By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor
Last year I drove the Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon and noted that the only things missing were the leather seats and the little embroider pine trees. For 1997, Subaru has added the limited model to the very popular Outback lineup, giving it a more upscale feel, and one of the longest names in the automotive world. Since I drove the original Outback Wagon such a short time ago this is an update of that evaluation.
Traditional sport utility buyers are looking at only domestic nameplate products such as the Explorer, Blazer, and Cherokee. These buyers are looking for rugged and think you can only get that in a domestic truck-based vehicle. Subaru has long been known for their superb all-wheel drive systems and the Outback is based on the popular Legacy wagon with upgrades in suspension and ride height. While the price of a traditional sport utility with all the goodies is $30,000 or more, my test Outback was $25,490 as tested.
Further, in comparing the two categories you find that the Outback excels in fuel mileage over all the traditional competition. Where most SUV's get mileage in the teen's on the highway, the Outback gets 27 mpg highway and 21 around town. I achieved 24 mpg during my week long test drive. All of the mileage ratings are an improvement of 1 mpg over 1996.
Riding in the Outback, you sit up high with good visibility just like any other SUV. Unlike the traditional SUV's, though, the Outback handles well and doesn't feel as if it's going to tip over when you go around a corner. What Subaru really did was take a car platform and turn it into a SUV, thus providing superior car-like handling.
Storage space is comparable to a Blazer or Cherokee. The Outback Limited offers lots of features for the price. One surprising item was the weather-band radio. Safety enhancements include dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, side impact protection and rear child safety door locks. Comfort features include: air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors and automatic-off headlight switch. Included on the evaluated Outback Limited, as standard equipment, were: heated seats, heated mirrors and an engine block heater.
In a traditional SUV you would find a V6 or V8. The Subaru has a 4-cylinder engine and while the 2.5L 155 horsepower is enough, it is not sophisticated. Most the of the time the 4-cylinder goes about its business in a very loud and raspy way. Noise reduction from the engine has not been improved since 1996 and is the biggest drawback to ownership.
Recently a pair of Detroit automotive editors called the Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon Limited a world class vehicle. While I wouldn't go that far, I will say that the Outback Wagon is a great alternative to the more expensive and less efficient compact SUV's such as Blazer and Cherokee. Intelligent buyers should take a serious look at the new limited model because of price and features. Subaru has added the leather and with the money you save buying one you can afford pine trees.