Subaru of America executives created this car because the SUV craze had just started and the Forester was two years away, leaving dealers clamoring for a SUV-like product to sell in the meantime.
It turned out to be a success, with clever ads featuring "Crocodile Dundee" star Paul Hogan. An Outback Sport, based on the Subaru Impreza five-door hatchback was introduced in 1998.
The Outback was introduced to Japan in 1999 as the Subaru Legacy Lancaster. In 2000, Outback became its own model and added a sedan, as well as an available horizontal 6-cylinder engine.
In 2003, with the debut of the fourth-generation Legacy at the 60th Frankfurt Auto Show, the Outback name is now being used worldwide with the launch of the second-generation Outback wagon. No word yet on a sedan.