2008 Subaru Outback 3.0R - Premier Package

by Michael A. Coates
photography by Michael A. Coates and Subaru

People would come up to me and say something along the lines - "That's a really nice car - what is it?" Others would recognise the 6 star Subaru logo and take a keen interest in this particular model. On being told it was 2008 Outback, one person mentioned recalled it was Paul Hogan's car. But what surprised me the most - everyone just loved the 'Dark Bronze' colour which just happens to be new for 2008.

For the curious - the name Subaru means 'unite' in Japanese. It is also the Japanese name for a cluster of stars known in the Western world as Pleiades. In 1953, when five companies 'united' to form Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., the new corporation named its automobile division 'Subaru' and embossed it with a logo based upon the star cluster.

Outward Appearances

While still bearing a striking resemblance to the 2007 Outback, there are some striking cosmetic changes. The 2008 model has a whole new hood design plus some refinements about the lights at each corner, but the biggest change is to the front grill which plays a more prominent part in the overall design. Compared to the 2007, and this is by no means a criticism of the 2007 model, but the 2008 Outback seems to have been designed on purpose. It's much more refined and every aspect of its design compliments the total package. Perhaps this is why it aroused so much attention - besides the colour.

Inward Impressions

Whoever said beauty is only skin deep had never sat inside a 2008 Subaru Outback. The new Outback is beautiful on the outside and just as beautiful on the inside. It's not just the blend of matte black, brushed metals and wood grain finishes. Nor is it the fact that everything is ideally located. It's much more. The whole interior radiates quality. If you think too hard, this luxury becomes strange on a vehicle with a name that suggests roughing it on drive across Australia's less than hospitable wilderness for days on end. As critical as I was, I could find very little to criticise.

Okay - so I may be a little picky, but I really had to hunt for a clock. Personally, I prefer analogue clocks because they present a sense of time whereas, digital clocks by their very nature, only display the time. Enough rambling, I found a digital clock on top left corner of the graphic display. I still prefer analogue clocks.

Since we're talking about the display, the Premier Package available on the 3.0R model includes a navigation system. This one was of the touch screen kind which is a marked improvement over the earlier type of onboard navigation systems. However, on occasion, I seriously had to question the directions being unpassionately fed to me. "I know we want to go left at the next intersection so why are you telling me to turn right?" It's not just this particular system. I've encountered similar problems in other vehicles. But, we live in a world of techno-gadgets and navigational systems have become a 'must have' item. Just one last note - many people seem to think that Global Positioning System (GPS) requires a monthly fee. No it doesn't, it only needs the presence of signals already emited from orbiting communication satelites to get an accurate fix.

Access to the vehicle

Access to the Outback is quite good as the doors open up quite wide. One thing I personally enjoyed, was the ample headroom. However, having said that, I did find the knee room in the rear seats to be a bit of a squeeze. Yes, I could have moved the driver seat forward a notch or two, but that would have compromised the seating position of a full sized driver.

The two front seats where powered and the lumbar tension was manually adjustable. Both front seats were heated leaving us to feel sorry for the rear seat passengers when winter is in its full glory.
The climate system was very efficient. On AUTO, the car's blowers are initially at the gale force setting.

Cargo Space

A Subaru Outback is a practical vehicle - it was designed that way. Its very name suggests that it was built to withstand the rigours of the outback. It has an unusually high ground clearance. It is also a Station Wagon style of car. Some refer to it a crossover. The very term 'cross-over' conjures all kinds of imaginings. I prefer to call it an Estate Car. Whatever one's categorical label might be, the bottom line is - the Outback comes with a large and practical cargo area.

Firstly, the rear opening is larger than it initially appears. Well, I thought so. Regardless - it gives a very wide and tall access to the cargo area. The hatch lifts particular high so that there is little opportunity to inadvertently smack one's head against it. The other thing I particularly liked was the security cover. The cover bar was quite easy to remove and install, plus it was particularly light weight and manageable. Secondly, while in place, the cover was finely fitted so as to not expose any of the cargo area's contents. It was particularly well designed as well as being practical and functional.

Secondly, there is a large cargo area mat with a very practical lip. A lip tall enough to save the carpet from most dirt and spills. In addition, there are anchor points for a net, plus a couple of grocery bag hooks.

Of course, there is never enough space, so in the likely event when more space is required, the rear seats fold forward in a 40/60 combination to accommodation extra-ordinary cargo.

Under the floor of the cargo area is a temporary spare wheel and all the tools necessary to change the flat for one that will limp you home.

