The Subaru Outback started as a station wagon trim level with some basic off-road accouterments. It evolved into a popular crossover with an outdoorsy reputation. But for a brief moment, Subaru also offered a turbocharged Outback 2.5XT with an engine based on the WRX sports sedan. One is recently for sale on eBay Motors in Ozone Park, NY.
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Go-Anywhere Feel
Subaru introduced the Outback in 1995 as a sub-model of the second-generation Legacy - opens in new window or tab. station wagon. The American market spawned the idea as SUV sales were booming. But Subaru, a minnow in the US compared to whales Ford and Toyota, did not have a truck platform on which to build a proper SUV.
So, product planners lifted the suspension of the all-wheel-drive wagon. They gave it fog lamps - opens in new window or tab., brawny-looking cladding, and a roof rack - opens in new window or tab. and named it after the Australian wilds. They even hired Aussie actor Paul Hogan - opens in new window or tab., who played Crocodile Dundee - opens in new window or tab. in movies of the same name, as the car’s spokesperson.
The ruse worked. Customers flocked to Subaru dealers for an SUV with a go-anywhere feel —whether they went anywhere or not— without sacrificing the maneuverability and fuel economy of a regular car.
Added Spice
Subaru spiced things up with the Legacy Outback 2.5XT at the beginning of the Legacy’s fourth generation and the Outback’s third. A cranked-up version of the turbocharged boxer engine - opens in new window or tab. from the rally-inspired WRX - opens in new window or tab. powered it. Standard Outbacks made 168 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5XT boosted those figures to 250 horsepower and 250 pound-feet, besting the WRX’s numbers (though not the hi-po WRX STi’s).
Even better, the turbo brought on that power and torque much lower in the rev range. That made the 2.5XT perfect for those trekking their Outbacks to oxygen-starved mountain elevations. Performance and handling were far better than one would expect from a tall wagon, making the 2.5XT a bit of a sleeper.
Sadly, the Outback 2.5XT wasn’t a tremendous seller. Subaru dropped the turbo option for the following generation, making the turbo Outback a rare flash in the pan.
Quite Clean
The Outback 2.5XT for sale has 117,806 miles on the odometer. It shows some cosmetic wear inside and out, as expected with a properly used 20-year-old wagon. The tires will need to be replaced soon. Yet it’s still quite clean for its age. It’s equipped with desirable options, including a panoramic sunroof. The $4,950 asking price seems perfectly reasonable for a wagon with this level of performance.
Today, the Outback is so popular it has outlived the Legacy - opens in new window or tab. nameplate. Modern Outbacks have turbos, but they’re for fuel efficiency, not peak power. If you’re ready for a tough wagon for outdoor activities but don’t want to give up performance, this 2005 Legacy Outback 2.5XT is the only game in town.
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