This week's arrival of autumn raises the first brush stroke of our region's fall color palette. Feeling right at home amid the spectacle of flora is the 2010 Subaru Outback.

Since its debut in 1995, Subaru Outback has been comfortable traveling off the beaten path across Mother Nature's backyard. And so have its owners.

Outback buyers take pride in getting themselves, and their cars, dirty-going places where hiking boots and all-wheel drive shine over polished shoes and chrome wheeled 4X4s.

Reaching destinations that promise active recreation is a lifestyle sought by Outback loyalists who love their Subarus.

The fourth-generation Outback, touted as the "World's first sport utility wagon," carries function and capability years ahead of vehicles in the current crossover segment.

For 2010, Outback becomes the benefactor of larger dimensions, with a 2.3-inch longer wheelbase and increased width and height for greater passenger and cargo room.

The increased cabin space yields nearly four-inches of rear seat legroom. Genuine space comfortably contains three men in the second row without front riders having to adjust their seat positions to accommodate room for those in the back. Headroom is generous.

Carrying gear isn't a burden with the re-designed Outback, either. Over 34 cubic feet of space exists with the 60/40 split-rear seat in place. Folding the second row flat exposes 71 cubic feet of cargo capacity-an increase of six cubic feet over the outgoing model. Rear seats also recline for relaxed long distance travel.

Concealed under-floor rear cargo bins keep gear out of sight while exposed cabin bins and storage places help smaller items stay organized and within easy reach.

Rear doors open wider for ease of cabin entry/exit. The tailgate is also wider, teamed with a lower cargo deck for effortless access. Restyled taillamps are fashioned into the rear hatch design.

But one Subaru Outback nuance tops all others. Standard on the 2010 model is integrated roof rails with retractable cross bars that fold up and tuck away into the body of the roof rails for a fully-functional easy-to-reach roof rack system that holds up to 100 pounds of gear.

Available Outback-specific accessory attachments customize the roof rack system to accommodate users' equipment.

The 2010 Subaru Outback is powered by either a 2.5-liter flat 'Boxer' 4-cylinder engine for 170 horsepower, or a 3.6-liter 'Boxer' 6-cylinder that builds 256 hp.

Subaru's 2.5i model utilizes a first-time 6-speed manual with a hill-hold feature or continuously variable transmission for mileage rated at 22-mpg/city and 29-mpg/highway.

Outback 3.6R features a 5-speed automatic with steering wheel paddle shifters for fuel economy of 18/city and 25/highway. Both models come in Base, Premium and Limited trim levels with full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive standard.

The cost of the 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i is $22,995 followed by the 3.6R at $27,995. With Subaru Outback, adventure comes standard-limited only by imagination.