Strengths

New stylish makeover; roomier interior; powerful engine lineup; great gas mileage with CVT transmission

 

Changes

The Subaru Outback created the crossover category in the mid-nineties, and it continues to ride the line between family wagon and off-road vehicle. The biggest news for 2010 is the upgrade to the Outback's engine lineup, a 3.6-liter that replaces the previous generation's 3.0-liter. There are also three trim levels for 2010: base, Premium and Limited. It also has Subaru's available CVT (continuously variable transmission) that gets an impressive 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Also new for 2010 are the roof rails that snap into place when needed and swing out of the way when not, decreasing drag and wind noise. And like all Subaru's vehicles, the Outback is all wheel drive, all the time.

 

Value

The base level 2.5i Outback with the CVT is made for outdoorsy drivers, with a starting price under $23,000 and great gas mileage. Even the top-of-the-line 3.6R Limited, with its larger engine, leather seats and standard harman/kardon stereo system, starts at just over $30,000. All Outbacks, regardless of trim level, include ABS, traction control and air bags, and niceties such as power mirrors and cruise control. Best of all, unlike the previous 3.0-liter engines, the 2010 Outbacks do not require premium fuel.

 

Overview

Subaru claims to have simplified the Outback lineup for 2010, and there are six editions available: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited.

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine makes 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, and it can be mated to either the standard 6-speed manual or the optional Lineartronic CVT. The 3.6-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine has 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, and a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Rev-Matching Downshift Blipping Control, which sounds as fun as it is to use with the paddles.

The 2.5i is the base model for the Outback, but, like all Subaru models, it has Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, tire pressure monitoring, daytime running lights and airbags as standard equipment. Even air conditioning, auxiliary audio jack, power locks, mirrors and windows, cruise control, and eight cupholders are standard. The only option for the 2.5i is the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT.

The 2.5i Premium adds a 10-way power driver's seat, 17-inch alloy wheels rather than the 16-inch steel wheels of the base model, halogen fog lights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard equipment. Options include the CVT, an all-weather package with heated seats, mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer, the harman/kardon audio system and a power moonroof. The 2.5 Limited takes it all a step further with standard CVT, 4-way power passenger seat, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control and leather-trimmed upholstery. Options at this level include a navigation system with rear vision camera.

The 3.6R base level has the immediate advantage of 85 more horsepower, thanks to its larger, more powerful horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine. It comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels and larger brake rotors. The 3.6R Premium adds the all-weather package, power driver's seat and leather steering wheel as standard equipment, with the harman/kardon audio system and power moonroof as options. The top end 3.6R Limited adds the power passenger seat, premium audio system, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, and leather-trimmed upholstery, with optional power moonroof and navigation system with backup camera.