Though the guy with the big knife and the crocodile boots is gone, the Subaru Outback remains.
The Australian with the crocodile boots and the big knife may be gone, but after 15 years, Subaru’s Outback is back in an entirely new skin for the 2010 model-year, making its debut at the New York International Auto Show.
The Outback has much in common with the larger and better-equipped Subaru Legacy, also making its Big Apple debut, though they’re “not quite twin brothers,” according to Subaru of America marketing chief Tim Mahoney.
Arguably the car that helped Subaru transform itself from a struggling niche contender into a serious player in the American market, Outback has captured a surprisingly loyal fan base among off-road enthusiasts and other niche audiences.
For 2010, the Subaru Outback has been "smart-sized," with a bigger interior, higher ground clearance, but a smaller footprint.
While the 2010 Subaru Legacy grows in every dimension, the Outback has been “smart-sized,” according to Mahoney. That means a significantly larger cabin but a shorter exterior footprint. For those who do serious off-roading, the additional ground clearance will prove a real plus, as will the larger cargo bay.
As with all other Subaru models, All-Wheel-Drive is standard. There are two powertrain packages, a 2.5-liter Boxer 4-cylinder engine and a 3.6-liter Boxer 6.
With Subaru sales generally defying the plunge in the U.S. automotive market, the new Outback will be a critical step in keeping the momentum going…and growing.