Subaru Outback Earns Top Rating In US Crash Tests

The 2005 Model Year Subaru Outback has won a top rating in the latest American NCAP crash test - the only vehicle to do so.

Not only did the all-wheel drive crossover score 5-stars for driver and passenger in the front impact test but attracted another 5-stars for driver and passenger for side impacts.

Classed as a sports utility by the US Department of Transportation, the Subaru Outback was one of nine new cars tested.

The announcement has just been issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

This is the second major safety award for the Outback and its Legacy saloon and Sports Tourer relatives.

Earlier in 2004, the models were given a 5-star crashworthiness rating by the Australian New Car Assessment Programme.

ANCAP is backed by all of Australia’s motoring organisations and statutory transport bodies.

Commenting on the Outback’s latest award, Subaru (UK) Limited’s new Managing Director, Peter Kinnaird, said: "We are delighted that the rigorous and painstaking work carried out by Subaru’s engineers is bearing fruit.

"Subarus have always enjoyed an excellent reputation for active safety thanks to their symmetrical all-wheel drive system and low-centre-of-gravity ‘boxer’ engines. Now our models are proving their worth in some of the most demanding crash tests in the world."

The Subaru Legacy range starts at £15,985 on-the-road for the 2.0i saloon while the Outback range begins at £20,000 OTR for the 2.5i model.

The new Legacy was also voted ‘Japanese Car of the Year’ for 2004 despite fierce competition from European models such as the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XJ.