Motor Trend: More Kudos for Outback! - Subaru Outback

greenvalleybob · 03-09-2011, 10:11 AM

This just in from the April 2011 Issue of Motor Trend:

Verdict: 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

Automotive Multi-Tool Gets the Job Done

From the April, 2011 issue of Motor Trend / By Nate Martinez / Photography by Motor Trend Staff
Long before taking the keys to our Azurite Blue Pearl 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited (our 2010 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year, by the way), we decided to forgo ordering its 3.6R flat-six sibling packing 256 ponies and a traditional five-speed auto. At first, it was a move that had some staffers wishing for more Boxer might.
Once we received the Outback, doubters quickly changed their opinions. Entries praising the crossover's 2.5-liter flat-four and its smooth Lineartronic continuously variable transmission poured into our logbook after only a few days in the fleet. "The four-banger has plenty of grunt," wrote associate online editor Kirill Ougarov. With steering-wheel-mounted paddles allowing drivers to select predetermined gear "ratios," digging for extra highway speed or engine braking rpm was as simple as a quick tug on the left paddle.
Rated at 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, the engine consistently returned fuel economy in the high 20- to low 30-mpg range, with the computer indicating a 30.8-mpg average during a trip to San Diego and 28.5 mpg over a weekend in Los Angeles. Our average over 28,000 miles was 25.0 mpg - 1 mpg above the EPA's combined estimate. Tank ranges of 350-plus miles were the norm.
The mill's major downfall was that it needed to dwell high in the tach range to produce any substantial pull, so "those used to gobs of torque or stirring acceleration at the crack of the gas pedal need to look elsewhere," per executive editor Edward Loh. Senior editor Jonny Lieberman echoed the sentiment and called the powertrain "pokey."
In Limited trim, our Outback felt like a rolling Grand Tourer. Replete with a maximum cargo area of 71.3 cubic feet (rear seats folded) and goodies like leather, 440-watt nine-speaker harman/kardon stereo, iPod/USB inputs, heated front seats, and Bluetooth connectivity, the Outback offered plenty from the get-go.
Loaded with $2995 worth of moonroof and navigation package meant the Subaru was one of the most comfortable crossovers in the fleet. The stout build made for a medium-size vehicle that was fun to toss around.
While on workhorse duty, photographers Brian Vance and Julia LaPalme often took the Subie on multi-day shoots that required nearly all of its total cargo volume be filled with necessary gear. Vance especially took a liking to the rear cargo hold's rubber liner, which could be shaken out like a giant rug. If things got really messy, it could be hosed down and scrubbed.
On more than one occasion, things did get very dirty. Staffers loved taking the Outback on soft roads filled with rocks, ruts, and mildly challenging climbs, where it performed exceptionally well. During a rare downpour in Los Angeles, art director Mike Royer noted that the generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance gave him "all kinds of 'puddle-confidence.' "
In reliability, the Outback shined. We hit three maintenance stops at 7500-mile intervals. The first entailed an oil change, tire rotation, and full vehicle inspection ($147.52). At 15,000 miles, technicians replaced the cabin and engine air filters, too ($264.98). The last stop, at 22,500 miles, had the usual oil change and tire rotation, but also included a brake cleaning ($150.20), bringing our year-long service total to a commendable $562.70.
As usual, staffers did log a few niggles. Most dealt with some aspect of the interior. Radio controls (after one service, for example, radio station presets failed to stick; then there was the indecipherable equalizer function), cheap-looking wood, and cream leather that showed dirt too easily were at the top of the list. Others found the CVT too noisy, the mill uninspiring ("If you're looking for passion, keep walking," said associate online editor Scott Evans), and the exterior styling frumpy and ungainly.
Even so, the Subaru Outback proved itself the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, thanks to its uncanny ability to perform a multitude of tasks nearly anywhere at any time. In just 365 days, the part wagon, part sport/ute, part comfy cruiser successfully exceeded almost all our expectations and earned a sincere place in our collective hearts. And that's a pretty tough task.
From The Logbook
"Not once on my trip did I stop and think to myself, gee, I really wish I had the 3.6R's 86 extra horses and conventional automatic. I never really needed them. The 2.5i and CVT provided enough power for every activity I took on, from climbing a 4000-foot grade to descending a severely pitted dirt road-and in snow or sunshine. Plus, after delivering 25 mpg over my 800-mile jaunt, the 2.5's fuel economy is hard to fault."
- Ron Kiino
"There's something tacky and out of place about the fake, glossy burled wood inserts. Oldsmobile, sure-but in an Outback? They feel unusually artificial."
- Jonny Lieberman
"Most people couldn't care less about how little power this car has, and it's true that a majority of the time you don't need the V-6 around town. At wide-open throttle, though, the car sounded as though it was saying, "I'm trying!" without actually moving forward too quickly."
- Zach Gale

Read more: http:///index.html#ixzz1G7DIqmXH

gdiener · 03-09-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenvalleybob

"Even so, the Subaru Outback proved itself the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, thanks to its uncanny ability to perform a multitude of tasks nearly anywhere at any time."

