2013 Subaru Outback Review | Interior, Exterior and Price

2013 Subaru Outback

2013 Subaru Outback.

2013 Subaru Outback is  ranks 1 out of 5 Affordable Wagons. This ranking is based on our analysis of 19 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Outback, and our analysis of reliability and safety data. Reviewers say the 2013 Subaru Outback successfully combines the utility of an SUV with the drivability of a car, making it one of the best wagons in the class.

The Outback sits squarely in the mid size crossover utllity class, exactly halfway between a car based wagon and a sport utility vehicle. But for its hundreds of thousands of owners, it’s in a class of one, as virtually the only crossover of its size and price to come with all wheel drive standard on every model. It competes with five seat crossovers like the Volvo XC60 and Toyota Venza, along with the least expensive models of the brawnier (but less accommodating) Jeep Grand Cherokee.

2013 Subaru Outback has standard all wheel drive and a choice between a four, or six cylinder engine. Reviewers say the four cylinder engine is best for commuting and in town driving, but the six cylinder is better at highway passing and merging, as well as navigating hilly terrain. Handling is a standout for the Outback, with most reviewers agreeing that it drives like a sedan, with confident handling and a smooth ride. Kelley Blue Book says the Outback is “as spacious and capable as a conventional mid size SUV, but delivers the fuel efficiency and driving characteristics of a sedan.” Safety is another high point for the Outback. The 2012 model, which is similar to the 2013, is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for its strong crash test performance.

The Outback has good interior space for five adults, particularly in back, where the rear seats recline. There’s no third row option, though. The rear seats split and fold, turning the 34 cubic feet of storage space into more than 71 cubic feet when needed. Subaru expects the 2013 Outback to achieve as five star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, the IIHS has given previous Outback models its “Top Safety Pick” award. For 2013, a new Brake Override system is added that will cut power to the transmission if brake and accelerator are depressed at the same time. And if you’re concerned about such things, all Subaru Outbacks sold in the U.S. are built in Indiana.

2013 Subaru Outback features a restyled front end, a more efficient four-cylinder engine, an updated continuously variable transmission (CVT) and revised suspension tuning. New features include keyless ignition / entry and newly available adaptive cruise control with a collision avoidance system.

Even if the 2013 Subaru Outback never spent a second in the Australian expanse that inspired its name, it’s reassuring to know that knotty, rutted desert roads pose minimal challenge for Subaru’s crossover wagon. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all wheel drive, the Outback is a rugged adventure vehicle that can negotiate dirt roads and snowed-in streets with confidence, even if rugged off roading is out of the question.

2013 Subaru Outback

2013 Subaru Outback

Price of 2013 Subaru Outback.

For the Price of 2013 Subaru Outback has been set at $24,495 – $32,095 based on current exchange rates. If there are changes on the 2013 Subaru Outback we will notify you as soon as possible, so keep follow our blog.

Relatively affordable, EyeSight doesn’t come cheap. You can only get it on the Limited trim level, which comes well equipped with leather and dual-zone climate control. On top of that, it’s part of a $3,940 options package that includes a giant moon roof and a navigation system, adding $1,295 above the cost of those options alone. This reminds us of the days when you were forced to buy luxury options to get electronic stability control and that’s not a happy memory.

As priced, this makes the Outback 2.5i Limited one of the most expensive cars you can now buy with a non turbo, non hybrid four cylinder engine. (We’ve been having an office contest to find something that beats it a loaded Acura TSX wagon does cost more.) Including the mandatory for Connecticut PZEV emissions, our car stickers at $34,130. So much for “Inexpensive and built to stay that way.” But then again, the Outback has become a rather popular substitute for a Volvo XC70 wagon.

But that’s not all. Subaru also offers a long, long, long list of dealer installed accessories. Since they carry quite a bit of profit, it’s hard to find an Outback without a bunch of add ons. Our car came with body side molding, a rear bumper protector, all weather floor mats, and fender splash guards. That stuff, all of which we’d gladly skip, added $568 to the sticker price, bringing the total to $34,698. Since there are about a dozen Subaru dealers within an hour’s drive, we were able to easily haggle the just arrived car’s price to a few hundred over invoice.

Pricing isn’t yet available it will be announced just before the 2013s arrive this summer but we don’t expect it to deviate much from that of the current cars. (The 2012 Legacy and Outback start at $20,745 and $24,070).

2013 Subaru Outback Interior

2013 Subaru Outback Interior.

2013 Subaru Outback Speedmeter

Interior of 2013 Subaru Outback.

Now, The base 2.5i 2013 Subaru Outback has standard Bluetooth phone connectivity and wireless music streaming through the standard four speaker stereo. It also features a USB port and iPod connectivity, and steering wheel phone and stereo controls. Trading up to the Limited model adds an optional seven inch touch screen navigation system with a four month free trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. Limited models also have voice controls for stereo, phone and navigation, a rearview camera and a Harmon Kardon premium stereo.

