Subaru Outback

Outback (first generation; 1996–1999 model)

In 1994 Subaru used the second generation of the Legacy wagon as the basis for the first generation of the Outback wagon, which came equipped with the same 2.2L EJ22 engine used in the Legacy. The 1995 model year Legacy Outback wagon was largely limited to cosmetic changes, featuring two-tone paint, larger wheels and tires, mud flaps, a roof rack, and upgraded upholstery, similar to the modifications on the previous 1994 model year Legacy Outdoor trim.[3][5][9] Production of the Outback was approved by Fuji Heavy Industries CEO Isamu Kawai.[10]

1995 model year Legacy Outback, easily distinguished from later models by flat roof. This specific example has a replacement grille and front bumper.

The 1996 model year Outback, released in September 1995, incorporated more substantial mechanical changes, including a raised suspension increasing ground clearance to 7.3 in (190 mm), a raised roof borrowed from the Legacy Touring Wagon variant, and an optional 2.5L 155 hp (116 kW; 157 PS) EJ25 engine (the EJ22 remained standard).[11][12] This change was brought about in response to changing consumer tastes for a more durable and utility based wagon.[13] It was marketed as the world's first sport-utility wagon.[14] In Japan, the Legacy Grand Wagon was the equivalent of the Outback, released almost simultaneously in August 1995.[15]

Encapsulating the sport theme of the Outback wagon, Subaru hired Paul Hogan, star of the movie Crocodile Dundee, as a pitchman for the vehicle.[16] The ad campaign, which debuted in fall 1995 for the 1996 model year, cost an estimated $20–22 million and included TV ads in which Hogan and an unnamed female companion outrun competing sport-utility vehicles by virtue of the Outback's superior stability, handling, braking, and fuel economy.[17] The advertisements successfully raised sales, with nearly 20,000 Outbacks sold in the nine months following the start of the campaign.[18] Hogan, a former car salesman, reportedly warned Subaru "You better be able to build a lot of these [Outbacks] because I'm going to sell the hell out of them."[19]

1999 Subaru Legacy Outback SUS

The sedan version of the Outback was initially marketed as an experimental limited run of 300 in New England as the Legacy SUS (Sport Utility Sedan) for the 1997 model year at the urging of Ernie Boch Jr., the owner of the independent distributor for those states,[10] moving to nationwide availability for the 1998 model year.[7]

Outback (second generation; 2000-2004)

Subaru released a similarly-altered second generation Outback as part of the third generation Legacy lineup in 1998.[20] The second generation Outbacks were longer and wider than their predecessors.[21]

In North America, the new Outback and Legacy were introduced in 1999 for model year 2000.[22] The Legacy SUS became the Outback sedan.[23]

Although most markets used the Outback nameplate, the raised-suspension version was called the Legacy Lancaster in Japan.[15] The new Legacy family was released in Japan in December 1998.[15]

This generation also saw the introduction of the 3.0L EZ30, the first Subaru six-cylinder engine outside of the sporty Alcyone and SVX lines. The EZ30 was introduced at the New York Auto Show in April 2000,[24] equipped in two separate models, including one that was co-branded with the Maine-based retailer L.L.Bean.[21] The equivalent Lancaster 6 was marketed in Japan starting in May 2000.[20][25]

Outback (third generation; 2005–2007 model)

The fourth generation Legacy formed the basis for a third-generation Outback. The third-generation Outback was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2003, offered with either the 2.5L EJ25 or 3.0L EZ30 engine.[26]

Introduction was delayed in North America until January 2004 for the 2005 model year. A turbocharged 2.5L EJ25 was added to the range in North America.[27] The 2.5XT trim was sold as a limited edition in Japan starting in 2008 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Subaru.[28] Wheelbase and overall length grew for the new generation.[27]

The interior and exterior styling of the entire Legacy series, including the Outback, was updated in mid-2006.[29] The Outback sedan, which had been limited to the North American market, was discontinued after the 2007 model year. At the same time, the Legacy wagon was dropped, leaving Subaru with only the a single sedan (Legacy) and wagon (Outback) for the mid-size car market in North America.[7]

Outback (fourth generation; 2009–2014)

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 fourth-generation Outback was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2009.[31] A concept Legacy previewing size, styling, and the new EZ36 flat-6 had been shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit three months earlier, in January 2009.[32]

Compared to the third generation, the new Outback was 50 mm (2.0 in) wider and 105 mm (4.1 in) taller, but overall length was reduced by 20 mm (0.79 in). The wheels were pushed out towards the corners of the car, with reductions in front and rear overhangs by 90 mm (3.5 in) and a longer wheelbase, by 70 mm (2.8 in), primarily realized as increased rear passenger legroom.[31]

The EZ30 was replaced with a new 3.6L EZ36, offering increased displacement with the same exterior dimensions. The EZ36 also provided increased power using regular unleaded fuel. The 2.5L EJ25 flat-4 was retained for the base model.[31] In Europe, the Outback was also available with the 2.0L EE20 turbodiesel.[33] The turbocharged EJ25 was dropped from the line.

