The Subaru Outback is the Rodney Dangerfield of the crossover segment – no respect. Crossovers are THE hot segment as growth has been meteoric, approached only by the dramatic sales growth of hybrids … at least after each spike in gas prices.
Subaru launched the crossover category back in the fall of 1994 when they introduced the Outback for the 1995 model year. Back then crossovers were actually called hybrids because they blended a passenger car unibody platform with SUV attributes like above-average ground clearance, a command-seating position and all-wheel-drive traction.
Subaru has been offering four-wheel drive passenger cars for more than 30 years and full-time automatic all-wheel drive since 1987. Perhaps Subaru is being modest about pointing out this fact, or it may be that they just don’t have the marketing muscle or advertising budget to drive the point home. So, Subaru gets overlooked as the innovator, and some consumers are surprised to learn that all Subarus come with Symmetrical All-Wheel as standard equipment.
Want to purchase a rare car? Ask the dealer to order you up an Outback Sedan. Surprise, for 2008 Subaru is offering the Outback exclusively as a wagon/crossover. The similarly styled Legacy sedans do not receive the Outback treatment and the gritty, macho, off-road association that goes with it.
My test vehicle had the L.L. Bean package, so aside from a snazzy paint combination this package adds a GPS Navigation system, passenger power seat with lumbar, a rear-seat armrest and a style package.
A 2.5-liter intercooled turbo Boxer engine with 243 horsepower and 241 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm powered my test vehicle. Turbo models feature an aggressive and functional hood scoop to supply air to the engine-mounted intercooler.
Outback models equipped with the four-speed automatic transmission (standard on 2.5i Limited) have an electronically managed, continuously variable transfer clutch. This clutch setup actively manages power distribution based on acceleration, deceleration and available traction and transfers more power to the wheels with the best grip during slippage. Automatic Outbacks can tow up to 2,700 pounds. Fuel economy is acceptable but not great at 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Depending on the model, buyers will receive either a four- or five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. If you want an automatic, get the five-speed as the extra gear is needed. My four-speed automatic-equipped test vehicle had a different version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive than manual-equipped Outbacks. Automatics get a version called Variable Torque Distribution (VTD). In this setup a planetary gear-type center differential works with an electronically controlled, continuously variable, hydraulic transfer clutch to manage power distribution. In standard practice VTD normally directs more power to the rear wheels (45:55) to aid handling agility and continuously adjusts the power distribution in response to driving and road conditions. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is a total system that integrates a lightweight horizontally opposed (Boxer) engine and a full-time power distribution system.
Taking this car out for a spin, you won’t notice all the work the VTD system and the advanced Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction systems are doing. And that’s good as VDC is designed to help keep the Outback moving in the direction that you have the wheel turned. This system is perfectly suited for the kind of sloppy and frozen road conditions we’ve been experiencing of late. However, should you think your driving skill and the Outback put you above the laws of physics, the VDC system can be deactivated to provide some wheel slippage to help you free your car from deep snow or perhaps a shallow ditch.
As for initial acceleration the Outback suffers from turbo lag but recovers with mid-range power.
On-road handling is more nimble and maneuverable than traditional mid-size SUVs. The on-road ride is not as soft as traditional mid-size wagons, but the standard ABS brakes are a big plus.
The Outback’s four-wheel independent heavy-duty raised suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels and 225/55 R17 raised black letter tires contribute to its all-road, all-weather agility. Ground clearance meets SUV standards at 8.7 inches for Outback 2.5 XT Limited models, and 8.4 inches for base models.
The Outback is not a serious off-road rock climber, but if you need to get to a mountain bike trail, drive through a muddy field or traverse flat muddy trails, the Outback can do that. It is also a good choice for snowy winter commutes.
For 2008 Outback features revised (better) exterior styling, featuring a new grille with chrome crossbars and a central “winged” Subaru logo that represents the company’s aircraft heritage. The bigger grille fronts a bolder appearance and rolls into the re-designed fenders and hood for a more refined look.
Open up this wagon and you’ll be greeted by a redesigned instrument panel and better grade of interior fabrics. Comfort and convenience are enhanced with such features as a tilt and telescopic steering column that works in concert with the supportive buckets. Rear seat legroom is tight for this mid-size wagon, but cargo volume is decent at 33.5 cubic feet with the second row seats up and 65.4 cubic feet with the second row folded forward. The Outback is classified as a mid-size vehicle but looks smaller; and while there are belts for three in back, don’t think for a moment that you’ll fit three average sized adults there.
The Subaru Outback has snared an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” in the midsize car segment. Outback achieved the highest rating (“Good”) in IIHS frontal offset, side and rear impact tests. Outback received five-star ratings for the driver and front passenger and rear passengers in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash tests.
OK, if you like what you’ve read so far, get ready to pay the piper. My mid-size Outback started at $27,695 and after adding the L.L. Bean package, a 1B equipment package with dimming compass mirror and security upgrade, along with XM Satellite the total reached $30,700.
While Subaru may not get all the recognition they deserve, the Outback is a solid AWD choice with a few compromises.
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