2005 Subaru Outback Review

Two honeycomb-like bars split the Outback's grille horizontally, clearly distinguishing it from the Legacy's and highlighting its extended, octagonal shape. Large round fog lamps both emphasize and soften the aggressive lower fascia. A low-rise air intake on the XT's hood hints at the power lurking beneath. On the XT and the 3.0 R, the clear-lens turn indicators on the lower edges of the outside mirrors minimize their mass. Wide cross-section tires visually stretch the car's stance.

From the side, the hood's aerodynamic slope gives the car a look of motion even sitting still. In the sedan, the silhouette rises gradually to the A-pillar, then loops up over the geometrically arched side windows and back down behind the upscale, BMW-like C-pillar where it merges with the shoulder-like beltline before wrapping around an equally aerodynamically tapered boot. The wagon's roof line drops steadily rearward from the front doors, combining with the increasing inward tilt of the rear side windows to ease the air's passage beyond the wagon's tail end. Clearly outlined, circular fender blisters make the gap between tire and wheel well look less than it is. Minimalist splashguards behind both wheel wells and cladding along the bottom of the doors pull the body down even more around the tires.

The back end of the sedan traces the rounded shape of the car, with visible shoulders connected by a smoothly arcing trunk lid, concave below the trailing top edge. Inset in the center is the license plate. Large, trapezoidal taillights wrap around the rear fenders. On the wagon, all the lines (roof, rear window outline, beltline, bumper and rocker panel) draw inward, toward the car's center, giving it a taut, neat finish. Large, geometric taillights cover the upper corners of the rear fenders. Small, almost demure backup lights are embedded in the liftgate on each side of the chrome eyelid over the recess for the rear license plate. The secondary, high-mounted stop light is centered in the roof-high spoiler behind a stylish, crystal clear lens.