Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Winter 2010/2011 | Page 27

OUTBACK Selected highlights: • Swing-in-place crossbars • More cargo room than many SUVs • Up to 1363 kg of towing capacity • Adventure-ready voice-activated navigation 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK: Space for everything... including an armload of awards With an all-new version of the Subaru Outback appearing just last year, the 2011 model continues with but a few minor modifications. Of course, there was little need for change because the 2010 edition was named Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). But this isn’t the only accolade garnered by the latest-generation Outback; it also won a Ward’s Automotive Group 2010 Interior of the Year under $30,000 (U.S.) and was named the Sport/Utility of the Year by Motor Trend magazine. With little room for improvement, then, the focus for 2011 was on offering customers more of what they wanted. The 2010 Outback was better than the previous generation in terms of interior space, comfort, convenience features and fuel efficiency. All of these refinements came through customer feedback and this process continued with the 2011 version. For example, new Outback owners expressed the desire for foldable, power side mirrors and these are now standard. On the mechanical side, the Outback is still available with a choice of SUBARU BOXER engine, either a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder or a 3.6-litre 6-cylinder. The former engine utilizes a 6-speed manual transmission or the super-efficient and often-praised Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The well-equipped entry model is also available with PZEV equipment, cutting-edge, smog-fighting technology that turns this particular Subaru into one of the cleanest gasoline-powered vehicles on the road today – with no loss in performance. Of course, the Outback also comes standard with Subaru symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, making this nextgeneration utility vehicle one of the safest and most capable in its class. With a compelling mix of comfort, convenience, fuel efficiency and go-anywhere capability, the 2011 Subaru Outback is a very smart choice. | 27