diffs. between Subaru models

[Libuser]

Hello,

I had difficulty differentiating the Subaru models Especially
when they appear wagon-like.

Is this about right?

Impreza: sporty compact car
Legacy: midsize car
Forester: compact SUV
Outback: luxury Forester

Thanks.

 

[Hallraker]

Hello,

I had difficulty differentiating the Subaru models Especially
when they appear wagon-like.

Is this about right?

Impreza: sporty compact car
Legacy: midsize car
Forester: compact SUV
Outback: luxury Forester

Thanks.

Not too far off. The Forester is more or less the king of small SUVs, at
least in tests that take into account the turbo model and put an emphasis on
go speed. It's also important to note that the Outback is essentially a
Legacy with a lift kit, and actually used to be just another Legacy trim
level but it was spun off as another model a few years back. The current
Outback is still a Legacy at heart, but with each year they seem to look a
bit more different from the standard Legacy.

-Matt

 

[y_p_w]

Not too far off. The Forester is more or less the king of small SUVs, at
least in tests that take into account the turbo model and put an emphasis on
go speed. It's also important to note that the Outback is essentially a
Legacy with a lift kit, and actually used to be just another Legacy trim
level but it was spun off as another model a few years back. The current
Outback is still a Legacy at heart, but with each year they seem to look a
bit more different from the standard Legacy.

Which version of the Outback? Most are based on the Legacy, but the
Outback Sport is Impreza based.

And the OP forgot the Baja, which can trace itself to the Brat.

 

[Alan]

Hello,

I had difficulty differentiating the Subaru models Especially
when they appear wagon-like.

Is this about right?

Impreza: sporty compact car
Legacy: midsize car
Forester: compact SUV
Outback: luxury Forester

Thanks.

Subaru makes two basic platforms, the Impreza and the Legacy. Here is how it
goes:

Impreza: Impreza, Impreza Wagon (rare), Outback Sport Wagon, STi (zoom!)
Baja, Forester
Legacy: Legacy (4dr & Wagon), Outback Sedan (very rare), Outback Wagon (most
common wagon)

"Outback"ing a vehicle means a heavier duty suspension, higher ground
clearance, and maybe a few other minor changes. XT versions of vehicles are
4cyl turbocharged engines, and may include other alterations.

 

[jMon]

I was, just the other day, trying to explain to my wife the difference
between the Forester and the Outback and must admit I got confused!
Besides the obvious external differences,I wonder how much they differ
mechanically and in function/performance.

Jay M
'03 Baja
USA

 

[Hallraker]

Which version of the Outback? Most are based on the Legacy, but the
Outback Sport is Impreza based.

And the OP forgot the Baja, which can trace itself to the Brat.

Good call. I was a bit out of it last night and forgot about the Sport.

-Matt

 

[LB]

Check out http://www.cars101.com

I was, just the other day, trying to explain to my wife the difference
between the Forester and the Outback and must admit I got confused!
Besides the obvious external differences,I wonder how much they differ
mechanically and in function/performance.

Jay M
'03 Baja
USA

(e-mail address removed) (Libuser) wrote in message

 

[TG]

Not even close. The Impreza is available as a wagon or sedan and I think
some are sporty and some not.
The Legacy and Outback are the same car...I see Outback as just a trim level
of the Legacy. Both are available in sedan or wagon. To confuse things more
I think there might still be an Outback version of the Impreza as well.
The Outback is definitely NOT a luxury Forrester. TG

 

[y_p_w]

Subaru makes two basic platforms, the Impreza and the Legacy. Here is how it
goes:

Impreza: Impreza, Impreza Wagon (rare), Outback Sport Wagon, STi (zoom!)
Baja, Forester

I've seen quite a few Impreza RS wagons on the street. You also forgot
the WRX.

Legacy: Legacy (4dr & Wagon), Outback Sedan (very rare), Outback Wagon (most
common wagon)

I've only seen one Outback sedan on the street. Ugly looking thing.
With its high ground clearance, it somewhat reminded me of an AMC
Eagle sedan.

