Subaru Outback: Motor Trend's 2010 Sport/Utility of Year

MotorTrend · 10-15-2009, 02:50 AM

Hi all! It's that time again. This year, after weeks of rigorous testing and analysis, we're proud to name the Subaru Outback the 2010 Sport/Utility of the Year.

Here's how:

Quote:

Find the Hidden SUV: An Act So Good, Even if You Know How It's Done You Can't See It

It's right there in the photo: a spacious, tough, thoroughly modern, exceedingly capable sport/utility vehicle. You're forgiven if all you can see is a svelte station wagon. There's magic at work here.

For the first time since any of us can recall, an automaker has claimed the Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year title two years in a row. Last fall, deftly balancing efficiency and size, the all-new 2009 Subaru Forester went home with the Golden Calipers trophy. For 2010, fighting off several tough adversaries -- and undoubtedly some unspoken but very real bias among our judges against repeat winners -- Subaru's new, fourth-generation Outback scored a decisive 10-1 victory in the final voting.

Some vehicles arrive at our annual "Of the Year" competitions (car, sport/utility, truck) staking early claims to a win via bulging engine muscle, beguiling gizmos, fashion-runway sheetmetal. The Outback isn't one of those. In fact, it slipped nearly unnoticed through our early walkarounds; the pre-drives chatter seemed to focus elsewhere -- the ZDX's spaceship lines, the Q5's comparison test-winning moves, the Lincoln's mighty yet efficient EcoBoost V-6. But then, one by one, our test drivers took the Outback into the field. And the buzz began to shift. Once again, it seemed, Subaru was successfully reshaping the very definition of "sport/utility vehicle" -- melding the multi-mission prowess of true SUVs with the driving refinement, fuel-frugality, and easy access of wagons and sedans. Once again, our judges began taking extra notes.

Click to read the story.

YouTube - 2010 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year Competition - Overview

Click to see the photo gallery

Shoot your questions below and I'll do my best to answer.

.WRXXX. · 10-15-2009, 02:52 AM

O yea!

Gclark · 10-15-2009, 03:05 AM

Awesome! I just don't know if I like the size, kinda big.

Kostamojen · 10-15-2009, 03:07 AM

Two years in a row!

I'm astonished! Congrats Subaru!!!

StayShift · 10-15-2009, 03:16 AM

Now either get rid of the Forester or Tribeca...it's supposed to be fracking WAGON!

krylon · 10-15-2009, 03:17 AM

Its bigger and better..! A++ All the way.. Moving from an 07' Tribeca I had to turn to the Forester as it was a better price point for us and a good size for the time being. Although, I was ready to get my wife pregnant, sell one of my bikes just to get this 2010 Outback at a dealer near us. Man, what a set of Volks could do to a car..! Overall handling/braking astonished everyone who test drove that day!

I have been fortunate enough to have several family and friends, of which all have purchased new cars 2009 (mostly crossovers including lux.) After driving in many of them, I have to say both my ugly Tribeca and my 2010 Forester have been the quietest vehicles all around. On either wet/dry on.off road.. hands down.. the quietest!

Platinum03Wagon · 10-15-2009, 03:28 AM

Huh... my Dad just traded his '03 Outback for one of these last weekend... guess I'll have to borrow the keys and see what all the fuss is about.

P03w

MotorolaBizz · 10-15-2009, 03:29 AM

I'm Shocked...yaayyy Subaru!!!!

AWD>FWD · 10-15-2009, 03:32 AM

It's not for me, but there is no arguing that it is a quality rig at a decent price.

iluvdrt · 10-15-2009, 03:36 AM

That is awesome!

If no one has seen the 2010 Outback I highly reccomend you do so. This vehicle is amazing. The rear seats have sooo much room now, and they are comfy. I would def rock this car it is nice.

poison · 10-15-2009, 03:40 AM

Kick ass, looks good!

Aspenbullet · 10-15-2009, 03:43 AM

Time to sell the bugeye and buy an Outback.

not.

NFJ79 · 10-15-2009, 04:06 AM

Woot! Way to go Subaru!

GullyWagon07 · 10-15-2009, 04:24 AM

you can even put a tow hitch on it and pull and nice aluminum boat with it!

wonder what the power #'s are. 3.0 N/A?

jamal · 10-15-2009, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GullyWagon07

you can even put a tow hitch on it and pull and nice aluminum boat with it!

wonder what the power #'s are. 3.0 N/A?

need to trade in for a fishing rig?

scobaru · 10-15-2009, 05:21 AM

just wait for the diesels to come out!

