To the uninitiated, the Outback wagon series features more headroom, via a raised roofline, and more ground clearance, over 7 inches, than does the regular Legacy wagon on which it is based. Last year, Subaru freshened the styling, giving the wagon a more aggressive stance, and updated numerous other pieces to bring the successful series more up to date. Part of this adulation can be found in the Outback s roots. Working on the premise that most drivers would prefer the driving dynamics of a car than they would a truck, Subaru made the Outback look like an SUV, but made it handle and drive more like a tall car, which in fact it is. Subaru and others have made this strategy the cornerstone to a profitable marketing plan.
Outback sales continue to climb.
And, Hyundai has a car-based sports activity wagon out and Saturn will have one later this winter. The Saturn will come with all-wheel drive, and maybe a continuously variable transmission, a project that Subaru has toyed with. Still, for all of the virtues in this package, there were some items that didn t suit my taste. But these are nit-picks that apparently others don t concern themselves with, as the Outback is more popular than ever. Its combination of good fuel economy, cargo versatility, interior comfort, and foul weather capability are virtues that make this wagon a formidable foe for its rivals.