Ah, the Subaru Outback. Who would’ve thought that this rugged wagon would still be capturing hearts and minds 30 years after its debut? It’s a bit of a twist, but Subaru is kicking off the Outback’s 30th-anniversary celebrations in Japan, even though the party started a bit earlier in North America. Back in ’94, North America got its first taste of the Legacy-derived Outback, while Japan followed suit a year later in 1995 with the JDM-spec Legacy Grand Wagon. Fast forward to 2024, and the Japanese market is getting a special edition of the Legacy Outback to mark this milestone.
Now, this isn’t just some sticker pack slapped onto the car. Subaru has put in some serious work under the hood to make this anniversary edition stand out. For starters, they’ve upgraded the suspension. The front dampers are now Hitachi Astemo SFRD (Sensitive Frequency Response Damper) units, specially tuned by Subaru Tecnica International (STI). At the back, the standard dampers have also been given the STI treatment to enhance the driving dynamics without compromising ride comfort. It’s the kind of subtle but significant upgrade that true enthusiasts will appreciate.
Visually, Subaru has gone for a sleek, dark look to differentiate this special edition from the standard Legacy Outback. Black accents are generously applied across the body, giving it a more aggressive stance. The wheels are a standout feature, with 18-inch matte black rims that add to the vehicle’s rugged charm. At the rear, you’ll find a special plaque with STI Performance branding, sitting just below a blacked-out Outback badge. It’s these little touches that make the 30th Anniversary Edition feel exclusive.
Step inside, and the exclusivity continues. The interior boasts leather upholstery, which is pretty standard for high-end models, but what catches the eye is the oversized “30th Anniversary” silver logo embroidered onto the black leather of the front door cards. I have to admit, it does look a bit out of place, but hey, it’s a celebration, right?
Subaru Japan is only making 500 units of this special edition, and they’re taking orders until November 10. If more people want one than there are cars available, Subaru will hold a lottery to decide who gets to buy it. It’s a fair way to handle what’s sure to be high demand for such a unique vehicle. Production will wrap up by late March 2025, but could end sooner if the cars sell out quickly.
Meanwhile, across the pond in the United States, the Outback is still going strong. Even though the sixth-generation model has been around since 2019, sales are up by 2.8% through September 2024, with 126,333 units delivered. It’s clear that Americans still love their Outbacks. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for its sedan sibling, the Legacy. Sales of the Legacy have dropped by a whopping 25.4%, with only 14,642 units sold in the first nine months of the year. That makes the Outback about eight and a half times more popular than the Legacy sedan, which is facing the end of its production run after the 2025 model year.
So, whether you’re in Japan or the US, the Subaru Outback continues to be a beloved choice for those who want a reliable, rugged vehicle. Here’s to 30 more years of adventure and innovation!
