Subaru Outback Review - What the Auto Press Says

The 2012 Subaru Outback ranks 1 out of 4 Affordable Wagons. This ranking is based on our analysis of 16 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Outback, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Whether you call it a wagon or an SUV, car reviewers call the 2012 Subaru Outback one of the most practical, safe and useful cars you can buy. We named it the 2012 Best Wagon for the Money.

When car makers try to make a car fit into more than one class, reviewers often recoil from the inevitable Frankenride that results. That's not the case with the 2012 Subaru Outback. "Subaru's Outback is a well-rounded combination of midsize car, station wagon, and sport-utility attributes," says Consumer Guide. "Car loyalists, crossover intenders, and even those searching for an at least mildly off-road-capable SUV will find a lot to like with the Outback."

The 2012 Subaru Outback has generous cargo space, roomy seats and standard all-wheel drive. Top scores in crash tests and lots of family-friendly features, like an available rearview camera and Bluetooth music streaming, are just two of the reasons we named the Outback the 2012 Best Wagon for Families. Reviewers also like that the Outback can be had as a basic family runner for about $23,000, or a near-luxury car with leather seats, navigation and top-notch entertainment features for about $35,000. No matter how you outfit the Outback, it has a pleasing driving experience, excellent safety scores and a level of practicality that other station wagons, crossovers and small SUVs have trouble keeping up with.

Other Wagons/SUVs to Consider

The Subaru Outback has a lot of competition, since it fits between wagons and SUVs. The Toyota Venza fills the same niche as the Outback, boasting a wagon-like design, taller seating and capabilities for light off-road or foul-weather adventures. The Venza offers a standard automatic transmission but also costs more than a base Outback, and it doesn't come standard with all-wheel drive.

If you want to stay in the wagon class but don't need all-wheel drive, check out the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen. It has less cargo space than the Outback, but a more upscale interior. You can even get it with a diesel engine.

Details: 2012 Subaru Outback

The Outback is available in the following trims: the base 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited. The Outback was redesigned in 2010, so changes are minimal. See full 2012 Subaru Outback specs.

• "Outback is bigger and better than before, but it's still a proudly eccentric and weirdly wonderful mashup of station wagon, SUV and Australian off-road pretense." -- Popular Mechanics
• "Some similar-in-concept competitors ultimately feel compromised by trying to be too many things at once, but not this Recommended Subaru." -- Consumer Guide
• "If you were hoping this new Outback was going to remain a tidy AWD wagon made smarter for you and roomier for guests, you'll be disappointed with Subaru's newest SUV." -- Edmunds
• "If you need a very good car and you don't need flash, get the 2.5i with some frills. If you need a very good car and you want a little bit of zip, get the 3.6. Either way, you're buying a terrific piece of equipment that offers the fortitude of a bison wrapped in the appeal of a pony." -- Autoblog

Outback Performance - 8.8 (Very Good)

Most test drivers say that while it doesn't compare with the sporty Subaru WRX, the 2012 Subaru Outback has performance that's respectable. With standard all-wheel drive and a willing -- though not thrilling -- base four-cylinder engine, many reviewers think the Outback is a good value. If you want more power, there's a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Read More

Outback Exterior - 9.5 (Excellent)

Based on looks alone, it's tough to tell if the Outback is meant to be an SUV or a wagon. Though it has a low, car-like stance, it also has flared fenders, a styling cue most often associated with SUVs. Reviewers don't have much to say about the exterior styling. See 2012 Subaru Outback photos. View Photos

Outback Interior - 9.0 (Excellent)

Reviewers say that the best part about the interior of the 2012 Subaru Outback is its practicality. They appreciate the comfortable seats, available features and cavernous cargo space. Read More

Outback Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)

The 2012 Subaru Outback has excellent crash test ratings. It's been named an insurance industry Top Safety Pick. Read More

Outback Reliability - NA

The Outback is covered by a three-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty. Read More

Subaru Impreza Review - What the Auto Press Says

The 2012 Subaru Impreza ranks 11 out of 40 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 9 published reviews and test drives of the Subaru Impreza, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Though the 2012 Subaru Impreza isn't the most stylish or fastest affordable small car on the market, test drivers say its standard all-wheel drive, comfortable seats and roomy cargo area make it very practical. 

