There are many choices in the SUV market, and all have their benefits and drawbacks. The 2018 Subaru Outback near Gulfport, however, is strong in most areas, such as interior space, fuel economy, off-road use, and driver technology. Here, visitors to Gulfport dealerships can learn more about this year's Outback models.
What's New for 2018
The 2018 Subaru Outback near Gulfport, MS has undergone a few changes. On the exterior, the grille and fascia have been made more aggressive, and new LED daytime running lights come standard. The new side mirrors reduce cabin noise, and the Outback's infotainment system now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With Premium trims, vehicles get contrasting stitching on the dash, seats, and doors.
What We Recommend
If a driver needs a go-anywhere, do-it-all vehicle but is on a budget, they'd find it hard to beat the 2.5i Premium that's available at Subaru dealerships near Gulfport. It has heated front seating and a larger, eight-inch infotainment display. We suggest adding the EyeSight bundle, which is full of driver assistance technology.
Features and Trim Levels
The 2018 Subaru Outback near Gulfport MS seats five and comes in six trim levels: the 2.5i, Premium, Limited, Touring, 3.6R Limited, and 3.6R Touring models. The base Outback has the essentials, such as Bluetooth connectivity and roof rails, while the Limited and Premium trims come with amenities like leather heated seating and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Touring trim is, as one would expect, fully loaded, and the 3.6R models are similarly equipped but come with a stout six-cylinder engine.
Driving the Outback
While the Outback doesn't have the quickest acceleration and best handling, it's adept in other ways. It handles wonderfully on snowy and bumpy roads. The steering system is highly responsive, and the required level of effort is appropriate for a vehicle of this size. All in all, the Outback is an easy vehicle to drive, with its softer suspension, manageable size, and easygoing CVT. All-wheel drive comes standard, and it adds a great deal of confidence to off-road excursions. The Subaru Outback is a bit more rugged than other wagons or crossovers, and it has the ground clearance to go almost anywhere.
Comfort
We were very impressed with the front and rear seating in the 2018 Outback. It provides enough comfort for an all-day road trip, and the suspension delivers a smooth, quiet ride. Seats are plush, with plenty of lateral support. Center and door armrests are properly padded, and the driver's seat has a powered lumbar adjustment. The ride is comfortable and soft, and speed bumps aren't a problem.
Vibration and Noise
While there's some tire noise with changing road surfaces, the engine really only gets louder at higher RPMs. However, the transmission usually doesn't let the engine wind out enough to make noise. On the highway, the engine's hum is hardly noticeable, and the vehicle idles quietly as well.
Interior
Like other Subaru vehicles, the Outback emphasizes function over form. It has plenty of cargo and passenger room, great outward visibility, solid quality, and easy-to-use controls for drivers and passengers. The front doors open wide enough to make entry easy, and the step-in height makes exiting safe and simple. The Outback is basically a tall car, and that's the feeling a driver gets. Great headroom and elbow room come thanks to the expansive door cutouts, and rear seat passengers have ample room as well. Compared to the previous generation, the 2018 Outback is a big step up. There are plenty of soft materials on the windowsills, door inserts, and dash, and all controls work well.
Utility and Usability
With spacious rear seating, a low roofline, and an easy-access cargo area, the Outback offers great utility. Passengers and drivers will find cup holders, a cell phone slot, and a secured front storage bin. The power hatch opens quite wide, and there's over 35 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the rear seats. Rubber matting keeps items from sliding around, and the Outback's boxy shape makes it easy to load large items. The 2018 Outback can tow 2700 pounds with the four-cylinder engine or 3000 pounds with the six-cylinder powerplant.
Technology
2018 Subaru Outbacks have a modern, user-friendly infotainment interface, and screens are available in two sizes. The 2.5i Limited comes with an optional 12-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system with a subwoofer. The limited and premium trims come with an optional navigation system that has pinch-to-zoom functionality and clear graphics. The StarLink multimedia system uses a driver's smartphone to activate voice-controlled apps and text messaging capabilities. On the Premium and Limited trims, drivers get the ability to control iPhone functionality via voice commands. The EyeSight driver assistance system includes blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic notification, lane departure intervention, pedestrian detection, and collision mitigation with auto emergency braking.
As shown here, there's a lot to like about the 2018 Outback. We invite everyone to stop by our 2018 Subaru Outback dealers to view our current selection or call to set up a test drive.
