Cars Timeline

Over the years I’ve had many cars. From simply driving for enjoyment to the need for utility each one was special in some way. Here you can get a glimpse of each one.

2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

I had come to really love my Subaru Outback for it’s winter handling and all–around convenience of cargo room. I still missed some of tech though and while browsing online one night discovered that the Outback was getting a redesign which would fill some of those gaps. Plus, it was getting to be time to consider new tires so surely it must mean time for an upgrade!

I watched all the rumors unfold and looked for spy photos and did all I could to try and find more details on what was to come. Things like a power rear gate, much improved head unit with navigation, memory seating and body style changes.

On August 29, 2015 I brought home my new Subaru Outback! Brettmobile — The Sequel!

                   

Specifications   +/- All

Engine and Drivetrain -

Power | Torque 2.5–liter DOHC aluminum–alloy 16–valve 4–cylinder horizontally opposed Subaru Boxer® engine with Active Valve Control System
175 hp @ 5,800 rpm | 174 lb–ft @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission Lineartronic™ CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Adaptive Control, Hill Holder® and 6–speed manual mode with paddle shifters
CA Emissions LEV III/SULEV30

Traction and Stability -

All–Wheel Drive type Subaru Symmetrical All–Wheel Drive
X–MODE® X–MODE® optimizes engine output and transmission ratio, increases all–wheel drive system engagement and uses enhanced control of the VDC system to reduce individual wheelspin, providing optimal traction on low friction surfaces.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) X–MODE® also incorporates Hill Descent Control that helps to maintain a constant vehicle speed when traveling downhill, enhancing vehicle control.
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) Standard VDC electronic stability control utilizes sensors, which constantly monitor wheel speeds, steering angle, brake pressure, vehicle yaw rate and lateral g–forces. If VDC detects a difference between the driver’s intended path and the one the vehicle is actually taking, VDC applies braking power and/or reduces engine torque to help correct vehicle path.
Active Torque Vectoring Active Torque Vectoring works in tandem with VDC applying braking power to the inside front wheel resulting in better handling, sharper turn–in, more neutral steering and higher cornering limits when turning.
Traction Control System (TCS) VDC also incorporates an all–wheel, all–speed traction control system which senses a loss of traction and applies braking force to the slipping wheel or wheels as necessary to maintain vehicle motion.

Fuel -

Economy (city/highway/combined) 25/33/28 mpg
Fuel requirement Unleaded gasoline (87 octane)
Fuel capacity 18.5 gallons

Chassis -

Steering Electric power–assisted quick ratio rack–and–pinion. Turning circle: 36.1 feet.
Suspension 4–wheel independent.
Front: MacPherson strut type. Stabilizer bar.
Rear: Double–wishbone. Stabilizer bar.
Brakes 4–wheel disc. Ventilated front and rear. 4–channel, 4–sensor ABS with Electronic Brake–force Distribution (EBD).
Brake discs (front/rear) 12.4 inches/11.8 inches
Brake Assist When emergency braking is detected by how quickly the brake pedal is pressed, maximum brake pressure is immediately applied.
Brake Override System If both brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously, the system reduces the operation of the accelerator pedal to help prevent unintentional vehicle acceleration.

Wheels and Tires -

Wheels 18 x 7.0–inch aluminum–alloy. Gray with machine finish.
Tires 225/60 R18 100H all–season
Spare Tire Temporary use T155/80 R17

Exterior and Interior Dimensions -

Length/Width/Height 189.6 inches/72.4 inches/66.1 inches (with roof rails)
Wheelbase 108.1 inches
Track (front/rear) 61.8 inches/62.2 inches
Headroom (front/rear) 38.3 inches/38.9 inches
Legroom (front/rear) 42.9 inches/38.1 inches
Shoulder room (front/rear) 58.1 inches/57.3 inches
Hip room (front/rear) 55.5 inches/55.0 inches
Passenger volume 104.5 cubic feet
Cargo volume 35.5 cubic feet
Maximum cargo volume 73.3 cubic feet with rear seatback folded
Base curb weight 3,638 lbs
Ground clearance (at base curb weight) 8.7 inches
Towing capacity 2,700 lbs

Exterior -

Projector–beam low–beam and multireflector high–beam halogen headlights
Fog lights
Steering–responsive fog lights
Body–color folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals
Heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de–icer
Power tilt/sliding–glass moonroof (95% UVA and 99% UVB light reducing)
Roof rails with retractable cross bars and tie–downs

Seating and Trim -

10–way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2–position memory and power adjustable lumbar support. 4–way power front–passenger’s seat.
Heated front and rear seats
60/40–split flat–folding rear seatbacks
Leather–wrapped steering wheel
Leather–wrapped shifter handle
Leather–trimmed upholstery
Woodgrain–patterned accent trim on dash and doors

Convenience -

Power rear gate with automatic close and height memory
Welcome lighting (when approaching or departing vehicle)
Electronic parking brake with Hill Holder® function
Auto–on/off headlights
Auto–dimming rearview compass mirror with HomeLink®
Driver’s and front–passenger’s auto–up/down power windows
Electronic cruise control (adaptive cruise control using EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology)
Leather–wrapped 3–spoke steering wheel with audio system, Bluetooth®, EyeSight® adaptive cruise control buttons
Dual USB ports
Manually adjustable tilt/telescoping steering column
8 cup holders
Overhead console with dual maplights
Cargo–area underfloor storage tray

Audio and Communication -

Subaru Starlink™ 7.0” Multimedia Plus in–vehicle technology system with Pandora®, iHeartRadio®, STITCHER and Aha™ smartphone app integration, high–resolution LCD touchscreen display, voice– activated controls, AM/FM/CD player, HD Radio®, USB port/iPod® control, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio and Travel Link®, Bluetooth ® audio streaming and hands–free phone and text messaging connectivity, and 3.5–mm auxiliary jack
Premium audio system with 12 Harman Kardon GreenEdge® speakers, including center dash speaker and subwoofer, 576–watt equivalent Harman Kardon GreenEdge® amplifier

Instrumentation -

Electroluminescent analog speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature and fuel level gauges.
LCD color screen displaying enhanced vehicle functions.

Climate Control -

Dual–zone automatic digital climate control system with air filtration and controls for temperature, fan, airflow direction, dual–zone lockout, and CFC–free air conditioning

Security -

Keyless entry system with answer–back electronic chirp
Antitheft security system with engine immobilizer

Safety -

Active Subaru Symmetrical All–Wheel Drive (AWD)
STARLINK™ Safety Plus enabled: Automatic Collision Notification, SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Maintenance Notifications, Monthly Vehicle Health Report, Diagnostic Alerts EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology with Lane Keep Assist
Blind–Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross–Traffic Alert
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
Traction Control System (TCS)
4–wheel antilock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake–force Distribution (EBD)
Brake Assist
Brake Override System
Rear–Vision Camera (hi–resolution)
Passive Subaru advanced frontal airbag system with driver’s and front–passenger’s front airbags (SRS)
Driver and front–passenger seat cushion airbags (SRS)
Side–curtain airbags with roll over sensor protecting front and rear outboard occupants (SRS)
Seat–mounted front side–impact airbags (SRS)
Whiplash–protection front seats
Height–adjustable front–seat head restraints
Height–adjustable 3–point front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters
3–point seatbelts at all rear seating positions
LATCH system: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children