The Best Crossover Vehicle Ever Created?
Where's the snow? That's what I wanted to know when I picked up the all-new 2005 Subaru Outback for a test drive. Checking the forecast, it looked like a road trip to the Fort
St. John area was in order, but I didn't have the time nor the inclination to drive north in search of the white fluffy stuff despite my desire to test Subaru's all-weather wagon in its natural element. Which was too bad as I'm always up for a big road trip -- particularly to British Columbia's spectacular north country -- and with the keys to the Outback in my hands I had at my disposal a vehicle that seems to be built with road trips in mind.
Even more so now, as the 2005 Outback is more powerful and more luxurious than any that has come before. Of course, more horses and more creature comforts often equate to more money, and my top-of-the-line Outback 3.0R VDC topped out at $44,995. Just so I don't spook off any potential Outback buyers who might not qualify
for the $50K plus loan needed when taxes are factored in, the base 2.5i model starts at a much more reasonable $32,995. Still, considering the bulky and pricey SUVs that the Outback competes against, even at its topmost sticker price it's not too far off base, especially given the fact that the Subaru slays all comers, be they all-wheel-drive station wagons or 4X4 gas-guzzling SUVs when it comes to combined performance and fuel economy.
Simply put, the all-new Outback is arguably one of the best city-to-country vehicles on the market. It is sure-footed enough to take the twists and turns of winding country backroads, and powerful enough to pass that rental minivan full of snap-happy tourists. Despite its performance attributes it's also comfortable enough to spend hours inside when the traffic snarls into bumper-to-bumper deadlock.
Where's the snow? That's what I wanted to know when I picked up the all-new 2005 Subaru Outback for a test drive. Checking the forecast, it looked like a road trip to the Fort
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| The first thing I thought of when I got the key to the 2005 Subaru Outback was, "Where can I find some snow?" (Photo: Subaru Canada) |
Even more so now, as the 2005 Outback is more powerful and more luxurious than any that has come before. Of course, more horses and more creature comforts often equate to more money, and my top-of-the-line Outback 3.0R VDC topped out at $44,995. Just so I don't spook off any potential Outback buyers who might not qualify
 |
| The 2005 Outback is more powerful and more luxurious than any that has come before. (Photo: Subaru Canada) |
Simply put, the all-new Outback is arguably one of the best city-to-country vehicles on the market. It is sure-footed enough to take the twists and turns of winding country backroads, and powerful enough to pass that rental minivan full of snap-happy tourists. Despite its performance attributes it's also comfortable enough to spend hours inside when the traffic snarls into bumper-to-bumper deadlock.