Orlando Sentinel's view

Just a few years ago, Subaru was on the brink of failure in the UnitedStates.

Sales had plunged, and the company lacked direction. Then in 1995, Subaruchanged course to focus on its core strength: all-wheel drive.

Subaru has specialized in making small all-wheel-drive cars since themid-’70s.

In certain parts of the country, such as the Northeast and the Midwest,all-wheel-drive Subaru wagons are the vehicles of choice for many families andsmall-business owners. Not only have the wagons proved durable and reliable,but the all-wheel drive system allows Subaru’s cars to drive in snow and overbad terrain.

In the last three years, Subaru shed its slower-selling vehicles andrevamped its lineup to contain nothing but all-wheel-drive sedans and wagons.With the introduction last year of the Legacy Outback wagon, Subaru saw itssales soar. Apparently there are a lot of families who want the versatility ofan all-wheel-drive vehicle but don’t want to drive a truck-based sport-utilityvehicle.

In a bid to further boost sales, Subaru added the compact Impreza Outbackto its line for 1997. Like the Legacy Outback, the Impreza is a sporty-lookingwagon that offers all-wheel drive in an affordable package. This is a vehicleaimed at people who need versatile transportation but have a smaller budget.The Impreza Outback costs less than the Legacy and most sport-utilities.

PERFORMANCE

The Impreza Outback is outfitted with a very peppy 2.2-liter, opposedfour-cylinder engine; horsepower is rated at 137. Our test vehicle came withthe optional four-speed automatic transmission ($800); a five-speed manual isstandard.

Performance is outstanding. In fact, the Impreza Outback’s zippyacceleration from zero to 60 mph was the highlight of the weeklong test-drive.Several years ago the original Impreza came out with a dreadfully slow110-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine. I didn’t expect the 1997 model to performmuch better.

The 2.2-liter engine can get a little raucous when it’s revved up, but thenoise is not bothersome. In fact, it sort of goes well with the rugged natureof the Outback.

The Outback package isn’t just fancy cosmetics designed to give theillusion of ruggedness. Subaru engineers went back to the drawing board andmade the technical adjustments that improved the car’s performance.

I purposefully veered off-road several times and discovered theall-wheel-drive Outback can slog easily through soft sand and over deep bumps.The engine delivers plenty of low-speed pulling power, and that gives youconfidence when driving over bad terrain.

The four-wheel independent suspension system offers a firm but comfortableride. Subaru engineers raised the vehicle slightly to give it the groundclearance that allows it to be driven safely off-road. However, that changedidn’t affect the Outback’s on-road handling. Usually, the higher a vehicleis, the less apt it is to go around corners comfortably. But during mywe eklong test, the Outback proved it could be driven aggressively and safely.

Steering and brakes are other areas where the Outback gives the driverconfidence. The speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering systemhas a tight, crisp feel. And the anti-lock front disc/rear drum brakes do avery credible job of stopping the 2,900-pound vehicle.

FIT AND FINISHI’ve seen some poorly assembled Subarus in years past, but the 1997 ImprezaOutback I tested showed a very measurable improvement.

There were no rattles or loose pieces of trim on the dash, door panels orin the interior. However, some of the switches still feel chintzy. Thepower-window switches on the door panels are unlighted and poorly arranged,and there are too many functions on the turn signal stalk, which also controlsthe brightness of the dash lights.

Those minor gripes aside, I found the dash to be cleanly styled and, forthe most part, easy to use. The gauges are nothing fancy, but the arebrightly lighted and easy on the eyes.

Our test car came with power door locks, power windows and power mirrors,cruise control, air conditioning and a powerful AM/FM radio.

Impreza Outbacks come with a firm set of front bucket seats and rearfold-down bench seats. There is plenty of room up front and in the rear. Ifyou fold the rear seats forward, the Impreza can swallow a mountain bike withno problem. There is even a rubber mat in the back to protect the carpet frommud and dirt.

Several people commented on the Outback’s sporty styling. Although stationwagons are decidedly out of fashion these days, Subaru designers have done avery admirable job of making this one look fun and youthful. There is nothingdowdy or dumpy about the Outback.

I’ve often criticized Japanese cars for not having character and for beingboring to look at and drive. This car is clearly the exception. The giantscoop in the center of the hood gives it a sporty appearance. Its snappyperformance makes the car fun to drive, and the styling and versatile interiorkeep the Outback from getting boring.

At under $20,000, the Outback packs a solid value.

Specifications: Base price: $17,995. Safety: Dual front air bags, anti-lock brakes, side-impact protection, front and rear crumple zones. Price as tested: $19,983. EPA rating: 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway. Incentives: None.

Truett’s tip: With the Outback series, Subaru is on a roll. The new, nifty-looking Impreza Outback is sporty, fun to drive and well-built.