Subaru Outback

The Outback has morphed from an adventure-inspired wagon into a full-fledged SUV. Size-wise, it sits nicely in between the smaller Forester and the larger three-row Ascent. The blocky new look adds cargo space and headroom, but some styling elements seem tacked on and questionable. A rather tepid and noisy 180-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is standard and gets 27 mpg overall, while the XT and rugged-looking Wilderness models get a much more pleasant turbocharged 2.4-liter turbo-four that produces 260 hp and achieved 25 mpg overall. The ride is exceptionally compliant while the handling remains competent, though not at all sporty. The seats are comfortable front and rear, and the SUV is very easy to get into and out of, and boasts mostly unobstructed outward views. The new infotainment system is logical with a straightforward layout, while the all-physical climate controls are easy to use. Active safety and driver assistance systems have been enhanced with new features.

Generation summary from Consumer Reports. Year-specific figures appear below; missing values mean unavailable, not zero.