2011 Subaru Outback
 By Giulianna Levin, photos courtesy of Subaru - September 1 , 2011

It's difficult to really get a great test drive out of the Subaru Outback when you are driving around Miami, Florida. That's not to say that it's not a great wagon!

 Whenever I get the opportunity to drive a Subaru, I automatically wish I⭠up north somewhere, or even out west, driving over un-even terrain, with bicycles and/or kayaks strapped to the car. Instead, I live in the city of Miami where there is no elevation to speak of. But when my friend in D.C. talks to me about what car she should buy, I always mention, have you thought about a Subaru? Might be handy with all that snow.

ItⳠeasy to believe those LOVE Subaru commercials because I truly love these cars. I have a sweet spot for the Outback because itⳠa wagon. I still sigh when I see the old Volvo wagons on the road today, knowing that theyⲥ not being produced anymore in the United States market. What can I say, wagons appeal to me with their versatility and spacious interior. Driving the Outback, you notice the responsive acceleration and handling. This has a lot to do with the standard all-wheel drive, which is handy on any terrain, really. The Outback is available with either the 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder SUBARU BOXER^{sup>engines.}

As far as the exterior goes, this car isnⴠgoing to win any beauty pageants, but I appreciate its practical nature. In 2010, the Outback was redesigned, making the wagon longer, and increasing interior space by 7 percent. For the active folks, the Subaru comes with handy roof rails that include cross bars that can be stowed away, which reduces wind noise. Kayaks, remember?

The interior is delightful with its no-frills style. Like a breath of fresh air, the dashboard and center stack controls are uncomplicated and located where everything should be. There are cup holders and bottle holders throughout the cabin, including two hidden in the fold down armrest in the backseat. The cargo space is ample and includes a cargo tray.

The big question if youⲥ considering purchasing a Subaru Outback is, should you get the Outback or the Forester? The Outback has a wider wheelbase, and is longer in length. The width and height are almost identical. Fuel capacity is a little greater in the Outback and the headroom and legroom are almost identical. There are those that say the Forester handles better off-road and also for consideration, the Forester has a lower base price. ItⳠa difficult decision, but either way, you would be getting a fantastic vehicle. Subaru is the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models, two years in a row. 

Exterior Features

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive

• Available 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder SUBARU^sup> engines

• 8.7 inches of ground clearance

• Available Lineartronic^sup> CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission)

• Integrated roof rack

 Interior Features

• Spacious interior

• Underfloor rear cargo-area storage

• 60/40-split fold-down rear seats

• Available Bluetooth^sup> connectivity

• Available voice-activated navigation

• Available Harman Kardon audio system

• Six airbags and rollover sensor standard

 

WhatⳠnew for 2011?

• The fourth-generation Outback was all-new for 2010, the roomiest Outback ever, built on an all-new platform with longer wheelbase and increased width for greater interior room. Features 8.7 in. of ground clearance, coupled with over 530-mile range capability on 2.5i models equipped with Lineartronic^{sup> CVT}.

• Folding exterior mirrors standard on all models.

• New Rear Vision Camera included in Power Moonroof option package; 3.3-inch display appears in auto-dimming rear view mirror, which also incorporates HomeLink^sup>.

• The auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink is added to the optional Navigation Package. (Note: Navigation Package also includes a Rear Vision Camera, but displays the cameraⳠimages on the navigation screen, rather than in rear view mirror.)

• The harman/kardon Audio Package, which is standard for Limited and optional on Premium models, now includes factory installed XM Satellite Radio with a three-month trial subscription.

• Nine exterior colors vs. eight in 2010 -- Ruby Red Pearl added; Caramel Bronze Pearl replaces Harvest Gold in exterior color lineup

 For more information, please visit www.Subaru.com.