2011 Subaru Outback review
Somewhere amid the parade of crossovers and wagon-like vehicles is the Subaru Outback. Once merely a version of the Legacy wagon, which has since been discontinued, it's now a household name among family-car shoppers. Indeed, a year after its redesign, the Outback has sold more than the competing Toyota Venza and Honda Accord Crosstour combined.
The Outback's formula for success is no secret. Where others have tried in so many ways to reinvent the crossover concept, the Outback is happy to nail all of its essentials: utility, capability and drivability.
Trim levels include the four-cylinder Outback 2.5i and six-cylinder Outback 3.6R, each of which come in three versions: base, Premium and Limited (compare them here). As with all Subarus, all-wheel drive is standard. The Outback was redesigned for 2010; you can compare that version with the 2011 Outback here. We evaluated the four-cylinder Outback last year; this time around we tested a six-cylinder Outback 3.6R Limited.
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Fastening the seatbelt
• Never use a belt that is twisted or reversed. In an accident, this can increase the risk or severity of injury.
• Keep the lap belt as low as possible on your hips. In a collision, this spreads ...
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment
• Always stop the engine and set the parking brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from moving.
• Always let the engine cool down.
Engine parts become very hot when the engine is running and remai ...
Towing and tie-down hooks
The towing hooks should be used only in an emergency (e.g., to free a stuck vehicle from mud, sand or snow).
• Use only the specified towing hook and tie-down hook. Never use suspension parts or ...