The Outback is a great alternative to a sport-utility vehicle. It handles superbly on wet pavement, dirt roads, and on snow and ice, better than an SUV in all but the roughest terrain. Outback rides and handles much better than a truck. Powerful six-cylinder versions deliver strong acceleration performance yet offer much better fuel economy than SUVs. Four-cylinder Outbacks deliver very good performance and rate 28 mpg on the highway.

Wagon models offer large cargo capacity and foul-weather capability. An Outback wagon will transport you and your gear to the jumping-off location for your favorite outdoor sport. Unless you're genuinely interested in off-road driving, the Outback gives you everything you need.

Legacy is the Outback's city cousin, sharing the same body shell, base engine and all-wheel-drive in a buttoned-down package that's both lower to the ground and lower in price. Legacy costs less than other mid-size sedans that don't offer all-wheel drive, and it easily motors past those other cars when it snows. It stops much more quickly than an SUV, whether the roads are dry, wet, or covered with snow. When the roads are dry, Legacy and Outback are fun to drive, more fun than an SUV.