2009 Subaru Outback Trims and Specs

As the base trim in the ’09 Outlook lineup, the 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i is hardly basic. This full-time all-wheel-drive, five-door, five passenger, small crossover packs the 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine and standard five-speed manual transmission. This combination will put out 170 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque, enough to tow 2,700 pounds (when properly equipped) at an EPA-estimated 20/27 mpg. A four-speed automatic transmission is also available for the ’09 Outback 2.5i.

Standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features for the ‘09 Outback 2.5i include 16-inch steel wheels, a rear spoiler, flat black roof rack, cloth front bucket seats, split-folding rear seats, power windows, doors, and mirrors, front console with storage, an overhead console with storage, air conditioning, cruise with wheel-mounted controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with the Homelink automatic garage door opener, and a 100-watt single-CD player, with MP3 capability and six speakers. Options include aluminum wheels, satellite radio, a trailer hitch, and various interior trim upgrades.

For 2009, the lower-midlevel Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition small crossover SUV adds such standard features as 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, multi-level heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, a limited-slip rear differential, and a 440-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system, with nine speakers and a subwoofer, over the base Outback 2.5i.

Still offering the standard 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine and its five-speed manual transmission, the ’09 Outback 2.5i Special Edition will put out 170 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque. As with the ’09 2.5i, the 2.5i Special Edition is available with the four-speed automatic transmission.

Situated second from the top in the Outback 2.5i food chain, the 2009 Subaru 2.5i Limited offers a standard four-speed manual-auto transmission to go with the standard 170 hp, 169-lb-ft/torque 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine. This all-wheel-drive small crossover gets 20/26 mpg and can tow 2,700 pounds when properly equipped.

Additional standard appearance, comfort, and convenience features for the ’09 Outback 2.5i Limited, beyond those of the base 2.5i and 2.5i Special Edition, include a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, leather upholstery, leather and alloy cabin trim, dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, a power sunroof – for both front and rear passengers, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and a 440-watt Harman Kardon audio system featuring a 6-CD changer with MP3 capability. Options for the ’09 Outback 2.5i Limited are in line with all other 2.5i trims, with the addition of remote start, a voice-activated DVD navigation system, and front bumper underguard.

The 2009 Subaru 2.5 XT Limited sits at the top of the Outback 2.5 heap. This all-wheel-drive, five-door, five-passenger crossover claims a standard turbocharged 2.5-liter flat (horizontally opposed) four-cylinder engine and standard five-speed manual transmission. The ’09 Outback 2.5 XT Limited is capable of a respectable 243 hp and 241 lb-ft of torque, yet still tows the usual 2,700 pounds of trailer. Mileage, of course, suffers a bit with the turbo at 18/24 mpg.

Standard and optional appearance, comfort, and convenience features aboard the ’09 Outback 2.5 XT Limited mirror those of the 2.5i Limited, while standard safety features include four-wheel disc ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, dual front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, traction and stability control, and a remote anti-theft alarm. The standard safety features are typical across the Outback lineup.

In 2009, the Subaru Outback 3.0 R Limited can claim the top spot for the entire Outback line. The ’09 3.0 R Limited, as its moniker implies, offers a 3.0-liter, VVT flat four-cylinder engine, along with a standard five-speed auto-manual transmission. This powerplant will deliver 245 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque to the tune of 17/24 mpg. As well, this trim's extra half-liter of engine size ups the ’09 Outback 3.0 R Limited’s towing capability to 3,000 pounds when the optional trailer hitch is installed.

The 2009 Outback 3.0R Limited is equipped with the identical standard convenience features and offers the same options as the 2.5i Limited trim level, including front and rear power sunroof, a 440-watt Harman Kardon 6-CD changer, and voice-activated DVD navigation.