Topic: First Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback

[Autos_Editor]

Jacob can finally listen to music from his phone in the 2015 Subaru Outback, and is now happy.

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[quadzilla]

To aid in carrying large things, Outback gets a slightly larger cargo area, with 1,005 L available with the seats up and 2,075 with them folded. The seats also fold flatter than before to make for a more usable cargo area. There is 1,080 mm between the wheel wells and 824 mm of cargo height. With the seats up floor length is 1,062 mm, with them down that grows to 1,974. Long story short – you can fit long, square things in there.  Total passenger volume has also grown to 3,061 L.

THANK YOU!

[OliverD]

Still no panoramic sunroof? I've always found it strange that the last generation didn't have that feature when it was available on the '05-'09.

[WRX_Pilot]

Anti-submarining seat cushion airbag?  I hope that doesn't pop out where I think it does 

[JRM]

Big improvement over the previous gen.  The styling looks especially good in profile and the interior looks very classy. 

The hp and tq is rather light for such a heavy vehile with .34 drag.  And, too bad Subi didn't ditch the black plastic bottom cladding, although it isn't quite as obvious.  What's wrong with a wagon with good ground clearance that looks like a wagon (same applies to Audi).  Subi already has a trio of CUVs.  And that big thick black roof rail thing???

[Silverbird]

Sounds like the 3.6 gets a CVT, 2014 was a 5 speed auto, I suspect that would be a good bit of the mileage improvement.

Like that they let you get the tech package on the touring trim, so it's possible to get it with a manual transmission.... unless there is some other rule, to prevent that.   2014's in Canada only let you get it on the limited pkg.

Agree with the other comments, why so much black plastic trim and cladding?  I'll stick with my A4 Avant for now.

[JacobBlack]

Sounds like the 3.6 gets a CVT, 2014 was a 5 speed auto, I suspect that would be a good bit of the mileage improvement.

Like that they let you get the tech package on the touring trim, so it's possible to get it with a manual transmission.... unless there is some other rule, to prevent that.   2014's in Canada only let you get it on the limited pkg.

Agree with the other comments, why so much black plastic trim and cladding?  I'll stick with my A4 Avant for now.

Tech pack and manual is sweet - but I wish you could get tech pack and manual on the six cylinder. No manual on the six = le sad.

[OliverD]

Sounds like the 3.6 gets a CVT, 2014 was a 5 speed auto, I suspect that would be a good bit of the mileage improvement.

Like that they let you get the tech package on the touring trim, so it's possible to get it with a manual transmission.... unless there is some other rule, to prevent that.   2014's in Canada only let you get it on the limited pkg.

Agree with the other comments, why so much black plastic trim and cladding?  I'll stick with my A4 Avant for now.

Tech pack and manual is sweet - but I wish you could get tech pack and manual on the six cylinder. No manual on the six = le sad.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you have to go all the way back to the 1991 XT6 to find a six cylinder Subaru that was available with a manual transmission.

[JacobBlack]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you have to go all the way back to the 1991 XT6 to find a six cylinder Subaru that was available with a manual transmission.

Wow! That was a long time ago. So many years, so much sadness, so little manual.

[mixmanmash]

Sounds like the 3.6 gets a CVT, 2014 was a 5 speed auto, I suspect that would be a good bit of the mileage improvement.

Like that they let you get the tech package on the touring trim, so it's possible to get it with a manual transmission.... unless there is some other rule, to prevent that.   2014's in Canada only let you get it on the limited pkg.

Agree with the other comments, why so much black plastic trim and cladding?  I'll stick with my A4 Avant for now.

Tech pack and manual is sweet - but I wish you could get tech pack and manual on the six cylinder. No manual on the six = le sad.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you have to go all the way back to the 1991 XT6 to find a six cylinder Subaru that was available with a manual transmission.

I think you are correct.  Even the SVX couldn't be had in a manual.

[SaskSpecV]

Sounds like the 3.6 gets a CVT, 2014 was a 5 speed auto, I suspect that would be a good bit of the mileage improvement.

Like that they let you get the tech package on the touring trim, so it's possible to get it with a manual transmission.... unless there is some other rule, to prevent that.   2014's in Canada only let you get it on the limited pkg.