The Engine Compartment

Proving once again that beauty is more than skin deep, one of Subaru's hidden beauties is in the design of the motor, not that one can see the motor, even with the hood open. Nonetheless, the motor is a flat six (in the 3.0 litre Outback and a 2.5 litre flat four in all other Outback variants). Having a flat motor means that it has a very low profile and thus contributes greatly to the vehicle's relatively low centre of gravity.

The compartment is well designed and all the user maintenance items - oil, window washer, coolant etc., are easily identified (marked in yellow) and are easily accessible. The only questionable item was the hood support - that infernal bar that always requires two hands and much fumbling to pock it in the right hole in the hood and which then always seems to be in the way. With two very efficient piston supports holding up the rear hatch, I'm surprised similar support pistons were not employed on the hood. Oh well. That's why we have 2009 perhaps.

The Driver's Seat

So, it's a very nice a car, particularly well made and looks very practical, but what's it like to drive? Before we start the motor, let's take a look from the driver's seat. The cockpit looks nice, feels nice and seems practical. In reality, the cockpit, is as nice as it looks, is as nice as it feels and is indeed very practical. I have yet to be disappointed anytime I've sat behind the wheel of a Subaru. I particularly liked the subtle angle of the centre console as it leans in towards the driver.

It's a real experience igniting the Outback for the very first time. Somewhat co-incidental, it was the week of July 1 and 4 with the respective light show of fireworks that mark these two important dates, that I had the vehicle. Sitting in the Outback, I was entertained by a different light show as the dials lit up and the pointers danced to life in an apparent warm-up routine. The neo-neon lit dials came on line next as they glowed into life. A newbie may be tempted to turn the vehicle on and off while waiting for the comparatively dull traffics lights predictably change from red to green. Luckily the intensity of the dash lights can be toned down once the novelty has subsided. Upon switching off, the dash lights quietly faded to darkness. Pretty!

In the foot well, the pedals are perfectly placed, and the accelerator has a small protective guard to prevent excessive wear of the carpet. There is a dead pedal conveniently positioned to the left.

Befitting the tone of the car, the CD of "Men at Work" sounded particularly good as "Down Under" streamed from the SRS WOW 6-speaker sound system. I can't say that the bass actually blew my socks off - but I did have to adjustment them on the odd occasion after I turned up the volume. The SRS WOW is only available on the 2.5 XT and the 3.0R models.

The steering wheel seemed to want to resemble one from an F1 car, with cruise controls on one side, auxiliary sound controls on the other side, a set of paddle buttons I never did quite fathom, AND my favourite - the instant Sport Sharp (S#) button. When you have a 'big red' (Red Kangaroo) taking exception to your proximity, a touch on the S# instantly elevates the engines performance from excellent to pure focused performance leaving most living creatures sucking your dust.

Yes - the Outback comes with SI-drive.

There was a time when, if you wanted to add more 'umph' to your wheels, you needed to rip the underside of the dash apart looking for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), take it apart and gently lever the chip off the circuit board (or de-solder it), and replace it with a modified one while kissing your warranty goodbye. Subaru has made it easier - plus you get to keep your warranty.

In I-mode, the throttle response is somewhat relaxed, and the power and torque limits have been set accordingly. Also, the shift patterns have also been altered so as to prevent the transmission from shifting at higher revs. This mode is probably ideal for navigating in commuter traffic. When the S-mode is engaged, the vehicle takes on a new personality as the throttle becomes more responsive and the shifting in the automatic transmission waits a little longer before moving up. And then there is the S#-mode (S sharp mode) where a driver can experience the vehicle's full potential as power of the boxer is unleashed.

What does all this means?

It means that a driver can adapt the vehicle to meet the conditions on the road. There is no fun trying to drive a throttle sensitive sports car in rush hour traffic moving up three or four meters at a time. That's not driving. This type of stop-and-go traffic would be an ideal situation to save on gas and frustration and go to I-mode. Once, the traffic opens up and starts to flow - switch to S-mode. And when the desire outweighs the reason, switch to S#-mode and drive like you've never driven before.

The Test Drive

For a practical vehicle that sits fairly high off the ground, the Outback is a surprisingly nimble vehicle to drive. It is an experience in confidence. Confidently and smoothly, the vehicle moves up to speed courtesy of a 5-pack automatic fed by a very energetic 3.0 flat six boxer. As for handling, the All Wheel Drive (AWD) confidently guides the vehicle around just about any corner. The never compromising Subaru suspension confidently handles most terrain, and the full set of brakes confidently control deceleration, all of which makes this a delight to drive, whether it's commuting, going someplace special, or simply having fun.

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Subaru Canada

Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of over 100 franchised dealers across Canada.