EDMUNDS.COM 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Solid all-terrain capability, nimble handling, a varied engine lineup and a luxurious interior make the Outback an excellent all-weather family vehicle. If you''re thinking of buying a traditional SUV, you may find this Subaru a better fit.
Pros
Standard all-wheel drive, generous standard equipment list, exemplary build and materials quality, strong power from turbo and H6 engines, balanced ride and handling dynamics, capable performance off-road.
Cons
Desirable features reserved for top-line models, smaller backseat than most competitors.
What''s New for 2005
An all-new and vastly improved Outback is introduced in sedan and wagon body styles. Highlights include a new turbocharged engine, a stronger H6 motor, a stylish new interior and increased ground clearance for more serious off-highway adventures.
Overview
Introduction:
We''ve been fans of the Outback since its inception. Little did Subaru know that back in 1995, when the Japanese automaker introduced a gussied-up Legacy Wagon called the Outback, that it was about to revolutionize the way Americans thought of sport-utility vehicles. Essentially a trim package that included gray trim, white-lettered tires and a catchy name, the Outback became a phenomenon in 1996 after it was billed "The World''s First Sport-Utility Wagon." That''s the year Subaru raised the suspension, added large headlight-size foglights and boosted power. Yet one of the earliest and best alternatives to SUV ownership has lost its edge in recent years. Traditional SUVs are more refined and suburb-friendly than they used to be, and by the 2004 model year, the Outback was surrounded by a population of crossover SUVs that could do most of what it did, while offering more room for growing families. For 2005, Subaru will give buyers more reasons to choose its all-terrain wagon and sedan as the redesigned Outback has slimmed down, powered up and slipped into some more stylish digs. Like the Legacy, the Outback takes on a sleeker, more angular look this year, but it has a more aggressive grille, raised hood strakes and, on the wagon, dark tinted rear glass. Additionally, Subaru has decided that buyers are no longer so enthusiastic about the "just in from the woods" aesthetic of the original Outbacks, so all models wear black-letter tires instead of the expected white-letter sidewalls. There''s also a longer list of monochromatic paint choices. In spite of its more upscale look, the Outback is actually more rugged than ever before. Ground clearance ranges from 8.4 to 8.7 inches depending on the model you choose -- previously, the tallest Outback stood just 7.9 inches off the ground. Inside, the cockpit has a much more cohesive look along with a classy two-tone ensemble. Meanwhile, there''s some big news under the hood. A modified version of the WRX STi''s 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque has joined the lineup. Not only is it a more affordable alternative to the pricey H6, with more torque and an available manual transmission, it''s the faster of the two and an obvious choice for weekend enthusiasts. For those who prefer the smoothness of six cylinders, the H6 motor picks up variable valve timing and lift this year so that it, too, is up to 250 hp. For those on a budget, Subaru will continue to offer a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine as well. The 2005 Outback is a wagon with no equal when it comes to off-road capability and, with an upgraded engine lineup and sharpened reflexes, you''ll find it fun to drive even when the weather isn''t terrible. A small backseat will keep it from competing with larger-capacity SUVs, but for the family of four looking for stylish transportation for all seasons, it could be a perfect fit.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Outback is available as a wagon or sedan. Wagons come in 2.5i, 2.5 XT, 3.0 R L.L. Bean and 3.0 R VDC Limited. Limited Packages are available on 2.5i and 2.5 XT models. The Outback sedan is available in a single 3.0 R trim. The 2.5i models include 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, a CD player, a power driver seat, cruise control, trip computer and a rear limited-slip differential. Opt for the Limited package and you''ll get heated leather seats, a wiper de-icer, a CD changer, dual-zone automatic climate control and dual moonroofs (the sedan gets a single large moonroof). Upgrade to the 2.5 XT and you get 17-inch wheels, bigger brakes, sport seats, a Momo steering wheel, metallic interior trim and electroluminescent gauges. You''ll need to order the Limited Package to get leather upholstery and a moonroof on XT models. The 3.0 models come with a full load of luxury amenities, as well as a tire pressure monitoring system, steering wheel audio controls and mahogany trim; wagons have a fold-down rear armrest. The L.L. Bean model offers perforated leather upholstery, while the VDC wagon is your ticket to stability control and an upgraded stereo.
Powertrains and Performance:
The 2.5i model is powered by a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that makes 168 horsepower (163 in PZEV states). The 2.5 XT upgrades to a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0 models come with a 3.0-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder (H6); horsepower comes in at 250 while torque maxes out at 219 lb-ft. Either 2.5-liter engine can be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic is available on 2.5i models while 2.5 XT models get a five-speed auto; both come with an automanual mode. The H6 is only available with the five-speed automatic.
Safety:
All Outbacks have four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Front side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are also standard. Stability control is reserved only for the top-line 3.0 R VDC Limited wagon. The front head restraints feature dynamic whiplash protection.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Inside, you can''t help but like the clean dash design and the three-spoke Momo steering wheel in XT and 3.0 models. Turbo models have darker interiors with sporty metallic trim, while 3.0 models get matte-finish wood grain trim on the console that matches the real mahogany trim on the steering wheel. The seats are supportive, but the backseat is still a bit tight for adults. Wagons provide 33.5 cubic feet of capacity behind their rear seats; 66 cubes with the seats folded down.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Out on the road, the ''05 Outback rides smoothly and feels even more surefooted in the corners than its agile predecessor. Taken off-road, it can scamper up a rutted hillside with more gusto than just about any crossover SUV on the market. Although the base engine provides only adequate power, acceleration is quick with either the turbo four or the H6.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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