2011 Subaru Outback Review

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i

MSRP: $23,195 Engine: 2.5L H4 Transmission: Manual, Automatic

Drivetrain: AWD Fuel Type: Gas Curb Weight: 3,386 lbs.

Review

The Subaru Outback is one of the best known model of cars of all time. Since its inception in 1995, the Subaru Outback has become one of the most popular crossover models in the world. The Subaru Outback model has revolutionized - and many say even started - the crossover style of vehicle. A crossover is a mix between an SUV and regular sedan. The 2011 model hasn’t changed much from the 2010 model, although there are subtle differences that should be noted.

General Information

Not yet released, the 2011 Subaru Outback is expected to have an MSRP of $24,195 for the starting model; the price increases if you choose more options. There are many different versions of the vehicle that you can purchase. At the basic level, they are all the same, with changes from version to version including engine, interior and styling. The basic model engine is a four cylinder, 2.5 liter that produces 165 horsepower and earns you 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. There is also a six cylinder, 212 horsepower model available which will net you 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. The standard transmission is a five speed manual with overdrive. If you don’t want to bother with a manual, you can choose to purchase the four speed automatic instead.

Safety

The Subaru Outback has a reputation as being one of the safest cars on the road. Every model includes anti-lock brakes, seatbelts with pre-tensioners, side curtain airbags, stability control and all wheel drive - to ensure that you remain in control of the vehicle at all times. The Subaru Outback model has consistently earned top honors in many safety tests and measures.

Drive

With the four cylinder model, some drivers complain about the lack of power because the weight of the vehicle inhibits performance. However, the average driver that uses the vehicle for commuting shouldn’t notice a power let down. If users do desire more power, the six cylinder model should provide adequate power to get the job done. As far as handling goes, every model is equipped with all wheel drive, which greatly enhances the control in rain and snow. The vehicle is fairly lightweight, which enables quick, nimble handling in contrast to a traditional SUV which may be more “clunky” in the handling department.

Styling

The 2011 model is basically the same as far as styling goes when compared to the 2010 model. The exterior is stylish and elegant, just as you would expect from the Subaru Outback. The Limited Edition features dual moonroofs, wooden trim, leather upholstery and an advanced climate control system.

Final Opinion

The 2011 Subaru Outback retains many of the great features that the 2010 model had. In addition, the new model has received some new additions such as new and improved speakers and a climate control system. For those that want a great all around commuter vehicle that gets decent gas mileage, the 2011 Subaru Outback is one of the most affordable and best options around.

2011 Subaru Forester Review

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X

MSRP: $20,495 Engine: 2.5L F4 Transmission: Manual, Automatic

Drivetrain: AWD Fuel Type: Gas Curb Weight: 3,250 lbs.

Review

Subaru has always taken pride in a highly responsive drive train, rapid acceleration and braking power, and an overall feeling of tight engineering. The 2011 Forester is no exception to this rule, with a sporty feel on the open road. If anything, the Forester may be a little too responsive, leading to a certain jerky feel in city traffic. On long stretches of road, the Forester’s powerful acceleration leads to a headlong feeling of being propelled into uncharted territory. Drivers will particularly enjoy the increased torque and horsepower over the previous model, which allows them to take steeper turns and chart more difficult pathways without expending any additional effort. A bit of off-roading is not out of the question, although the Forester functions best on smooth highways, due to its precisely aligned drive. Those drivers who do take the car on off-road adventures would do best to avoid high streams.

Performance

Included standard with the 2.5X models is the 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine that generates 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5X and 2.5X Premium received the 5-speed manual standard while the 2.5X Limited gets the 4-speed automatic. The XT versions of the Foresters include the turbocharged version of this engine, which delivers 224 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. The EPA rates the standard engine paired with an automatic as 20/26/22 city/highway/combined.

Interior Features

The cabin features the kind of amenities one has come to expect from a brand that values precision over luxury. Although the Subaru is not cramped, passengers will note that each seat has an ideal balance between comfort and sprawl, with the most efficient posture providing the highest ratio of comfort. While leather seating and fully automated sunroofs can be found in the most richly appointed models, the lower end models stick to their cloth and vinyl interiors, with cup holders, automatic door openers, and other features that meet the average car buyer’s expectations. Audio-wise, the Subaru features the requisite CD player and AM / FM radio, although the vehicle does not dazzle with configurable ports and other more complicated audio set-ups that are found in vehicles of its class.

