2011 Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is a perennially popular all-wheel-drive station wagon, especially in areas where drivers need to deal with winter weather but don't necessarily want to step up to a full-blown SUV. After being totally redesigned for the 2010 model year, the 2011 Outback carries forward with few changes. A backup camera is now optional and the 3.6 Limited trim levels get standard satellite radio. For a detailed analysis of what reviewers are saying about the Outback, see our full report on the 2010 Subaru Outback (Base MSRP: $22,995 to $30,995).

All Subaru Outback models feature standard all-wheel drive, and two engine configurations are available. The base powerplant is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, boxer engine that develops 170 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed manual.  A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional (and comes standard on the range-topping Limited trim level with the 2.5-liter). The second engine choice is a 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed, boxer six that makes 256 horsepower. It's paired with a 5-speed automatic. Base engines return 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined with the manual and 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/24 mpg combined with the automatic according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The larger engine carries a fuel-economy penalty, posting an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway/20 mpg combined.

Electronic stability control and traction control are standard, as are antilock brakes, front-seat side airbags and side-curtain airbags. The 2011 Subaru Outback scores 4 stars overall in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests -- 4-stars for front-impact tests and 4-stars for side-impact tests. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards the Outback Good ratings in all its test and names it a 2011 Top Safety Pick.