacturers. Between the Harman Kardon sound system and the addition of the voice activated navigational equipment that links into your iPod input, Bluetooth connectivity, and the streaming Bluetooth audio you'll find that there are plenty of technological features that make the Subaru Outback just as savvy on the highway as it is off the beaten path.
In order to develop a larger range of consumer interest the Subaru Outback was redesigned to be more in line with some of the other crossovers on the market. The design team took an inch off the length, stretched the wheel base by about 3 inches, and added 2 inches of additional width. They then gave it about 4 more inches of height to make sure that the interior space was roomier than ever and gave all the passengers plenty of elbow room. This also added to the cargo space, which is now 71 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
Each of the six trims comes with its own configuration of engine size and transmission type. The base model starts off with a 2.5 liter engine that is horizontally opposed and kicks out 170 horsepower from its four cylinders. The 6 speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission is on the list for the base model. If you want more power you can opt up to the 3.6 liter engine that operates on six cylinders to provide 256 horsepower. The only available transmission with this set up is the five speed automatic in the traditional style.
I have a 2010 2.5 with CVT Outback with 70,000 km so far. It is the best car I have ever owned. Extremely quiet at highway speeds, easy to manouver and visibilty is excellent. Also, the fuel economy is far better than any all wheel drive/suv that I have owned over the years. So far it has been very inexpensive to maintain and the winter traction is unparalleled.