The Outback, one of Subaru’s mid-size vehicles, is looking good for the New Year. With a large array of trim levels and either a sedan or a wagon body in each trim to choose from, the selecting pool is rather large.

Many of the luxury features from last years models have become standard on many of the trim level models this year; this includes electroluminescent gauges. The SI-Drive system—allowing the driver to select one of three preset levels of vehicle response—has controls sitting on the new tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Other features the Outback has to offer include various power functions and remote keyless entry. The luxurious L.L.Bean Edition model brings heated leather upholstery, a navigation system and more to the table. As far as safety goes, the confines of the Outback vessel have got you covered. You have the standard frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and all-disc antilock brakes all as standard. Higher-level models include a convenient electronic stability system for added support to the vehicle handling.

The base Outlook is equipped with a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that generates 175 horsepower. The powered up version of this engine sits in the 2.5 XT model, and it generates 243 horsepower. The L.L.Bean model gets another horizontally opposed six-cylinder 3.0-liter engine capable of 245 horsepower. The base engine receives either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive; the powered up versions are teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission. In addition, as with all Subaru models, standard all-wheel drive is included.

The 2008 Outback drives like a dream, and the flexibility you have when selecting your model make this mid-size wonder from Subaru definitely worth looking over.