 

[Henry Paul]

There is a WRB WRX Wagon 3 doors down from me.

 

[Byron]

Subaru makes two basic platforms, the Impreza and the Legacy.
Here is how it goes:

Impreza: Impreza, Impreza Wagon (rare), Outback Sport Wagon,
STi (zoom!), Baja, Forester
Legacy: Legacy (4dr & Wagon), Outback Sedan (very rare),
Outback Wagon (most common wagon)

"Outback"ing a vehicle means a heavier duty suspension, higher ground
clearance, and maybe a few other minor changes. XT versions of vehicles are
4cyl turbocharged engines, and may include other alterations.

Close but no cigar.

Here's my take, at least for the USA

Impreza: Impreza sedan, Impreza wagon, Impreza Outback Sport wagon,
Impreza WRX sedan, Impreza WRX wagon (like mine), Impreza WRX STi sedan,
Forester

Legacy: Legacy sedan, Legacy Wagon, Outback sedan, Outback wagon, Baja

Both platforms are solid, and both can make very sporting rides.

The Baja is based on the Legacy, not the Impreza platform. It's spirit
does come from the departed Brat though.
The Forester is a Impreza underneath and can hold 5 people. The
upcoming large 7 passenger Subaru vehicle will certainly not be Impreza
based, but I don't know for certain if it's based on a stretched Legacy
or has it's own, new architecture.

- Byron

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

I was, just the other day, trying to explain to my wife the difference
between the Forester and the Outback and must admit I got confused!
Besides the obvious external differences,I wonder how much they differ
mechanically and in function/performance.

Jay M
'03 Baja
USA

The new 05 OBW is quite different than older Outbacks and very different
in feel and nature than the Forester. The new 05 is quieter, smoother
and more refined ride, more refined interior, more legroom in the rear,
fold flat rear seats, better sound system, slightly more HP than the
base Forester, better gas mileage than previous OB versions but about
the same at the Forester, and "feels" a lot peppier (love the Sportshift).

Do an AB comparison between the 05 and 2000-2004 OBW and then try the
Forester and you might find yourself drifting towards the 05.

Ron

05 Atlantic Blue OBW 2.5i Auto

 

[ZZ]

The Forester is a Impreza underneath and can hold 5 people. The
upcoming large 7 passenger Subaru vehicle will certainly not be Impreza
based, but I don't know for certain if it's based on a stretched Legacy
or has it's own, new architecture.

- Byron

It will be built by Subaru, but a portion of production will be
rebranded as Saab.
http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=100431

 

[Ignignokt]

The Forester is a Impreza underneath and can hold 5 people.

Only if three of those people are *very* small. The most *my* Forester's
ever held is two people about my size, one teenager, and a Labrador
retriever.

- Greg Reed

 

[Archie]

A big difference for me is the Forester is made in Fuji, Japan whereas
the Outback is made in Indiana, USA.

 

[Spinifex]

AUSTRALIA

CLARIFICATION:

The US markey Outback is made in US. The rest-of-world (AFAIK) is made
in Japan

Spinifex

 

[hippo]

Original Outback was famously described in Australia as a "Liberty (your
Legacy) on stilts". UK description was a Legacy with body cladding.
Outback Sport is nothing to do with other OBs & is called Impreza RV in
many other markets because it's basically an Impreza wagon with jacked up
suspension, trim and pricetag. To the earlier mechanical question, both
platforms feel similar but same engine in Impreza iwll go harder & use
less fuel as car is lighter. Impreza tends to feel smaller & flimsier than
Legacy or OB. Early Foresters feel rollier and more tippy-toe than anything
else in the range.

 

[Bobby The D]

Only if three of those people are *very* small. The most *my* Forester's
ever held is two people about my size, one teenager, and a Labrador
retriever.

No kidding! Carpooled to an event a couple weeks ago with someone who
had an Impreza. Pretty damned uncomfortable for someone 6' tall!
Zero leg room. Short person in the back seat behind me & she didn't
seem all that comfortable either.

Definitely not the car to buy if you have long legs!!