What do you see, a wagon or a crossover? Market demand suggests the latter. The same car, but in sedan form and without the SUV-like ride height and trimmings.
The preferred auto industry term for the new Cherokee's face is "polarizing." A high ground clearance, cladding, and big round fog lamps announce that this is no mere Legacy.
Better materials than past Outbacks. Silver plastic trim nearly passes for aluminum. Materials inside the Cherokee also competitive, much better than those in the Liberty it replaced.
Straightforward interior design. Shot borrowed from my Legacy review, hence the subpar nav. Most other controls are well-designed.
After the ride quality, the front seats are most in need of improvement. Very roomy, reclinable rear seat. But if you want rear air vents you must step up to the Limited.
Much more space behind the second-row seat than in the Cherokee. The Outback most exceeds competing crossovers in the length of its cargo floor with the seats folded