Akrexak · 10-15-2009, 08:27 AM

Wow that is awesome! Go Subaru...

HyperSl4ck3r · 10-15-2009, 09:15 AM

I have driven one, without doubt the most refined Subaru I have ever driven. I had only one problem, I got motion sickness. Yes, driving I got motion sickness from the lack of feedback. Don't get me wrong, its an AMAZINGLY well done vehicle, it did deserve to win, but is there a point of too refined where you feel so disconnected from the vehicle that its no longer enjoyable?

Does anybody at Motor Trend get Vertigo after driving the likes of WRX's, TT's, GT-R's and other high-feedback cars when they drive a refined vehicle like the new Outback?

SubaruImpreza_power · 10-15-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StayShift

Now either get rid of the Forester or Tribeca...it's supposed to be fracking WAGON!

I saw one in town and it looks just like a mini tribeca I had to do a double take to see that it was an outback.

Machine Age Victim · 10-15-2009, 10:22 AM

Good job, I may be looking at one of these instead of the next design in 2015

ADIDAS · 10-15-2009, 10:27 AM

My wife commented the other day and said that she loved the look of this thing, I think she wants to go test drive one now.

ritky · 10-15-2009, 10:36 AM

I thought it was a Tribeca

but seriously, that's awsome!

evoeater8 · 10-15-2009, 11:23 AM

sorry but that thing is hideous...lol

GEE-OTTO · 10-15-2009, 11:31 AM

It is a very nice ride and lots of room and looks great BUT I an a 4th Gen BL/BP guy I can't conform to the larger is better theme going around the car industry these days

RebDovid · 10-15-2009, 11:54 AM

having taken delivery of a new Outback 2.5i Limited, that MT, and I, showed better judgment than with the last Motor Trend "of the year" I bought: a 1976 Plymouth Volare.

10-15-2009, 03:17 AM	#6
krylon Scooby Newbie Member#: 56761 Join Date: Mar 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NY Vehicle: 9599 EJ255 EJ257 GC8 Rally Blues	Not a Surprise... Its bigger and better..! A++ All the way.. Moving from an 07' Tribeca I had to turn to the Forester as it was a better price point for us and a good size for the time being. Although, I was ready to get my wife pregnant, sell one of my bikes just to get this 2010 Outback at a dealer near us. Man, what a set of Volks could do to a car..! Overall handling/braking astonished everyone who test drove that day! I have been fortunate enough to have several family and friends, of which all have purchased new cars 2009 (mostly crossovers including lux.) After driving in many of them, I have to say both my ugly Tribeca and my 2010 Forester have been the quietest vehicles all around. On either wet/dry on.off road.. hands down.. the quietest! Last edited by krylon; 10-15-2009 at 03:33 AM.

10-15-2009, 11:54 AM	#25
RebDovid Scooby Newbie Member#: 224135 Join Date: Sep 2009	I just hope, having taken delivery of a new Outback 2.5i Limited, that MT, and I, showed better judgment than with the last Motor Trend "of the year" I bought: a 1976 Plymouth Volare.

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10-15-2009, 02:52 AM	#2
.WRXXX. Scooby Newbie Member#: 183695 Join Date: Jul 2008 Vehicle: 2002 WRX, ZRX	O yea!

10-15-2009, 03:05 AM	#3
Gclark Scooby Newbie Member#: 192352 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Utah Vehicle: 2005 Lifted OBS	Awesome! I just don't know if I like the size, kinda big.

10-15-2009, 03:07 AM	#4
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Anti-Bunny Revolutionary Front Vehicle: 95 L AWD w/ EJ25 :) 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	Two years in a row! I'm astonished! Congrats Subaru!!!

10-15-2009, 03:16 AM	#5
StayShift Scooby Specialist Member#: 192008 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: The Auto Produce Aisle Vehicle: 2008 "Did you spill my pint?!" Nikko	Now either get rid of the Forester or Tribeca...it's supposed to be fracking WAGON!

10-15-2009, 03:28 AM	#7
Platinum03Wagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 29059 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Rocky Point and Skyline Vehicle: 2012 Ferrari Hybrid Nero Daytona over Rosso	Huh... my Dad just traded his '03 Outback for one of these last weekend... guess I'll have to borrow the keys and see what all the fuss is about. P03w

10-15-2009, 03:29 AM	#8
MotorolaBizz Scooby Specialist Member#: 119290 Join Date: Jul 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Calvert C. MD/Hampton Roads VA Vehicle: 2004 WRX Java Black Pearl	I'm Shocked...yaayyy Subaru!!!!

