Topic: Preview: 2015 Subaru Outback

[sailor723]

JY, did you get confirmation from Subaru Canada reps that the M/T is only the base trim, and not available on the mid-level Touring trim?  The current Outback and Forester Touring trims are still available with M/T (but not the Limited trims).

This new version looks better than the current Outback - but that isn't very hard   Seems a little less "bloated", even though it is marginally larger.  I'd like to see it in a nicer colour than beige though!  And maybe different rims...

I hope Subaru maintains decent towing capability with this new Outback (unlike the 2014 Forester).  Looks like it is definitely worth a test drive for me.

yes, base trim 2.5i only - the options list on Touring trim starts with the CVT, which for '14 you could still get with manual. I'll confirm.

agreed about the less 'bloated' look, and only after looking back at old pictures did i realize how much nicer these headlights are... how about that orange they have on the Crosstrek? yikes!

Subaru has never exactly been famous for classic/elegant/timeless colour choices. 

[jyarkony]

"Pricing is not yet announced, but we expect Subaru to continue the trend of reducing Canadian prices to match the US MSRPs despite the recent decline of the Canadian dollar."
Really? Canadian msrp of the 2014 Outback is $5000 higher, auto trans. is $1300 vs $1000 and freight/dealer prep is double
($1650 vs $825). Plus there are $332.45 in additional fees, whatever they are. So before tax, a base manual Outback is $30,077.45 in Canada and $24,320.000 in the US. That's a difference of $6,157.45.
Or, to put it another way, even a base XV Crosstrek in Canada is more expensive than a base Outback in the US.
Ouch!

Sorry, I wasn't clear - I meant reducing Canadian price to more closely match the US MSRPS, not match them outright. I've revised accordingly.

2011 Impreza 20,995
2012 Impreza 19,995

2012 Outback 28,995
2013 Outback 28,495

2012 Legacy 23,995
2013 Legacy 23,495

2014 Forester price stayed flat, went up in US.

And generally, for all these prices, feature content was added.

The freight fees bother me too. it's a huge penalty against our market, but others have explained the business side of it better than i could. Still sucks.

EDIT:

also
2014 WRX = $32,495
2015 WRX = $29,995

2014 STI = $38,195
2015 STI = $37,995

[JRM]

The restyle looks more SUVish than the current design to me.  Those big round fog lights are really passe and I'd hoped the lower body dirt grabbing plastic cladding would have been ditched too.  It does nothing for appearence either.  The fuel ratings are pretty optimistic for a vehicle this size with AWD.  The dash board is an improvement, though not exactly elegant.  Maybe next time, Subaru.  On the plus side it does sound like the CVT is a big improvement over the 2010 model I test drove when new. 

[SaskSpecV]

JY, did you get confirmation from Subaru Canada reps that the M/T is only the base trim, and not available on the mid-level Touring trim?  The current Outback and Forester Touring trims are still available with M/T (but not the Limited trims).

This new version looks better than the current Outback - but that isn't very hard   Seems a little less "bloated", even though it is marginally larger.  I'd like to see it in a nicer colour than beige though!  And maybe different rims...

I hope Subaru maintains decent towing capability with this new Outback (unlike the 2014 Forester).  Looks like it is definitely worth a test drive for me.

yes, base trim 2.5i only - the options list on Touring trim starts with the CVT, which for '14 you could still get with manual. I'll confirm.

agreed about the less 'bloated' look, and only after looking back at old pictures did i realize how much nicer these headlights are... how about that orange they have on the Crosstrek? yikes!

Thanks Jonathon.  Is it possible to paste/link the entire feature list by trim?  Or is that embargoed until a later date?  What about other specs?

[PJ]

I'm surprised to hear it sells well.  I've only seen one or two of the current generation ever around Vancouver.  You still lots of the 90's and 2000's versions but I would have thought the big blotted version was a flop.

[Snowman]

I like the new model,especially the styling. Subaru is on a serious roll now and here I thought 5 years ago thye were done.

[Ace]

I've owned a few Subarus in the past, great quirky vehicles, my favorite was the 2007 Legacy GT Wagon!! Why did they fire those designers, IMO the new Outbacks have way too much going on. I guess those big bulky roof racks are cool somewhere 

[Snowman]

We owned five Subaru's, enjoyed all of them.

[jyarkony]

JY, did you get confirmation from Subaru Canada reps that the M/T is only the base trim, and not available on the mid-level Touring trim?  The current Outback and Forester Touring trims are still available with M/T (but not the Limited trims).

This new version looks better than the current Outback - but that isn't very hard   Seems a little less "bloated", even though it is marginally larger.  I'd like to see it in a nicer colour than beige though!  And maybe different rims...

I hope Subaru maintains decent towing capability with this new Outback (unlike the 2014 Forester).  Looks like it is definitely worth a test drive for me.

yes, base trim 2.5i only - the options list on Touring trim starts with the CVT, which for '14 you could still get with manual. I'll confirm.

agreed about the less 'bloated' look, and only after looking back at old pictures did i realize how much nicer these headlights are... how about that orange they have on the Crosstrek? yikes!

Thanks Jonathon.  Is it possible to paste/link the entire feature list by trim?  Or is that embargoed until a later date?  What about other specs?

d'oh - left the chip with that info on my desk at work. will post tomorrow.

[blotter]

I've owned a few Subarus in the past, great quirky vehicles, my favorite was the 2007 Legacy GT Wagon!! Why did they fire those designers, IMO the new Outbacks have way too much going on. I guess those big bulky roof racks are cool somewhere 

those racks are actually pretty brilliant.   I agree I'm no fan of the bulk but it's all purpose.
the cross bars fold into the sides for less resistance and wind noise and equals a little better fuel economy when not in use.   I actually wish other's would use this design idea. 

