It’s the roomiest Outback yet—gaining nearly 4 inches of rear seat room (now at 37.8 inches) and collecting increases in front and rear seat hip room, shoulder room and headroom. And with a 2.8-inch wheelbase gain (now at 107.9 inches), the ride is smoother. But Outback’s larger interior isn’t the only news attached to this 4^th generation sport utility wagon. From the pocketbook perspective, the big news is that the current Outback ranks as the best fuel sipper in the vehicle’s 15-year history. (There’s also more fuel onboard as the tank increases from 16.9 gallons to 18.5 gallons.) Built on an all-new platform, the 2010 Outback adds to the pep-quotient with a revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine on the 2.5i models.

The 2.5-liter engine pushes 170 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 170 pounds-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. (A 256 horsepower 3.6-liter Boxer engine replaces the previous vehicle’s 3.0-liter 6-cylinder.) For the first time, Outback offers a 6-speed manual transmission. A Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is available on 2.5i models. The chain-type CVT is the world’s first longitudinally mounted system in an all-wheel-drive production passenger vehicle. Using the CVT’s manual mode allows the driver to use steering wheel paddles for six pre-selected gear ratios. Chassis enhancements include a new double-wishbone rear suspension. MSRP of Outback 2.5i Limited is $28,795. Outback has estimated per gallon mileage of 22 city/29 highway when fitted with the CVT and the 4-cylinder engine.