The Subaru Outback has always been a vehicle which
caters to a wide variety of customer tastes and needs. It is essentially a wagon
variant of the Subaru Legacy designed to be rugged and off road capable. Its
off-road focus has made it popular with those who are looking for a little more
than a wagon. With the 2010 model, it continues the tradition. The all-new
2010 Subaru Outback was introduced at the New York International Auto Show. The new model is improved with a roomier cabin and
is a more capable vehicle. The
Outback gets an all-new chassis and the new Subaru Lineartronic' CVT
(continuously variable transmission) and is also built on an all new platform. Outback features a rear cargo area that is deeper and wider than in
many small SUVs and easier to access through its wide aperture rear hatch. Reduced front and rear overhang dimensions, combined with 8.7 inches of ground
clearance, help enhance Outback's off-pavement maneuverability. 2010 Outback
provides quicker acceleration and lower fuel consumption than comparable 2009
Outback models. The Outback, like all Subaru models, has consistently earned top
scores in government and insurance industry crash tests.
2010 Outback Power
Powering the Outback is a revised 170-hp 2.5-liter
4-cylinder Boxer engine. The efficient Outback 2.5i models offer a new standard
6-speed manual transmission, or the available Lineartronic' CVT. Subaru has
adopted a chain-type CVT, the world's first longitudinally mounted CVT system
for AWD production vehicles. It employs smaller pulley cores, which helps make
the unit more compact and can help provide better fuel efficiency compared to
belt-type CVTs. Unlike a conventional automatic transmission, which uses fixed
gear ratios, a CVT provides infinite variability between the highest and lowest
available ratios with no discernable steps or shifts. Both transmissions
help to improve acceleration, response and fuel economy. Three new range-topping
Outback 3.6R models are powered by a new 256-hp 3.6-liter 6-cylinder Boxer
engine teamed with a 5-speed electronic automatic transmission. Compared to the
3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine it replaces, the more powerful 3.6 has the same
external size and uses regular-grade fuel, rather than premium as the 3.0
required. The 3.6-liter H6 engine replaces the previous 3.0-liter H6, yet
features the same external dimensions thanks primarily to a unique shortened
connecting rod design. As a result, the new, more powerful engine maintains its
excellent low center of gravity. All Outback models for 2010 feature a larger
fuel tank, now 18.5 gallons vs. 16.9.
Design of the Outback
The wheelbase of the Outback has been increased by
2.8 inches and improves rear seat legroom by almost 4 inches. While the new
Outback resembles previous models, it marks a departure in design toward a
bolder look. The upright grille features the Subaru circular badge and wing
design as the focal point and is offset by dramatic hawk-eye headlamps. The new
molded lower valence and side skirts have been made more durable for off-road
adventures. With a wider track and expressive wheel arches, ground clearance has
been increased to 8.7 inches. The taillamps blend into the rear hatch, which
highlights the more clearly defined beltline. The roof rails integrate the twin
crossbars on pivots, so that when not in use they swivel into line and reduce
drag.
Driving the 2010 Outback
The Outback gets Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel
Drive as standard equipment on every vehicle in its product line. This
invaluable performance and safety-enhancing system distinguishes the Outback
from crossover competitors, which generally offer all wheel drive as an
extra-cost option. The 2010 Outback model line employs three different versions
of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, each tailored to the specific engine and
transmission. Capability is enhanced with a segment-first swing-out roof rail
and crossbar design and an improved 8.7 inches of ground clearance. A new rear
double wishbone suspension improves chassis dynamics and rear cargo space. The
new Subaru Outback improves crash-worthiness and provides a stiffer platform
that makes for a smoother, quieter ride, still with crisp handling. MacPherson-type
strut front suspension is mounted to a new engine cradle, and the engine is
attached to the cradle using new hydraulic mounts. The new cradle is designed to
also enhance crash-worthiness in front. A new double-wishbone rear suspension,
mounted to a sub frame, replaces the previous multi-link configuration to
provide improved ride and handling.
Inside the Subaru Outback
The 2010 Outback is 2 inches wider to improve
passenger comfort, has more headroom and is more fuel efficient than the
outgoing model. The Outback interior is also more refined from an
already-praised design in the previous model. This includes a new 3-spoke
steering wheel and a multi-information display with trip computer located in the
center of the dashboard. A new electronic parking brake eliminates the
traditional parking brake handle, freeing up space in the center console. The
seats are more comfortable with new front and rear seat designs. The rear seat
includes a new recline feature. The front seatback shape provides extra
rear-seat knee room, and the front-seat cushion design allows more rear-seat
foot room. Total passenger room is increased by 8 cubic feet, now 105.4 cu. ft.,
and maximum cargo capacity is up by 6 cubic feet to 71.3 cu. ft.
Outback Premium models add more amenities and offer
additional comfort and convenience options, including a harman-kardon® audio
system, a power moonroof, and the All-Weather Package that adds heated front
seats and mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer. The Outback Limited models
feature leather upholstery, a dual zone automatic climate control system, and a
4-way power passenger seat. Limited models also exclusively offer an available
voice-activated GPS navigation system with backup camera, hands-free Bluetooth
connectivity and streaming Bluetooth audio.
Summary
The all-new 2010 Subaru Outback is an
easy-to-maneuver and off-road capable wagon. Subaru engineers have
increased interior volume by almost 8 percent in a package that is actually
shorter than the outgoing model. The new Outback is also four inches taller than
the previous model, increasing headroom and cargo area height. The new packaging
thus preserves the maneuverability, agility and parking ease that Outback
customers highly value. Like the Legacy, stability control and an electronic
parking brake with hill-holder feature are standard. A host of other tech
features such as navigation, Bluetooth with streaming audio, heated seats, and
windshield wiper de-icer will help make the Outback a good choice for many
drivers. Overall, the Outback is leaning towards more of an SUV in many aspects,
and certainly falls into the crossover category with its roomier cabin, higher
ground clearance, and improved capabilities.