The 2012 Impreza has a new engine that has fewer horsepower than the engine in the 2011 model, but reviewers say it still has plenty of power. Standard all-wheel drive helps equip the Impreza with good cornering abilities and a solid, planted feel. But the best thing about the Impreza's updated powertrain is its fuel economy ratings that top some small cars that don't have standard all-wheel drive.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza's practicality continues inside with roomy front and rear seats, useful interior cubbies and good cargo space. The Impreza also has excellent crash test ratings. Those ratings, plus its spacious and useful interior helped earn the 2012 Impreza our Best Compact Car for Families Award.

Test drivers say the 2012 Subaru Impreza is an all-around good car, and if you want standard all-wheel drive, it's the obvious pick. But the Impreza doesn't have the Mazda3's performance abilities or the Ford Focus' style, so if you value either of those characteristics, reviewers suggest shopping the competition.

Other Cars to Consider

The only other model in this class that offers standard all-wheel drive is the Suzuki SX4, which is less expensive than the Impreza, but it can't match the Impreza's high fuel economy ratings and exceptional seating space. The SX4 does, however, come with more standard features, such as an auxiliary input jack and speed-sensing volume control.

Shoppers who prioritize top-notch performance over all-wheel drive might prefer the Mazda3. Like the Impreza, the Mazda3 is available as a sedan and hatchback, and depending on the engine you select, you can get higher fuel economy ratings compared with the Impreza. The Mazda3's rear seats aren't as spacious as the Impreza's, and the hatchback model doesn't have as much cargo space, but if you're looking for one of the most fun-to-drive small cars in the class, the Mazda3 is a good pick.

Details: Subaru Impreza

Available as a sedan and hatchback, the Subaru Impreza is redesigned for the 2012 model year and gets a new engine with higher fuel economy ratings than the 2011 model, a redesigned exterior, more interior space and new features such as a driver's knee airbag. It is available in base, Premium, Sport Premium, Limited and Sport Limited trims. It comes standard with all-wheel drive. See the full list of 2012 Subaru Impreza specs.

• "Impreza delivers a well-rounded package that's roomy, pleasant to drive, and very practical. For shoppers adventuresome enough to look beyond the default choices in small cars, the Impreza could be a very satisfying pick." -- Consumer Guide
• "Overall, the new 2012 Impreza 2.0i should be a good choice for shoppers looking for a comfortable, frugal and safe compact car (especially if they live in the snowbelt). We'd still suggest taking a looking at other top competitors, as models like the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Mazda 3 can be more stylish and more enjoyable to drive." -- Edmunds
• "Get inside and you'll find excellent sightlines, roominess and improved quality." -- Cars.com
• "The simple truth is that the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza doesn't really have best-in-class anything - power, fuel economy, cruising range, cargo capacity or even warranty. The major thing that sets the new Impreza apart from its competition is standard all-wheel drive - a Subaru staple (at least, until the rear-wheel-drive BRZ shows up)." -- Autoblog

Impreza Performance - 8.2 (Very Good)

The 2012 Subaru Impreza doesn't have as much pep as the Mazda3, but test drivers are pleased with its overall ride quality. Read More

Impreza Exterior - 6.9 (Mediocre)

The Subaru Impreza has never been hailed for its design aesthetics, but several reviewers say the 2012 Impreza looks better than its predecessor, though reviewers don't think it will win any beauty contests. See 2012 Subaru Impreza photos. View Photos

Impreza Interior - 8.9 (Very Good)

With comfortable seating for five, an easy-to-navigate dashboard and plenty of cargo space, reviewers are pleased that the 2012 Subaru Impreza is practical and spacious. Read More

Impreza Safety - 9.8 (Excellent)

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the 2012 Subaru Impreza an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Read More

Impreza Reliability - NA

Subaru offers a basic warranty for the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership. Read More