An Inside Look at the 2018 Subaru Outback near Denham Springs, LA
There are many choices in the SUV class, and they all have their weak and strong areas. However, the 2018 Subaru Outback near Baton Rouge, LA is strong in all the areas drivers care about, such as interior room, fuel economy, in-vehicle technology, and off-road capability. Here, shoppers can get an inside look at the 2018 Outback.
New for 2018
The 2018 Outback has undergone a list of changes. On the exterior, the front and rear fascia as well as the grille have been given an aggressive look, and LED daytime running lights are now standard. The new side mirrors’ design reduces cabin noise, and the inside of the vehicle comes with an infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel and console have a new design, and higher trim levels get contrast stitching on the dash, seats, and doors.
Powertrain and Fuel Economy
The standard 2.5L boxer engine gets an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon, which is respectable for a car of this size. Subaru’s AWD (all-wheel drive) system features hill descent and hill hold control to help drivers go off-road with ease. With over 73 cu. ft. of interior cargo room, 60/40 split folding rear seats, and roof rails, families can bring all their gear on the next road trip. This year’s Subaru Outback is full of the latest tech goodies, too. As said above, every new Outback comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as a standard part of the touchscreen infotainment system. The four-cylinder’s power not only provides good mileage, its 175 horsepower is competitive for the class, and there’s an optional six-cylinder engine to consider. If a driver needs a crossover that’s capable in a variety of situations, the Outback is worth a test drive.
What We Recommend
If a shopper is looking for a do-everything, go-anywhere crossover for a fair price, it’s going to be hard to top the 2.5i Premium version of the 2018 Outback. It has heated front seating and a larger eight-inch touchscreen display. We suggest adding the EyeSight bundle of safety and driver assistance features.
Features and Trim Levels
The 2018 Subaru Outback near Baton Rouge, LA seats five passengers and comes in six different trim levels: the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, the 3.6R Limited, and 3.6R Touring. As one might expect, the base model has just the essentials, while the Limited and Premium trims include creature comforts like leather upholstery, heated seating, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The touring trim is fully optioned, and all 3.6R models have a similar equipment list, but come with a larger and more powerful engine.
Comfort
We were very impressed by the rear and front seats on the 2018 Outback; they’re comfortable enough for even the longest road trips. The softened suspension delivers a very smooth ride, and road noise isn’t much of a problem. The Outback’s front seats have supple leather, a generous width, and plenty of lateral support. Center and door armrests are sufficiently padded, and the driver gets a powered lumbar adjustment.
Interior
Like most other Subaru vehicles, there’s nothing fancy inside the 2018 Outback. However, there’s plenty of cargo and passenger room, great outward visibility, good build quality, and intuitive, easy-to-use controls. Everything’s within reach, and the navigation screen’s quick responses and large icons make it a pleasure to use. The Outback’s front doors open quite wide, making entry easy, and the rear step-in height is almost perfect. It feels almost like a tall car, because that’s basically what it is. Although it sits closer to the ground than most SUVs, it feels more like an SUV than a wagon.
Usability
With its easy-to-access cargo area, low roofline and roomy rear seats, the 2018 Outback is very usable indeed. The touchscreen interface is modern and user-friendly, and it’s available in two sizes. We liked it for its abundant features and plentiful smartphone connectivity apps.
Audio, Navigation, Smartphone Integration, and Driver Assistance
The 2.5i Limited comes with an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system. Navigation is available on Limited and Premium trims, and its pinch-zoom function and clear graphics make it a driver favorite. The Starlink multimedia system uses an Android smartphone or iPhone to activate voice controlled apps like iHeartRadio and Pandora, and it also allows voice-to-SMS messages. Limited and Premium trims also come with Siri Eyes Free to perform various iPhone functions with voice commands. The EyeSight suite of driver assistance features includes cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alerts, lane departure notifications, forward collision prevention and auto emergency braking.
There’s a lot to like about the 2018 Subaru Outback near Baton Rouge, LA. Stop by the showroom to take a test drive, or call us at (888) 486-3576 to learn more about the entire Subaru lineup.
