Once upon a time in the land of the rising sun, there was a car named Subaru Outback. Long considered as a wagon, its dream was to get bigger than other models of its kind and as powerful as the larger SUVs on the road. The car ballooned and became increasingly heavy, with new power tools to complete the package.
After several years on the market, the once-small Subaru Outback is now a giant among wagons. In fact, it has turned into a go-anywhere crossover that can overcome a number of obstacles. But unlike the famous frog which got so big that it ended up exploding, the Outback was smart enough to stick to the right size and not compromise its original value as a family vehicle.
This is part of the reason why Auto123.com recently handed its "Wagon of the Year" award to the 2010 Subaru Outback.
Extra size for a good cause
Much like the Legacy which it is based on, the all-new Subaru Outback proves larger in every dimension. More precisely, it’s 40-mm wider, 70-mm longer and 105-mm taller than its predecessor, making it nearly as big as most 5-passenger SUVs/CUVs.
Truth be told, the extra size arrives as a blessing. Anyone who sat inside an older Outback knows too well about the lack of rear-seat legroom. Fortunately, this painful memory is now overshadowed by a very generous amount of interior room that can accommodate virtually all body sizes.
Of course, such ballooning led to a significant transformation of the exterior design, which is not exactly a model of refinement. Yet, the car looks assertive and commanding on the road as it no longer bears the conventional wagon stigma.
A healthy dose of power…
Available with a base 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine, the 2010 Subaru Outback also comes in 3.6R trim (as tested) powered by a 6-cylinder engine. Thusly motivated, the car becomes quite responsive and aggressive, attacking any road with mean authority.
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| Let’s face it: the 2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R defies all expectations for a wagon. |
After several years on the market, the once-small Subaru Outback is now a giant among wagons. In fact, it has turned into a go-anywhere crossover that can overcome a number of obstacles. But unlike the famous frog which got so big that it ended up exploding, the Outback was smart enough to stick to the right size and not compromise its original value as a family vehicle.
This is part of the reason why Auto123.com recently handed its "Wagon of the Year" award to the 2010 Subaru Outback.
Extra size for a good cause
Much like the Legacy which it is based on, the all-new Subaru Outback proves larger in every dimension. More precisely, it’s 40-mm wider, 70-mm longer and 105-mm taller than its predecessor, making it nearly as big as most 5-passenger SUVs/CUVs.
Truth be told, the extra size arrives as a blessing. Anyone who sat inside an older Outback knows too well about the lack of rear-seat legroom. Fortunately, this painful memory is now overshadowed by a very generous amount of interior room that can accommodate virtually all body sizes.
Of course, such ballooning led to a significant transformation of the exterior design, which is not exactly a model of refinement. Yet, the car looks assertive and commanding on the road as it no longer bears the conventional wagon stigma.
A healthy dose of power…
Available with a base 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine, the 2010 Subaru Outback also comes in 3.6R trim (as tested) powered by a 6-cylinder engine. Thusly motivated, the car becomes quite responsive and aggressive, attacking any road with mean authority.
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| It’s a versatile people hauler with plenty of cargo room and smart features. |