That said, I’d still take a 4-speed slushbox over a CVT.
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Dittoes. I test drove a 2010 Subie Outback a few years back. It had a 4 cylinder engine with a CVT. I was appalled at what a dog that was! The engine/transmission would whine and rev - but it would never shift.
What a joke.
The 2013 switched to the 173 hp 2.5 four they use in the Forester and does fairly well for a four cylinder. I always like more power, but this isn't a bad trade for mileage over the six's hp.
They also beefed up the rear sway bar to improve the handling over the 2012, but it's ultra easy upgrading to an even beefier sway bar from the STI catalog.