Agree with the other comments, why so much black plastic trim and cladding?  I'll stick with my A4 Avant for now.

Tech pack and manual is sweet - but I wish you could get tech pack and manual on the six cylinder. No manual on the six = le sad.

According to Subaru's website, you can't get the tech package with the M/T Outback Touring - only the CVT.  I'd boo (or booo-urns?) that, but quite honestly, I'm just happy they are offering a M/T on a decent trim level!  And the M/T Touring is 31,195, not 31,995.

http://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=4998&ArticleID=9213

And Jacob, great review.  Though to be honest, that's pretty much the expectation around here, and  I'd be highly disappointed if it was anything less! 
For auto journalism fans, compare Jacob's article to the 2015 Outback "reviews" posted on driving.ca, autonet.ca, autofile.ca, etc.  Just a complete waste of time in comparison to autos.ca

[redman]

I'm glad to see that Subaru did some intuitive changes to the driver array of button cluster on the left. The previous model had the hill decent button (which I never use) above the hidden trunk release button (which is used often).

Like the fact that Subaru is one of the few remaining companies that do not tapper the roof-line effectively cutting the rear ingress & egress for the rear passengers, in the name of styling as most companies tend to do.
Shame about the wind noise at higher speeds. To bad the author did not fold the mirrors in briefly for test purposes to see if that was the issue.

Overall an improvement from the last gen. Bring on the diesel !!!

[JacobBlack]

Hi all, approach and departure angles are now included:
The approach angle on the 2015 Outback is 18.4 degrees
The break-over angle is 20 degrees and the departure angle is 22.7 degrees. 

 

[carcrazed]

I like all the changes.  Prices seem pretty competitive, too.

Personally the fake wood doesn't look too bad in the picture.  Interior looks miles better than the last version.

The blue LED in the storage area must be there so that you can find the USB/AUX jacks and loose change.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Still no panoramic sunroof? I've always found it strange that the last generation didn't have that feature when it was available on the '05-'09.

Me too. I wasn't a sunroof person, but I loved the panoramic roof on the 2008 we had. The 2011's sunroof was tiny, hardly worth the effort.

[Noto]

Hi all, approach and departure angles are now included:
The approach angle on the 2015 Outback is 18.4 degrees
The break-over angle is 20 degrees and the departure angle is 22.7 degrees.

...and what are they in the Forestah?

I really like the new Outback and hope that the Forester gets a mid-cycle refresh to accompany all the changes that the Outback got (in particular, better interior/audi/navi/EyeSight system).  The Outback is too big for me.

With that being said, why, Subaru, why do you keep getting rid of all those purdy Red colours?  Lady Noto almost traded in the Forester for a new Crosstrek, but the Crosstrek didn't come in Red.  WOMEN SERIOUSLY BUY CARS BECAUSE OF COLOUR - sad, but true - so cater to their sad-but-true desires!

[2JDM]

The 2.5i Touring ($32,495) is close in price to the Forester XT Touring ($33,495).

hmmm...

[EV-Light]

this is perfect for the Hyundai fans that have been looking for a Hyundai Sonata Wagon!!! HERE IT IS, just replace the Subaru logo with a big H!

[JacobBlack]

Does anyone know when they are supposed to be at the dealers so I can go kick tires?   

I think they said late August.

[tazcubed]

Big improvement over the previous gen.  The styling looks especially good in profile and the interior looks very classy. 

The hp and tq is rather light for such a heavy vehile with .34 drag.  And, too bad Subi didn't ditch the black plastic bottom cladding, although it isn't quite as obvious.  What's wrong with a wagon with good ground clearance that looks like a wagon (same applies to Audi).  Subi already has a trio of CUVs.  And that big thick black roof rail thing???

In other markets I think they get the Legacy Wagon. Essentially, the same car with lower ride height and no body cladding. Certainly, I would prefer this as well, if not a sportier version GT. It's like the Volvo - they still sell the V70 elsewhere (I'd love to see the V70R make a North American comeback). With Audi I think you can get the trim painted for an extra cost.