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What's New: For 2001, Subaru's Impreza Outback Sport receives no major changes. Type: Subcompact car Pros: All-wheel drive, scrappy personality, bulletproof reliability record, fun to drive. Cons: Tight rear seat, limited cargo space in wagon with backseat raised, could use more power. Review 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. Styles & Prices at Edmunds.com | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
