Reliability, Safety & Features
The prior Outback had above-average reliability, but the new one hasn't been on the market long enough to gauge. In crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Outback received the highest score, Good, in front, rear, side-impact and roof-crush tests. The current generation is an IIHS Top Safety Pick — which is no easy feat these days, given IIHS' addition of roof-crush tests. Standard features include six airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system. Click here for a full list of safety features.
The Outback 2.5i comes with power windows and locks, remote entry, cruise control, air conditioning and a CD stereo with an auxiliary jack and steering-wheel audio controls. Move up to the 2.5i Premium or Limited, and you can have alloy wheels, power front seats, heated leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and an upgraded Harman Kardon stereo. A conventional moonroof (not the dual moonroof available in prior Outbacks) and the navigation system are optional.
The six-cylinder Outback 3.6R comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission; the CVT automatic runs $1,000 in the 2.5i and 2.5i Premium (it's standard on the 2.5i Limited). Load up a six-cylinder Outback, and the price tops out around $34,000.
See also:
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as its temperature rises; the
fluid level differs according to fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level ...
Rear gate – if the rear gate cannot be opened
In the event that you cannot open the rear
gate by operating the power door locking
switches or the remote keyless entry
system, you can open it from inside the
cargo area.
1. Remove the ac ...
Random playback
Type A audio
Type B audio
To play back a track/file(s) at random, press the “RPT/RDM” button for 0.5 second
or longer (type A audio) or press the “RDM” button (type B audio).
● For type ...