Subaru Outback Review

2008 Subaru Outback 3.0R L.L. Bean Edition Wagon Shown

In the mid-1990s, America's desire for SUVs was growing at a rapid pace. To a small Japanese automaker, it was fairly obvious that consumers liked the elevated seating and macho styling of these vehicles, but had little use for their bouncy rides and poor fuel economy. This company's solution? The Subaru Outback, the "world's first sport-utility wagon."

Designed with the North American market in mind, the Subaru Outback provided many of the popular SUVs traits without any of the associated negatives. Subaru based it on its Legacy wagon and made sure the vehicle came standard with all-wheel drive, a raised suspension for better ground clearance, and special interior and exterior styling details.

At its debut, the Subaru Outback was pretty much the only vehicle of its type and was an instant hit with consumers. It did lose a bit of an edge as other automakers came up with similar crossover wagons and SUVs at the start of the new millennium, but Subaru has recently countered with its third-generation Outback. New or used, the Outback is a strong contender for shoppers interested in a car that provides plenty of everyday versatility with the type of all-season capability needed for frosty climes.

Current Subaru Outback

The current five-passenger Subaru Outback is only available as a station wagon. There are several trim levels: the base-level Outback, 2.5i, 2.5i L.L. Bean and 2.5i Limited, the 2.5 XT Limited and the 3.0 R L.L. Bean.

For power, 2.5i trim levels have a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower. The XT level upgrades to a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 243 hp and 241 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0 R model comes with a 3.0-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder (H6) good for 245 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque.

All Outbacks come standard with all-wheel drive. Models with either of the 2.5-liter engines can be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic is available on 2.5i models, while 2.5 XT models get a five-speed auto. The 2.5i Limited models are four-speed automatic only, and the H6 only comes with the five-speed automatic.

In reviews, this Subaru Outback has received praise for its standard all-wheel drive, long list of features, above-average build quality and balanced ride and handling dynamics. And while it doesn't quite have the off-road capabilities of a true SUV, the Outback can take on light-duty terrain without complaint. Negatives brought up in reviews typically center on the vehicle's smallish backseat, sluggish response from the automatic transmissions and limited availability of higher-end luxury and safety features.

Past Subaru Outbacks

The current-generation Outback debuted for the 2005 model year. If you're shopping for a used model, there are a few items to note. An Outback sedan was offered from 2005-'07. Additionally, all Outbacks prior to the 2008 model year lacked the telescoping steering wheel and auxiliary audio jack of the current car. Horsepower figures were lowered for 2007 due to revised SAE standards, but actual performance was not affected,

The second-generation Subaru Outback (2000-'04) was also available as either a sedan or a wagon. In its first year, this model was available in base and Limited trims, and had a 165-hp, 2.5-liter engine. The following year, Subaru introduced the L.L. Bean Edition and the VDC trim levels. These featured the more powerful 212-hp six-cylinder engine.

Compared to the current car, the second-generation Outback is a bit smaller and not quite as refined or capable. Subaru made minor improvements to this generation during the years, but none are significant enough to make any particular model year stand out. In Edmunds.com road tests, reviewers liked its standard all-wheel drive and car-based comfort. Some felt that the four-cylinder models were underpowered, however, and that it was eclipsed by newer competition in its later years.

When the original Subaru Outback model debuted in 1995, it was little more than a trim package on the Legacy wagon. In 1996, the Outback (officially known as the Legacy Outback for this generation) gained its raised suspension, large foglights, SUV design cues and optional 155-hp 2.5-liter engine. Further improvements during successive years included the addition of a leather-lined Limited model, dual sunroofs and powertrain refinements. As the Outback was one of the first crossover wagons to be designed, consumers interested in this type of vehicle from the late 1990s will likely find it to be quite suitable, especially compared to SUVs from the same period.

SELECT A SPECIFIC SUBARU OUTBACK MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.