Subaru to debut all-new Outback wagon at New York Auto Show
Attention Vermont, the Pacific Northwest and college towns everywhere: Subaru plans to use the 2014 New York Auto Show to debut its all-new Outback station wagon.
The perennially popular all-wheel-drive wagon is largely based on Subaru’s Legacy midsize sedan. An all-new Legacy was unveiled at February’s Chicago Auto Show, so it’s no surprise that the more rugged Outback wagon version would follow soon after.
Details on what will make the Outback tick haven’t been announced, but don’t expect much change from the mechanicals of the new Legacy.
That car has a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that makes 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) will be standard. The Outback could also offer the optional 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine that’s in the 2015 Legacy as well.
Like the Legacy, fuel economy will likely improve, thanks to a retuned engine and transmission and better aerodynamics outside the car. A ballpark mpg rating of 26 mpg in city driving and 34 on the highway is possible, gains of four mpg and two mpg, respectively.
This being a Subaru, all-wheel-drive will be standard. Based on the strides Subaru took to make the new Legacy a more refined, competitive sedan, expect similar upgrades on the new Outback, though its size will likely remain the same.
The Outback has been one of Subaru’s most popular vehicles, accounting for 118,000 of its nearly 425,000 U.S. sales in 2013. Only Subaru’s Forester crossover SUV is more popular.
Subaru is to unveil the Outback on April 17, the second of two media days at the N.Y. Auto Show. Expect it to go on sale later this year.
