Highlight: Its one of the few station wagons still available.
Test Vehicle's MSRP: $44,341 (Base Model: $30,430)
Seating Capacity: 5
Standard Safety
Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability
control system; a tire pressure sensor system; an incline start assist system;
a rear-view camera; hill descent control system; a traction control system; pre-collision
braking; sway warning system; rear camera; and tire pressure monitoring system
Standard Equipment (Touring XT): 2.4-liter, 260-horsepower; a 12-speaker, 576-watt Harman Kardon audio system; a 11-inch infotainment screen; power moonroof; reverse auto braking; Nappa leather seats; three mode ventilated/heated front seats; heated rear seats; a heated steering system; electronic blind spot; a rear cross traffic alert system; a two position memory driver’ seat; power front seats; a hands free power rear gate; automatic tilt down passenger side mirror; 8-cargo area tie down hooks; a navigation system with a CD player; automatic power folding exterior mirrors; 180- degree camera monitor; auto dimming rearview mirror; and a dual zone automatic climate control system
Options: all-weather floor liners
Other Trim Levels:
Premium
Onyx Edition
Wilderness
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 4-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM
Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard
USB Connectivity: Standard
Apple/Android
Connectivity: Standard
Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty: 3 years or 36,000
miles
Powertrain Warranty: 5 or 60,000 miles
Engine/Horsepower: a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder/182-horsepower
Touring XT Towing Capacity: 2,700 to 3,500 towing capacity
Recommended Fuel: Regular
Standard Fuel Mileage: 26-city/32-hwy
Why:
AWD
A variety of trims
A station wagon
Leather seats available
A power driver’s seat with lumbar support and a manually leg extender
A variety of driving modes
Roof rack available
An easy-to-use infotainment system
Heated and ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
Power moonroof available
A high level of standard safety driving aids
A 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
A heated steering system
A radar activated cruise control system
A navigation system with a CD player
Easier to load than most crossovers and SUVs
Tie down hooks for cargo area
Upgraded engine provides additional power lacking in the base model
But:
It’s
a station wagon!
Overly
sensitive radar activated steering system (at times requires both hands to be
on wheel)
No wireless smartphone charging
Verdict: Subaru’s Outback is literally in a class by itself. While automakers
have coined the new term crossover, which is a cross between a utility vehicle
and a car, the Outback has stayed pure to its roots. Its literally a station wagon
that has been designed for off-roading. Nowadays, being called a station
wagon isn't cool. Subaru doesn’t shy away
from such.
In fact, the five-seater midsize Outback is available several trims with two four cylinder powertrains. At a price point near $30,000, buyers can opt for a base trim, which is outfitted with cloth seats, a less potent 4-cylinder, and 17 -inch tires or the higher Touring trim. On other hand, they can opt for the top of the line Touring trim which outfits the wagon with such features as 18-inch wheels, a power moonroof, Nappa leather, a more potent engine and a higher towing capacity. The higher level trim also means a price point near $45,000.
Like a crossover, the wagon rides and drives like a car. And it provides additional utility for carrying cargo and in most cases at a much lower height than most crossover, SUVs and trucks. In fact, a trip to the nursery made it much easier to load bags of potting soil due to the lower height of the Outback.
So for buyers seeking a pure station wagon, the Outback is the lone ranger in this segment.
Non Station Wagon Competition: Chevy Blazer; Honda Passport; Mazda CX-70; and VW Atlas Cross Sport
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