Subaru announces the pricing schedule of its iconic sport utility wagon
2015 Subaru Outback
For Subaru, this past January marked the fifth consecutive year of month over month sales records while May represented the 30th consecutive month of year-over-year growth.
But lost amidst the overall 18.92 percent year-to-date sales increase is the relatively tepid 4.34 percent increase in Outback sales. The good news is that it still represents the best May ever for the sport utility wagon, while the better news is that Subaru is about to throw another log on the fire with an all-new 2015 Outback ready and primed to arrive at Subaru dealerships this summer.
The 2015 Outback is longer (0.6 inches), wider (0.7 inches) and roomier (2.7 cubic feet for a total of 108.1). There's an additional 1.2 cubic feet of cargo space (for a total of 35.5) behind the rear seats and a flatter load floor for 2 cubic feet of additional cargo volume (now 73.3 cu. ft.) with the 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks folded.
Not a single body panel is shared with the previous generation, which now includes an aluminum hood for weight savings.
New standard features include electric power steering, X-Mode (which recalibrates the CVT, traction control and all- wheel-drive settings and turns on the hill-descent control), hill descent control (which uses engine braking to maintain a constant downhill speed) and hill start assist.
Ground clearance is unchanged at 8.7 inches, but new step-style doorsills allow users to easily stand on them while securing objects to roof rails.
Under the hood
Under hood changes are minimal. Both engines – the FB series 2.5-liter boxer-4 and 3.6-liter boxer-6 – are carried over from 2014. 2.5-liter models now feature grille shutters for improved aerodynamics, horsepower is up from 173 to 175, and torque, though unchanged at 174 lb.-ft., is spread over a broader range for better performance.
The numbers for the 3.6 engine (256 horsepower and 247 lb.-ft. of torque) are unchanged, but it, as well as the 2.5 four, now comes with a paddle-shifter augmented CVT, raising fuel economy numbers to an EPA-estimated 25/33/28 city/highway/combined for the 2.5 (up from 24/30/26) and 20/27/22 city/highway for the 3.6 (up from 18/25/20).
2015 Subaru Outback models
2.5 trim levels
Standard 2.5i features include a 6.2" touch screen, Subaru STARLINK, 4-speaker AM/FM stereo HD radio with single- disc CD player, Aha and Pandora, Bluetooth audio-streaming and hands-free phone connectivity, iPod Control, USB Port and Auxiliary Input Jack.
The 2.5i Premium adds, among other things, an all-weather package, dual zone automatic climate control, power driver’s seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift handle. The 6-speaker infotainment system includes a 7" touch screen, Bluetooth SMS text messaging, satellite radio capability, dual USB ports, and a vehicle information display.
The Outback 2.5i Limited piles on perforated leather-trimmed seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, 12-speaker Harman/Kardon surround system, 10-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory, dual-mode heated rear seat backs and cushions,blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert, part of the Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection System, exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, fog lights, wood grain-pattern accent trim, center console A/C outlets and a Power Rear Gate with memory.
3.6 trim level
The Outback 3.6R Limited now comes with HID low beam headlights with automatic height adjustment control and dual/stainless tips exhaust are also standard on the 3.6R Limited.
Both the Outback 2.5i and 3.6R are available with a number of option packages that are fairly self-explanatory, so we won't bore you with the details.
2015 Subaru Outback prices
Model/Trim, Transmission, MSRP including $850 destination and delivery
2.5i CVT: $25,745
2.5i Premium CVT: $27,845
2.5i Limited CVT: $30,845
3.6R Limited CVT: $33,845
2015 Subaru Outback Option Packages
• Moonroof , Power Rear Gate: $1,695
• Moonroof, Power Rear Gate, Navigation: $2,195
• EyeSight, Blind Spot Detection & Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Power Rear Gate: $1,695
• Moonroof Pkg, Power Rear Gate, Navigation System, EyeSight, Blind Spot Detection & Rear Cross Traffic Alert: $3,390
• Moonroof Pkg, Keyless Access & Start, Navigation System: $2,195
• Moonroof Pkg, Keyless Access & Start, Navigation System, EyeSight: $2,990
Note: Destination & Delivery may vary in the following states: CT, HI, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT. D&D is $1,000 for dealers in Alaska. Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) on 2.5i models adds $300 to MSRP.
