Item: 2009 Subaru BR Outback
Rating: 3

Refined 3.6-litre six-cylinder engine
All-wheel drive traction (via three very different systems)
Competent ride/handling balance
Spacious interior

Lag from turbo-diesel engine and mismatched manual transmission ratios
For turbo-diesel engine, notchy manual shift action
Mismatched interior plastics
For 2.5-litre petrol engine, CVT torque converter may cause low engine rpm when coming to rest due to worn thrust washer
For 2.5-litre petrol engine, rare cases of head gasket failure

Review: Subaru BR.I Outback (2009-12)

Overview

Released in September 2009, the Subaru BR Series I (BR.I) Outback was a five-seat, all-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Ota, Japan, the Subaru BR Outback range initially consisted of the 2.5i and 3.6R variants, with the 2.0 Diesel following in November 2009. In addition to the variants, the BR Outback was also available in standard and ‘Premium’ editions; the full range is given in the table below.

EJ253, EZ36D and EE20 engines

Of the engines:

For the Outback 2.5i, the EJ253 engine had an open-deck aluminium alloy block with cast iron liners, an aluminium alloy cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft per cylinder bank (belt-driven), four valves per cylinder, Tumble Generator Valves (TGV) and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. For the BR Outback, the EJ253 engine included Subaru’s ‘Intelligent Active Valve Lift System’ (i-AVLS’) which could vary the lift of one intake valve per cylinder between low and high lift profiles. At lower engine speeds, the low lift profile increased the speed of the intake air and swirl within the combustion chamber. At higher engine speeds, the high lift profile reduced intake resistance for greater power;
For the Outback 3.6R, the 3.6-litre EZ36D engine had an open-deck aluminium block, an aluminium cylinder head with parallel-flow cooling, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (Subaru’s ‘Dual Active Valve Control System’ or ‘Dual AVCS’) and a compression ratio of 10.5:1; and,
For the Outback Diesel variants, the 2.0-litre EE20 diesel engine had an aluminium alloy blcok and cylinder head, a variable geometry turbocharger, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, common-rail direct injection and a compression ratio of 16.0:1.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the BP Outback , the BR Outback was 65 mm longer (at 4790 mm), 50 mm wider (1820 mm), 70 mm taller (1615 mm) and had a 75 mm longer wheelbase (2745 mm); ground clearance also increased to 213 mm. The proportion of high tensile steel was increased for greater rigidity and reduced weight, while a single-cradle engine bay design and framed sash windows were introduced for greater refinement.

Suspension

The BR Outback had MacPherson strut front suspension and self-levelling double-wishbone rear suspension.

Subaru BR.I Outback specifications
Variant	Editions	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
2.0 Diesel	N/A, Premium	2.0-litre EE20 turbo-diesel F4	6sp man.	110 kW at 3600 rpm	350 Nm at 1800-2400 rpm
2.5i	N/A, Premium	2.5-litre EJ253 petrol F4	6sp man., 6sp CVT	123 kW at 5600 rpm	229 Nm at 4000 rpm
3.6R	N/A, Premium	3.6-litre EZ36D petrol F6	5sp auto	191 kW at 5600 rpm	350 Nm at 4400 rpm

AWD systems

The Subaru BR Outback was available with three different types of all-wheel drive (AWD) system:

Models with six-speed manual transmissions were fitted with Subaru’s ‘Continuous’ AWD system which utilised a viscous-coupling locking centre differential. In normal conditions, the system provided a 50:50 front:rear torque distribution. If traction was lost, however, up to 80 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to the opposing axle.
Models with CVTs were fitted with an ‘Active Torque Split’ AWD system which consisted of an electronically-controlled, hydraulic multi-plate transfer clutch (instead of the centre differential). In normal conditions, the system provided a 60:40 front;rear torque split but sensors – measuring wheel slippage, throttle position and braking – could anticipate a loss of front-wheel traction and transfer torque to the rear axle.
3.6R variants were fitted with a ‘Variable Torque Distribution’ AWD system whereby a planetary center differential operated in conjunction with an electronically-controlled continuously variable hydraulic transfer clutch. In normal conditions, the system provided a 45:55 front:rear torque split, though this was continuously adjusted according to driving and road conditions.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Subaru BR.I Outback included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , a 2009 Subaru BR Outback received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.8 out of 37. In the frontal offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the driver. In the side impact and pole tests, however, the Outback received maximum points.

Features: Outback 2.5i and 2.0 Diesel

Standard features for the Outback 2.5i and 2.0 Diesel included 17-inch alloy wheels, six speaker Kenwood sound system with six-stack CD player, MP3/WMA compatibility and an auxiliary input jack, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, a multi-function steering wheel, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a power-operated park brake, two 12 volt power outlets, tinted windows, roof rails, map lights and an immobiliser. Models with automatic and continuously variable transmissions were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles. From November 2011, Bluetooth connectivity was fitted as standard.

Features: Outback 3.6R

Compared to the 2.5i and 2.0 Diesel, the Outback 3.6R was further equipped with an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, proximity key with keyless start, xenon headlights with washers, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The 3.6R variants also featured ‘Subaru Intelligent Drive’ (SI-Drive) which enabled the driver to select from Intelligent, Sport and Sport Plus modes for economy or performance-oriented settings, while the automatic transmission had a downshift rev matching function for sequential gear shifts.

Features: Outback Premium

Relative to the standard 2.5i, the Outback 2.5i Premium added leather seats, a power sunroof and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings. Compared to their standard variants, the 2.0 Diesel Premium and 3.6R Premium were further equipped with a single CD/DVD player, an eight-inch touch screen featuring satellite navigation, a reversing camera and park assist display, Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition; the 3.6R Premium also featured a ten speaker McIntosh sound system, driver’s seat memory settings and an eight-way power adjustable front passenger seat.

December 2011: Outback update

In December 2011, standard features for the Subaru BR.I Outback were extended to include USB connectivity, satellite navigation and a reversing camera. Furthermore, the 3.6R Premium was equipped with Subaru’s ‘EyeSight’ system which used minute sound system cameras to detect road hazards and alert the driver. The EyeSight system also included emergency braking preparation, autonomous braking, pre-collision throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, vehicle sway warning and ‘lead vehicle start alert’, which alerted the driver when the vehicle in front started to accelerate from rest.

Review: Subaru BR.II Outback (2013-14)