Introduction

The Subaru Outback benefits from revised styling, enhanced performance, and interior upgrades for 2008. The changes improve upon a roomy and comfortable wagon that can go almost anywhere. The Outback offers premium drivetrain technology, composed handling and all-weather capability, lots of active and passive safety features. The revisions to the engines for 2008 make them look less powerful on paper because of changes to rating standards, but they work just as well, and the base engine carries the oxymoronic government certification of Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. Electronic stability control is offered on more models. The rear suspension has been retuned for more ride comfort without sacrificing any handling. Styling changes for 2008 feature new front sheetmetal, a larger grille opening, new bumper fascias, and new headlights and taillights. The sedan model has been dropped, yet there are still seven Outback models from which to choose. Inside, fabrics and the dash are revised for 2008, the steering column now tilt and telescopes, and all models are pre-wired for satellite radio. The Outback philosophy is similar to that of the Volvo XC70, a wagon with a bit more ride height, body protection and traction-oriented tires. However, the Outback costs less than the Volvo and, with 8.4 inches of ground clearance, can go much farther into the outback than most owners realize. Reasonable prices, operating economy and a penchant for charging through snow make Outbacks a favorite in wintry weather. But they also do very well with potholes in the Midwest and deserts in the Southwest. Three engines are available, 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine a 243-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter, and a 245-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder. All use Subaru's horizontally opposed engine design, like that employed by the old VW Beetle and most Porsches. Subaru's engines are mounted low and are compact, keeping the weight low for good center-of-gravity dynamics and a low hood line for great forward visibility. All come with all-wheel drive, and three different systems are used, depending on the transmission and engine chosen. The end result of good snow-climbing traction and all-weather confidence remains the same for all. None requires any driver action. Inside, Outbacks are practical and can be quite simple or quite sophisticated, with a range of seven trim levels. All have five seats, useful cargo area and the majority of amenities and features offered in compact SUVs. Outdoors people like its capability and utility. The Outback is a great companion for outdoors activities, fishing, hiking, skiing, kayaking. Apparently, L.L. Bean noticed this and three Outbacks come in L.L. Bean trim. It offers secure handling and traction on icy mountain passes. It handles well on gravel roads and holds up to rugged terrain. It can haul a lot of gear and it can accept a nine-foot rigged fly rod. The Outback goes off the pavement better than many SUVs yet performs as well or better on the pavement. If you think you need an SUV, an Outback is infinitely better suited 90 percent of the time.

Walkaround

Last redesigned for the 2005 model year, the 2008 revisions are what we'd call a mid-cycle update. For 2008, the styling has been revised front and rear with all-new front sheetmetal, a larger grille opening, new front and rear bumper fascias, and new headlights and taillights. The Outback looks firmly planted. It is, in fact, firmly planted, but it's sleeker than ever if less odd-looking than older Subarus generally were. Nicely proportioned tire and wheel combinations and lower body protection at the ends give the impression of off-road-ability, though the fender arches are add-ons we'd prefer built in. The Subaru Outback is taller than its fraternal twin, the Legacy sedan. Large round fog lamps emphasize and soften the aggressive lower fascia. A low-rise air intake on the XT model's hood hints at power lurking beneath. On the XT and the 3.0R, the clear-lens turn indicators on the lower edges of the outside mirrors minimize their mass. Wide tires visually stretch the car's stance. Even while standing still, the Outback has a look of motion. That begins with the aerodynamic slope of the hood, made possible by the low profile of Subaru's horizontally opposed engines. The look of motion is enhanced through the wagon's roof line, which drops steadily rearward from the front doors. This design is functional, combining with the increasing inward tilt of the rear side windows to ease air flow beyond the wagon's tail end. Minimalist splashguards behind both wheel wells and cladding along the bottom of the doors make the body look tightly connected to its wheels, unlike many other off-road capable vehicles. On the rear of the wagon, all the lines (roof, rear window outline, beltline, bumper and rocker panel) draw inward toward the car's center, giving it a taut, neat finish. Large, geometric taillights cover the upper corners of the rear fenders. Small, almost demure backup lights are embedded high in the liftgate on each side of the chrome eyelid over the recess for the rear license plate. The secondary, high-mounted stop light is centered in the roof-high spoiler behind a stylish clear lens. The bumper has a plastic cover on it to avoid marring the paint hauling things or animals in and out.

Interior Features

The Outbacks have comfortable, versatile cabins. The front seats in the base model are comfortable, but not cushy, upholstered in a durable fabric that's reasonably grippy, more so than the leather in the Limited models. Rear seats are bolstered about the same as the fronts, with a minimal rise in the center in recognition of the driveline hump. The leather in the Limited had a thick feel, but it is richly surfaced. The front seats in the XT and more expensive models have fuller bolsters and better overall support; the lumbar adjustments can be set from very soft to accommodate sensitive lower backs, to very aggressive to brace a classic ramrod spine. Bottom cushions are deeper than many, but they could offer more thigh support. The perforated leather insets in premium models add some grip that is lacking in the smooth-finished leather and allow a small amount of air flow that's refreshing on hot and cold days. The dash is topped with high-quality, seamless vinyl, mildly textured and finished in a low-gloss to minimize reflected glare in the windshield. The instruments are rimmed in black four-cylinder cars and chrome in the 3.0 R. Gauges are large and round, positioned directly in front of the driver and easy to scan through the three-spoke steering wheel. Cruise controls on lower models are contained in a stubby stalk attached to the steering wheel at about the 4 o'clock position; on the spokes on higher trims. In the upper half of the dash to the left of the gauges are two vents, one small for defogging the driver's window, the other large, with four-way directional vanes and a roller knob that varies the air flow from full to off. Below these are controls for dash light intensity (at any time on the electroluminescent XT and 3.0R), outside mirror adjustment and remote gas filler cover and a small storage bin. At the opposite end of the dash, matching vents fulfill the same functions. The center stack and forward portion of the center console are covered in an understated metallic-look, matte-finish plastic with chrome-like accents; woodgrain flanks the pillar on pricier models. Two large air vents at the top of the center stack flank a large storage bin with retracting cover. Directly below this is the trip computer display. Next down the stack is the stereo control head, and at the bottom is the climate control panel. All controls consist of large, round knobs and intuitive, easy-to-use buttons and switches. The exception is the stereo, which requires either start-and-stop seeking or scanning, or the use of a lateral rocker switch to scroll up or down through the frequencies until the desired one is reached. In models with seat heaters, the controls are set in the center console directly forward of the slider covering the two front cup holders. Inside door pulls are ergonomically designed, almost vertical and can be grasped easily for support on rough back roads. The opening lever is chrome, contrasting with the metallic matte finish of the accent surrounding the power window buttons and door pull. The headliner has a soft nap, with welcome assist grips over the doors. The wagon's tailgate allows six feet for standing under when open and a pull-down handle minimizes contact with the exterior's collected road dirt and grime; the cover has reflective red pattern on it for night safety. Forward visibility is above average, aided by the sloping hood and low dashboard. Side and rear vision is excellent in the wagon, which is no surprise, but is also better than expected in the sedan, thanks to good-sized rear quarter windows and trim C-pillars. The standard moonroof is an unusual two-piece design, with a shorter glass at the front that pivots upward for venting and a larger sliding glass section behind. The only drawback is single-switch operation that makes it difficult to control how far up the front part tilts, and consequently, how much wind noise it produces. The glove box is a