2013 Subaru Outback Sips Fuel, Shows Off New Look At New York Auto Show

• The 2013 Subaru Outback comes with revised front styling.
• The Outback features advanced safety gear and a higher level of standard equipment.
• More comfortable, quieter ride.
• Subaru has given the Outback crossover a fuel economy boost.

• The Subaru Outback was the very first crossover on the market, and remains a strong seller for the Japanese brand.
• Stronger fuel economy and improved safety make an appealing mid-size family option even better.

2013 Subaru Outback Debut: Notable Features

• Camera-based EyeSight driver assist system
• Enhanced ground clearance compared to standard Subaru fare.
• Second-generation continuously-variable automatic transmission.
• Symmetrical all-wheel drive.

2013 Subaru Outback Debut: Styling

The 2013 Subaru Outback embraces the fact that the mid-size crossover has gotten somewhat bulkier over the years with a more aggressive, sporty restyling effort that gives it a sterner personality.  On display at the New York Auto Show was a new corporate grille treatment that cradled the Subaru logo, while in the passenger compartment all versions of the Outback – from the base model to the Limited – are now offered with a wider range of features.

2013 Subaru Outback Debut: Under The Hood

The 2013 Subaru Outback gains a fresh 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that has been tuned to provide greater fuel efficiency.  With a rating of 24-mpg city and 32-mpg highway, the 173 horsepower unit is not only more powerful than the entry-level engine from 2012 but also easier on gas.  It’s additionally possible to order the Outback with a 256 horsepower, 3.6-liter boxer six-cylinder engine.  A redesigned continuously-variable automatic transmission is offered with the four-cylinder, while the 3.6-liter unit is mated to a traditional five-speed autobox.

The 2013 Subaru Outback’s closest rival is the more luxurious – and expensive – Volvo XC70.  More realistically, the Outback competes against its corporate sibling the Subaru Forester, smaller crossovers like the Toyota RAV4 and the Ford Escape and wagons such as the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen.

Why We Like It

The 2013 Subaru Outback is a wagon for people who don’t want to drive a wagon – and that’s all right with us.