2016 SUBARU OUTBACK (New).
Redesigned last year,
the 2016 Subaru outback gains some additional equipment. The optional Subaru
Starlink system adds two packages of connected car applications, adding
functionality such as automatic crash notification and stolen vehicle recovery,
along with Internet-connected apps such as Stitcher. The steering has been
retuned for better feel, and Limited models get retuned shock absorbers for a smoother ride. Safety features on the Outback now include optional lane
departure intervention.
Subaru are sometimes considered quirky cars, and you could
probably say this about the 2016 Subaru Outback. Here's a midsize wagon based
on a family sedan (the Legacy) that has a raised ground clearance, all-wheel
drive and plastic body cladding. In today's cookie-cutter automotive
marketplace, this is the equivalent of wearing paisley bell bottoms to an IBM
boardroom meeting. But consider us fans of quirky because there's plenty to
like with the latest Outback.
DESIGN
In actuality, Subaru redesigned
the Outback last year with an eye toward making it feel more like a mainstream
car, and we appreciate the automaker's efforts: The hard plastics and oddball
ergonomics of the old car were replaced with higher-quality materials and a
more sensible control layout, the technology interface became more advanced and
fuel economy has improved. The Outback's safety resume has grown as well, and
this year's model has new emergency assistance connectivity through Subaru's
Starlink system.
The 2.5i Premium model has all of the base car's equipment plus
17-inch alloy wheels, heated seats and exterior mirrors, a windshield wiper deicer,
dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power driver seat, a
leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded gauges, expanded Starlink Connected
services, voice controls, a 7-inch touchscreen display and a six-speaker sound
system with satellite radio.
Options for the 2.5i Premium include a sunroof
(which comes bundled with an auto-dimming rear view mirror), power folding side
mirrors, a power rear lift gate, a navigation system, additional Starlink
Safety Plus and Security Plus services and Subaru's Eyesight System (adaptive
cruise control plus extra safety features; see Safety section).
Stepping up to the 2.5i Limited adds leather upholstery, 18-inch
alloy wheels, a comfort-tuned suspension, rear air vents, power-folding side
mirrors, a power rear lift gate, a four-way power passenger seat, driver memory
settings, heated rear seats, an upgraded 12-speaker sound system,
blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Available options mimic
those of the 2.5i Premium, with the addition of keyless ignition and entry.
OUTPUT
AND DRIVE
The standard engine for the 2016 Subaru Outback is a 2.5
liter horizontally opposed ("boxer") four-cylinder, which generates
175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. It drives all four wheels through
a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which has
steering-wheel-mounted buttons to emulate a six-speed manually shifted
transmission when the driver desires, making it one of the BEST RIDES EVER.
In performance testing, an Outback 2.5i limited
reached 60 mph from rest in an lackluster 9.6 seconds. Most compact crossovers
are a bit quicker. The EPA rates the Outback 2.5i (25 city/33 highway), and on mixed-driving 120-mile evaluation loop, the Outback 2.5i Limited returned 28.9
mpg.
The six-cylinder Outback 3.6R picks up the pace with 256
hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, but that extra power takes its toll on fuel
economy. The EPA gives estimates of(20 city/27 highway).
For 2.5i versions of the 2016 Subaru Outback, there's enough
power for safe highway merging, but load it up with people and gear and it
feels overwhelmed, especially if you're driving at high elevation. Around town,
the jumpy responsiveness of the gas pedal and the spongy brake pedal make the
Outback harder to drive smoothly than it should be. The six-cylinder provides
more punch, and if you frequently load up the car or live in a mountainous
area, you're going to want this larger engine. With either engine, the CVT is
pretty likable, as it reacts promptly to your gas pedal inputs and isn't
affected as much by the annoying engine rpm quirks of other CVTs.
Precise steering and revised suspension tuning make the 2016
Subaru Outback a competent handling wagon. The generous suspension travel
endows the Outback with a plush ride, and road noise is quelled even over
coarse pavement. The Outback is also more capable on light-duty trails than the
typical small crossover. Driving this newly designed Subaru will give you an EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.
