2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

The 2018 Outback is a rugged wagon that blends SUV practicality with car-like driving manners, a niche it owns. It squares off against the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Jeep Cherokee, but none match its standard all-wheel drive. The Outback feels planted and sure-footed on any surface, with the six-cylinder providing strong passing power. The ride is smooth and absorbent, though the cabin can get noisy on coarse pavement at highway speeds. Inside, the Outback offers a spacious cabin, comfortable seats, and a huge cargo area that swallows gear easily. Leather seating, a power moonroof, and the 8-inch touchscreen with navigation set the 2.5i Limited apart from the Premium trim below it. The 2.5L I4 makes 175 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, routed through a CVT and all-wheel drive, which is enough for daily driving and gets an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined. The Limited adds Harman Kardon audio, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard, so you don't have to hunt for a package.