You say L.L. Bean doesn’t build cars, and have no right to put their name on the new Subaru Outback?  Yeah, right.  Tell it to Eddie Bauer.  And Orvis.  And Harley-Davidsion.  And don’t forget to remind Nautica, Fila, Kona, Trek, Warner Bros., Lego and Neiman-Marcus while you’re at it.

Whether the association makes sense or not, specialty-edition automobiles pay off, for both the car manufacturer and whoever they decide to team up with.  For 2001, Subaru has gone the same route, with a special L.L. Bean Edition version of the popular Outback H6-3.0 all-wheel-drive wagon.  Popular in its own right, the Outback spawned a whole category of imitators when it appeared on the scene offering some of the versatility of a sport-ute without the tradeoffs in ride and handling.  The big-tired, all-wheel-drive station wagons have become almost as common as Ford Explorers.  Subaru lays claim to inventing the “sport utility wagon” niche (although we think that if AMC were still in business, they might dispute that, citing their Jeep-based Eagle AWD wagon of the early 1980s), which has since been invaded by such notable competition as Volvo and Audi.

The Outback’s current look is substantial, with Subaru’s new trademark “droopy-eyed” headlamp units flanking a trapezoidal grille.  A slightly raised roof gives it more visual bulk, and dual moonroofs keep things airy inside.  The Outback features two-tone paint and cladding that help give it that “sport-utility” look.  Large round foglights in the air dam are there for the same reason.  The rear window mimics the shape of the grille, but the wide lower edge also helps to improve visibility.  The L.L Bean edition adds subtle badges on the front fenders and unique 16″ alloy wheels, but not much more.  The Outback looks equally at home in the middle of a muddy field, or out in front of a country club.

Inside, the L.L. Bean influence is evident first, in the two-tone leather seats and L.L. Bean insignia on the floor mats.  The Outback’s basic layout persists underneath the skin.  The dash layout is straightforward and simple–our only complaint lies with the stereo, whose controls are too small.  However, the L.L. Bean Outback makes up for that shortcoming with a wealth of luxurious appointments inside.  Automatic climate control, a wood/leather Momo steering wheel, a comfortable eight-way power driver’s seat, and air filtration system are all standard on the L.L. Bean Edition.  The Outback feels posh and expensive inside.  We’re not sure we’d want to get it dirty, in fact–which might negate the usefulness of Subaru’s all-wheel drive system.

On the road, the L.L. Bean Outback acquits itself well; power from the H6-3.0 engine is decent.  The awkward name refers to the “H-”style cylinder layout.  Subaru’s engines are “boxer” engines, with the cylinders arranged in two horizontally opposed banks, rather than a vee or in-line layout–thus the “H6″ designation.  The 3.0 liter engine puts out 212 horsepower with a trademark Subaru gurgle, and it’s incredibly smooth at idle.  The L.L. Bean Edition comes only with a four-speed automatic transmission.  Full-time all wheel drive keeps things stable.  It’s an active system, which powers all four wheels at all times, but is able to transfer power to different wheels based on throttle and brake input, as well as actual slippage.  The L.L. Bean Outback is also equipped with a limited-slip rear differential.

Handling is head and shoulders above any possible competition from a sport-ute, and it’s not just because of the four-wheel independent suspension.  The H6 engine is mounted low in the chassis, contributing to a low center of gravity.  The suspension has a great deal of softness dialed in, but even with its raised ride height, the Outback is still a car, and it lacks the tippy feeling common to nearly all SUVs.  Freeway travel is equally drama-free, thanks in part to the Outback’s weight.  Although it’s not tippy, it is pushing two tons, a fact that occasionally makes itself known if the Outback is asked to change directions too quickly.

Safety equipment includes front and side airbags, and four wheel disc brakes.

If we have a complaint about the Outback, it’s purely personal;  all of the luxury items seem to have taken most of the basic quirky “Subaru-ness” out of the car.  The weird little four-wheel-drive wagons we used to know and love have gone and gotten respectable.  The L.L. Bean Edition Outback competes cheerfully with the Volvo V70 Cross Country and soon-to-be-released Audi allroad quattro.

That’s no reason not to consider it, of course–the only people likely to be bothered by the Outback’s personality are long-time Subaru owners, and they’re more likely to prefer the esoteric Forester anyway.  To make a big splash out at the hunting lodge, however, the Outback is the way to go.

The L.L. Bean Edition is top of the Outback line, so it’s a one-price car.  That entire long list of equipment–we didn’t mention nearly all of it; heated seats and front mirrors, a CD/cassette sound system, and an overhead console still don’t complete the list–is standard, for a sticker price of $29,495.  For the record, you’d have almost enough change left over from the cost of a comparable Audi or Volvo wagon to buy an Impreza.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2001 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean edition.
Length:     187.4 in.
Width:        68.7 in.
Height:        63.3 in.
Wheelbase:    104.3 in.
Curb weight:    3715 lb.
Cargo space:    68.6 cu.ft (seat folded)
Base price:        $29,495
Price as tested:     $29,495
Engine:     3.0 liter DOHC “boxer” 6 cylinder
Drivetrain:     four-speed automatic, all wheel drive
Horsepower:     212 @ 6000
Torque:     210 @ 4400
Fuel capacity:    16.9 gal.
Towing capacity:    2000 lb.
Est. mileage:    20/27