2012 Subaru Outback Trims and Specs

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.

Take the 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium almost anywhere and put it through its paces; chances are, you won’t be disappointed. This midlevel, midsize wagon flaunts seating for 5, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, over 73 cubic feet of total cargo space and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). It’s also available as the ecologically sound 2.5i Premium PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) sub-trim, meeting requirements for more stringent state-mandated emissions standards.

Along with 17-inch alloy wheels, the 2012 Outback 2.5i Premium boasts a newly redesigned roof rack, a rear spoiler and power mirrors outside, with cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls, and simulated alloy cabin accents adorning the interior. Of course, full power accessories and telescoping tilt-wheel steering are standard, with a single-CD player flaunting 6 speakers, auxiliary MP3 input and a USB connection. Finally, Bluetooth hands-free calling is also delivered in this midlevel trim.

Options for the Outback 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Premium PZEV include an All Weather Package boasting heated front seats and outside mirrors. The available Harman Kardon Package, meantime, adds 440 watts of premium 9-speaker audio entertainment and, with the optional Power Sunroof Package, flaunts the sunroof, plus a rear-view camera and auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The available Popular Equipment Group 1B includes the auto-dimming rear-view and a universal remote garage door opener. Rear-seat DVD entertainment, meantime, along with upgraded cabin illumination and, in stick-shift editions, a short-throw shifter also remain available add-ons.

Standard power in the Outback 2.5i Premium remains a 2.5-liter variable-valve-timed (VVT) horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine that mates with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available continuously variable transmission (CVT) for 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Some tweaked emissions settings, meanwhile, result in the Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV sub-trim; both variations are estimated to get 19 mpg city/27 highway in the stick-shift versions and 22/29 with the available CVT. Finally, towing is maxed out at 2,700 pounds in each 2.5i Premium variant with the optional towing hitch installed.

Subaru’s touted symmetrical AWD system, by the way, allows additional torque to be diverted from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip, giving this popular midsize wagon added traction for various light off-road duties or in snowy conditions.

Noteworthy standard safety equipment in the 2.5i Premium and Premium PZEV includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags and front side-mounted airbags. Further delivered safety features include daytime running lights and a remote antitheft alarm, while front fog/driving lights and an upgraded antitheft alarm are available safety options.

Sporting 6-cylinder power, 71.3 cubic feet of total cargo space, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and, of course, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the 2012 Subaru Outback 3.6R packs some serious performance and utility. Standard 17-inch alloy wheels and a newly redesigned roof rack endow this midsize 5-place wagon’s profile, while cloth upholstery, heated front seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seats and simulated alloy trim accents adorn the cabin. Additionally, cruise control remains standard, as do telescoping tilt-wheel steering and full power accessories. Air conditioning is also standard, while the steering wheel again mounts cruise and audio controls. Entertainment, meanwhile, is presented by the standard single-CD player boasting 4 speakers and auxiliary MP3 input.

Standalone options for the semi-entry-level outback 3.6R include remote engine start, rear-seat DVD entertainment and upgraded cabin illumination. The Popular Equipment Group 1B options package, meantime, offers an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a compass and a universal remote garage door opener.

A horizontally opposed 3.6-liter 6-cylinder powerplant gives this peppy people-hauler its moniker and mates with a standard 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission to pump out 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Variable valve timing (VVT) means an estimated 18 mpg city/25 highway from the six-banger, while towing is maxed out at 3,000 pounds with the optional tow hitch mounted. The full-time symmetrical AWD system, meanwhile, allows added torque to be delivered to the wheels that grip in snowy conditions or in light off-road duties.

Notable standard safety equipment aboard the 2012 Outback 3.6R includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front side-mounted airbags. Such additional safety features as daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights and a remote antitheft alarm system also come standard, while an enhanced remote antitheft alarm system comes with the available Popular Equipment Group 1B.

Flaunting almost luxurious appointments, the top-shelf 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited nevertheless retains the utility and value of its lesser siblings. This midsize wagon once again boasts standard all-wheel drive (AWD), enough cabin room to seat 5 comfortably, and the cargo space to tote up to 71.3 cubic feet of gear with the rear seats folded. A redesigned roof rack is new for this year, while 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors again adorn the profile of this high-end Outback trim. Inside, look for stuff like leather-trimmed upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, reclining rear seats, full power accessories, and leather, simulated wood and simulated alloy accents.

Meanwhile, a leather steering wheel mounts audio and cruise controls, while the standard 440-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system boasts a single-CD player, 9 speakers, satellite radio, auxiliary iPod integration and a USB Port, with all of this embraced by dual-zone climate control. Finally, Bluetooth hands-free calling also remains a standard feature in this feature-laden trim.

