2003 Subaru Outback Photos, engines & full specs

Subaru rushed the Outback’s third generation on the market and launched it in 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, and the changes over its predecessor were massive.

While customers started to be more attracted by crossovers, most automakers were not ready to provide one. Subaru, on the other hand, thanks to its vast experience in producing all-wheel drive vehicles, had the edge on that. As a result, after introducing the Outback nameplate in 1994, the Japanese automaker quickly came with a second generation of it in 1998, followed by the 2003 model. If the previous models were more or less shy tryouts, the third generation was bold and came fully loaded with more than what regular customers asked from a crossover.

The third generation of the Outback was based on the fourth generation of the Subaru Legacy, which was introduced in May 2003. As a result, its front fascia looked very similar to its sibling. The organic-shaped headlights that resembled a pair of eagle eyes flanked the wide hexagonal grille that sported the Subaru badge in the middle. These elements were common for both vehicles, but the bumper was new. It featured large and round fog lamps in the lower part, flanking the lower air intake for the vehicle.

From its profile, the Outback boasted a higher ground clearance than its sibling. In addition, it featured additional cladding on the door panels and side sills to resist scratches and shopping carts better. All versions of the Outback came fitted with roof rails, but only the top grade featured a panoramic glass roof. One of the car’s unique assets was the frameless doors, a Subaru design signature seen on the Impreza lineup as well. At the back, the raked-forward tailgate was adorned by a roof spoiler on its top. Lower, the bumper also featured a black, unpainted, scratch-resistant area.

Inside, customers found a larger cabin than on the Outback’s second generation, fitted with higher-quality materials. The minimalist design of the dashboard delighted customers. At the same time, the automaker placed the instrument cluster in front of the driver, featuring a clean layout, with the speedometer and tachometer in the middle, flanked by the fuel level and coolant temperature gauges. At the front, Subaru installed a pair of bucket seats, while out back, a split-folding bench could accommodate up to three adults on it.

Under the hood, Subaru installed a choice of two engines: a 2.5-liter flat-four and a 3.0-liter flat-six. The former was available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic, while the latter was paired with a five-speed manual only, with an auto-shift function. Compared to the previous generation, the 2003 Outback came with a slightly longer wheelbase, a lighter construction, and an improved suspension.