2009 Subaru Outback PZEV Test Drive

What do the star ratings mean?

The 2009 Subaru Outback PZEV is almost identical to the base Outback wagon except that the 4-cylinder engine meets California's strictest emission standards, hence the Partial Zero Emission Vehicle designation. Less significant but impressive is the equipment list, which includes power windows, locks and heated mirrors, keyless entry, retractable cargo cover, fog lights, twin-panel moonroof, heated front seats, 4-speed auto with Sportshift. The 2009 Subaru Outback received a NHTSA 5-star front/rear crash rating. EPA fuel economy averages 20/26 city/highway, list price starts at $24,795.

Larger exterior photos Front Rear

The good old-fashioned electric streetcar, once a staple of city transit systems, produces no emissions whatsoever. Subaru's 2009 Outback PZEV is 90% cleaner than its base counterpart and in some circumstances creates fewer emissions than a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle. Thus the Halton County Radial Railway Museum seemed the ideal place in which to photograph our test car. A work in progress, it is located in a wooded area about 40 miles from Toronto and displays a variety of streetcars, some restored, some still awaiting rebirth. Unfortunately the museum was closed during my visit, so I didn't get to ride on one of the railfan trips.

I did, however, drive the Outback over a number of city, expressway, and back-country roads and came away impressed by Subaru's ability to produce a clean-running engine with no drop in performance from the standard vehicle. And with reasonable fuel mileage. Don't look to save money while you're saving the earth, though. The price of doing so is $200 more than a normal Outback, although to be fair I should point out that the PZEV is loosely based on the Touring model, which includes a considerable amount of additional equipment. Heated front seats and heated mirrors, power driver's seat and windows, power tilt-and-slide twin-panel sunroof, roof rack, fog lights, 100-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 and WMA capability are all part of the package. Because the Outback was redesigned last year, there's little change in styling for 2009.

Larger interior photo

Having praised the seats during a 2008 Outback test over similar territory it seemed odd that I wasn't able to get comfortable in the 2009 PZEV. Could one year make a difference to an aging back? My son Sean and his wife Sharon also drove the car but had no such complaints. With two small children and a brand new puppy (see Sadie in the photo gallery), plus winter weekends driving to nearby ski hills where all-wheel-drive traction is an advantage, they're Subaru's ideal marketing target. Sharon, questioning why I'd prefer the Legacy wagon with its lower center of gravity, found it easier to step-in-and-out of the taller test car than their Camry sedan. Once again, feminine logic beats male driving enthusiasm!

We all agreed that the instrument panel and console controls are easy to access without taking one's eyes off the road, a safe-driving advantage in an era when there are far too many distractions in the auto industry's interiors. Unfortunately "bland" and "lacking emotion" also accompanied our opinions of the Outback interior. Compared to the Volvo V70 the duo are considering as their next car, the Subie fell short when matched against slick Scandinavian styling. Sean also thought the interior "felt small" although his impression was balanced by a spacious rear seat and ample cargo volume. I liked the large glass area and twin-panel sunroof. Our collective opinion of the Outback's interior was generally positive, based on roominess, versatility and function.

What sets the PZEV apart is described by its designation, which stands for Partial Zero Emission Vehicle, awarded to vehicles meeting the California Air Resources Board's extra-stringent emissions standards. Subaru's unique 4-step system involves the addition of a charcoal cannister, superior fuel injectors, a reprogrammed engine control module, and a special catalytic converter. It works so well that in urban areas the exhaust may be cleaner than air entering the engine. The PZEV system is applied to Subaru's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, which produces 170 hp at 6000 rpm and 170 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. In our test it had little effect on performance, falling under the heading of "adequate for most conditions." Acceleration off the line is not going to set hearts racing but mid-range passing ability is strong and up to class standards. It would be even better if the Outback were not restrained by a 4-speed automatic in an era when 5-and-6-speeds are common.

On the other hand, every Subaru comes with symmetrical all-wheel-drive, delivering power to all four wheels all the time to assure better traction. Unexpectedly I found myself on the same twisting uphill road where, years ago, I'd won trophies driving modified sedans in hillclimbs. An opportunity to test the Outback's cornering against tail-out slides of yesteryear? Well, not quite, but enough to prove on a rainy day that the Outback's all-wheel-drive does provide safer handling on slippery surfaces.

Because the Outback is already familiar, I decided that this test should focus on comparing the PZEV-modified engine with its lower-priced companion. Easier said than done, for there's nothing about the driving experience that feels different. Nothing to see, to hear, or to remind one that this is a special vehicle. Which is a good thing, for such precision engineering should to do its job unnoticed. Even the numbers reveal little, with the PZEV achieving an average of 20/26 city/highway mileage and reaching 60 mph in 9.7 seconds, roughly the same as a base Outback. So it's all about the environment. If you've just cut your lawn with a power mower, you created more pollution than a PZEV does in a 2000 mile drive.

As a family vehicle, I'd recommend the Outback over most crossovers. With its 60/40 split-folding rear seat it has ample carrying capacity, the all-wheel-drive makes it an ideal choice for snow country or back road use, and it looks and feels like a car, not a cut-down SUV. Though already well-equipped it can be optioned up at a price that is still reasonable. On the road the Outback is pleasingly quiet except under hard acceleration, when it creates a typical 4-cylinder drone, primarily because maximum power comes at rather high rpm's. Comfortable, well-built, smooth-riding and family friendly, the Outback PZEV is a bargain and the ultra-clean emission's a bonus.

Who should buy this car?

Families who appreciate wagon virtues and are virtuous enough to do something about the risks of climate change

Who should not buy this car?

Non-believers of both kinds