Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Winter 2011/2012 | Page 30

FEATURE
OUTBACK

2012 SUBARU OUTBACK:
THE SUV ALTERNATIVE
The typical SUV is supposed to be

The CVT employs a chain drive to provide

versatile — after all, the word “utility” is right

an almost unlimited number of virtual gears,

there in the name. But the truth of the matter

which boosts fuel efficiency and also makes

is, some SUVs need to go back to the drawing

1,000 km† on a single tank of fuel.

4-cylinder or 3.6L naturally
aspirated 6-cylinder SUBARU
BOXER engines

the Outback capable of travelling over

board — they’re too large and too unwieldy,

SELECTED FEATURES:

they consume too much fuel and they drive
like an overgrown sofa.

Inside, the Outback features the kind
of intelligent design drivers have come to

The 2012 Subaru Outback is and does

automatic (with manual mode)
or Lineartronic® Continuously
Variable (CVT) transmissions

expect from Subaru. There are a number of

none of these things — because it’s not really

different seating configurations, as well as a

an SUV, it’s the smart alternative to an SUV.

cargo area that is both wide and tall, boasting

Rugged on the outside and refined on the

All-Wheel Drive

more capacity than many SUVs.

inside, the Outback sets the pace with its high

Given all these incredible qualities, it’s no

level of comfort, superb cornering, uniquely

surprise that this generation Subaru Outback

capable all-wheel-drive system and sporty,

has received a raft of awards since it first

car-like handling.

debuted in the summer of 2009. Later that

There’s more under the skin: The Outback

year, the Outback received two honours

comes with a choice of two potent SUBARU

from the Automobile Journalists Association

BOXER engines, a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder or

of Canada (AJAC): Best New SUV/CUV

a 3.6-litre 6-cylinder. The smaller engine

under $35K and Canadian Utility Vehicle

is also available with smog-fighting PZEV

of the Year.

equipment, making this version one of the

This unique vehicle also nabbed the Ward’s

cleanest gasoline-powered vehicles on

Interior of the Year Award in 2010, the Best

the planet.

Mid-size Utility vehicle honour from the

Transmission choices consist of a 6-speed

integrated swing-in-place
crossbars

Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) for 2011 and

manual, a 5-speed electronic automatic with

the Top Safety Pick1 designation from the IIHS

manual mode and the Lineartronic® CVT.

WMA/DivX®/DVD audio
system with touchscreen
navigation, smartphone
integration◊, Bluetooth®
streaming audio, Bluetooth
hands-free system and six
Pioneer® premium speakers
leather seating surfaces

year after year.
1

BEST MID-SIZE
UTILITY

2010 CANADIAN
UTILITY VEHICLE
OF THE YEAR

Not all selected features are standard on all models.
◊ iPhone 4 compatibility.
It is possible to travel up to 1,014 km on one tank of fuel based on estimated fuel consumption figure rating posted by Natural Resources Canada
of 6.9L/100 km (highway) for a 2012 Subaru Outback equipped with continuously variable automatic transmission and a 70L fuel tank capacity.
Actual fuel consumption will vary based on driving conditions, driver habits and vehicle load.
1
Ratings of “Good” are the highest rating awarded for 40-mph frontal offset, 31-mph side-impact and 20-mph rear-impact crash tests conducted
by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) (www.iihs.org). A “Good” rating obtained in all three crash tests plus a “Good” rating in new
roof strength testing and the availability of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (Vehicle Dynamics Control) achieves a 2011 Top Safety Pi