That pretty much sums up my opinion at the 6 month ownership mark.

alex6speed · 03-09-2011, 10:28 AM

Nice to see this review but:

Quote:

The first entailed an oil change, tire rotation, and full vehicle inspection ($147.52). At 15,000 miles, technicians replaced the cabin and engine air filters, too ($264.98).

~$115 for a engine and cabin filter? Is that right? For my Mazda, I paid $80 ... and that's with a completely overpriced cabin filter.

UPDATE: Based on
- https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/pr...a07242675fd65e
- https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/pr...a07242675fd65e

It all comes down to $35 for filters that are easily DIY. Sounds like someone got a technician to install it!

gdiener · 03-09-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex6speed

Nice to see this review but:

~$115 for a engine and cabin filter? Is that right? For my Mazda, I paid $80 ... and that's with a completely overpriced cabin filter.

Seems like they overpay for service on most of their long term tests. It isn't just Subarus.

alex6speed · 03-09-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdiener

Seems like they overpay for service on most of their long term tests. It isn't just Subarus.

Oh, I know ... it just struck me as weird. I'm just a DIY advocate.

scoobydoo2 · 03-09-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex6speed

Nice to see this review but:

~$115 for a engine and cabin filter? Is that right? For my Mazda, I paid $80 ... and that's with a completely overpriced cabin filter.

UPDATE: Based on
- https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/pr...a07242675fd65e
- https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/pr...a07242675fd65e

It all comes down to $35 for filters that are easily DIY. Sounds like someone got a technician to install it!

...holy crap! that is a huge discrepancy between the SOP price and the dealer install price. My god...any idiot should be able to replace a filter...yes...I am one of those idoits

That is why this forum is such a valuable source of info...it saves us some $$$ which of course we in turn spend on other goodies for our OB's.

Motor Trend usually hits the nail on the head with their long term reviews so there are no surprises in what they wrote...

**rockhopjohn** · 03-09-2011, 11:39 AM

Mod Note: Moving this thread to the News and Media subforum.

SYOTR · 03-09-2011, 11:43 AM

...the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife...

Nice! I go for the wine opener rather than the Philips screwdriver.

Rancho Unicorno · 03-09-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoobydoo2

...holy crap! that is a huge discrepancy between the SOP price and the dealer install price. My god...any idiot should be able to replace a filter...yes...I am one of those idoits

That is why this forum is such a valuable source of info...it saves us some $$$ which of course we in turn spend on other goodies for our OB's.

Motor Trend usually hits the nail on the head with their long term reviews so there are no surprises in what they wrote...

Even better? Look at page 4-15 in your OM (at least 4-15 in the 2011 manual).

While I agree that any idiot should be able to replace an engine air filter, it takes a special idiot to not be able to follow your owner's manual. Even the oil filter section doesn't give you illustrated step-by-step instructions.

the evil twin · 03-09-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenvalleybob

also included a brake cleaning ($150.20),

Uh.... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is that?!? Considering what they paid for the air filter, did the technician just wipe off the pedal?
Really, what is it?

