Comments on: Subaru Outback Review & Road Test

By: CarZ

CarZ — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:32:01 +0000

Subaru is making a name for itself. Can’t beat that. They are coming out with smaller size SUV with affordability and durability and their sales are proving it.

By: orfroader

orfroader — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:03:28 +0000

So a 2.5 outback is nearly 1.5 Lts/100km better economy than a 1.5 Yaris (as per last weeks test) Very strange result then, even more bizarre now….

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:20:06 +0000

Sorry Project-l, beat you to the Porsche electric car from 1899. Scroll up a little! Thanks for backing it up by quoting the passage too!! ;-)

By: OSU811

OSU811 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:07:59 +0000

I am surprised at the comment on the review about engine noise!!, as I have found the total opposite with the new model , its to quiet!!!, its missing that lovely BOXER THROB, from the previous models…

By: Projet -L

Projet -L — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:54:03 +0000

I stand by my statement.

Don’t dispute Subaru produced what amounted to
farm implements in the early 70’s though.

The VAG/Porsche link to 4WD goes back a long way though.

From Wikipedia:
“Ferdinand Porsche designed and built a four-wheel driven Electric vehicle for the k. u. k. Hofwagenfabrik Ludwig Lohner & Co. at Vienna in 1899, presented to the public during the 1900 World Exhibition at Paris. The vehicle was powered by an electric hub motor at each wheel. ”

Didn’t Audi just do that with that Super Electric R8?

By: Jake02

Jake02 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:24:55 +0000

Oh ok then. Makes sense :P

By: Robin Graves

Robin Graves — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:44:08 +0000

Watch out, I got moderated for such talk.

By: Roman

Roman — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:02:54 +0000

I agree with others that the previous generation styling was more appealing. I would have thought 459 litres for the now ‘bigger’ Outback is a little light-on or have I mis-read the stats in the review? An Astra wagon is quoted as having a 450 litre boot.

By: macca

macca — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:02:54 +0000

“Gear changes from the auto transmission are a little sluggish”.

There are no gears, it’s a CVT.

By: Grammar Nazi

Grammar Nazi — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:34:51 +0000

Land barge.

By: TonyB

TonyB — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:37:59 +0000

Ashwin – while I agree with you about “voting with your wallet” – unfortunately you don’t have much choice in this crossover/medium SUV range of vehicles. I’m currently in the market for a replacement of my ‘05 XC70 (which does have a full size spare). With the miles I do, I’m after a diesel, and not one of the possible contenders – this Outback, the current XC70, allroad, XC60, Q5 – comes with a full size spare. And none of them offer either a factory or dealer-fitted option for a full size spare. There is simply not enough room (in either tyre depth or diameter) for a full size spare to be fitted. Renault’s Koleos does, but there are other factors which rule it out. The one that takes the cake is the Audi allroad. While the allroad doesn’t have a full size spare, its “donor” vehicle – the normal road-going A6 sedan – does have a full size spare across the range. Go figure?

By: Hung Low

Hung Low — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:41:36 +0000

I stand corrected with my retarded comment, the site said Continuous Variable Timing for the 3.2 variant, which I mistook for transmission!

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:45:44 +0000

Define what you mean by “build AWD vehicles for almost 4 decades” as 4WD and AWD are different! Subaru have been making 4WD vehicles for almost 4 decades, but HAVE NOT been making AWD vehicles as long as the VAG. Audi basically pioneered AWD in the early 80s with the quattro system in PRODUCTION numbers and available ACROSS THE RANGE. Subaru didn’t have an AWD vehicle UNTIL the MID 80s. VAG STILL have LONGER production experience in AWD than Subaru. THAT IS FACT. NOTE: I did NOT say better, just longer.

If you want to get that technical, Subaru DON’T have a PRODUCTION OFF ROAD vehicle either and NEVER have (in your production numbers you so boldly justified!). Just like VAG do now, they make ‘jacked up’ passenger vehicles than can handle rougher terrain better than a standard car, but not as much as a TRUE off road vehicle like the landrover etc.

I can see you have trouble with accepting FACTS when they go against your argument!! As I said before, I AM NOT saying one is better than the other, I am just stating the FACTS. Subaru are still at the leading edge when it comes to AWD systems for gravel roads/low grip surfaces, but they are NOT the pioneers of AWD that you seem to be elluding to.

Also, you would hardly call the VW Iltis a “primitive one off” 4WD. Sure it was basic, but that was what it was designed to be like that from the outset due to it’s purpose. It was produced in quite large numbers over a period of around 20 years (60s-80s) for various defence forces etc!!

:-)

By: Jake02

Jake02 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:16:56 +0000

All XC60s have 6-speed autos…

By: Jake02

Jake02 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:14:54 +0000

Ok I shall :P

By: Car Fanatic

Car Fanatic — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:56:55 +0000

and it had ABS, the production run was around 300 between 66 and 71, so Subaru were quite dinosaurian compared to the Jensen and more then half a decade later.

By: Hung Low

Hung Low — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:44:05 +0000

That is right, my point is what production models from that VAG group have been have been continuously commercially available and that fit the same bill before the Tiguan and Touareg? i.e soft roaders?
The Japanese manufacturers have always had one in their line up for decades, VW has only recently jumped on the band wagon.

A bit off topic but you started it with your retarted comment “No VAG group off road awd or 4wd uses cvt , i wonder why“. Like their are the pioneers and masters of AWD!!

Far from ended!

PS: the winner of best luxury AWD in COTY awards, the Volvo XC60 uses a CVT!!!

By: Hung Low

Hung Low — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:35:49 +0000

You are correct, I should have said last generation KIA but somehow the rear of the Liberty/Impreza looks like the current RIO sedan!

By: spellbound

spellbound — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:21:41 +0000

Spot on devil you have nailed the argument , discussion is ended .

Remember the outback is not a serious off road vehicle it is awd same as tiguan , Q5, mazda 7 and 9 etc its AWD NOT 4WD

By: Hung Low

Hung Low — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:22:04 +0000

Crikey!! $60k + for the 6 cylinder premium model!
Thats Volvo XC60 money for an Outback!