Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Low snowpack limits Crater Lake outings DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police Seven officers involved in Medford police shooting; police release name of victim VIDEO: Shots fired in west Medford standoff with police Crime, Courts and Emergency Services DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police VIDEO: Shots fired in west Medford standoff with police Emergency Services, March 17 One-time 'person of interest' in Grubbs case sentenced on bank robberies Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Education Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Ashland High principal receives national award Work your body to save your braaaaains St. Mary's School buys campus from parish for $6.5 million Environment Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Jacksonville requests extension on reservoir dam-notching permit Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift State News House OKs bill banning gay conversion therapy Oso, Wash., to remember deadly mudslide HIllsboro jail worker sentenced to four years for inmate liaisons Portland man sentenced to 6 months for aiming lasers at planes Oregon is first state to adopt automatic voter registration Nation - World Obituaries Geneva Rosel Canty Shiela R. Ettlich Karen June Shaw Keo Jean Sedenius Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Crater falls short in softball season opener Wade leads Heat win over Cavs OSU to serve as NCAA tourney host Blazers' rally falls short RESULTS / STANDINGS Varsity 541 College Sports OSU to serve as NCAA tourney host Familiar tourney foes in line for Ducks LIVE blog of the NCAA Tournament selection show Tourney filled with great story lines Cowboy Up Pro Sports Wade leads Heat win over Cavs Blazers' rally falls short Spartans’ season comes to end Aldridge scores 24 points, Blazers beat Raptors Spieth proves clutch at Valspar Community Sports Business Latest Stories Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Blog: Are You Superstitious? Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Landgren cartoon: Sunshine Week Michael Gerson: Tom Cotton letter to Iran: The roughest of drafts Letters to the Editor, March 17 Granlund cartoon: March madness and other madness Letters to the Editor, March 16 Editorials Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Letters to the Editor, March 15 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 13 Columns Michael Gerson: Tom Cotton letter to Iran: The roughest of drafts Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Dana Milbank: Jason Rezaian's detention a tragedy for Iran Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Blog: The prodigal Watterson Pam Stone: No binge benefits from ‘healthy’ snacks Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Season Stepp: Tips to spice up your tacos Food Season Stepp: Tips to spice up your tacos Food for Thought: Where to splurge and save at the grocery store Prudence Hilburn: Loaded potatoes, Buffalo chicken call for Candied Bacon Bites for dessert Community blog: Top toast with smashing beet, cheese spread Gail Ciampa: Colcannon Soup with Parsley Pesto is a vegetarian alternative for St. Patrick’s Day Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Home Help: This top garage trend keeps gaining momentum The delightful work of flowers Using universal design Health Community blog: Denial is Not a River in Egypt Health Watch: Living smart to protect your heart Community blog: Can Twentysomething Depression Be�Healed? Dr. Murray Feingold: What’s your excuse for being late? Community blog: The Future is Now Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Theater Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Music Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe ... Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police ... Seven officers involved in Medford police shooting; police release name of victim ... DUII driver loses license for life after offering bribe ... Mentally ill man dies in volley of gunfire with Medford police ... Seven officers involved in Medford police shooting; police release name of victim ... Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Comment By Greg Zyla More Content Now MailTribune.com By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 7:43 AM Updated Mar 16, 2015 at 7:44 AM By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 7:43 AM Updated Mar 16, 2015 at 7:44 AM » Social News 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 MailTribune.com By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Mar. 16, 2015 at 7:43 AM Updated Mar 16, 2015 at 7:44 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501