2015 Subaru Outback

2015 Subaru Outback

Episode 3407
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

While station wagons have long been out of American favor nationwide, drive around New England and you’ll see lots of square-back, Subaru Outbacks. Now maybe it’s because of their standard all-wheel drive, or even that Subaru uses the word “utility” to describe it. All we know is that where Volvo wagons were once king, the Outback now reins. And, this all-new, 5th generation, 2015 Outback shows no sign of surrendering that crown.

While being the “World’s First Sport Utility Wagon” may have started as a marketing tag, there’s no denying that the Subaru Outback has come to embody the rugged, all-weather, all-road station wagon. 

Visually, like the companion Legacy sedan, the new Outback is a little more vanilla and a little bit less “Subaru-unique”. Yet, you still know it’s a Subaru, and perhaps THE Subaru. 

Familiar too is the way it drives, though there is a welcomed amount of steering and road feel added in, and a little bit more noise kept out. Some staffers found the suspension to be firmer than expected, though that clearly fit’s Subaru’s “rugged and livable” image. 

Many other detail changes focused on what owners asked for; like a better navigation system, moving the info center from the dash to the gauge panel, a real temperature gauge, more safety features, and softer materials. It’s mostly all for the good, though some of the useful info has become a little harder to read, and there’s now way too many controls on the steering wheel.

Seats however, have taken a step back. They are a little more supportive, but also harder. Plus, the optional perforated leather rubbed some of our staff the wrong way.

No one can deny the wealth of interior space for the money, both in seating, and in cargo room. The latter climbs to 35.5 cubic-ft. with the seat backs up, 73.3 cubic-ft. with them down. Roof rails with retractable cross bars are again standard, and a power lift gate is now available. 

We’re not sure how many people pony up for the 256-horsepower 3.6-liter boxer-6 with 247 lb-ft. of torque, but it’s very smooth as is the CVT transmission attached to it. Base Outbacks find the CVT fitted to a slightly enhanced 2.5-liter boxer-4 with 175-horsepower.

Regardless of engine choice, this Outback does enhance its rugged ways as the standard all-wheel-drive system now includes X-Mode traction management, with hill descent control, and 8.7-inches of ground clearance. That makes it more capable than most crossover utilities. 

Despite that high ground clearance, there was very little roll through our slalom course. And while the Outback prefers a relaxed pace, there’s very little understeer and only minor computer intervention. New Active Torque Vectoring is standard, using selective braking to the inside front wheel to help the Outback pivot around corners. 

As for acceleration, despite sounding very aggressive and jumping off the line, power build is slow and steady; taking 7.5-seconds to hit 60. The full ¼-mile took us 15.8-seconds, crossing the line at 91 miles-per-hour.

Simulated shifts are added into the CVT transmission. Reaction is better but you still won’t be fooled into thinking it’s a real automatic. Panic braking produced lots of nose dive and an out-of-sorts rear end; as well as average stops from 60 of 133-feet.  

Dimensionally, the new Outback has grown a little bit in all directions, but you’d be hard pressed to notice it. 3.6R Limited models get the highest level of content ever in an Outback; including HID headlights, dual stainless exhaust tips, 18-inch alloy wheels, turn signal mirrors, heated front and rear seats, and both wood and matte finish interior accents.

New safety features include a standard rear view camera, the latest version of Eye Sight, Subaru’s Rear Vehicle Detection System, and front seat cushion air bags. An electric parking brake is carryover. New is Hill Holder and Incline Start Assist.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 20-City, 27-Highway, and 22-Combined which we matched perfectly on regular gas. But most buyers will give up some guts and go with the four-cylinder for a 25% economy gain and a combined rating of 28 MPG. That makes for a reasonable Energy Impact Score of 11.8 Barrels of Oil used and 5.2 Tons of CO2 emitted annually.

That 4-Cylinder 2.5i Outback starts at $25,745. Our 3.6R Limited goes for 8-grand more at $33,845.

We think the 2015 Subaru Outback has received the perfect amount of change. It has been upgraded, sure; but it’s still a unique vehicle with great appeal. It’s likely more practical than most crossovers, and definitely more efficient, performing equally well in daily commuting and weekend getaway duties. So yes, Americans are still buying wagons, and most of them are Subaru Outbacks.

