New Outback! Subaru Legacy and Outback @ 2009 NYAS

MORE 2009 NEW YORK AUTO SHOW @ INSIDELINE.COM:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/newyork/2009/index.html?tid=edmun...

Well, for starters they've got that Bloomin' Onion thing, all soaked in batter and lounging in oil. That's off of the Aussie-Tizers menu, mate. Then, heck man, you get a stupidly large, heavily seasoned steak for quite a reasonable price and they've got those really big steak knives and boomerangs and. Oh, that Outback. Um, yeah, the 2010 Subaru Outback doesn't serve any food. It's a station wagon.

Of course, for the first time in the Outback's 15-year existence, one could almost make the case that the 2010 model is not simply a wagon all butched up with ribbed cladding and raised-white-letter knobby tires. We offer for your consideration this irony: The 2010 Outback, which is taller, bulkier and farther off the ground, looks more like a crossover SUV while simultaneously shedding most of its ribbed-and-raised SUV affectations. Discuss.

Curiously, the Outback, which has been unveiled at the New York auto show and goes on sale in late summer, will be available for 2010 with the powertrain from Subaru's true crossover, the Tribeca. That would be the 256-horsepower 3.6-liter flat-6, which is also available as an option for the 2010 Legacy sedan. Further, the Outback now rides on a wheelbase almost identical to the Tribeca's, and it's within a few inches of the benign Tribeca in overall length and width, too. Did we mention that the Outback has fractionally more ground clearance than the Tribeca (8.7 vs. 8.4 inches). And the two models also appear to share the same front grille.

Like the 2010 Legacy sedan, the base-model Outback is powered by a 2.5-liter flat-4 that makes 170 hp and 170 pound-feet of torque. This would be the same output as last year's 2.5-liter, but both power peaks arrive lower in the rpm range. The manual transmission (Subaru assures us that some of its customers actually purchase this) picks up a gear compared to last year, making it a six-speed. The two-pedal version uses Subaru's new continuously variable transmission (CVT) in place of the old four-speed automatic. According to Subaru's estimates, the CVT is good for one additional mpg in both city and highway driving, going from last year's 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway to 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway. That's not a huge improvement, but the 2010 model is larger and a bit heavier than the outgoing model.

The turbocharged XT model has been canceled. You want a turbo, go get yourself a Legacy GT, says Subaru.

Naturally, all Outback models come with all-wheel drive as standard equipment, along with a complement of safety gear including standard electronic stability control and a whole bunch of airbags.

Subaru says the new exterior design has "dramatic hawk-eye headlights." And that's all we're saying about that.

There are a couple other items of interest to potential buyers. First, the rear-seat accommodations are now truly accommodating, with more than ample knee, foot, shoulder, hip, head- and chapeau room. Also the rather chunky-looking roof rails have a secret. The narrow metal portions can be disconnected at one end and rotated to the rail on the opposite side of the vehicle. In this manner, the roof rails become the crossbars when an owner wants them to and then tuck back when he is doing nothing more active than driving to the convenience store for a bag of Bugles. Clever.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2010
• Subaru
• Legacy
• and
• Outback
• 2009
• NYAS
• New
• York
• Auto
• Show
• Japan
• wagon
• engine
• motor
• car
• auto

[jax1492]

just means you have no life thats all

[magnushel]

Subaru will always go offroad,if you will dare!

Subaru rules in tarmak and offroad, what EVER YOU WHANT. Fuck all the rest, 4 whell drive is what subaru is,and most quality that a car can bring!!

[AirsoftUnit2]

Proud to own and outback :D

[cheemooo]

the new outback and legacy have a beautifull appearnce!

[AWDfreak]

@yelzhan123 That's why you opt for the manual transmission :P

[kernowrock555]

Thanx for the advice.. I want a diesel outback, but wanted auto as well, alas they only make the diesel in manual, but if u reckon they're not much good.. maybe a manual is better anyway... i SHOULD SAVE ON PETROL TOO.!

[strato7o7]

UGLY! Not since the GLs and XT has Subaru rolled out any worse looking vehicles as the new 2010 Legacy and Outback. I really don't see how they could have missed the mark SO badly with two models in one year...both had been so good. Heck, I own a 05 Legacy GT wagon and it seems to be everything the pudgy camry/Xterra copy new models will never be able to hold a candle to.

[yelzhan123]

all subarus have low quality under engineered auto transmissions that jatco produced for decades so be aware even in a new subaru these problem is not solved just have a look at google type : subaru transmission problem , rubbish ever transmission used in subarus

[kens97sto171]

I love Subies.. but they keep raising the car up.. Its getting to look a little stupid with all that space in the wheel wells... Its not a freaking 4X4 truck guys... and I don't want it to be... also don't like the new headlights much.. the last models looked way better IMO. I do like the look of the new Forester, and Impreza though.

[quatlen]

ye, I guess it is the wheel archs/ flares that lead me to make the connection:)

[jbandrews22]

odly i get what u mean

[kayakdad325]

the rack is lame and not for the outdoor enthusiest. I bought a 2010 outback and now unfortunately need to buy a 2nd vehical so I can take my familly of 4 kayaking. This new cheesy rack can only carry 2 kayaks and can not accomodate any aftermarket roof racks like its predisesor and most other crossovers or suvs