Japanese dealers began selling the new Outback in May 2009.[34] The European debut of the Outback in August 2009 was accompanied by a press release billing the model as a pioneer in the crossover segment.[33]

The styling was refreshed for the 2013 model year and base models switched to the 2.5L FB25 engine, as announced at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The 2013 model year was also the first time Subaru's advanced driver-assistance system, a stereoscopic camera-based system branded EyeSight, was available in North America.[35]

Outback (fifth generation; 2015-2019)

The fifth-generation Outback appeared in 2014 for the 2015 year model with the sixth generation Legacy, still badged the Legacy Outback for Japan. The sixth-generation Legacy was previewed as a concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2013;[36] the Legacy sedan was premiered at Chicago in February 2014,[37] with the Outback following at New York in April.[38] An unrelated Legacy-based "sports tourer" wagon, the Subaru Levorg, was shown in 2013 and first sold in 2014.[39] Elsewhere, the Outback became a free-standing model line of its own, independent of the Legacy, thus bringing greater product differentiation between the two.[38]

Subaru billed the exterior styling evolution as being shaped by the concept of 'more Outback', claiming to combine the strengths of passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles and capitalizing on the brand recognition gained from selling the Outback since 1995.[38] EyeSight was offered for the first time in the European market on the new Outback.[40] Chassis stiffness was improved for the fifth-generation Outback.[38]

The fifth-generation Subaru Outback is now classified as a 'crossover', with the body and wheelbase set larger than previous models. Other technical changes such as the larger 256 hp (191 kW) 3.6L EZ36 engine have pushed it into this classification. The Outback received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS,[41] an ASV+ rating from JNCAP,[42] and five stars from NHTSA.[43]

The fifth-generation Outback retained the same 2.5L FB25 and 3.6L EZ36 engines from the 2013 refresh; the FB25 was slightly revised to improve mid-range torque.[38] In China, the uplevel engine was a turbocharged 2.0L FA20F instead of the EZ36.[44] The Outback was only offered with a single transmission choice, Subaru's continuously-variable transmission branded Lineartronic.[38]

Outback (sixth generation; 2020-)

The sixth-generation Subaru Outback was unveiled at the New York Auto Show on April 17, 2019.[45] Full production started from July 29, 2019. This redesigned Outback keeps the same body style (wagon/crossover suv), while still receiving a few changes, such as new taillights (similar to the ones on the Forester and upcoming Legacy) and an updated, modern interior.

Internally, the 2020 Outback moves to the Subaru Global Platform,[45] which is stiffer and offers a common base to allow use of alternative powertrains, such as hybrid or all-electric.[46] The base model sixth-generation Outback was offered with the 2.5L FB25; a turbocharged 2.4L FA24 that was first used on the Subaru Ascent was offered as the uplevel engine, providing improved power, torque, and consumption compared to the discontinued EZ36.[45]

Outback Sport (first generation) 1994–2001

The first Impreza Outback Sport was introduced for the 1995 model year as a trim line based on the "L Active Safety Group", which included all-wheel-drive and front and rear disc anti-lock brakes. The standard engine was a 1.8L EJ18 with a manual transmission, but an automatic transmission was available exclusively with the larger 2.2L EJ22 from the Legacy. In addition, the Outback Sport received a roof rack and mud flaps, but ground clearance was unchanged from the Impreza wagon on which it was based at 6.3 in (160 mm).[47] The 1997 model year Outback Sport had larger tires than the Impreza and an increased ground clearance of 6.4 to 6.5 in (160 to 170 mm).[48]

The Outback Sport was priced lower and aimed at a younger buyer than the Legacy-based Outback. Advertisements for the Outback Sport featured an actor who referred to Paul Hogan as his "uncle".[49]

Outback Sport (second generation) 2001–2007

Subaru in North America launched the subsequent generation in 2001 for the 2002 model year based on the second generation Impreza. In Australia, the Impreza RV incorporated similar styling changes.[50]

Outback Sport (third generation) 2007–2011

Subaru in North America launched the subsequent generation in 2007 for model year 2008 based on the third generation Impreza.

Subaru introduced the Impreza XV exclusively for the European market at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The XV adopted the same changes that were made for the USDM Outback Sport, but the concept XV used the 2.0L turbodiesel EE20 or 2.0L turbo EJ20 engines available in other European Impreza variants.[51] In Australia, the XV replaced the RV line, equipped with the naturally aspirated EJ20.[52]

XV

Subaru discontinued the Outback Sport nameplate in 2011. The Outback Sport was replaced in 2012 for the 2013 model year with the XV Crosstrek (later, just Crosstrek in North America and XV elsewhere) as derived from the fourth generation model. The XV Crosstrek featured a more substantial suspension lift, providing a ground clearance of 8.7 in (220 mm).[53] Sales of the XV Crosstrek were much stronger than the Outback Sport.[54]