11/11/2008 01:53. Complaints: Many motorists will find the base four-cylinder engine underpowered for their tastes. But moving up in power here, as it usually does, means moving up in fuel consumption and costs.

Ride, acceleration and handling: Ride and handling are excellent. With the base four-cylinder engine, acceleration is good in the flatlands, adequate in the highlands.

Body style/layout: The Subaru Outback is a front-engine, mid-size, all-wheel-drive family wagon especially designed for use in regions with inclement weather and numerous unimproved roads.

Engine/transmission: In the Outback 2.5i Limited, the base 2.5-liter, 16-valve, flat four-cylinder engine develops 170 horsepower at... // Concord Monitor