Anyone towed with an automatic version of this car been told is reliable but low kerbweight.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Subaru outback
- Thread starter simon_5092402
- Start date
We've had a 2006 Subaru Outback SE 2.5 automatic for 5 months - towed about 800 miles so far - best towcar we've ever had.
Kerbweight is 1520kg, towing limit 1800kg, noseweight limit 82kg.
Solo mpg is averaging 27mpg, towing 1250kg gives 21mpg.
Set the cruise control to 60 and towing is effortless, even on motorway gradients - handled 70+ a couple of times during overtaking without any drama.
Self-levelling rear suspension means that load and noseweight have no effect on attitude, or stability.
Everything just works, and looks as though it's designed to go on for ever - the worst feature we've found is the interior light is over the back seat because of the large twin sunroofs so it's dark to get in the front at night - we're both delighted with it.
New Outbacks are available with diesel but only as a manual initially.
Anything else you need to know?
Kerbweight is 1520kg, towing limit 1800kg, noseweight limit 82kg.
Solo mpg is averaging 27mpg, towing 1250kg gives 21mpg.
Set the cruise control to 60 and towing is effortless, even on motorway gradients - handled 70+ a couple of times during overtaking without any drama.
Self-levelling rear suspension means that load and noseweight have no effect on attitude, or stability.
Everything just works, and looks as though it's designed to go on for ever - the worst feature we've found is the interior light is over the back seat because of the large twin sunroofs so it's dark to get in the front at night - we're both delighted with it.
New Outbacks are available with diesel but only as a manual initially.
Anything else you need to know?
Glad I read this post - I was musing about buying a 2.5 auto Outback as there are some big discounts around at the moment. At the official combined mpg of 32.5 this would be just about bearable, but 27 mpg solo would be disappointing.
Any other reports on this car, or the 2.0/2.5 auto Legacy?
Any other reports on this car, or the 2.0/2.5 auto Legacy?
I was really looking for a new car. The BMW X5 and Audi All-road were just silly money with all the add-ons that are standard on others. The new Volvo XC70 was looking attractive, although the D5 is unrefined, until someone pointed out that a 1-year old Outback was less than half the price, but similar specification and build quality. The
No H6 diesel is planned, although the design work would be straight-forward.
The initial 150bhp H4 diesel will be followed shortly by a 200bhp version for the Impreza.
The initial 150bhp H4 diesel will be followed shortly by a 200bhp version for the Impreza.
Roger,
My understanding is that the H4 is only the start of the Subaru diesel strategy.
A higher performance version of the H4 could be released almost immediately (161 bhp rather than 148), but the big decision is will they introduce the diesel in the USA?
With the US petroleum refiners at last offering Euro specification ULSD fuel, the likes of Audi, BMW, MB and VW have been selling a good number of diesel cars - and if Subaru decide it's a market they want to enter - they'll need to add the (expensive) particulate filter for California and a bigger diesel lump...
Robert
My understanding is that the H4 is only the start of the Subaru diesel strategy.
A higher performance version of the H4 could be released almost immediately (161 bhp rather than 148), but the big decision is will they introduce the diesel in the USA?
With the US petroleum refiners at last offering Euro specification ULSD fuel, the likes of Audi, BMW, MB and VW have been selling a good number of diesel cars - and if Subaru decide it's a market they want to enter - they'll need to add the (expensive) particulate filter for California and a bigger diesel lump...
Robert
The North American Subaru forums are buzzing about the diesel but they may not get the chance to buy it.
Historically, Subaru sales in Europe have been badly hampered by the poor fuel consumption. The introduction of the diesel changes all that and puts Subaru back on the short lists of an awful lot of buyers. Doubling of Subaru's European sales is expected, most of which will be diesel, particularly when the autobox version is available.
Although North American Subarus are built in the States, the engines are imported from Japan so there's unlikely to be enough to go round as Europe will probably absorb all the diesels Subaru can make. Toyota, who have a significant holding in Subaru, may well invest significantly to increase production - they've already committed to an Impreza-based rear-drive sports car to compete with the MX-5.
Historically, Subaru sales in Europe have been badly hampered by the poor fuel consumption. The introduction of the diesel changes all that and puts Subaru back on the short lists of an awful lot of buyers. Doubling of Subaru's European sales is expected, most of which will be diesel, particularly when the autobox version is available.
Although North American Subarus are built in the States, the engines are imported from Japan so there's unlikely to be enough to go round as Europe will probably absorb all the diesels Subaru can make. Toyota, who have a significant holding in Subaru, may well invest significantly to increase production - they've already committed to an Impreza-based rear-drive sports car to compete with the MX-5.
I've driven the diesel Outback and liked it well enough, though it doesn't really give me much over the diesel CR-V - permanent 4wd and a better ride being the principal ones.
Trouble is, my perfect car would be automatic, which is why I was musing about the petrol option.
Robert and Roger, you're both very well informed - any chance of an automatic diesel Subaru do you think?
Trouble is, my perfect car would be automatic, which is why I was musing about the petrol option.
Robert and Roger, you're both very well informed - any chance of an automatic diesel Subaru do you think?
Damn well better be an automatic, that's what I'm waiting for - but I've a feeling we won't see this until the Generation 5 Outback in 2010!
Given that the proportion of Legacy/Outback autobox sales is higher than most other cars Subaru should realise the necessity of an auto option.
Given that the proportion of Legacy/Outback autobox sales is higher than most other cars Subaru should realise the necessity of an auto option.
- Nov 11, 2009
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I see that the diesel has a bonnet air inlet so presumably it has the air filter inlet high above the engine. My daughter had a petrol Legacy with its inlet mounted just above the bonnet top front surface and behind the grille, and the car could go through floods that many other saloons would not have been able to. However with the new diesel having a bonnet air scoop what stops the water thrown up by vehicles coming the other way from entering the air inlet plenum?
The bonnet scoop is for the turbo's intercooler - the air intake itself is at the top of the top grill - in the same place as the petrol Legacy/Outbacks.
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