Subaru's Outback wagon gets refinement

"It's the darnedest thing -- as if Subaru's mid-size wagon evolved on a remote island, protected from the meteoric SUV impact event of the 1990s that made just about all other wagons extinct. Now in its fifth generation, the outdoorsy, not-a-truck Outback has arrived at a place where modest proportions, interior roominess, comfortable seats, great outward visibility, outstanding all-weather traction, and reasonable thrift at the gas pump are desirable traits … Actually, the Outback evolved from Subaru's Legacy sedan, so while crossover / SUVs it competes with strive for carlike driving attributes, the Outback comes by them naturally. The transition involves some taller-aspect-ratio tires, a few added inches of ground clearance, a roof rack, some strategically placed body cladding, and, of course, the wagon body, which adds less than an inch of additional length and 140 pounds or so of mass. … Once you're strapped into the supportive driver's seat, some aspects of the Outback experience take getting used to. For one, the flat-four engine has a unique, whirligig sound that's slightly tinny and seems like it belongs to a much smaller car. And the Outback's Lineartronic continuously variable transmission lets the engine whine at high revs with heavy throttle stabs. But drive even slightly less aggressively and the CVT quickly trims engine revs in curt steps and does a credible job of mimicking a conventional six-speed automatic in routine part-throttle driving. You can also shift through six simulated “gears” yourself with the steering-wheel paddles." -- Car and Driver

Subaru's Outback wagon gets refinement

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