One interior feature that received a lot of reviewer attention is the optional Subaru EyeSight system. EyeSight uses cameras mounted on the windshield to track the Outback’s movements. If it detects that the Outback is veering out of its lane, it warns the driver. Similarly, if it detects a possible collision at low speeds, it will apply the brakes.

It was completely restyled a couple of years ago, and now more than ever, the Subaru Outback wears what the automaker says are “SUV details.” Among them are bigger roof pillars, wider rear quarter and side windows, and larger front and rear wheel arches. It’s a bit more exaggerated, and that makes the Outback look less like a station wagon and more like a crossover than ever. That might please some SUV intenders, but owners of the previous model may just sigh in acceptance.

It’s much the same for the 2013 model year, though a heftier grille is now paired with a wide rectangular opening under the front bumper and larger fog lights. The bumper and headlights are new too, but you’ll still have to look twice to see the differences. Although the Outback remains a wagon version of the Legacy sedan, the plainer Legacy wagon is no longer offered, so the sum of all those “SUV details” adds up to a vehicle that looks just slightly like a steroidal cartoon of itself.

While the interior of the 2013 Subaru Outback is nice enough, especially on the upper trim levels, too much hard plastic reminds us of the car’s utility roots. Most buyers will find the 2.5i Premium trim level worth springing for, especially to get the optional Harman Kardon audio system. The base 2.5i model’s standard four speaker stereo simply sounds tinny and flat.

Exterior of 2013 Subaru Outback.

For the Exterior of 2013 Subaru Outback, its almost every reviewer loves how comfortable and roomy the back seat in the 2013 Subaru Outback is, with most agreeing that the Outback can comfortably handle five adults. That’s not only a rare thing for a wagon, but also for an SUV. In addition to having lots of legroom, the back seat in the 2013 Outback also reclines. The front seats also get good reviews for comfort and space.

This year, Subaru’s partnership with Toyota begins to pay off in the form of new safety technology and options. The newest is a stereo camera system called EyeSight, which also bows in an upgraded form in the 2013 Lexus LS. In the Outback, the driver assistance system is centered around those windshield mounted cameras, which detect potential obstacles on the road ahead. The data is fed to a bundle of systems, including adaptive cruise control, vehicle lane departure warning, and pre collision braking.

The 2013 Subaru Outback is a five-passenger wagon offered in six trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited. The numbers refer to engine displacement. The base 2.5i comes with 16 inch steel wheels, roof rack rails with fold out crossbars, full power accessories, cruise control, air conditioning, a height adjustable driver seat, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, 60/40 split folding and reclining rear seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a four speaker sound system with a CD player, an iPod/USB audio interface and an auxiliary audio jack. The 2.5i Premium model adds 17 inch alloy wheels, foglamps, rear privacy glass, an eight way power driver seat (with power lumbar), a leather wrapped steering wheel, a cargo cover and a six speaker sound system.

In the Legacy, the four is paired with either a six speed manual or Subaru’s latest generation CVT on base models, Premium and Limited trims come only with the CVT. It’s largely the same story for the Outback, but buyers also can get the stick on four-cylinder Premium models. Official fuel economy figures are forthcoming, but Subaru predicts the new four cylinder and CVT combo will return 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg highway in the Legacy and 24/30 in the Outback. Those figures represent increases of 1 mpg on both cycles for the Legacy and 2 mpg city/1 highway for the Outback. Fuel economy for the manual equipped Legacy and Outback models increases by 1 mpg in each cycle to 21/28.

 

Engine of  2013 Subaru Outback

Engine of 2013 Subaru Outback, 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i models have a 173 horsepower 2.5 liter four cylinder engine. The standard transmission is a six speed manual, but a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which drives like an automatic, is optional. The 3.6R models have a 256 horespower 3.6 liter six cylinder boxer engine that’s paired with a five speed automatic. Going for the 2.5i model with the CVT gets you the best fuel economy at an EPA estimated 24/30 mpg city/highway. The 3.6R models get 18/25 mpg city/highway.

The vast majority of reviewers give the 2013 Subaru Outback positive reviews for its handling and braking. Though it has as much cargo space as some midsize SUVs, reviewers say the Outback drives like a car, with little body roll, accurate steering and a smooth ride. Standard all wheel drive gives the Outback some light off-road capability.

The new 2.5 liter engine in the 2.5i model is the same size as last year’s flat four, but it’s an all new design with marginally better performance and higher fuel economy. It puts out 173 horsepower and 170 pound feet of torque, with more torque at the low end of the range for better responsiveness. Subaru continues to offer a six speed manual gearbox with that engine in all but the 2.5i Limited, though most buyers opt for the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which comes with paddle shifters behind the wheel to simulate manual mode when needed.

Outback 3.6R versions come with a 3.6 liter horizontally opposed six cylinder good for 256 hp and 247 lb ft of torque. A five speed automatic with shift paddles is the only transmission offered. In Neocarsuv performance testing, the 3.6R accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, a strong time for a six cylinder powered crossover or wagon. However, EPA fuel economy is below average at 18/25/20.

Source: suvcarrelease.com.