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Like so many crossovers these days, the 2010 Subaru Outback is suffering from a few identity issues. Is it really the rugged outdoor vehicle its name implies? Or has it been watered down into just another city vehicle on stilts?
Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton took a spin in the redesigned wagon to find out and came away with some interesting observations.
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firstwagon says:
08:34 AM, 07/31/09
"Guess what? It's an SUV, folks!"
I'm sorry I must have missed something here. How does making a wagon a little bigger make it an SUV?
"For a CVT, Subaru's is one of the best there is."
Now that's a half hearted compliment. Subaru should have gone with a normal speed automatic.
"Crisp, clean gauges don't go overboard with unnecessary info "
Unnecessary info?? aside from a gas guage they have no info. Bad move Subaru.
The added width and rear seat room is good as the Imprezza has the smaller car market covered. The extra 4 inches of height only makes the Outback worse.
Overall I give it a C-.
flicmod says:
09:24 AM, 07/31/09
I think the lines between SUV, CUV, and wagon are blurred. Can someone enlighten me on the definitions of these three categories in this day and age?
rick8365 says:
09:50 AM, 07/31/09
Looks tall. What's with the dental molding rocker panels?
willej says:
10:14 AM, 07/31/09
I don't like the direction Subaru is going they were a stand out by design and I like the individuality they used to have now, they are starting to blend with everyone else. I like the 06-08 Impreza alot the new one is just ok blends with all the others, i hope they still can hold onto some of the brand personality they had . . . and i agree with rick8365 that rocker panel is ugly . . .
subytrojan says:
10:44 AM, 07/31/09
Ditch the ugly grille and the side rocker panels and I can dig it.
Of course a Legacy wagon would be so much better. :( I don't get why Japan gets one and we don't. The Subaru Indiana Automotive plant should be able to produce them easily. I don't think demand for Leggy wagons is that low, is it?
albook says:
10:50 AM, 07/31/09
It sounds like this redesign is going over decently well with all the testers. The Outback does seem to square up well with the Venza. To me its a nice concept, but how many will actually go for this between station wagon and CUV idea. No body in the market for a fullsize car is going to buy the "in between" Accord. Only time and sales will tell. And ofcourse there is that ridiculous Subaru styling...
starbird says:
11:03 AM, 07/31/09
I thought it was a horrible driving experience. Its now bobbing up and down like a boat and has significant wind noise compared to the earlier models. I decided to try and find an 09 instead I disliked it so much. (even the Saturn Vue Hybrid drove better, was quieter and had better acceleration that the 2.5 Outback I tested last week)
rallyandbosox says:
11:43 AM, 07/31/09
First the Forrester becomes an SUV and the Outback looks its headed that way. Next thing we know, the Impreza is a truck!
desmolicious says:
12:45 PM, 07/31/09
How is the Forester different from this new Outback?
dwhamman says:
01:14 PM, 07/31/09
What a mistake. I currently own an outback, and this new bloated version is not at all appealing. Hopefully they'll shrink it a bit by the next time I'm in the market, or maybe the impreza will be so big by then that I can choose one of those instead.
subytrojan says:
05:42 PM, 07/31/09
Hi, Huss. The Forester is based on the Impreza chassis. The Outback shares its chassis with the new Legacy. The Tribeca is loosely based on the previous generation Legacy chassis.
msdaisy says:
09:30 PM, 07/31/09
Looks great, but it needs a hood scoop!!!
rsholland says:
08:48 AM, 08/ 1/09
no scoop = no turbo, as only turbos Subies get a hood scoop.
alman08 says:
07:40 PM, 08/ 1/09
I have always thought that the Tribeca is a good SUV/CUV, but how come it doesn't sell well at all? And why now making an Outback that seems to overlap the Tribeca? Is the Tribeca going to be discontinued?
rsholland says:
06:24 AM, 08/ 2/09
For 2010 the Tribeca will only be offered as a 7-passenger version, which will separate it from the 5-passenger Outback.
As to the future of the Tribeca, the jury is still out.
rsholland says:
06:30 AM, 08/ 2/09
The 2010 Tribeca will only be offered as a 7-passenger model, so as not to step on the 5-passenger Outback's toes.
As to the future of the Tribeca, the jury is still out.
rsholland says:
01:42 PM, 08/ 2/09
Oops, sorry for the duplicate post...