[Noto]

I actually wish other's would use this design idea.

I wish Subaru would use this design idea in its other vehicles...like the Fozzie, which you have to buy the crossbars for.

[blotter]

I actually wish other's would use this design idea.

I wish Subaru would use this design idea in its other vehicles...like the Fozzie, which you have to buy the crossbars for.

agreed!   and I wish Subaru would drop the 3.6 in the Fozzie

[SaskSpecV]

d'oh - left the chip with that info on my desk at work. will post tomorrow.

Thanks JY, looking forward to it!

[johngenx]

I like the 3.6 a lot, but hope it gets updated, which it probably won't.

[blotter]

I like the 3.6 a lot, but hope it gets updated, which it probably won't.

I was hoping for an update as well but... not for 2015
this is from Motor Trend:

Although the Outback keeps the same 2.5-liter H-4, Subaru says it's been enhanced for lighter weight, improved efficiency, and quieter operation. It produces slightly more power (from 173 horses to 175), while peak torque remains at 174 lb-ft. The 3.6-liter H-6 engine that makes 256 hp also carries over, dispelling the rumor that it would be dropped in favor of the 250-hp 2.0-liter H-4 turbo from the 2014 Forester. Both engines will be paired with a CVT (six-cylinder models get a high-torque version) meaning the five-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions are out of the picture

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1404_2015_subaru_outback_first_look/#ixzz2zor2m5WT

[Noto]

I wish Subaru would drop the 3.6 in the Fozzie

I actually don't want the 3.6 in the Fozzie - it's too heavy and has no fuel or power advantage.
Can't find the article, but I remember reading that an Outback 3.6R was track tested against a Forester XT and the turbo was faster in every way - especially at the higher end (1/4 mile, etc).

What I would like is for Subaru to heavily revise the EJ255 and make it better, 350+hp, etc. and then drop that into the Forester

IDEALLY, I'd like a Forester or WRX with the new Volvo T6 (pancaked, of course).  That'd be hella smooth.

[dkaz]

Looks surprisingly good, even though I blasted the 2015 Legacy's looks. I wonder if they specifically designed the new Legacy to look better in Outback cladding.

I think the turbo engine suits the smaller Forester and 3.6L suits the larger Legacy. I enjoy a nice turbo engine but I love the smooth revving nature of my Sienna.

But bonus points for a turbocharged V6 like in the Saab 9-3 Aero, especially with a 6 speed manual. Drool.

[blotter]

I wish Subaru would drop the 3.6 in the Fozzie

I actually don't want the 3.6 in the Fozzie - it's too heavy and has no fuel or power advantage.
Can't find the article, but I remember reading that an Outback 3.6R was track tested against a Forester XT and the turbo was faster in every way - especially at the higher end (1/4 mile, etc).

What I would like is for Subaru to heavily revise the EJ255 and make it better, 350+hp, etc. and then drop that into the Forester

IDEALLY, I'd like a Forester or WRX with the new Volvo T6 (pancaked, of course).  That'd be hella smooth.

be it the Fozzie or Outback, i wouldn't be planning any track days with it.... sooooo, that does't matter too much to me.   I was thinking more along the lines of towing capacity.  It would be nice to see the bigger engine to increase towing but now i'm thinking, it's not the engine but likely the frame that doesn't allow the same capacity as the outback.

[jyarkony]

d'oh - left the chip with that info on my desk at work. will post tomorrow.

Thanks JY, looking forward to it!

here we go. we set up a PDF for easy viewing:

http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2015/index.php?level=picture&id=1178

[SaskSpecV]

here we go. we set up a PDF for easy viewing:

http://www.autos.ca/galleries/2015/index.php?level=picture&id=1178

You da man Jonathon!

New version is definitely a little bit longer and wider than the Forester (even more than the old Outback), and a bit heavier too.  But all are still reasonably close.  Now what's the M/T enthusiast to do??

Hmm...there's a few items in the 2.5 Touring list that I'd quite like (sunroof, wiper de-icer, leather wheel/shifter).  Could live without them I guess - but I'd rather not!   Power tailgate is OK to have too, but its absence would hardly be a dealbreaker.  Same with alloys rims, if they are nice (I can't believe Subaru would sell a near $30K vehicle - base Outback - with steel wheels!!)

So the question becomes - 2015 Outback base vs 2014/15 Forester Touring vs 2014 Outback Touring?  Overall, they are really quite similar, but each has its pros and cons. 

Forester: PROS - smallest length and width (most maneuverable), giant sunroof, great visibility, I am highly confident my wife will be comfortable with the clutch/wheel/shifter location, lowest weight, overall excellent vehicle
CONS - least useful cargo area (though still quite good), no integrated roof rails like the Outbacks, highest height, mediocre interior, limited towing (rated for only 1500 pounds)

2015 Outback: PROS - 2.5 boxer engine looks to be most advanced, fuel economy tweaks, giant interior, nice 6.2" backup camera, improved exterior (not sure if I like it more than the Forester though), presumably good fit/finish, presumably decent tow rating (TBD), presumably good to drive (obviously need to test that!!)
CONS - missing leather wheel/shifter, sunroof, steel wheels, a little larger than I'd like, not sure about visibility
Aftermarket could obviously fix the wheels/shifter - but extra cost of course...

2014 Outback: PROS - roof rails, sunroof (normal), good towing, excellent (proven) reliability, discounts
CONS - wife hated it! Looks are still "off", no backup camera, likely limited selection at dealerships

With the discounts currently in place ($1000 for 2014 Forester, $2500 for 2014 Outback Touring) the prices will likely end up pretty similar.  But if my wife has the same visceral dislike of the 2015 Outback she had with the 2014, that will likely seal the deal for the Forester!