The 2013 Subaru Outback probably demonstrates why the U.S.
market has virtually no wagons left.
It's somewhere between a wagon and an SUV, but the mix attracts close to 100,000 buyers a year.
With standard all-wheel drive and car-like handling, it has few direct competitors--and many buyers never consider any other car.
Every other crossover has less room inside, worse gas mileage, and inferior handling.
Outback buyers can often afford the Volvo XC60 crossover or XC70 all-wheel drive wagon, but the slightly plainer Subaru will save them $10,000 or much more.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is thirstier, with no four and an optional V-8, and the most fuel-efficient Ford Explorer with the EcoBoost four is slow--and not available with all-wheel drive.
The Toyota Venza, based on a car platform, offers an appealing high seating position, but it's smaller inside and all-wheel drive isn't standard.
Plus, how many competitors were designed specifically to handle a pair of medium dog carriers side by side in the load bay?
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 2013 Subaru OutbackBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Ford ExplorerBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Jeep Grand CherokeeBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Toyota VenzaBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Volvo XC70Browse Used Listings |  2013 Volvo XC60Browse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2013 Subaru Outback is practical above all: it's capable in all kinds of conditions, and has great interior space and standard all-wheel drive. |
The Ford Explorer trades some trail-riding and towing for on-road driving lessons, and comes out fluent. |
The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee blurs the SUV-crossover line expertly; better transmissions are at the top of the wish list. |
The Toyota Venza gets substantial improvements in entertainment and connectivity for 2013; otherwise it remains a comfortable, practical, and somewhat stylish pick for those who don't need a rugged SUV. |
The 2013 Volvo XC70 hits a family sweet spot as a vehicle that packs the accommodations of a station wagon and advanced safety-tech features into the chunkier, tougher image and ability of a utility vehicle. |
The 2013 Volvo XC60 carries on the tradition of Volvo wagons--even their top-of-the-class safety--only in a modern, fashion-conscious crossover. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $23,495 | $29,100 | $27,695 | $27,850 | $33,600 | $34,350 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 18 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 24 MPG Hwy | 12 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Gas Flat 4 | Gas V6 | Gas/Ethanol V6 | Gas I4 | Gas I6 | Gas I6 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility | 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle | 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Wagon H4 Manual 2.5i | FWD 4-Door Base | RWD 4-Door Laredo | 4-Door Wagon I4 FWD LE (GS) | AWD 4-Door Wagon 3.2L | AWD 4-Door 3.2L |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Wagon | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility | Wagon | Wagon | Wagon |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual | Automatic w/manual shift | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic w/Manual Shift |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2013 Subaru Outback vs. 2013 Ford Explorer | 2013 Subaru Outback vs. 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2013 Subaru Outback vs. 2013 Toyota Venza | 2013 Subaru Outback vs. 2013 Volvo XC70 | 2013 Subaru Outback vs. 2013 Volvo XC60 | |
