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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories App Finder: Top tax apps Ashland Calendar, Friday, March 20 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Should Ashland homeowners be able to rent rooms short-term? Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Education Northwest Pizza to raise money for Ashland Schools Foundation Prisoners in their own home Louie's to donate sales to Helman Hug Fund Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Ashland Kiwanis recognizes Samara Diab Environment Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't Business Breaking ground on organic vineyard practices Southern Oregon University: Recent and pending projects at SOU total about $132 million Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Mark L. Hopkins: Looking for a political straight shooter Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries James Ellis York Death Notices Death Notices Shiela R. Ettlich Karen June Shaw Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Sports Latest Stories Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Weber, Smith earn All-American honors Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading Wade scores 32, Heat rally to beat Blazers AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title High school Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Fredrickson leads Grizzlies to season-opening romp Grizz alpine skiers finish strong at state Ashland High's Honsinger tops field in final nordic ski meet Southern Oregon University Weber, Smith earn All-American honors Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title Thompson, Weber to play in all-star game Beavers get No. 3 seed, host NCAA games Voices Latest Stories Letters to the Editor, March 20 Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Jeffrey Gillespie: The return of the neocons Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Editorial Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules Our View: Ashland is at risk as a bad fire season looms Letters Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Columns Jeffrey Gillespie: The return of the neocons Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Council Corner: City considers the sharing economy Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Best bets for entertainment around Ashland, March 19 Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Community blog: Herzog scholarship for young writers Movie listings: March 13-18 Theater Ticket Availability Ticket Availability Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Oregon Shakespeare Festival designer for a half-century says he's still learning Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Music Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 More wonderful wrinkles at 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' 8 must-see spring films Movie review: ‘Wrecking Crew’ is a look at the people who really put the bomp Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Looking Up: Looking for the zodiacal light Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The return of the neocons ... Ashland Calendar, Friday, March 20 ... Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class ... Jeffrey Gillespie: The return of the neocons ... Ashland Calendar, Friday, March 20 ... Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited By Greg Zyla More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Mar. 16, 2015 @ 7:41 am By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Mar. 16, 2015 @ 7:41 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> This week, we’re driving the new 2015 Subaru Outback Limited, powered by a powerful 3.6-liter “Boxer” six-cylinder engine and riding on 18-inch Bridgestone tires. Built on a slightly longer wheelbase than last year, this new generation is similar in footprint and mechanicals to the 2014 yet features notable upgrades from liquid filled engine mounts that ensure a quieter ride to more cargo room. Our tester is Subaru’s popular station wagon style, mid-size Outback that starts at just $24,895 and includes an economical Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission and the legendary Symmetrical all-wheel-drive. As noted in the past, Sir Malcolm Bricklin, he of Bricklin auto fame, is the person who brought Subaru to America in 1968, and it’s been a success story ever since. By 1972, Subaru offered 2WD and 4WD models, although a fully automatic 4x4 wasn‘t in the cards until 1987, dubbed “Fulltime AWD.” Then 10 years later, Subaru announced it would drop two-wheel drive configurations from all Subaru platforms to concentrate 100-percent on its AWD expertise. Since then, the manufacturer has never looked back and boasts perhaps one of the most loyal owner demographics in car ownership history. Because out tester came in top grade Limited form, only one option appeared on the price list and is included in the final $36,040 retail price (includes $850 delivery). The package features power moonroof, keyless entry, push button start and navigation. Other than this, our tester features just about every amenity Subaru offers as standard fare, including a top flight safety system with blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and electronic cruise control. Also notable are standard fare power driver seat with lumbar/memory; alloy wheels; special front fascia with HD headlamps; leather interior with wood trim; seven-inch touchscreen; 576-watt Harmon/Kardon 12 speaker stereo system with SiriusXM/HD/CD; MP3/WMA playback; iPod, USB, Homelink and Bluetooth. Your dealer will fully explain all features, from entry 2.5i to Limited including amenities that come standard on all Outbacks, like reclining rear seats, Active Torque Vectoring, eight cup holders and even steering wheel paddle shifters. Mechanically, Subaru Outback continues its Boxer engine development in both four and six cylinder designs. Additionally, the Boxer engine receives its nickname thanks to the unique crankshaft and piston rotating assembly featuring a side-to-side combustion cycle instead of a “V” or “inline-4” setup. (Porsche is the only other manufacturer to offer this technology.) The resulting piston “jab” punch sideways results in a smooth running engine and allows Subaru technicians to locate the engine much lower in the engine bay. This results in better center of gravity numbers and less body roll. The “Boxer Six” generates a powerful 256- horses and solid 20 city and 27 highway EPA numbers while the “Boxer Four” kicks in with 24 city and up to 33 highway EPA from 175 horses. I recommend testing both, as the more economical four-cylinder might be fine for your operating needs. Underneath, Outback features fully independent MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension. Other standard safety features include traction control, anti-lock four wheel discs, advanced airbags including side curtain, vehicle dynamic control and the aforementioned world famous Subaru Symmetrical AWD system. New for 2015 are front seat-cushion airbags that keep occupants in place during frontal collisions and brings the total airbag count to eight. Important numbers include a wheelbase of 108.1 inches (just .2 inches more than last year), 3,810 lb. curb weight, 35.5 to 73.3 cu. ft. of cargo space, 3,000 lb. tow capacity and an 18.5-gallon fuel tank. In summary, Subaru Outbacks are some of the best known AWD vehicles in the world. Its success is directly related to the millions of consumers who continue to purchase and, more importantly, purchase again Subaru vehicles. From economical Impreza, ($18,195 entry) to top line Outback, ($24,895 entry), these consumers know value when it stares them in the eye. And they’ll continue to do so in the years to come as Subaru has earned its stripes. 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Likes: More safety, powerful Boxer engine, AWD heritage. Dislikes: Option packages expensive, some safety features unavailable on entry 2,5i Outback, not much else. Entry price: $24,895 Price as tested: $36,040 Greg Zyla is a syndicated columnist. By Greg Zyla More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Mar. 16, 2015 @ 7:41 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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