Subaru Outback Interior Review
The interior of the 2000 Outback has been substantially redesigned with a much sportier cockpit-type environment for the driver. Switches and controls are all within easy reach of the driver without stretching. However, there is not a lot of knee room on the driver's right for those with short legs. Ironically, tall drivers sometimes find the cockpit environment roomier as their right knee is farther back.
Four round instruments include a tachometer, a speedometer, a smaller fuel gauge and water temperature gauge. They are well shaded making them easy to read in all lighting conditions. The dash is covered in a nice black and gray plastic trim with a heavy grain finish and imitation wood paneling as well. The climate and radio controls fall to hand conveniently in the center. The sound system worked well, as did the climate control.
Apart from the slightly cramped cockpit feel for some drivers there is plenty of leg and headroom in the front. Rear-seat passengers will also be pleasantly surprised by the generous legroom for a compact station wagon, it is better than many in its class. The headroom in the wagon is greater than in the sedan due to the higher roofline. The moonroof, which is standard on Limited models, reduces headroom by an inch.
The usability of the storage space in the rear has been improved as the suspension has been redesigned and the suspension parts do not intrude into the floor space any more. The rear seats can be split 60/40 to provide a variety of seating/cargo options. A retractable cargo area cover is standard, as are cargo hooks and a cargo tray. There is also a 12-volt power outlet in the rear.
Subaru Outback Road Test
The first thing one notices about the Outback is its handling. Unlike a truck-based sport-utility vehicle, the Outback is sure-footed and never feels tippy. The ground clearance on the Outback is about 1 inch higher than in the Legacy. It has a raised suspension with heavy-duty components for off-road use. Coupled with higher profile tires the Outback does not handle quite as well as the Legacy but it's amazingly close. The good handling comes from a combination of suspension design, all-wheel-drive and a low center of gravity thanks to the horizontally opposed flat-4 engine. Subaru is in unique company: Porsche is the only other company with this type of engine layout on the market.
The all-wheel-drive system ensures power is distributed to all four wheels. This is especially helpful when the road surface is slippery. Unlike the more common part-time off-road four-wheel-drive systems, Subaru's system only adds a few pounds in weight, and the all-important viscous coupling limited slip unit is only the size of a grapefruit. This effectively replaces the hefty transfer case you'll find in a truck or SUV.
The four-cylinder engine produces 165 horsepower, which is pretty good for this size of vehicle. More important, it generates good low-end torque, which is what helps make a car feel faster than just the maximum horsepower rating. The engine is more powerful than the four-cylinder engines in the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Outback fits nicely in between these small SUVs and bigger models, such as the Toyota 4Runner or Chevrolet Blazer. However, those other SUVs are all available with optional six-cylinder engines.
The manual transmission shifts smoothly and is pleasant to use. As in all four-cylinder cars it helps get the most out of the engine. With an automatic, the car's performance suffers somewhat. With its new notched-gate pattern, you need to make sure you don't select third gear instead of drive.
In regular driving on smooth, dry roads it is all but impossible to tell the Outback has all-wheel-drive. It is transparent to the driver, which is as it should be. The steering feels good but it is not as precise as in the Legacy because of the higher profile tires. The added ground clearance also makes the car feel slightly less stable, though in reality it is caused more by the tires. All told there is only a small difference that will not concern most drivers.
Overall, the Outback offers a driving experience that is much more pleasant than in an SUV in everyday use. That is unless one needs to creep through old riverbeds with two-foot boulders on a regular basis. However, the Outback is more than capable of traversing the primitive roads and two-tracks that you encounter in the backcountry.
Subaru Outback Lineup
Although it is still based on the Legacy, the Outback is now being sold as a separate model line. The Outback lineup consists of one sedan and two wagons, the $22,695 Outback and the $26,095 Outback Limited. (Add $495 destination charge to all prices.)
All Outbacks are powered by Subaru's 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, which produces 165 horsepower. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, while a 4-speed automatic is optional for $800.
Trim, seating materials and accessories, such as the moonroof and stereo are what distinguish the models. All come with power windows, remote keyless entry, and anti-lock brakes.
In addition to the Wagons, there's also a $25,895 Outback Limited Sedan that comes equipped just one way -- loaded. For another $500, the All-Weather Package adds heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer and a viscous limited-slip rear differential. An integrated child safety seat is available for $200.