Best sport wagon 2009 Subaru Outback *Est. $22295
Best premium station wagon 2009 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon *Est. $36025
Budget seven-seat wagon 2009 Kia Rondo *Est. $17495
Compact, fuel-sipping wagon 2009 Pontiac Vibe *Est. $16735

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2009 Subaru Outback

*Est. $22,295 to $32,095

Best sport wagon

Standard all-wheel drive
Roomy cargo space
Good maneuverability, handling
Favorable crash test ratings
Good reliability reputation

Cramped back seat
So-so acceleration with base engine
Optional engines sacrifice fuel economy for power

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Our Analysis

<b>March 2009.</b> The 2009 Subaru Outback is the most highly recommended mid-priced wagon in reviews -- and it is one of critics' favorite wagons in any price range. Experts appreciate that it packs standard all-wheel drive and a full-size cargo bay into a safe, reliable, reasonably priced package.

Plenty of other wagons offer all-wheel drive as an option, including the pricier 2009 BMW 3 Series (*est. $36,025 to $37,925) and the compact 2009 Pontiac Vibe (*est. $16,735 to $21,510). But testers find the Subaru Outback's all-wheel-drive system one of the most truly useful. Michael Martineck at The Truth About Cars says the Subaru Outback wagon's low center of gravity and proficient all-wheel-drive system make short work of both fresh and packed snow. "The worse the conditions, the better it got," he reports.

Standard all-wheel drive does take its toll on acceleration and fuel economy, though. The base Subaru Outback 2.5i's (*est. $22,295) engine -- a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder -- is "smooth, free-revving and just about as gutsy as a four can be," Martineck writes. "If Porsche went all Jaguar on us and tried to dip down market, this is the kind of engine I'd expect." However, fuel economy is only average, at 22 mpg combined (20 mpg city/27 mpg highway with the five-speed manual transmission, 20 city/26 highway with the four-speed automatic) according to EPA estimates.

Pricier trims come with "impressive power," Edmunds.com says. A 243-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine gives the Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited (*est. $31,595) plenty of acceleration, reviewers say, but fuel economy suffers (18 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined with either the manual or the automatic). The top-of-the-line 2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited (*est. $32,095) comes with a 245-horsepower, 3.0-liter six-cylinder and the automatic transmission only (delivering 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway/20 mpg combined). These higher trims take premium gas.

The five-passenger Subaru Outback wagon offers adequate leg and head room for two adults in the backseat, testers say, but three across would be squeezed. Experts say the ride is firm but comfortable, and the interior -- even on the base trim -- is nicely finished. Besides the more powerful upper-level trims, Subaru also offers a couple of step-up trims using the base engine: the Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition (*est. $23,895), adds some extras, such as a Harman/Kardon stereo, heated seats and a backseat power outlet. The Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited (*est. $28,295) adds automatic climate control, a moon roof and leather seats and steering wheel.

Testers find the Outback wagon easy to maneuver, with a tight turning circle and exceptional handling in normal driving (not pushed-to-the-limit test driving). Its safety scores are excellent; only one wagon, the perfect-scoring 2009 Audi A4 Avant (*est. $34,850), performs better than the Outback in government crash tests. Experts expect the Subaru Outback to be a reliable car, based on its history. It is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

ConsumerReports.org thoroughly road-tests the Subaru Outback station wagon, ranking it against other wagons. Edmunds.com, The Truth About Cars and ConsumerGuide.com also cover most aspects of the Outback in their road tests. Write-ups at Kelley Blue Book and Car and Driver are shorter, but still based on hands-on tests. We found federal fuel-economy estimates at FuelEconomy.gov, and federal crash-test ratings at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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2009 Subaru Outback

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

ConsumerReports.org ranks the Subaru Outback alongside other station wagons and hatchbacks, based on road tests. The review also includes detailed specifications and measurements, pricing information and ConsumerReports.org' reliability prediction and owner-satisfaction survey results.

Review: Subaru Outback , Editors of ConsumerReports.org

2. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com testers praise the Subaru Outback wagon's true car handling, as opposed to that of overweight "crossovers." However, they find drawbacks in the Outback's lack of a third row seat and crossover-like gas consumption.

Review: 2009 Subaru Outback Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

3. The Truth About Cars

Michael Martineck tests the manual-transmission version of the Subaru Outback wagon. He wonders why a stick shift is necessary -- until he hits some packed snow. Martineck also comes to appreciate the Outback's utilitarian styling and "gutsy" four-cylinder engine.

Review: 2008 Subaru Outback Review, Michael Martineck , Feb. 20, 2008

4. ConsumerGuide.com

Testers here rate four different Subaru Outback wagon trims in 11 different categories and overall, comparing it with the "class average" midsize car. They give the Outback especially high marks for ride quality and cargo space, but they say its full-time all-wheel drive inflates the price out of proportion.

Review: 2009 Subaru Outback: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

5. FuelEconomy.gov

This chart shows government fuel-economy estimates, as well as annual fuel-cost projections and pollution ratings, for the different engine/transmission combinations available on the Subaru Outback wagon. Estimates are made using regular or premium gas, as appropriate.

Review: 2009 Vehicles by Subaru, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov

6. SaferCars.gov

The Subaru Outback is one of the safest station wagons you can buy, according to government crash tests. The Outback earns perfect five-star ratings in frontal and side crashes, with four stars for rollover resistance, according to this National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

Review: 2009 Subaru Outback, Editors of SaferCar.gov

7. Kelley Blue Book

Kelley Blue Book names the Subaru Outback to its Recommended Shopping List for wagons. The Outback is a good all-wheel-drive alternative for people who find SUVs too gas-guzzling, editors say. This review praises the Outback's safety features and comfortable ride.

Review: 2009 Subaru Outback Review, Editors of Kelley Blue Book

8. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Testers here give the Subaru Outback six points (out of 10) for consumer appeal, but only three points for enthusiast appeal. They find the Outback's base engine and stock tires do nothing for its performance, but the optional turbo engine makes it fun to drive.

Review: 2009 Subaru Outback, Editors of Car and Driver

9. GreenerCars.org

The Subaru Outback is one of the most environmentally friendly midsize wagons you can buy, according to this website of the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Editors choose cars based on fuel economy and emissions standards.

Review: The Best Vehicles by Class: 2009 Midsize Wagons, Editors of GreenerCars.org