1997 Subaru Impreza Outback Refined, rough and rally. By Sue Mead, New Car Test Drive .com

All vehicles sold by Subaru of America

nowadays are equipped with all-wheel drive. This represents a return to

the company's roots and we think it makes a lot of sense.

The beauty of all-wheel drive is that it applies power to the tires

with the best grip. All-wheel drive offers much better performance than

the less expensive traction control, which limits power to reduce wheelspin.

Subaru put its all-wheel drive to good use by winning last year's World

Rally Championship, a grueling test of man and machinery that pits megahorsepower

sedans against the worst roads imaginable. Rally drivers race on ice, snow,

dirt, mud and wet and dry pavement. Usually the weather is lousy and often

it's at night. Rallying is the ultimate performance and durability test

of production-based cars.

Most manufacturers have had little success marketing all-wheel drive

in America, where its traction benefits are misunderstood. This gives Subaru

a niche. It also provides the company with technology that can offer the

traction benefits of a sport-utility vehicle with the superior handling

of a car.

The Impreza Outback, or Outback Sport, should not be confused with the

larger Legacy Outback wagon. While the Legacy Outback is driven by Crocodile

Dundee, the Outback Sport is driven by Crocodile's young nephew. It's a

clever advertising campaign that does a good job of pointing out the benefits

of all-wheel drive, while positioning them appropriately to their anticipated

buyers.

The Impreza Outback has a rough and rugged appearance that includes

larger wheels and tires for added ground clearance, a hood scoop, body

side molding, a new grille, hood and integrated lower front bumper and

spoiler.

While the Impreza Outback is unique to the market, its competitors may

include the Suzuki Sidekick, Toyota RAV4, Geo Tracker and Suzuki X-90.

None of these can match the Outback's superior handling and performance,

however.