2013 Subaru Outback

Exterior and Interior

For the 2013 model year, the Outback has received a restyled front end with new headlights, grille, front bumper, and fog lights. Subaru has also made a few changes to the body structure, suspension, and steering - all fit to make the SUV smoother and quieter, as well as increase handling agility. Body roll has also been reduced by up to 40 percent.

For the interior, Subaru has prepared more comfortable seat fabric and a new light matte wood grain trim. As an option, customers can get a new Special Appearance Package that will add a Keyless Access & Start system and a two-position memory system for the already-standard 10-way power driver’s seat.

Base version Features:

• standard steering wheel cruise control and audio switches;
• a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with recline feature;
• electronic parking brake with Hill Holder System;
• an automatic headlight function.
• Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, audio streaming, iPod® control capability, and a USB charging port
• an AM/FM stereo, single disc CD player, Radio Data Broadcast System (RDBS), 3.5mm aux. input jack, and 4 speakers.

Outback Premium Models Add:

• a 10-way power driver’s seat;
• leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter;
• body-colored side mirrors;
• 17-in. alloy wheels (all 3.6R trim lines have 17-in. alloy wheels as standard)

Limited trim Lines Add:

• perforated leather upholstery;
• dual zone automatic climate control;
• the All-Weather Package that includes heated front seats and mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer (package optional for Premium);
• the harman/kardon Premium Audio Package (optional for Premium) with a 4.3-in. color display, 440-watt amplifier, nine harman/kardon -*premium speakers, and standard XM Satellite Radio service (four-month free trial subscription included);
• rear A/C duct, electro-luminescent gauges, and a 4-way power front passenger seat
• an available voice-activated GPS navigation system with a seven-in. LCD display,
• rear vision camera and XM NavTraffic (with a four-month free trial subscription included),
• and an SD card slot for convenient navigation map updates, among other features.

2010 Subaru Outback

Engine

The 2013 Subaru Outback is powered by a new double-overhead-cam (DOHC) 2.5-liter FB series Boxer engine that delivers a total of 173 HP and 174 lb.-ft. of torque. This new engine will be mated to a choice between a standard six-speed manual transmission and the second-generation Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). When equipped with the Lineartronic CVT, the 2013 Outback will achieve 24-mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined, an improvement compared to the 22/29/24 for the 2012 model.

The Outback 3.6R models will feature the same 256 HP 3.6-liter six-cylinder BOXER engine and five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

For the 2013 model year, the Outback will also get a new EyeSight driver-assist system, which integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning.

Prices

The new 2013 Subaru Outback will go on sale later in 2012. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Competition

The list of competitors for the 2013 Outback will include the usual suspects: the Acura TSX SportWagon and the BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon. The TSX Sport Wagon is powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque, while the 3-Series Station Wagon will be offered with a choice of four engines - two petrol and two diesel - with power ranging from 163 HP to 306 HP.