For 2006, the Subaru Outback’s styling is the best of any to date. The outdated two-tone paint treatment is banished, the fog lights are no longer obnoxiously oversized, and the alloy wheels are chunky five-spokers with terrific presence. The car has a wide stance and a rakish greenhouse tumblehome to make it look solid and hunkered down even though it rides on a raised suspension.

Equally pleasing is the 2.5i Limited’s interior décor. Fake metal and wood looks convincingly upscale, as does the appealing white gauge lighting with red secondary control illumination. Our test car came equipped with a bartender-inspired black-and-tan treatment, and attractive Berber floor mats protected the carpet. The Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited’s leather upholstery looks and feels like what you’d find in a luxury car. Except for the fact that the cabin is rather snug, the Outback is a great place to spend time. And when you decide to leave, the front doors are thoughtfully equipped with courtesy lights that illuminate to warn approaching motorists that your door is open.

Stereo and climate controls are easy to use, though we wish the radio had a proper tuning knob. Where the Subaru Outback needs immediate improvement is with regard to its limited storage space. The center box between the front seats is small, the door panel bins and glove box merely adequate, and there’s a lidded bin in the dash. That’s it, unless you use the good-sized front cupholders as storage. Rear seat passengers can make use of nets on the front seatbacks. This car, at this price, needs to be larger and more useful inside, especially for a vehicle that’s clearly oriented toward outdoor pursuits.