03-09-2011, 10:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
greenvalleybob Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Green Valley Lake, CA Car: 2011 Outback Limited, 2.5i Posts: 77 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Motor Trend: More Kudos for Outback! This just in from the April 2011 Issue of Motor Trend: Verdict: 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited Automotive Multi-Tool Gets the Job Done From the April, 2011 issue of Motor Trend / By Nate Martinez / Photography by Motor Trend Staff Long before taking the keys to our Azurite Blue Pearl 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited (our 2010 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year, by the way), we decided to forgo ordering its 3.6R flat-six sibling packing 256 ponies and a traditional five-speed auto. At first, it was a move that had some staffers wishing for more Boxer might. Once we received the Outback, doubters quickly changed their opinions. Entries praising the crossover's 2.5-liter flat-four and its smooth Lineartronic continuously variable transmission poured into our logbook after only a few days in the fleet. "The four-banger has plenty of grunt," wrote associate online editor Kirill Ougarov. With steering-wheel-mounted paddles allowing drivers to select predetermined gear "ratios," digging for extra highway speed or engine braking rpm was as simple as a quick tug on the left paddle. Rated at 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque, the engine consistently returned fuel economy in the high 20- to low 30-mpg range, with the computer indicating a 30.8-mpg average during a trip to San Diego and 28.5 mpg over a weekend in Los Angeles. Our average over 28,000 miles was 25.0 mpg - 1 mpg above the EPA's combined estimate. Tank ranges of 350-plus miles were the norm. The mill's major downfall was that it needed to dwell high in the tach range to produce any substantial pull, so "those used to gobs of torque or stirring acceleration at the crack of the gas pedal need to look elsewhere," per executive editor Edward Loh. Senior editor Jonny Lieberman echoed the sentiment and called the powertrain "pokey." In Limited trim, our Outback felt like a rolling Grand Tourer. Replete with a maximum cargo area of 71.3 cubic feet (rear seats folded) and goodies like leather, 440-watt nine-speaker harman/kardon stereo, iPod/USB inputs, heated front seats, and Bluetooth connectivity, the Outback offered plenty from the get-go. Loaded with $2995 worth of moonroof and navigation package meant the Subaru was one of the most comfortable crossovers in the fleet. The stout build made for a medium-size vehicle that was fun to toss around. While on workhorse duty, photographers Brian Vance and Julia LaPalme often took the Subie on multi-day shoots that required nearly all of its total cargo volume be filled with necessary gear. Vance especially took a liking to the rear cargo hold's rubber liner, which could be shaken out like a giant rug. If things got really messy, it could be hosed down and scrubbed. On more than one occasion, things did get very dirty. Staffers loved taking the Outback on soft roads filled with rocks, ruts, and mildly challenging climbs, where it performed exceptionally well. During a rare downpour in Los Angeles, art director Mike Royer noted that the generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance gave him "all kinds of 'puddle-confidence.' " In reliability, the Outback shined. We hit three maintenance stops at 7500-mile intervals. The first entailed an oil change, tire rotation, and full vehicle inspection ($147.52). At 15,000 miles, technicians replaced the cabin and engine air filters, too ($264.98). The last stop, at 22,500 miles, had the usual oil change and tire rotation, but also included a brake cleaning ($150.20), bringing our year-long service total to a commendable $562.70. As usual, staffers did log a few niggles. Most dealt with some aspect of the interior. Radio controls (after one service, for example, radio station presets failed to stick; then there was the indecipherable equalizer function), cheap-looking wood, and cream leather that showed dirt too easily were at the top of the list. Others found the CVT too noisy, the mill uninspiring ("If you're looking for passion, keep walking," said associate online editor Scott Evans), and the exterior styling frumpy and ungainly. Even so, the Subaru Outback proved itself the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, thanks to its uncanny ability to perform a multitude of tasks nearly anywhere at any time. In just 365 days, the part wagon, part sport/ute, part comfy cruiser successfully exceeded almost all our expectations and earned a sincere place in our collective hearts. And that's a pretty tough task. From The Logbook "Not once on my trip did I stop and think to myself, gee, I really wish I had the 3.6R's 86 extra horses and conventional automatic. I never really needed them. The 2.5i and CVT provided enough power for every activity I took on, from climbing a 4000-foot grade to descending a severely pitted dirt road-and in snow or sunshine. Plus, after delivering 25 mpg over my 800-mile jaunt, the 2.5's fuel economy is hard to fault." - Ron Kiino "There's something tacky and out of place about the fake, glossy burled wood inserts. Oldsmobile, sure-but in an Outback? They feel unusually artificial." - Jonny Lieberman "Most people couldn't care less about how little power this car has, and it's true that a majority of the time you don't need the V-6 around town. At wide-open throttle, though, the car sounded as though it was saying, "I'm trying!" without actually moving forward too quickly." - Zach Gale Read more: http:///index.html#ixzz1G7DIqmXH __________________ Bob E. Green Valley Lake (also Hollywood, and Catalina Island), CA 2011 2.5i Outback Pearl White / Beige 1973 Ford Pinto Squire Wagon, Restored (only 59K original miles) 1972 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible (Red / Black, restored with 500 miles on restoration) 1999 Lexus RX300

03-09-2011, 11:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
rockhopjohn Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NW MT Car: 2004 Outback Wagon, Mystic Blue Pearl Posts: 4,751 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Mod Note: Moving this thread to the News and Media subforum. __________________ I'm not retarded, I just don't proofread my posts

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03-09-2011, 11:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
SYOTR Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: El Dorado Hills Car: 2011 Outback 2.5 MT Posts: 34 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	...the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife... Nice! I go for the wine opener rather than the Philips screwdriver.

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