Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV

The AM Take

Pub. 2010-02-23

Subaru has recently released an Outback variant of its all-new 2010 Legacy. Past iterations of the Outback could best be described as slightly raised Legacy wagons with an extra bit of plastic body cladding. These past Outbacks were relatively small, nimble and exhibited many of the car-like driving traits seen on standard Legacy models -- making them a unique and fun alternative to SUVs and crossovers. However, small and nimble doesn’t win in the crossover game, so Subaru has upsized its 2010 Legacy Outback. The latest “right-size” Outback is both bigger and taller, and it’s more of a proper CUV than a rugged, sporty wagon.

Performance

We are unabashed fans of the Legacy nameplate thanks to rides like the 2.5GT wagon and Spec-B sedan. Though technically Subaru’s mainstream ride, these sport-tuned cars provide a fun and engaging alternative to vanilla rides like the Toyota Camry. And since this latest Outback is just a slightly modified Legacy, it should provide us with the driving thrills we crave, right?

Well, no. While we can’t comment on the 3.6R version of the Outback, we can talk about our 2.5i tester. It is -- how do we say this? -- bland. But that’s not to say that the Outback is a bad car. Powering this CUV is a 170-horsepower, 2.5-litre boxer four. That's not the strongest engine out there, but with a PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating and 29 mpg motorway rating, it’s not too shabby. Mated to this engine is a Lineartronic six-step CVT, which surely helps the Outback achieve those high-mileage numbers.

Unlike other vehicles with off-road ambitions, the Outback is a very quiet car on the road. Sure, the Outback goes, turns and stops well -- in fact, the Outback can feel somewhat lively despite the CVT. But having just exited the car a few minutes prior to writing this, we’re struggling to remember anything about the driving experience. There is absolutely nothing engaging or interesting about driving this car, but we’re guessing that will be fine for the driving public at large. Subaru fans looking to step up from a WRX, on the other hand, will be disappointed.

Design

The 2010 Subaru Outback is a monster when compared to the boxy, compact and smart-size Outbacks of yore. The old Outbacks were small and, despite sitting taller than a standard Legacy, still low-slung. This latest 2010 Outback exhibits what some feel are the worst traits of modern CUV designs: it’s too big, sits up way too high and has a bulbous, ungainly shape. This body doesn’t look too bad in standard wagon form, but with over 8 inches of ground clearance and overly sculpted plastic body cladding, the design just doesn’t work here.   

So the outside is a bit ugly, but move inside and things start to look pretty nice. Subaru has really stepped it up in terms of interior design, fit and finish. The cloth seats are comfortable (and heated), cabin space is ample, and the overall ergonomics are good. To further add to the Outback’s image of ruggedness and utility, the rear cargo area is covered with a heavy, durable rubber mat. Likely chosen for its ease of cleaning, we like this rubber surface as it provides a bit of extra grip and keeps cargo from sliding around. Overall, the cabin is practical, comfortable and highly useful. It won’t wow consumers with fancy accoutrements or a STI-like race-inspired interior, but it is a nice place to spend a commute.