Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Subaru Outback

“Jon” from Portland, Maine, recently purchased a 2010 Subaru Outback and couldn’t be happier. Full disclosure here: Jon and his wife are quite the fans, as this Outback is their eighth Subaru. This kind of experience, though, means he pays more attention to where the Outback could improve. Read Jon’s full review after the jump, and be sure to post your own review here.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Subaru Outback, Suzuki SX4

Subaru and Suzuki, not exactly the biggest automakers out there, but when it comes to the new Outback there is a huge buzz (it’s been the most popular new-car review on Cars.com for the past week) and sales are brisk. Editors Kelsey Mays, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder discuss the wagon/crossover at length, and then they touch on the quirky Suzuki SX4 and where it stands in a sea of tough competition.

You can listen to the podcast via iTunes, or for the first time, you can listen to it here in this post by clicking the play button below.

Cars.com Podcast #26

2010|Subaru|Outback

2009|Suzuki|SX4

2010 Subaru Outback Video

The updated 2010 Subaru Outback has the perfect reviewer in Cars.com’s David Thomas because, well, he actually owns the previous generation. Bigger, meatier and now more SUV than station wagon, the 2010 Outback has quite a few changes, including styling, interior design and ride quality. Find out in this video if the 2010 has played too much with a good thing or if it’s only improved on what works.

2010|Subaru|Outback

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Subaru Outback

Subaru survived the recent auto industry turmoil by simply releasing a new product that people wanted to buy. The redesigned Forester helped Subaru keep sales rolling earlier this year, and now the company has rolled out a redesigned version of its Outback wagon. Senior editor David Thomas reviews the new Outback and finds a lot to like, even though the 2010 is more like a crossover than his own wagon-like 2008.

2010 Subaru Outback Review

2010|Subaru|Outback

IIHS Names Subaru Legacy, Outback Top Safety Picks

The 2010 Subaru Outback and Legacy both received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest rating of Top Safety Pick.

Vehicles are only named a Top Safety Pick if they receive front, side and rear crash test ratings of “Good,” which is the highest rating in IIHS testing. They must now also come equipped with electronic stability control.

The Legacy has boasted a “Good” rating for a few years now, but the all-new Outback managed to earn the top prize its first time out.

EPA Rates 2010 Subaru Outback at 29 MPG on Highway

Subaru is talking up the EPA’s gas mileage estimates for the 2010 Subaru Outback, and with good reason. The 2010 Outback manages an impressive 29 mpg on the highway, 22 mpg in the city and 24 mpg combined, all with all-wheel drive standard.

That puts it ahead of most SUV competitors and pricier AWD wagons from Audi and Volvo, and Subaru says it managed to do so while increasing interior room 7%. Credit the 170-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine and Lineartronic continuously variable automatic transmission.

Add to that a starting price of $22,995 (not including destination), and Subaru has a pretty cost-effective option. Full mileage ratings for all three powertrains are listed after the jump.

Stereo Bluetooth Streaming Available Today for iPhone

Folks with tech-savvy stereos in their new cars — Toyota Venza and 2010 Toyota Prius owners, we're looking at you — rejoice. Today, Apple released its iPhone 3.0 upgrade to all current iPhone 3Gs. The upgrades will be standard on the new iPhone 3G S out Friday.

One feature is stereo Bluetooth streaming, a technology called A2DP. We've detailed this tech before in regard to the Toyota Venza. You can watch the video above for a quick look at how the technology works. The 2010 Subaru Legacy will also feature an optional stereo supporting Bluetooth streaming.

Pricing Announced for the 2010 Subaru Outback

The all-new 2010 Subaru Outback will arrive later this summer with a base price of $22,995, plus a $695 destination fee; that’s a $700 increase over the outgoing 2009 model’s base price. The base MSRP is for an Outback with a six-speed manual transmission. For Subaru’s continuously variable automatic transmission, the price jumps to $23,995.

The top, 3.6R Limited trim level starts at $30,995. This comes with a 256-hp engine (compared with a 170-hp engine in the base model) and a standard five-speed automatic transmission.

Options include a $995 moonroof, a $995 Harman Kardon audio package with Bluetooth streaming audio, and a pricey but well-rounded $2,000 navigation package.

2010 Subaru Outback Video

The 2010 Subaru Outback sport utility wagon has grown. Adding inches of passenger and cargo room definitely pleases Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder, but Subaru has added a few additional touches to the ’10 Outback that help the vehicle up its game. Find out where Wiesenfelder thinks Subaru has made the smartest improvements.

2010 Subaru Outback: Up Close

The last time Subaru restyled the Outback, I was very surprised it didn't get larger. First off, every car, SUV and minivan had been growing with each successive update, whether it needed to or not. Second, the Outback actually needed it. I didn't want the first "sport-utility wagon" to become an SUV, but its backseat had been too snug for too long, and so it continued. The 2009 Outback has less backseat space than many smaller cars do, but Subaru has improved matters markedly in the 2010 version.