Subaru Outback XT is a force to be reckoned with
By Duncan Haimerl
(c) 2004, The Hartford Courant

The Subaru Outback XT five-speed automatic can fingertip shift into manual mode to draw from 250 foot-pounds of torque.

Move over, BMW and Audi; there's a turbocharged Subaru Outback on your tail, wanting to pass.

Yes, an Outback wagon, with a new-for-2005 250-horsepower, horizontally opposed, 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is eager to show that Subaru has what it takes.

Tap a button on the steering wheel and the five-speed automatic transmission goes into manual shifting mode to draw all it can from the 250 foot-pounds of torque that the engine offers.

There is no thundering exhaust sound to draw public attention; it just pushes you to the back of the seat, and you can even think that the 160-mph speedometer isn't just for show.

You had better warn your passengers to brace for takeoff, though; this isn't what most people expect from an all-wheel-drive Outback.

You could get a five-speed manual transmission, but fingertip shifting has to be tried and experienced to be truly appreciated.

The 17-inch mud and snow tires are ready to do some mild off-roading, and all Subarus are great in winter.

In keeping with the off-road penchant, the Outback XT has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, more than enough to clear small rocks.

There are heated seats, almost sports-car like in their firmness, and an extremely efficient air-conditioning system that puts a lot of chill in the cabin.

On the exterior, the Outback XT has smooth lines, except for slightly bulbous headlamps, and is easy on the eyes.

Subaru has also managed to get one of the most powerful windshield washers around; use it, and you could swear you were going through a spray car wash.

The Outback has bright white digits on the speedometer and tachometer, which are brought up to full brightness in the daylight with a single push of a button. No fumbling for the knurled brightness knob near the steering wheel.

We are not looking at a giant package here; the Outback is 188.7 inches long, just about right for a wagon, and 69.7 inches wide, for easier exit and entry in the parking lot.

The Outback has a curb weight of 3,480 pounds before you get the driver and four passengers inside.

Front shoulder room is 54.4 inches, which is quite comfortable for two people, and there is a center console containing the shift lever and the obligatory cup holders.

Rear shoulder room is 53.7 inches, but you have to do some major sharing to get three people into the back.

Front leg room is a grand 44.1 inches, so I didn't have to put the seat all the way back. Rear leg room is a tighter 33.9 inches.

Steering perhaps is a little less tight than that of the Audis and BMWs you just passed, but the 35.4-foot turning circle lets you get out of a tight driveway easily.

The Outback has a 16.9-gallon fuel tank, a little on the low side for limited-stop, cross-country traveling, although it does get 25 mpg on the highway. City mileage is 19 mpg.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $29,195, with a dealer invoice of $26,827.