Combining the driving characteristics of a wagon with the go-anywhere attitude of an SUV, Subaru's Outback crossover is a firm favorite with family car buyers in America. Now there's an all-new generation for the 2015 model year which at a glance looks quite good, and it's been officially priced today from $24,895, excluding destination charges.
It's a significant mark-up on the 2014 model year, which stickers for $23,495, $1,500 less. Then again, Subaru worked hard on making this new Outback and fitted more kit as standard. Speaking of standard, the entry-level model get you all the basics: power windows and locks, air conditioning and a 6.2-inch color display for the infotainment system. A four-speaker audio system is fitted and comes with the usual USB, iPod and Aux connectivity.
Moving up the range, we arrive at the $26,995 Outback 2.5i Premium, which brings all the aforementioned equipment plus a 10-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The infotainment display is even larger at 7 inches and the sound system is bumped up to a six-speaker setup.
Most customers are probably going to go for that model, considering it's got everything you need and standard all-wheel drive for Toyota Camry money. That's why Subaru kept prices in check, only adding $200 to 2014 model year sticker.
However, there's also a high-grade Outback 2.5i Limited that starts at $29,995 and features perforated leather seats with heating and power adjustment. 18-inch alloy wheels spruce up the exterior while a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio delivers crisper sound.
Just like all the other trim levels, the 2.5i Limited is powered by a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed engine rated at 175-hp and 174 lb-ft (235 Nm) of torque. There's no manual, just a Subaru Lineatronic CVT that helps the Outback return an impressive 44 mpg highway and 25 mpg in the city.
Subaru is among the few companies that offers a six-cylinder in this segment. A 3.6-liter boxer with 256-horsepower will set you back $32,995. That's BMW money, but you do get everything from the 2.5i Limited trim level, plus twin exhausts and HID low beam headlights with automatic height adjustment control. It's not that bad on fuel either, claiming 27 mph highway and 20 in the city.
Dubbed the world's first Sport Utility Wagon, the 2015 Outback looks more like an SUV than ever. Its design is sculpted and sharp. A large chrome grille dominates the front end design, behind which lies the Active Grille Shutter system that helps with fuel economy by reducing wind resistance. 8.7 inches of ground clearance and an aluminum hood that reduces weight over the front wheels are just some of the features that make this a good adventure vehicle for the whole family.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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