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| 1999 Subaru Outback Review, Bill Fletcher, From KCMO
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Subaru Legacy Outback
| | Model of the car: | Subaru Legacy Outback | | | General comments: | I bought my `99 5-speed 1 year ago for $20,100, complete with heated seats and towing package (the pending arrival of the refreshed-styled 2000 models helped to lower the $23,500 sticker significantly.) It's got plenty of power for normal commutes but seems lacking when fully laden with passengers and their cargo. I imagine the lack of horsepower would be more pronounced with the automatic. I get more off-road miles than the average sport-ute owner (who rarely ventures further off-road than the Wal-Mart parking lot) and have been very impressed by it's performance. Ground clearance (7.3") is adequate, the only limiting factor being comparably long front and rear overhangs (an approach angle miscalculation cost me my driver's side foglight.) I've also towed with it and was impressed by it's ability to shoulder the load.The interior is a mixed bag. The materials are quality and I haven't heard an errant squeek yet. The seats are comfortable and, unlike other reviewers, I've found that the seats' rather firm cushions hold up better on long trips than soft, coddling seats. The center armrest is solid as a rock, yet doesn't seem uncomfortable. Certain secondary controls are oddly placed (foglamps, rear-window defroster, etc. behind the steering wheel on the bottom of the gauge binnacle and heated seat controls on the console where easily bumped into activation.) I've read criticism about the position of the power window switches but I've noticed that by not putting them on a door armrest extension that it leaves more lateral legroom (I can comfortably rest my left leg against the door on long trips without resting it against a plastic grab handle.) The rear seating is a little tight for 3 people or 2 6-footers. Then there's the cupholder. A slot-out type positioned over the radio and under the HVAC controls, it effectively blocks both while generously sharing with them any drink overspill. Just try cleaning congealed Coke syrup out of the HVAC vent selector buttons. I bought the optional rear seat cupholder for $30 (mounts on the back of the center armrest, replacing the rear ashtray.) It's far superior, being compact and capable of holding large drinks. Beware, self installers-drilling is involved.The car handles better than you'd think a tall wagon would. Body roll is not pronounced and steering's tight (if a little lightly weighted.) The clutch has a takeup I can only describe as 'slightly weird' but you get used to it. The all-wheel drive operates transparently and, when whipped on a loose surface like gravel or snow, can be forced into playful oversteer. The Outback makes an excellent alternative to SUVs, especially for those who have moderate off road-tractability needs but don't want a poor-handling, gas guzzling truck-based ute. Celebrating my one year anniversary with this car, I'm very happy with my choice. | | | What things have gone wrong with the car: | Odd switchgear placement (secondary controls behind steering wheel, heated seat controls on console where easily bumped)Occasional hesitation and a little short on powerThe ubiquitous cupholder complaint | | | Previous car: | Short of an Audi A6 Avant (which is twice the price) nothing else is comparable |
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