Those seeking a reasonably priced, do-it-all family wagon might consider the 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i. This 5-place, 5-door midsize people-hauler boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and some 71.3 cubic feet of total cargo capacity. A redesigned roof rack, 16-inch steel wheels and power mirrors adorn the outside, with cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seats and simulated alloy accents sprucing up the interior. Full power accessories and telescoping tilt-wheel steering remain standard in this entry-level trim, while steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls add some extra convenience. Air conditioning, of course, remains standard, while a single-CD player boasts 4 speakers and an auxiliary MP3 input.
Options for the base 2.5i, meanwhile, include the Popular Equipment Group 1B with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, compass, universal remote garage door opener and an upgraded antitheft alarm adorning its resume. Further available equipment includes rear-seat DVD entertainment, 16-inch alloy wheels and upgraded cabin illumination. When equipped with the standard manual transmission, the 2.5i can also be delivered with an available short-throw shifter.
Standard power in the 2012 Outback 2.5i is an efficient 2.5-liter variable-valve-timed (VVT) horizontally opposed (“boxer”) 4-cylinder engine that combines with the standard 6-speed manual transmission or an available continuously variable transmission (CVT) for 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Tweaks to emissions equipment additionally allow this base trim to be offered in the 2.5i PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) sub-trim. Towing capacity in either variation is maxed out at 2,700 pounds with an available trailer hitch, while mileage estimates remain 19 mpg city/27 highway in the stick-shift versions and 22/29 with CVT-toting editions.
Subaru’s full-time symmetrical AWD system, meanwhile, allows added torque to be diverted from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip when necessary, giving this high-stepping base trim the ability to confidently handle light off-road chores or snowy surfaces.
Notable standard safety features aboard the 2.5i and its PZEV sibling include 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front side-mounted airbags. Lesser safety equipment includes daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights and a remote antitheft alarm. The Popular Equipment Group 1B, meanwhile, offers an optional upgraded antitheft alarm system.
13 GOOD DEALS
are available with average savings of $1,271 below market price
