2001 Subaru Impreza Outback Subaru Impreza Outback 2001 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Wagon Wagon Wagon AWD Japan For 2001, Subaru's Impreza Outback Sport receives no major changes. All-wheel drive, scrappy personality, bulletproof reliability record, fun to drive. Tight rear seat, limited cargo space in wagon with backseat raised, could use more power. All-wheel-drive wagons are making a comeback, and Subaru is leading the charge. While European automakers build a variety of AWD family haulers, none can be had for less than 30 grand. This leaves quite a hole in the low-priced, all-weather wagon market, and Subaru is happy to fill it with the company's expanding Outback line. The first Subaru to wear an Outback badge was the Impreza Outback Sport Wagon in 1994. The success of this model led to the Legacy-based Outback Wagon in 1995 and the mini-SUV-challenging Forester in 1998. For 2001, the Subaru Outback Sport continues unchanged with its aggressive bi-level spoilers and body-colored side mirrors, door handles and side molding. We've driven the Outback Sport and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially since it comes with antilock brakes standard. Features unique to this version of the Impreza include a heavy-duty four-wheel independent suspension with 6.5 inches of ground clearance, 205/60 R15 M+S tires, splash guards, a two-tone paint scheme, and a rear bumper step pad. The wagon has a small cargo area when the rear seat is raised, partially due to the steeply raked rear window. Drop the seat, though, and you've got 62 cubic feet to mess around with. Quibbles about the Outback Sport include a cramped rear seat and ugly plastic wheelcovers. Like most Subarus, the Impreza Outback Sport comes with a long list of standard features. Air conditioning, power windows, a 12-volt power outlet in the cargo area, power side-view mirrors, a tilt steering column and a roof rack are all included in the base price. Those looking to spend more can opt for one of the all-weather packages and get items like a CD player, heated outside mirrors, heated seats, a viscous limited-slip rear differential, side-impact airbags, dual power moonroofs, leather upholstery and a front windshield wiper de-icer. All Imprezas behave like street-legal rally cars, and they're a hoot to toss around. Fling one into a corner, and it clings to the pavement. They are a blast to drive hard and fast, and the all-wheel-drive system performs brilliantly on a variety of road surfaces. Each model is available with an automatic transmission, but to take full advantage of the 2.2-liter, 142-horsepower boxer engine, we prefer the five-speed manual transmission. Interiors are comfortable (though the side glass feels a bit too close), and steering and braking are communicative. The Impreza Outback Sport offers a unique combination of utility and fun. If you need a serious people mover or a fully capable off-road vehicle, it likely won't meet your demands. If, however, you want to avoid the mob mentality of buying a mini-SUV while still being able to take the road less traveled occasionally, the Outback Sport could be the ride you've been waiting for. Daewoo Nubira Ford Focus Honda CR-V Saturn L-Series 336,000 560,000 336,000 5Unlimited NA NA NA 4 2.2 liters Horizontally Opposed 142 hp @ 5600 rpm 149 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm 172.2 in. 67.1 in. 55.5 in. 2835 lbs. 99.2 in. 39.2 in. 37.4 in. 52.6 in. 51.8 in. 51 in. 52.6 in. 43.1 in. 32.4 in. 25.5 cu.ft. Standard Standard Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available Rating = Not Tested Rating = Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested 15.9 gal. 23 mpg / 29 mpg 23 mpg / 29 mpg 366 mi. / 461 mi. 366 mi. / 461 mi. Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not. $16,683 $18,195 7.35% $495 N/A 3% of the Total MSRP BASE (5M): 2.2L H4 SOHC SMPI 16-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 75 amp alternator; full-time 3.9 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; HD ride suspension, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; power rack-and-pinion steering with engine speed-sensing assist; front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; 15.9 gal. capacity fuel tank; front and rear mud flaps, rear wing spoiler, side impact bars; roof rack; front and rear body-colored bumpers with rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside molding; lower accent two-tone paint with badging; aero-composite halogen auto off headlamps; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored folding outside mirrors; 15" x 6" silver styled steel wheels; P205/60SR15 RWL A/S tires; compact steel spare wheel; air conditioning, rear heat ducts; AM/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan, cassette player, 4 speakers, manualretractable antenna; power door locks, child safety rear door locks, remote fuel release; 2 power accessory outlets, driver's foot rest; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down, fixed 1/4 vent windows; fixed interval front windshield wipers, rear window wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; 60/40 folding rear bench seat; front height adjustable seatbelts; premium cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full vinyl headliner, full carpet floor covering; interior lights include dome light; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; passenger's side vanity mirror; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console,locking glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, driver's and passenger's door bins; carpeted cargo floor, vinyl/rubber cargo mats, cargo cover, cargo tie downs, cargo light; black grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles. -- Air Filter $39 $60 -- Anti-Slip Mat $13 $20 -- Battery Warmer $19 $30 -- Bike Attachment $149 $230 -- CD Player $251 $335 -- Car Cover $58 $90 -- Car Cover Bag $6 $10 -- Cargo Bin $64 $99 -- Cargo Net $17 $26 -- Compartment Separator/Dog Guard $91 $140 -- Custom Tail Pipe Cover $15 $22 -- Engine Block Heater $19 $30 -- Fog Lamps $123 $190 -- Full Front End Cover $71 $110 -- Gauge Pack $273 $364 -- Gray Armrest Extension $57 $88 -- Gray Carpet Floor Covers $45 $70 -- Hood Deflector $36 $55 -- Hood Front End Cover $29 $45 -- Kayak Carrier $83 $127 -- Keyless Entry System $135 $207 -- Lighter Element $3 $5 -- Rear Bumper Corner Molding (2 Pair) $38 $58 -- Rear Differential Protector $45 $70 -- Roof Cargo Basket $84 $130 -- Roof Visor $68 $105 -- Rubber Floor Mats $32 $50 -- Security System Upgrade Kit $72 $110 -- Ski Attachment $81 $125 -- Subwoofer/Amplifier $150 $230 -- Tweeter Kit (Pair) $52 $80 -- Upgraded Speakers $116 $178 -- Wheel Locks $16 $24 -- Wheel: 15" Alloy $375 $500 4AT Transmission: Electronic 4-Speed Auto $725 $800 BWI Gray Carpet Floor Covers $48 $74 DEST Destination Surcharge for Alaska $190 $190 DEST Destination Surcharge for New York/New Jersey $40 $40 DWB Subwoofer/Amplifier $169 $260 DWE Upgraded Speakers $134 $206 DXA Tweeter Kit (Pair) $65 $100 EWB CD Player $267 $356 F06 Security Package 1 $242 $370 H1A Wheels: 15" Brushed Aluminum $394 $525 HWB Wheels: 15" Painted Aluminum $394 $525 I06 Premium Sound Package I $635 $922 JVA Fog Lamps $154 $237 KWA Air Filter $54 $82 KWD Gray Armrest Extension $62 $94 LSE Custom Tail Pipe Cover $20 $31 MSV Alloy Wheel Locks $25 $38 MVF Cargo Net $27 $42 NWG Gauge Pack - Gray $281 $375 OVE Hood Deflector $36 $69 PXB Rear Differential Protector $57 $88 RWA Keyless Entry System $149 $228 RWB Security System Upgrade Kit $93 $142