#Subaru outbank review manual#
#Subaru outbank review full#

And then you get into things like the steady flat four and standard all-wheel-drive, instead of using those features as primary selling points to justify the higher cost. With this cocoa-brown stitched-leather interior and right-feel materials throughout the cabin, this is an Outback that at least comes across as upscale enough to command its sticker. The Subaru makes a compelling case for itself, and should be a contender for anyone considering a small SUV or crossover.ĮXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: In this trim, this well-equipped and well-upholstered Outback puts to rest the complaint that Subarus are too plasticky and dull inside. The Subaru is also about $4,000 more expensive than our diesel Jetta and gets about 10 mpg less, but it’s undoubtedly a more opulent vehicle I suspect they’re cross-shopped fairly often given the eccentricities of both Volkswagen and Subaru buyers. The Outback is a significantly larger wagon, but the cargo area actually feels smaller than that in the Volkswagen - in reality it’s about 2 cubic feet larger, but the higher load floor due to the Outback’s AWD equipment does have an affect on cargo convenience. My wife and I considered the Outback before purchasing our Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, so it was interesting to compare the two cars in our driveway. I never felt the need for more though I didn’t have the Outback loaded with cargo either. Still, the CVT didn’t interfere with drivability much, and the flat-four in the Outback actually felt more powerful than its 173 hp would suggest. The Outback drives nicely, too, its main flaw being the unpleasant engine note delivered thanks to its continuously variable transmission.

#Subaru outbank review full#

Consider what it offers: All-wheel drive, a lovely leather-trimmed interior, a full navigation infotainment system, heated seats and power everything, all in a convenient station-wagon package that fits most everything a compact crossover can carry without blocking everyone else’s view. The Outback is most compelling as an alternative to the inexplicably ubiquitous crossover.ĭIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: The 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited offers a lot of car for the money, even with our tester’s MSRP of nearly $34,000. There’s plenty of space for four ex-hippies and their fair-trade groceries. It offers tons of granola cred without subjecting pilot or passenger to discomfort. Other than that, the driving experience is pretty unremarkable. It’s on the highway where the CVT seems most overmatched.

#Subaru outbank review manual#

Buyers would be well advised to step down a trim-level and check the box for the six-speed manual transmission.Īround town, the Subaru feels solid and composed, but on the highway strong winds can easily blow it off course. It’s a good four-pot, but it’s let down by the CVT, which is miserable. Subaru’s venerable 2.5-liter boxer four is once again pressed into duty under the hood of the Outback. It’s not quite as nice inside as the aforementioned lux-wagons are, but again it’s a good deal cheaper. The rest of the interior is standard Subaru-grade plastic. The seats are supportive and comfortable and the leather trim is high-quality stuff. Besides, what would the other shoppers at the organic food co-op think if you pulled up in a Cadillac? Can you even imagine? Especially when you consider that if you want a station wagon with four driven wheels, you’ll have to go to Audi, Mercedes-Benz or Cadillac, and you aren’t touching any of those for $33,607. SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR RORY CARROLL At $33,607, I’d have a hard time calling this 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited a bargain, but the price doesn’t seem unfair.