Body style: Wagon (station wagon, estate, combi, touring)
Segment: Crossover
Production years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Just four years after it introduced the Outback nameplate in its inventory, Subaru launched the second generation of this moniker in 1998 in Japan, with sales starting in 1999 and 2000 for other markets.
The second generation of the Outback came just a few months after the launch of the Legacy’s third generation. Subaru already knew that customers were no longer satisfied with regular station wagons and tried to offer them something more. Thanks to the higher ground clearance and the all-wheel drive system, the Outback was alone on a market filled with people looking for a vehicle able to do more than just carry five adults and plenty of luggage in the back on asphalt. That was way too easy, and everybody could do it. Subaru, on the other hand, thanks to its vast experience in producing all-wheel drive systems, could provide something more, and that was the Outback.
Thanks to the higher ground clearance than the Legacy Wagon, on which platform the Outback was based, Subaru could install a beefier front bumper fitted with large round fog lamps on the lower side. These flanked a lower air intake that helped to cool the engine. In addition, thanks to the contrasting color of the bodywork, the crossover could stand apart from its competitors.
From the outside, the plastic claddings on the bodywork matched the front and rear bumpers’ color, offering additional protection against minor scratches, such as those caused by bushes and shopping carts. But Subaru was also known for its frameless doors, which it kept for the Outback’s second generation. In addition, the black B- and C-pillars added a sporty image to the vehicle. Last but not least, the Outback also featured black D-pillars, which created a wrap-around glass-looking area for the rearmost part of the crossover.
Inside, the automaker improved the quality of the materials over the previous generation. It also expanded the options list and added a dual-panel glass moonroof. The lower trim levels featured fabric upholstery, while the best-equipped one offered a leather-wrapped cabin. The driver fronted a simple analog instrument cluster fitted with large dials for the tachometer and speedometer and smaller gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. On the center stack, a new sound system was added, while the center console housed the gear selector or the gear stick, depending on the option, and a small storage area. Behind the split-folding (60/40) bench seat, customers could load up to 34.3 cu-ft (971 liters) of luggage with all seats in place and 68.6 cubic feet (1,943 liters) with the rear seats folded.
Under the hood, Subaru installed a 2.5-liter flat-four gasoline engine. Later, it added a 3.0-liter flat-six that made the car move quicker. The former version was available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic with a gated pattern for the shifter. The latter was a four-speed automatic affair only. Power went in all corners via Subaru’s proprietary all-wheel drive system.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L 4AT AWD (156 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | H4 |
Displacement: | 2457 cm3 |
Power: | 115 KW @ 5600 RPM 156 HP @ 5600 RPM 154 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 165 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 223 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.9 gallons (64.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 122 mph (196 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 215/60R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 185.8 in (4719 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 62.2 in (1580 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.9/57.5 in (1,471/1,461 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 104.3 in (2649 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.3 in (185 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.6 cuFT (527 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3263 lbs (1480 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4442 lbs (2015 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 11 mpg US (21.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.7 mpg US (7.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L 5MT AWD (156 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | H4 |
Displacement: | 2457 cm3 |
Power: | 115 KW @ 5600 RPM 156 HP @ 5600 RPM 154 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 165 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 223 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.9 gallons (64.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 122.4 mph (197 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 215/60R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 185.8 in (4719 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 62.2 in (1580 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.9/57.5 in (1,471/1,461 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 104.3 in (2649 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.3 in (185 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.6 cuFT (527 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3119.5 lbs (1415 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4365.1 lbs (1980 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18.5 mpg US (12.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.7 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 227 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.0L 4AT AWD (209 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | H6 |
Displacement: | 2999 cm3 |
Power: | 154 KW @ 6000 RPM 209 HP @ 6000 RPM 207 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 208 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM 282 Nm @ 4400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 16.9 gallons (64.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 130.5 mph (210 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-Speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 215/60R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 185.8 in (4719 mm) |
Width: | 68.5 in (1740 mm) |
Height: | 62.2 in (1580 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.9/57.5 in (1,471/1,461 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 104.3 in (2649 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.3 in (185 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 18.6 cuFT (527 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 3273.9 lbs (1485 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4596.63 lbs (2085 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.37 mpg US (15.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.15 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.4 mpg US (10.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 249.9 g/km |