Reliability, Safety & Features
The prior Outback had above-average reliability, but the new one hasn't been on the market long enough to gauge. In crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Outback received the highest score, Good, in front, rear, side-impact and roof-crush tests. The current generation is an IIHS Top Safety Pick — which is no easy feat these days, given IIHS' addition of roof-crush tests. Standard features include six airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system. Click here for a full list of safety features.
The Outback 2.5i comes with power windows and locks, remote entry, cruise control, air conditioning and a CD stereo with an auxiliary jack and steering-wheel audio controls. Move up to the 2.5i Premium or Limited, and you can have alloy wheels, power front seats, heated leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and an upgraded Harman Kardon stereo. A conventional moonroof (not the dual moonroof available in prior Outbacks) and the navigation system are optional.
The six-cylinder Outback 3.6R comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission; the CVT automatic runs $1,000 in the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium (it's standard on the 2.5i Limited). Load up a six-cylinder Outback, and the price tops out around $34,000.
See also:
Tire inspection
Check on a daily basis that the tires are free from serious damage, nails, and
stones. At the same time, check the tires for abnormal wear.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immediately if you find any pr ...
Reclining the seatback
WARNING
To prevent the passenger from sliding under the seatbelt in the event of a collision,
always put the seatback in the upright position while the vehicle is in motion.
Also, do no ...
Cargo & Towing
If you're looking for cargo space, the hatchback is the better choice, as you
might have guessed. Volume behind its backseat is 27.9 cu. ft., more than double
the sedan's 11-cu.-ft. trunk. With it ...