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| Subaru Outback |
Sales exceeded expectations, with Tim Mahoney, Senior Vice President of Subaru of America stating " saved our company."
Subaru introduced the Subaru Outback to Japan as the Legacy Grand Wagon–then renamed Legacy Lancaster in model year 1997. In 2004, the Subaru Outback name was adopted worldwide and moved to its own model line (except in Japan). All vehicles in the Outback line are derived from Subaru's Legacy, except the Outback Sport (aka Impreza Outback), which is derived from the Impreza hatchback.
Some credit Subaru for inventing the crossover genre with the Subaru Outback, while others point to it as the first in a resurgence of a class of vehicles that started with American Motors' Eagle wagon, launched in 1979.
First generation (1995–1999)
The Legacy Subaru Outback was formally introduced to the North American market at the 1994 New York Auto Show, and was known in Japan starting August 1995 as the Legacy Grand Wagon, and in Australia as the Subaru Outback, a trim package with normal ground clearance but an "SUV look" with two-tone paint and fog lights. For the 1994 model year, the Legacy wagon in the North American market was available as the Alpine Sport and Sun Sport, which were Value Option Packages included on the "L" trim level wagon, and graphics denoting the option package installed. In Japan the Legacy wagon was called the Legacy Touring Wagon so the Grand wagon nomenclature was meant to signify a more grand, luxurious approach to equipment offered. The exterior was designed by Olivier Boulay, who was hired by Subaru on a short-term basis.
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| Subaru Outback |
Based on the third generation Legacy, the Subaru Outback became its own model and the Legacy SUS remained unique to North America, and was realigned with the Subaru Outback Limited package, offering the sedan, with an optional horizontal six-cylinder engine, also optional on the wagon. This bodystyle was introduced to Japan September 1998, and was called the Lancaster for the second generation, with the six-cylinder in Japan called the Lancaster 6. The name Lancaster is used for cities in England, Australia, Canada and the United States. The USA-spec Outback was available starting in 2000. The Outback saw a competitor from Nissan in Japan only called the Nissan Avenir Blaster with a similar appearance to the Outback starting October 17, 2000.
Third generation (2003–2009)
October 22, 2003, with the debut of the fourth-generation Legacy at the 60th Frankfurt Auto Show, the Subaru Outback name is now being used in all markets with the launch of the third-generation Outback wagon, in order to rationalize the name Outback, which prior to then had only been used in export markets. Models equipped with a 3.0 L H6 were introduced at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show. The ground clearance is 8.5 in (220 mm).
Fourth generation (2009–present)
The fourth generation Subaru Outback was introduced in April 2009 at the New York Auto Show, the fifteenth anniversary of the first Outback's introduction at the same event. The Subaru Outback was introduced in Japan May 20, 2009. The "Legacy" prefix has been dropped internationally. Air Bags are offered for the driver and front passenger, side bolster airbags for front seats on the outer edge, side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers and a knee bolster air bag for the driver.
Subaru Outback photos
