I owned the 2012 (2.5i Premium) up until June 9th and have a 2013 (2.5i Limited)---the salesperson you were working with is uneducated in his own business. To say there is no difference and have a sales person laugh at you---I'd find another sales person.
One of features I liked on the 2013 2.5i Limited was having an AC vent in the back seats-my kid complained he got hot a lot---not any more. The 2012 model didnt have an AC vent in the back.
Here is a link to tell you everything new for the 2013 Outback series. Great link!!
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/outback2013.html#optpkgs
new for all 2013 Outbacks
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new larger fog lights
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newredesigned front grill
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new redesigned front bumper
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new upgraded seat material with improved cushion and bolsters
> new 2.5L engine: improved economy +1MPG, more power. see specs above
> new CVT- 2nd generation CVT is lighter, quieter, more responsive--WAY BETTER THAN 2012!!
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new upgraded suspension with larger rear sway bar and stiffer springs for improved handling and ride.
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new stiffer chassis- front strut mounts and rear frame rails- to reduce vibration, body roll, and improve handling,
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new roof rack- its the same pivoting crossbars, but now with a second position with 9.8" additional spread
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new brake override system- when gas and brake pedals are both pressed, the brake overrides to stop the car
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newfuel pump cutoff that detects when an airbag deploys to minimize fire danger after an accident
New on 2013 2.5i Outback
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new steering wheel- now with bluetooth cell controls, plus audio and cruise control buttons
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new audio includes handsfree cell phone bluetooth with steering wheel controls, wireless audio streaming, and a USB and auxiliary connection
Roof rails, pivoting fold-away cross bars,
new for 2013 crossbars now have an 2 positions: 30" or 39.8" spread, 150 lb capacity.
Stereo:
new for 2013 includes handsfree cell phone bluetooth with steering wheel controls, wireless audio streaming, and a USB connection.
AM/FM, single CD. Plays MP3/WMA, R/RW, auxiliary input. 4 speakers, pty/cat (program type/category radio station search function), bluetooth, audio controls and cruise controls in the steering wheel. Antenna is the rear glass.
2.5i LIMITED adds over the 2.5i Premium
model code: DDF - CVT (no manual trans available on this model)
everything the 2.5i Premium has, plus..
new for 2013- rear seat A/C vent in the center console
new for 2013- matte dash wood trim (replaces glossy wood trim)
new for 2013- electro-luminescent instrument panel with 3.5" color LCD display
new for 2013 electroluminescent instrument panel gauges with red speedometer needle and white tachometer needles against black background. With center color LCD display including ECO gauge, cruise control, Eyesight info (if equipped), odometers. Gauges include speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and new for 2013 coolant temperature gauge.
Stereo: Harman/Kardon audio (h/k). 4.3" LCD color display, 440w 8 channel amplifier, 9 speakers, AM/FM, HD radio, single CD, USB, 3.5mm aux input, hands free bluetooth steering wheel controls, wireless audio streaming, XM satellite radio with 4 mos free. The speakers include: 2 80mm mid-range in the top of the dashboard, 2 160mm woofers in the front doors, 2 2-way speakers in the rear doors with a 25mm tweeter and 100mm mid-range, 1 200mm subwoofer in the rear cargo area.
Option Packages factory installed only
> Pkg #04 Moonroof, Back up camera
> Pkg #08 Moonroof, Back up camera, and 7" Navigation/GPS
> Pkg #20 Moonroof, 7" Navigation system, and new for 2013 Eyesight System
> Pkg #23new for 2013. Special Appearance Package
Note: packages #20 and #23 cannot be combined, so the Eyesight and Special Appearance packages are not available together. You can't get both.