2009 Subaru Outback 3.6R 5AT AWD (260 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Subaru introduced the fourth generation of the Outback in 2009 in April at the New York International Auto Show and built it on the Legacy’s fifth-generation platform.

Those were the dark days of the world financial crisis, and most automakers shrunk down their operations. Subaru, on the other hand, chose to invest and launch new products, such as the Outback, also known as the BR or BM. But the cost-cutting measures were seen in this model since it lacked some of the features that made this brand famous around the world, such as the frameless windows.

The car’s bodywork was basically a raised version of the Legacy station wagon but with several improvements. Thus, the ground clearance was raised to a respectable 8.7″ (22 cm), and the front bumper got a lower unpainted plastic part that housed a splitter and the fog lamps. From its profile, the long-roof vehicle kept the same body panels as its non-raised sibling. Subaru chose not to install trims around the wheel arches to emphasize the car’s off-road characteristics. That, along with the dismissal of the double-sized sunroof, was part of the cost-cutting measures.

Inside, the crossover was large enough to accommodate five adult-sized passengers for short jaunts. Still, for long travels, the person seated in the middle position on the rear bench lacked the appropriate space for their feet due to the transmission tunnel. It wasn’t very bad, but not comfortable either. Behind the 60/40 split-folding bench, the Outback provided a generous trunk fitted with a very low loading lip.

Under the hood, the Outback received flat-four or flat-six engines ranging between 150 PS (148 hp) and 260 PS (260 hp). On specific markets, Subaru offered turbocharged gasoline engines or turbo-diesel powerplants.