Subaru Outback

2012 Subaru Outback 4-door Wagon H4 Auto 2.5i Limited Angular Front Exterior View

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Shopping for a 2012 Subaru Outback? MSRP: $23,295 - $31,695

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The Subaru Outback is a ruggedly styled station wagon model that, in more recent years, can also be considered a crossover utility vehicle. Alternatives to the Outback tend to be taller more overt utility vehicles like the Volvo XC60 or Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the Outback is also cross-shopped against low-key crossovers like the Toyota Venza. The other wagon model that follows the Outback's "rugged wagon" theme quite closely is the Volvo XC70.

First introduced as a special trim of the Legacy Wagon, at a time when Subaru's sales were suffering and SUV sales were booming, the Outback was at first simply given, along with all-wheel drive (at a time when not all Subarus had it), some more rugged trim, fog lamps, and two-tone paint. In 1996, the model followed through with its promise a bit more, offering more ground clearance than the Legacy wagon, along with taller-sidewall tires, full-skirt body cladding, tougher-looking seat upholstery, and big fog lamps in the bumper. Original Outbacks had a 135-horsepower, 2.2-liter horizontally opposed ('flat') four-cylinder engine, but with the 1996 changes came a 155-hp, 2.5-liter. In the years that followed, Subaru gave the Outback all the interior luxury of a Jeep Grand Cherokee or top-trim Ford Explorer of the time, with leather seats, dual sunroofs, and special interior themes offered.

The Outback was refreshed for 2000, when it gained completely new front- and back-end styling, along with a redone interior. At this time, the Outback had a little over an inch of extra ground clearance than the Legacy Wagon, along with more shielding, chip-resistant body cladding, and a standard roof rack, plus larger 16-inch wheels, and Subaru confirmed the Outback was good for light off-roading. A 165-hp, 2.5-liter was under the hood, with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. During this period, even more luxurious L.L. Bean Edition and VDC models were introduced—the latter with a 212-hp, 3.0-liter flat-six—which in this iteration never felt much faster than the four. Then again, for 2005, the Outback was somewhat redesigned, with powertrains revised—the base engine now made 170 hp, the flat-six 245 hp, and there was a new XT model featuring a 243-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four. Most of the four-cylinder models had five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmissions again, but the six was paired with a five-speed automatic. These Outbacks are among the best choices among the various years, as they, have somewhat improved interior refinement. Although the base four-cylinder versions have enough pep, they'll feel winded and sluggish with a full load or in the mountains. Among premium models, the XT is a good bet if it's been well-maintained; the six-cylinder models are especially thirsty, and the turbo four actually feels perkier than the six. These models handle surprisingly well and have great steering, as well as a strong reputation for safety. Among all these models, however, the Outback's back seat is somewhat cramped for adults, and the Outback isn't as quiet and refined inside as luxury crossover vehicles.

Completely redesigned for 2010, the new Subaru Outback is built on a new platform and is slightly wider, several inches taller and, because of a longer wheelbase, much roomier inside—and it remains a more carlike alternative to taller utility vehicles and a great choice for those in snowbound states. The new model comes with either a 170-hp, 2.5-liter four or a 256-hp, 3.6-liter six. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the four, but a fuel-stingy continuously variable (CVT) automatic is optional—making the Outback one of the more fuel-efficient crossovers, at 22 mpg city, 29 highway. Although the new Outback has a more settled, refined ride, like a larger car, it doesn't handle with quite the same bite as the last-generation model. That said, utility is even better; cargo space is up, the back seat is now usable by adults for long distances, and a new roof-rail system folds down when not in use. Options, many of them limited to the Premium and Limited models, include a windshield-wiper deicer, power moonroof, voice navigation, and 440-watt, nine-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.  

2012 Subaru Outback 4-door Wagon H4 Auto 2.5i Limited Angular Rear Exterior View

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