Well-equipped as it is, the Outback 2.5i Limited offers a number of options packages. The Power Sunroof Package includes a power sunroof and rear-view camera, with a voice-activated navigation system thrown in for a bit more money. The Popular Equipment Group 1B throws in a universal remote garage door opener and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, while standalone options include added cabin illumination, a short-throw shifter (manual transmission only) and rear-seat DVD entertainment.

As its name implies, the 2012 Outback 2.5i Limited packs a variable-valve-timed 2.5-liter horizontally opposed (“boxer”) engine hitched to a standard 6-speed manual transmission and puts out 170 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Or an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) can be selected that’ll put out the same performance numbers. Towing is maxed out at 2,700 pounds with an optional towing system installed, and this four-banger’s mileage remains estimated at 19 mpg city/27 highway with the stick-shift, 22/29 with the CVT. Finally, a tweaked emissions system results in the 2.5i Limited PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) sub-trim.

The full-time symmetrical AWD system, meantime, is geared to divert added torque from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance mean that this stylish wagon can handle light off-road duties with comparative ease.

Standard safety features aboard the 2012 Outback 2.5i Limited and its PZEV sibling include 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front side-mounted airbags. Daytime running lights and dusk-sensing headlights also come standard, as does a remote antitheft alarm. Front fog/driving lights, meantime, as well as an upgraded antitheft alarm system (with the Popular Equipment Group 1B) can be delivered as safety options.

Need a practical 6-cylinder-powered midsize family wagon with standard all-wheel drive, 71.3 cubic feet of total cargo room, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a bunch of nifty standard features? Check out Subaru’s 2012 Outback 3.6R Premium. Outfitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and a new-for-2012 roof rack outside, this Japanese gem again boasts heated front seats, cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seats and simulated alloy trim inside. The leather-trimmed steering wheel, meantime, mounts paddle-shifters, as well as audio and cruise controls, and is complemented by telescoping tilt-wheel steering and Bluetooth hands-free calling. All of this remains embraced by manual air conditioning, as well as a single-CD player with 6 speakers, a USB port and an auxiliary MP3 input.

Options, though considered sparse by some, nevertheless include a 440-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with 9 speakers and satellite radio, while the Popular Equipment Group includes an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, compass and a universal remote garage door opener. A power sunroof, meanwhile, as well as remote engine start and rear-seat DVD entertainment, are all additionally available as packaged or standalone options.

Powering this midlevel Outback wagon is a horizontally opposed 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine that mates with a 5-speed shiftable transmission for 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Mileage is estimated at 18 mpg city/25 highway with the traditional variable valve timing (VVT), while towing is maxed out at 3,000 pounds when the optional trailer hitch is selected. The standard full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) system, meantime, throws some added torque to the wheels that grip best in snow and in light off-road duties.

Safety-wise, the 2012 Outback 3.6R Premium totes standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, front fog/driving lights and a remote antitheft alarm. Finally, an upgraded antitheft alarm is available with the Popular Equipment Group 1B.

As the flagship trim of the 2012 Subaru Outback fleet, the Outback 3.6R Limited totes standard all-wheel drive (AWD), 6-cylinder power, 71.3 cubic feet of cargo room and a towering 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Outside, this top-shelf trim is endowed with 17-inch alloy wheels, a newly reworked roof rack and a rear spoiler. Inside, room for 5 is embraced by leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, simulated wood, simulated alloy and leather cabin trim accents. Old standards like heated power-adjustable front seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and reclining rear seats also adorn the well-wrought cabin. Paddle shifters, as well as cruise and audio controls are mounted on the leather-trimmed steering wheel, while telescoping tilt-wheel steering and full power accessories, including heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, additionally remain standard.

Finally, Bluetooth hands-free calling as well as a 440-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system with MP3-capable single-CD player, 9 speakers, satellite radio, a USB port and an auxiliary iPod interface, represent some of this midsize wagon’s more noteworthy techno-goodies.

As well-equipped as it is, the top-shelf Outback 3.6R Limited still offers the Popular Equipment Group 1B, with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, compass and a universal remote garage door opener, as well as such extras as a power sunroof, navigation and a rear-view camera, all in package or standalone form. Rear-seat DVD entertainment, upgraded cabin illumination and remote engine start, meanwhile, are each available as individual options.

The standard 256-hp, variable-valve-timed (VVT) 3.6-liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder powerplant gives the 2012 Outback 3.6R Limited its go, not to mention its name. Mated with the standard 5-speed shiftable transmission, this peppy six-banger puts out 247 lb-ft of torque, good enough to tow up to 3,000 pounds with the optional trailer hitch installed. Mileage remains estimated at 18 mpg city/25 highway, while the full-time symmetrical AWD system allows added torque to be diverted from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip, meaning this popular family wagon goes in snow, and with the extra ground clearance, also carries its weight in light off-road chores.

Again for this year, the Outback 3.6R Limited sports such standard safety features as 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, and front side-mounted airbags. Daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights and a remote antitheft alarm come standard, as well, with an upgraded antitheft alarm available in the Popular Equipment Group 1B.