| Model year | 2010 |
| Make | Subaru |
| Model | Outback |
| Style | 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M) |
| Base MSRP | $23,690 |
| Options on test vehicle | None. |
| As-tested MSRP | $23,690 |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Engine type | Horizontally opposed four-cylinder |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,457cc (150 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Single overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.0 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,400 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 170 @ 5,600 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 170 @ 4,000 |
| Transmission type | Six-speed manual |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I: 3.454; II: 1.947; III: 1.296; IV: 0.972; V: 0.825; VI: 0.695; R: 3.636; Final: 4.44 |
| Suspension, front | Independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent, double-wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Engine-speed-proportional, hydraulic-assisted power rack-and-pinion steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 16.0:1 |
| Tire brand | Continental |
| Tire model | Conti ProContact |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | P215/70R16 99S |
| Tire size, rear | P215/70R16 99S |
| Wheel size | 16-by-6.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Steel |
| Brakes, front | 11.6-inch ventilated disc with two-piston sliding caliper |
| Brakes, rear | 11.3-inch solid disc with single-piston sliding caliper |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.7 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 9.4 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 14.4 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.9 @ 81.3 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 9.1 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 33 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 133 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 59.2 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.77 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 41.7 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 71.6 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 63.1 |
| Acceleration comments | With no chance of wheelspin, the best launch is pretty clutch-intensive -- slipping it from 4,000 rpm. Shift throws are on the long side, but gates are well defined and aren't notchy or reluctant. Power feels like it trails off in upper revs. |
| Braking rating | Average |
| Braking comments | The rear end gets light and wiggles a bit under full-ABS stops. Good fade resistance and quiet ABS pump. |
| Handling rating | Average |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Good balance right on the verge of under- or oversteer. It was interesting that despite the nondefeatable stability control system, the Outback spun 90 degrees after passing the timers when I lifted off the throttle. Hmm. Slalom: Unlike on the skid pad, where the stability control seemed rather lenient, it was on full red alert in the slalom. Heavy-handed interference, and probably a good thing, too. Turn-in is reasonably good, but the rear end is reluctant to follow. Tall and tippy is the feeling. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 80.56 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 4.4 head |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 19 city/27 highway/22 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | Best = 28/worst = 20.45/average = 24.08 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 18.5 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,386 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,377 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 55.5/44.5 |
| Length (in.) | 188.2 |
| Width (in.) | 71.7 |
| Height (in.) | 65.7 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 107.9 |
| Track, front (in.) | 61.0 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 61.0 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 36.8 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 43.0 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 37.8 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 40.8 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 39.3 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 56.3 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 56.1 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 34.3 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 71.3 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Not available |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard dual front |
| Head airbags | Standard front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Not available |
| Antilock brakes | 4-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Not available |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
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