Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is an automotive nameplate used by the Japanese automaker Subaru for two different vehicles: a Legacy-based station wagon (1994-present), the Outback; and an Impreza-derived hatchback, the Outback Sport (1994-2011).

Many versions of the Outback wagon and Outback Sport have either had all-wheel drive as an option or standard equipment.

Outback

First generation Subaru Legacy station wagon (1989-1993), before the model gained the "Outback" name

The Outback station wagon originally derived from the first generation Legacy, which made its debut in 1989, in both sedan and station wagon versions. The second-generation Legacy wagon became the first generation of the Outback wagon series, called the Legacy Grand Wagon in Japan in 1995, and the "Legacy Outback" in most other markets. When launched in Australia in 1996 "Legacy Outback" was shortened simply to the "Outback", followed in other markets afterwards.

The "Outback" variant added partial protective plastic side body cladding for off-road conditions and raised the suspension of the existing Legacy wagon to provide additional ground clearance. But for other small differences in trim, the Outback went on to share almost all of its components with the Legacy donor model. In the United States, Subaru retailed the Legacy SUS sedan, derived similarly from the Legacy model.

Subaru released a similarly-altered second generation Outback as part of the third generation Legacy lineup in 1998—or 1999 in North America for model year 2000, called the Legacy Lancaster in Japan and the Outback in most markets elsewhere. In North America the Legacy SUS became the Outback sedan.

In 2003, fourth generation Legacy yielded a third-generation Outback, called the Outback everywhere but Europe. Introduction was delayed in North America until January 2004 for the 2005 model year, with a North America-only Outback sedan discontinued mid-way through this generation's lifespan.

The fourth-generation Outback arrived with the 2009 debut of the fifth generation Legacy, marketed as 2010 model year vehicles in North America, and called the Outback worldwide.

The fifth-generation Outback appeared in 2014 for the 2015 year model with the sixth generation Legacy, still badged the Legacy Outback for Japan. An unrelated Legacy wagon, the Legacy Touring, was introduced in 2014. Elsewhere, the Outback became a free-standing model line of its own, independent of the Legacy, thus bringing greater product differentiation between the two.^[1]

Models

First generation (1994–1999)

Main article: Subaru Outback (first generation)

Outback (first generation) (outback 1996–1999)

Second generation (2000–2004)

Main article: Subaru Outback (second generation)

Outback (second generation) 2000–2004

Third generation (2005–2009)

Main article: Subaru Outback (third generation)

Outback (third generation) 2005–2009

Fourth generation (2009-2014)

Main article: Subaru Outback (fourth generation)

Outback (fourth generation) 2009–2014

Fifth generation (2015-present)

Main article: Subaru Outback (fifth generation)

Outback (fifth generation) 2015–present

Outback Sport

Along with the Legacy-based model, Subaru also released the first generation Impreza-based Outback Sport in 1994 to North America only for the 1995 model year. Derived from the Impreza hatchback, the Outback Sport featured an off-road appearance package, and a slightly raised suspension akin to the larger Legacy-based model. Subaru in North America launched subsequent generations in 2001 for the 2002 model year and 2007 for model year 2008, based on the second and third generation Impreza, respectively. Subaru discontinued the Outback Sport nameplate in 2011, replaced in 2012 for the 2013 year model with the Subaru XV as derived from the fourth generation model.

Models

First generation (1994-2001)

Main article: Impreza (first generation)

Outback Sport (first generation) 1994–2001

Second generation (2001-2007)

Main article: Impreza (second generation)

Outback Sport (second generation) 2001–2007

Third generation (2007-2011)

Main article: Impreza (third generation)

Outback Sport (third generation) 2007–2011

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Subaru Outback.