For comparison, a 2009 Subaru Outback with the base 2.5-liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission was rated only 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway by the EPA. The CVT-equipped 2010 Outback 2.5i starts at $24,690, including destination.
For $1,000 less you can get into an Outback 2.5i with the company's new six-speed manual transmission. The six-speed 2010 Outback 2.5i has a 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway fuel economy rating. This is slightly lower than a manual-shift 2009 Outback 2.5i, which had a 20/27 EPA rating.
If you want a six-cylinder engine in your Outback, the 2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R is rated at 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Though only a modest improvement over the 2009 Outback 3.0R, rated at 17/24, it's important to note that the redesigned wagon has a larger, more powerful, 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine good for 256 hp and 247 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission choice in the 2010 Outback 3.6R, which starts at $28,690.
Inside Line says: Here's a strong endorsement for CVTs, as they can turn even a heavy, all-wheel-drive wagon into a fuel-efficient family car. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor
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