![]() ![]() Fuel economy remains the same as last year with the four-cylinder netting a combined 28 mpg and the six-cylinder delivering 22 mpg. It’s also quiet and responsive, with the revisions to the 2.5-liter powertrain leading to a smoother and more refined experience. ![]() It’s comfy, accommodating and inoffensive. Driving around, the Outback feels like a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord on stilts, not a traditional SUV. Soft and comfortable on asphalt, the Outback is a great cruiser for everyday commutes. On the road, it’s obvious that all those little changes paid off because the Outback has become an extremely easy vehicle to live with. Putting these changes to the test, Subaru not only invited us to drive the new Outback on the usual array of roads but also let us drive on a track and go off-road with the vehicle. It’s also quieter and has more consistent throttle feel than before.īeyond the drivetrain changes, the Outback gets a revised suspension as well. Both engines provide power to all four wheels through a CVT, which has been updated for 2018 to provide a smoother response in four-cylinder models. It still arrives with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 175 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque or a larger 3.6-liter flat six engine that makes 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. The Outback also sees a number of important revisions under the sheetmetal. Fold those rear seats down and there’s a total of 73.3 cubic feet to haul all your gear. The cabin has 108.1 cubic feet of passenger space and behind the rear seats, the trunk has 35.5 cubes to take advantage of. Helping keep the cabin a serene place is the inclusion of double pane glass in the front windows. The Outback gets new USB ports to entertain (or distract) kids and back seat passengers, and everyone should be happy about the upgraded air conditioning system that’s quieter and more powerful than before. It features a number of big buttons and toggles to simplify operation while on the go and the new HVAC settings and screen display the cabin temperature within the control knobs, which is a nice touch. The Outback gets stitched dash and door panels in its higher trim grades now, and also uses a new steering wheel design plucked from the new Crosstrek that also just debuted. Techies will be happy to know that the car comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while those who don’t connect their devices will appreciate that the 6.5-inch and 8-inch infotainment offerings are more responsive, streamlined and user-friendly than before. Inside, the car gets a number of significant changes. These additions should continue the Outback’s tradition of earning the top safety award given by the IIHS, something it has done for the past seven consecutive years.Ī few more exterior details will help the new Outback stand out, like an adjustment to the gray, blue, and red metallic paint offerings, for example, that helps them sparkle in the sunlight. A new 18-inch wheel design is also offered on higher trim Outbacks as well.ĪLSO SEE: Where Is Subaru From and Where Are Subarus Made? Interior Improved The headlights come with standard LED daytime running lights and can be optioned up to full LED peepers that feature steering responsive headlights and high beam assist. The front end gets a new grille opening that’s wider and lower, while the bumper design gets new black plastic around the lower portion of the vehicle, raising up at the fog lights to protect them from the elements as well. This year, the automaker focused on the details of the car and has refreshed its styling with more rugged looking bumpers and more premium touches in the interior. It fills the gaps left by other offerings around the marketplace and does a bit of everything. Today, the car is in a category of its own. Refreshed for 2018, the Outback is best described as a wagon on stilts, which is actually how the vehicle was brought to life back in the ’90s, as a quick and easy way for the Japanese automaker to keep up with the booming demand for SUVs. FAST FACTSĮngine: 2.5L boxer 4-cylinder, 3.6L boxer 6-cylinder Most automakers see trucks, compact crossovers, midsize sedans, or compact cars as the best sellers, but for Subaru, its breadwinner is the Outback, which is unique because it’s an alternative to the usual SUVs and crossovers. is certainly an odd one, especially after considering industry trends. Subaru’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S. ![]()
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