Outback 2.5i, 2.5i Special Edition & 2.5i Limited
For the best mileage, the 2.5i manual is your best bet, rated at 20/27 mpg city/highway. Along with 1 mpg better highway mileage, the five-speed stick will help you get better acceleration out of the base horizontally opposed four-cylinder. The automatic has enough oomph for grocery-getting and other errands, but it quickly gets winded when pushed hard. The transmission could use a fifth gear; in many cases you can press the gas pedal halfway down without inducing a downshift, which doesn't help your passing confidence.
Outback 3.0 R Limited
On the other end of the spectrum is the 3.0 R Limited's normally aspirated 3.0-liter H-6 engine, which shaves another city mpg in exchange for ... not much. As the table shows, it brings a negligible horsepower increase and much lower torque — at higher rpm, where you don't want it. This option is the key to towing 3,000-pound trailers, rather than 2,700 pounds with the four-cylinder. If you're not planning to tow, I just don't see the point of this engine.
See also:
Shift lock function
The shift lock function helps prevent the improper operation of the select lever.
● The select lever cannot be operated unless the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position and the brake ...
Models with SRS airbags and lap/shoulder restraints for driver, front
passenger, and window-side rear passengers
Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental restraint system in addition to a lap/shoulder belt at each front seating position and each rear window-side seating positions. The supplemental restraint ...
Child restraint systems
Infants and small children should always be placed in an infant or child restraint
system in the rear seat while riding in the vehicle.
You should use an infant or child restraint system that mee ...