2006 Subaru Outback

Welcome to the Driving Range with Dave Jordan - Your Auto Guide to the South Shore of Nova Scotia. All you need to know about Nova Scotia's South Shore Auto scene.

This week, Dave Jordan checks out the 2006 Subaru Outback:

For years Subaru was content to sell quirky all-wheel-drive cars to a niche market of safety-conscious, mostly northern hemisphere clientele. Competitive conversations of would-be buyers enumerating the merits of the latest Toyota or Honda product spoke nary a word of Subaru jargon.

That was then, this is now. The gradual transition of Subaru to a mainstream player likely started when the rocket ship WRX landed on our shores with a vengeance shortly after Subaru's dominance in the WRC – World Rally Championship – of the mid-'90's. With the recognition of this model's success in world rallies and its popularity on auto racing video games such as Gran Turismo, Subaru built on this image and, taking advantage of the marketing potential of its new brand identity, made vast improvements to every model in its lineup.

A few years back (1995), the Outback version of several models was introduced providing a more beefed up, rugged iteration of these all-wheel-drive units. Just in time for the new, at the time, market segment of crossover vehicles - part SUV, part wagon – the Outback played a fairly significant roll in defining this sector. Today the trend continues but with just one Outback model available, the wagon.

Based on the slick and stylish Legacy wagon, the Outback maintains that off-road go-anywhere toughness of traditional SUVs, but in a more pleasing and refined package. The new Outback is immediately distinguishable from its Legacy sibling by its higher road stance and unique exterior trim components. With more pronounced fender, rocker panel and bumper mouldings, the Outback definitely gives the impression of ruggedness and capability. You can really see these differences if you view the Outback and Legacy wagons side by side, especially if you choose one of the two-tone exterior colour schemes offered with an Outback. My tester was displayed in Atlantic blue pearl with granite gray opal trim and was the 2.5i limited model. Thanks to O'Regan's for allowing me the use of this very capable vehicle for a few days.

There are, in fact, five variations of the Outback wagon theme available with three different horizontally opposed engines in use: the 2.5i, 2.5i SE and 2.5i Ltd. have the normally aspirated horizontally opposed engine producing 175 HP and 169 lb-ft of torque; the 2.5XT has the same basic engine but is turbo charged and produces an impressive 250 HP and 250 lb-ft of torque; while the 3.0 - which comes in two trim levels itself, R and R VDC – is propelled by a six-cylinder version of the Subaru boxer engine and kicks out the same 250 HP as the turbo four but with slightly less torque at a rating of 219 lb-ft. Have you got all that straight?

These varied designations offer other features and options over and above the engine configuration depending on which flavour suits your needs and pocketbook the best. My Ltd. version came equipped with some standard features not available on its lesser brethren, such as a six CD premium audio system; automatic dual-zone climate control, a huge twin glass moonroof, LED turn signals in the heated, colour keyed exterior mirrors; and leather-wrapped interior controls. A power and convenience group is standard fare of course as are handsome 17" aluminum wheels.

The defining feature of all Subarus is their symmetrical full-time all-wheel-drive system. For over 30 years, this car company has been refining this unique drivetrain to provide unmatched performance and safety. By using a horizontally opposed Subaru Boxer engine positioned low to the ground and as close to the front axel as possible, a full-time all-wheel-drive transmission placed along the centre line of the vehicle, and an equal-length long travel suspension, an ideally balanced, efficient drivetrain layout is achieved. This Outback certainly felt stable and sure-footed during its tenure with me even though there were no snow covered, icy or rough dirt roads to deal with. Mind you, I didn't do any rally- type driving or perform any four-wheel drifts while I had it, so I will have to rely on Subaru's numerous world rally championships as evidence of the capability of its four-wheel-drive system.

And while we're on the topic of drivetrain components, the Subaru 2.5 turbo Boxer engine has recently won the 2006 international engine of the year award in the 2 -2.5- litre class. Congrats! For the Outback Ltd. this little jewel is mated to a four-speed direct control automatic transmission with Subaru's take on the increasingly common manual shift mode know as Spotshift. I first sampled this engine in the Impreza a few months back and was impressed with its power and spunkiness. This same engine in the Outback seems to have gone to finishing school, however, as it is much quieter, smoother and, with the auto stick, delivers a more refined driving experience.

The Outback interior, on the other hand, follows a similar theme to its smaller sibling with an overall sporting atmosphere highlighted with grippy, comfortable and well-bolstered seats; lots of aluminum, chrome and metallic grey accents and a nice instrument panel with easy-to-read gauges and intuitive controls. Whether cruising on the highway or crawling along a dirt road to your favourite fishing hole, the Outback interior is a comfortable place to be.

A wagon is the ultimate iteration of utility and Subaru is one of the few companies that offers a mid-sized car in this format. With tonnes of standard cargo space, especially with the fold-down rear sets and the sturdy roof rack, this Outback is ready for any camping, skiing or other outdoor adventure you may choose to throw at it. Just load it up and go!

Pricing for the base 2.5i Outback starts at around $33,000 and increases to almost $46,000 for the top end 3.0R VDC. For a competent and sophisticated well-equipped all-wheel-drive wagon, these prices are in line with most, and better than some, of Subaru's competitors. The 2006 Subaru Outback proves that form and function at a reasonable price can peacefully coexist.

Dave's Auto Archive - Subaru is the automotive branch of Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), which was formed in 1953 by the merger of five companies that were previously part of Japan's first private aircraft manufacturer, Nakajima Aircraft Ltd.