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subaru-outback-limited-3-6r
Subaru Outback Limited 3.6R
An example of versatility, Subaru's Outback Limited 3.6R ($32,095 base) performed just as well on pavement as it did on dirt. With its 8.5-inch ground clearance and boxy exterior, the Outback looks more like an SUV than a wagon. The illusion continues when you get inside: there's plenty of legroom in the back and ample headroom for taller passengers. Plus, the 34-cubic-foot rear compartment can swallow enough gear for a weekend in the woods. Its 256-hp turbocharged engine rears its head on both flat straightaways and on 30-degree-plus inclines, and paddle shifters let you tweak the torque with ease. The higher suspension gives it more sway on sharp turns than the other wagons, but the added clearance is aces for crawling over rocky trails and navigating rutted fire roads. Read More:
Buying Advice: AWD WagonsWe took the Outback on several trail run outings, and fitting five adults in the vehicle was no problem. Even in the back row, three six-foot-tall guys had plenty of headroom and enough legroom to keep them from complaining on the drive to the trailhead. On the way back from the trail running test, we took the Outback on a few miles of fire roads -- about ten miles of rutted and rocky dirt roads winding through Whiskeytown National Recreational area. The Outback handled the rocks, the switchback turns, and the steep incline/declines without problems. The only issue we noticed is that it's taller profile gives it a tendency to lean when speeding around corners, but there was really never a concern about tipping. The only time we lost traction was when I gassed it around a downhill hairpin. I let the wagon drift around the corner, then I gunned it on the ensuing straightaway, spitting a rooster tail of rocks behind us.
The cargo space is huge -- taking it on a climbing trip, I fit three full 65-liter packs and a crash pad with room to spare, and the aforementioned ample passenger room gave it an edge over the other vehicles we tested.
With its ballsy acceleration, minimal cabin noise, and off-road prowess, the Outback is the way to go for the driver who wants a spacious vehicle that's equally at home on and off the road, but still rocks a respectable 30mpg.
WIRED Plenty of legroom. Great clearance on sketchy roads. Generous hauling capacity.
TIRED Spotty Bluetooth smartphone connectivity. Feels top-heavy around corners.
Rating: 8 out of 10