Summary

A robust and pleasant vehicle, the Forester provides the driver with a sporty, mid-class vehicle that functions excellently for trips and other longer term outings. With a standard array of features and exceptional engineering, the vehicle is ideal for those who enjoy travel, but are not terribly concerned about being flashy or ostentatious. Excellent window views for the driver and passengers make driving in scenic areas particularly pleasurable. Improvements in performance make this particular Forester one of the most powerful Subaru models to date.
With its tendency to handle in a jerky fashion, the 2011 Forester will not appeal to those who enjoy having a smooth and unfettered interaction with the road. Its focus on performance and neglect of luxury features may turn off passengers who delight in creature comforts, while its somewhat average gas mileage will frustrate those who long for a purely economical car.

2011 Subaru Forester Review

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X

MSRP: $20,495 Engine: 2.5L F4 Transmission: Manual, Automatic

Drivetrain: AWD Fuel Type: Gas Curb Weight: 3,250 lbs.

Review

Subaru has always taken pride in a highly responsive drive train, rapid acceleration and braking power, and an overall feeling of tight engineering. The 2011 Forester is no exception to this rule, with a sporty feel on the open road. If anything, the Forester may be a little too responsive, leading to a certain jerky feel in city traffic. On long stretches of road, the Forester’s powerful acceleration leads to a headlong feeling of being propelled into uncharted territory. Drivers will particularly enjoy the increased torque and horsepower over the previous model, which allows them to take steeper turns and chart more difficult pathways without expending any additional effort. A bit of off-roading is not out of the question, although the Forester functions best on smooth highways, due to its precisely aligned drive. Those drivers who do take the car on off-road adventures would do best to avoid high streams.

Performance

Included standard with the 2.5X models is the 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine that generates 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5X and 2.5X Premium received the 5-speed manual standard while the 2.5X Limited gets the 4-speed automatic. The XT versions of the Foresters include the turbocharged version of this engine, which delivers 224 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. The EPA rates the standard engine paired with an automatic as 20/26/22 city/highway/combined.

Interior Features

The cabin features the kind of amenities one has come to expect from a brand that values precision over luxury. Although the Subaru is not cramped, passengers will note that each seat has an ideal balance between comfort and sprawl, with the most efficient posture providing the highest ratio of comfort. While leather seating and fully automated sunroofs can be found in the most richly appointed models, the lower end models stick to their cloth and vinyl interiors, with cup holders, automatic door openers, and other features that meet the average car buyer’s expectations. Audio-wise, the Subaru features the requisite CD player and AM / FM radio, although the vehicle does not dazzle with configurable ports and other more complicated audio set-ups that are found in vehicles of its class.

Summary

A robust and pleasant vehicle, the Forester provides the driver with a sporty, mid-class vehicle that functions excellently for trips and other longer term outings. With a standard array of features and exceptional engineering, the vehicle is ideal for those who enjoy travel, but are not terribly concerned about being flashy or ostentatious. Excellent window views for the driver and passengers make driving in scenic areas particularly pleasurable. Improvements in performance make this particular Forester one of the most powerful Subaru models to date.
With its tendency to handle in a jerky fashion, the 2011 Forester will not appeal to those who enjoy having a smooth and unfettered interaction with the road. Its focus on performance and neglect of luxury features may turn off passengers who delight in creature comforts, while its somewhat average gas mileage will frustrate those who long for a purely economical car.

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan

You complained; Subaru listened. The WRX STI is a sedan again for 2011, and it just might be the best-handling STI we’ve ever tested.

When Subaru went hatch-only on the previous-generation STI, the company explained that the body style handled better, which had something to do with center of gravity, weight distribution, polar moments of inertia, and other such things. Perfectly rational explanations, and completely lost on the fans. You wanted a sedan with a wing big enough to pick up premium movie channels in Tokyo, and you got it. And it performs even better than the last STI hatch we tested.

Not that it’s a completely fair comparison. Subaru didn’t just build a sedan version of the STI for 2011 and call it a day. As long as it was building a new model, Subaru let its engineers loose on the suspension to see if they couldn’t make up for that non-ideal body. We saw the first hints of that improvement in the 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition we tested back in May, with its stiffer suspension lifted from the JDM-only Spec C model. Subaru hung onto those parts for the 2011 car, and even gave them another going-over.

A lower ride height, even stiffer stabilizer bars on top of the already-stiffened springs, and new Heim joints on the front suspension conspire to turn out the best figure-eight performance of any factory-spec STI we’ve ever tested, the Special Edition included. Though the new sedan gave up a small amount of lateral grip (0.93 g average on the skid pad versus an all-time best of 0.95 g average for the 2008 model), it made big strides where it counted, on the figure eight. By testing transitions as well as pure lateral grip, the figure eight gives us a better impression of real-world handling, which the new STI has in spades. Completing the circuit in just 25.5 seconds at 0.73 g average, it’s quicker and stickier than both the last-generation STI and the STI Special Edition, which clocked in at 25.7 seconds at 0.71 g average. A quick look at our test data dating back to the original STI reveals that the only way you’re going to do better is with aftermarket parts.