Who can forget those mid-’90s ads starring Aussie actor Paul Hogan shilling for some car company you’d never really heard from before? And that Outback thing he was pushing? It promised more room, better handling and less fuel consumption compared to the best-selling Ford Explorers and Jeep Grand Cherokees of the time. Seemed very cheeky for a station wagon on stilts to suggest it could keep up with the traditional body-on-frame SUVs that dominated the sales charts.

Fast forward 15 years, and the Outback is hitting its fourth generation in stride, but still maintaining the same mission as before: to offer the space, performance and abilities of a sport-ute in the silhouette and footprint of a station wagon.

The new 2010 Outback  — named the Best New SUV/CUV under $35K at the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada Awards — remains based on the Legacy sedan, which means that its footprint is longer and wider than before. Taller too.

Most Outbacks receive power from a revised 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 170 hp. In the base car, that engine receives a PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating, which is ideal for the environmentally conscious crew. The 2.5 receives two new transmissions for 2010: a standard six-speed manual, and the company’s new continually variable transmission (CVT). The Lineartronic CVT uses a chain rather than a belt to improve power delivery, and on the road, the standard steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters give the driver more than enough control on the road.

Since the 2.5-litre turbo engine is gone for 2010, the Outback receives the newly enlarged 3.6-litre six-cylinder producing 256 hp, which only comes with a five-speed automatic transmission.

To tackle the rough stuff, every Outback uses Subaru’s full-time “symmetrical” all-wheel drive system, and the revised suspension now rides higher than before, giving more ground clearance than most “real” SUVs. The Outback doesn’t feel tippy when driving. Its ability to negotiate rough gravel roads and washouts is highly impressive.

Inside, Subaru has delivered a spacious cabin with improved materials and excellent levels of standard convenience and safety equipment, including a plug-and-play USB audio system.

Every Outback delivers huge cargo space thanks to a revised rear suspension that intrudes less into the body.

Pricing starts at $28,995 for the 2.5i PZEV — over $2,000 less than the outgoing ’09 — while the 3.6R starts at $35,695.

Subaru has delivered a larger, more capable vehicle with more equipment and are offering it at a lower price. It makes me wonder if we’ll see Crocodile Dundee back behind the wheel anytime soon?

2010 Subaru Outback
Type: Sport utility vehicle
Price: from $28,995
Engine: 2.5L four cylinder
HP: 170

Highlights
• Combination of sporty utility and station wagon
• Huge cargo space
• Steady on off-roading