10-15-2009, 03:32 AM	#9
AWD>FWD Scooby Specialist Member#: 107027 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Woodinville, WA Vehicle: 2007 STi"Anghellica" 1989 Nissan Sil-Coupe	It's not for me, but there is no arguing that it is a quality rig at a decent price.

10-15-2009, 03:36 AM	#10
iluvdrt NASIOC Supporter Member#: 46248 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Owner of DRTY Autosports Inc. Vehicle: 98 LGT WGN white 05 impreza wgn red	That is awesome! If no one has seen the 2010 Outback I highly reccomend you do so. This vehicle is amazing. The rear seats have sooo much room now, and they are comfy. I would def rock this car it is nice.

10-15-2009, 03:40 AM	#11
poison NASIOC Supporter Member#: 37678 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Vehicle: 2002 The coffee man	Kick ass, looks good!

10-15-2009, 03:43 AM	#12
Aspenbullet Scooby Newbie Member#: 71240 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque, NM Vehicle: 2002 WRX Cobb Stg II Aspen White w/Yakima Rack	Time to sell the bugeye and buy an Outback. not.

10-15-2009, 04:06 AM	#13
NFJ79 Scooby Newbie Member#: 90750 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque, NM Vehicle: 2000 EJ207 Hybrid Aspen White	Woot! Way to go Subaru!

10-15-2009, 04:24 AM	#14
GullyWagon07 Scooby Specialist Member#: 164171 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: OC Vehicle: 08 EvoX <3 Wagon rear prodrive plate frame	you can even put a tow hitch on it and pull and nice aluminum boat with it! wonder what the power #'s are. 3.0 N/A?

10-15-2009, 05:21 AM	#16
scobaru Scooby Guru Member#: 31345 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wisconsin Vehicle: 94 2 GC2's + miata red white and blue	just wait for the diesels to come out!

10-15-2009, 08:27 AM	#17
Akrexak Scooby Specialist Member#: 100607 Join Date: Nov 2005 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: off to Korea '10, From Alaska Vehicle: 2007 OBP STi ^^^Years of waiting!	Wow that is awesome! Go Subaru...

10-15-2009, 09:15 AM	#18
HyperSl4ck3r Scooby Newbie Member#: 179982 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Iowa Vehicle: 2008 Impreza WRX Satin White Pearl	I have driven one, without doubt the most refined Subaru I have ever driven. I had only one problem, I got motion sickness. Yes, driving I got motion sickness from the lack of feedback. Don't get me wrong, its an AMAZINGLY well done vehicle, it did deserve to win, but is there a point of too refined where you feel so disconnected from the vehicle that its no longer enjoyable? Does anybody at Motor Trend get Vertigo after driving the likes of WRX's, TT's, GT-R's and other high-feedback cars when they drive a refined vehicle like the new Outback?

10-15-2009, 10:22 AM	#20
Machine Age Victim Scooby Specialist Member#: 29961 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: in the penis part of the USA Vehicle: You can say anything in a photograph	Good job, I may be looking at one of these instead of the next design in 2015

10-15-2009, 10:27 AM	#21
ADIDAS Scooby Specialist Member#: 70572 Join Date: Sep 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Rockford, IL Vehicle: 2005 WRX wagon Black as night itself	My wife commented the other day and said that she loved the look of this thing, I think she wants to go test drive one now.

10-15-2009, 10:36 AM	#22
ritky Scooby Specialist Member#: 72285 Join Date: Oct 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Vehicle: 2003 WRX PSM w/FXHID FLA Turnpike > I-95	I thought it was a Tribeca but seriously, that's awsome!

10-15-2009, 11:23 AM	#23
evoeater8 Scooby Specialist Member#: 68212 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Tri-states Vehicle: 2004 WRX STI wrb	sorry but that thing is hideous...lol

10-15-2009, 11:31 AM	#24
GEE-OTTO Scooby Newbie Member#: 201277 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Roanoke/Salem VA Vehicle: 2008 Legacy OBP	It is a very nice ride and lots of room and looks great BUT I an a 4th Gen BL/BP guy I can't conform to the larger is better theme going around the car industry these days