Specifications

  • Engine: 3.6-liter
  • Horsepower: 256
  • Torque: 247 lb-ft.
  • 0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 15.8 seconds @ 91 mph
  • EPA: 20 mpg city/ 27 mpg highway
  • Energy Impact: 11.8 barrels of oil/yr
  • CO2 Emissions: 5.2 tons/yr
Honda Prologue Reinvigorates Brand’s Electric Efforts

2024 Honda Prologue

Honda Shows Up Late To EV Party, Brings Best Appetizer

Episode 4329
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Except for some very limited run vehicles over the years, Honda has largely been sitting out the EV revolution. But that all changes now their first high volume effort, the Prologue. So, let’s find out if it is indeed the start of a great run for Honda.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is not only the brand’s first serious battery electric effort, but it’s also a substantial midsize five-passenger SUV, coming in about 3-inches longer than the internal combustion Passport. Though it’s worth noting, they got here with the help of General Motors and their Ultium EV platform.

So, Honda came to play, both with ultra-competitive pricing and segment leading 296 miles of range. That’s with the standard single-motor front-wheel drive EX rated for 212 horsepower, but top Elite doesn’t sacrifice all that much, coming in at 273 miles. The additional rear motor raises total output to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft torque.

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Relatively low output numbers in the EV game, but the Elite’s all-wheel drive setup delivered plenty enough acceleration to get our blood pumping during some early and very wet drive time through the recent historic downpours in Northern California.

And while Honda did get here with the help of GM and their Ultium chassis, the multi-link suspension bolted to it has been optimized by Honda for a “dynamic driving experience.” It was indeed plenty of fun to drive, nimble for its size with responsive steering, though we were also happy to find it comfortable and safe feeling in those weather conditions. It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

Comprehensive drive modes address just about every aspect of the driving experience, from power delivery to steering response and even braking power; but also changes things up inside with lighting and displays as well as active sound control.

For now, all Prologues come with an 85-kWh battery that will accept up to 150-kW fast charging for 65 miles of range for every 10 minutes on charge.

It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

As we’ve come to expect from Honda, the Prologue’s interior is minimalistic and practical, though not fully simplistic as there is plenty of tech on display, including the very high-mounted 11.3-inch touchscreen display. It has a Google-based operating system built into it like in the latest Accord Touring, and you can still use your Apple Carplay and Android Auto phones, both of which connect wirelessly.

Just below that display is some refreshingly easy to use traditional climate controls, and behind the steering wheel is a hoodless 11-inch tablet-style gauge display. Honda worked with Bose to develop an EV-specific sound system with 12 speakers. The standard EX’s system works with six speakers.

Being an EV means more space inside for both front and rear passengers than a vehicle built around a conventional drivetrain. Though with a substantial dual-level center console it doesn’t have the open floorplan of some EVs. The top layer of that console houses dedicated cell phone storage, mega-sized cupholders and Honda’s first use of a pocket-type wireless phone charger, which is standard. There’s space in back for 23.7 cubic-feet of cargo; 54.5 cubic-feet with the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded; plus, more space under the cargo floor.

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And while length and ground clearance are in the ballpark with the Passport, the Prologue’s wheelbase is nearly a foot longer, and it sits much lower, with a design theme that Honda calls “neo-rugged.” Its slick shape and smooth body panels are clearly designed for enhancing aerodynamics, yet the overall design doesn’t necessarily shout it from the rooftops. Aero-optimized 19-inch wheels are standard, with Elite rolling on 21s, a first for Honda. Roof rails, panoramic roof, and power liftgate are standard on all but the base EX.
With the launch of this new generation of Honda comes new badging that looks to the past with throwback-looking Honda script now spelled out across the back. The Prologue and future Honda EVs also get a new “e” series logo.

Comprehensive Honda Sensing safety features are included on most Prologues, with just rear pedestrian alert and a Surround Vision camera system reserved for Elite.

Pricing starts, before incentives, at just $48,795 for a front-wheel-drive EX, top Elite comes with all-wheel drive and starts at $59,295.

Like most brands, Honda has big plans to deliver a full array of battery electrics in the near future, making significant investments here in the U.S. to make it happen. It may have taken a little help from General Motors to get them started, but Honda is in the EV game for real now, and it arrives at a great time when competition in the midsize SUV EV ranks is getting serious. So, the 2024 Honda Prologue does indeed look like the start of something special for Honda, and for all of us.

Specifications

As Tested

  • Motor Setup: Dual Motor
  • Horsepower: 288
  • Range: 273 miles
  • Battery Size: 85-kWh
  • Torque: 333 lb-ft
  • Peak Charging Rate: 150-kW