2006 Subaru Outback Review

The Subaru Outback, designed as an alternative to the large SUV, offers plenty of room, all wheel drive, and a very comfortable interior. The Outback offers modern technology, loads of safety features, and excellent handling. The '05 Outback may not be the least expensive vehicle in its category, but its benefits are worth the price to many.  The Subaru Outback comes in wagon and sedan body styles. All-wheel drive, a Subaru feature, is standard across the line, but it comes in three versions, each matched to a specific combination of engine and four- or five-speed transmission.  For 2006, the four-cylinder is more powerful and two new models have been added.

Outback Power for 2006

The Subaru Outback is a fun to drive wagons with a choice of three engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 175 horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 250 horsepower and a six-cylinder engine rated at 250 horsepower. The base 2.5 i models deliver sufficient performance for commuting and daily driving, but don't offer the responsiveness of the more powerful turbo and six-cylinder engines. The 2.5 i engine has been upgraded for 2006 to produce 175 horsepower. With the five-speed manual and optional short-throw shifter, it's enjoyable to drive on winding roads. The steering on the Outback is light and responsive, with good on-center feel. The suspension is properly calibrated to absorb pavement irregularities and undulations without disturbing directional stability, whether in a straight line or on winding roads. There's some body lean in hard cornering, but nothing untoward. These improvements can be attributed to the redesign, which widened the track, lowered the engine in the chassis about an inch to lower the center of gravity, and modified the rear suspension to lower the roll center.

Design of the Outback

 The Outback got a whole new look for 2005. For 2006, the 2.5 i and 2.5 i Limited models have been upgraded with 17-inch wheels as standard equipment, as on the higher-level models. The Outback is taller than its fraternal twin, the Legacy, and is further distinguished with two honeycomb-like bars that split the Outback's grille horizontally, highlighting its extended, octagonal shape. Even while standing still, the Outback has a look of motion. That begins with the aerodynamic slope of the hood, made possible by the low profile of Subaru's horizontally opposed engines. This design is functional, combining with the increasing inward tilt of the rear side windows to ease air flow beyond the wagon's tail end.  On the rear of the wagon, all the lines inward toward the car's center, giving it a taut, neat finish. Large, geometric taillights cover the upper corners of the rear fenders.  In the sedan, the silhouette rises gradually to the A-pillar, then loops up over the geometrically arched side windows and back down behind the upscale, BMW-like C-pillar where it merges with the shoulder-like beltline before wrapping around the trunk, aerodynamically tapered like that of the wagon.

Subaru Outback Cabin

 The 2006 Subaru Outback cabin is versatile and roomy. The front seats in the base model are comfortable, rear seats are bolstered about the same as the fronts, with a minimal rise in the center in recognition of the driveline hump. The front seats in the XT and more expensive models have fuller bolsters and better overall support; the lumbar adjustments can be set from very soft to accommodate sensitive lower backs, to very aggressive to brace a classic ramrod spine. The dash is topped with high-quality, seamless vinyl, mildly textured and finished in a low-gloss to minimize reflected glare in the windshield. The instruments are rimmed in black in the 2.5 i and XT, in chrome in the 3.0 R. The center stack and forward portion of the center console are covered in an understated metallic-look, matte-finish plastic with chrome-like accents. In models with seat heaters, the controls are set in the center console directly forward of the slider covering the two front cup holders. The sedan's trunk and trunk lid are finished. The wagon's tailgate allows standing fully upright when open and a pull-down handle minimizes contact with the exterior's collected road dirt and grime. Forward visibility is above average, aided by the sloping hood.

2006 Outback Lineup

The 2006 Subaru Outback comes in wagon and sedan body styles, with a variety of trims and options.  The base 2.5 i comes standard with an eight-way power seat, tilt steering wheel, auto-off headlights and cruise control, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and remote keyless entry. Air conditioning comes standard, along with durable-looking fabric upholstery and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo. The cargo area has its own light, carpet, grocery bag hooks and a retractable cargo area cover. The rear bumper is protected by a full-width step pad, and the roof rack comes already fitted with cross bars.

The 2.5 i Limited add leather-trimmed upholstery, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, fog lamps, and dual-panel power moonroof.

The 2.5 XT adds body-colored outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and decorative door sill and rear liftgate sill plate covers, along with a four-way power seat with manually adjustable lumbar support for the front-seat passenger, sport front seats and leather trim for the brake handle and shift lever. A leather-wrapped, Momo-brand steering wheel has integrated Sportshift control buttons if the optional five-speed automatic is ordered. The XT Limited adds perforated leather seat trim and the power moonroof.

The 3.0 R L.L.Bean Sedan gets the L.L.Bean logos, a tire pressure monitoring system, a rear-seat center armrest with trunk pass-through and a single panel power moonroof. A Momo mahogany-and-leather-wrapped steering wheel has integrated audio controls. The 3.0 R L.L.Bean Wagon also gets an auto-dimming inside mirror with electronic compass, L.L.Bean floor mats and leather-trimmed seats and a removable cargo tray.

The 3.0 R VDC Limited wagon gets the outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, the dual-pane moonroof, and the navigation system, a three-frequency, programmable remote HomeLink transmitter, and upgraded audio with an MP3 player and rear subwoofer.

Summary

The Subaru Outback is well known for its high safety standards. Safety is enhanced with dual-stage frontal airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and full coverage side curtain airbags. Active front-seat head restraints are standard. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution come standard. For more research, read a Used Subaru review by Automotive.com. Known as a sport utility wagon, the Outback features SUV-like styling cues and higher ground clearance. With its all-wheel-drive lineup, Subaru occupies a unique niche in the passenger-car market. Outback sedans and wagons are easy to drive and have extra advantages over the Legacy for driving on less-than-perfect roads. These cars make a satisfying alternative to a sport utility vehicle.