Those new Outbacks (and Foresters) are huge! Thats my only complaint, I love the capacity of the old Forester, and that its body never felt like an SUV.
Here's my personal opinion. Take in consideration that I own/lease outback.
Here is goes: Older (pre-2013) Foresters looks so horribly ugly to me that I won't touch it with 10 foot pole. Outback were always a bit less boxy but early ones were essentially legacy with slightly higher suspension.
Now new outbacks are larger, for sure, but they are still not as tall as most SUVs are easier to get in and out. My wife was specifically against SUVs, but Outback is wolf (aka suv) in sheep's (crossover) clothing.
It drives like most SUV (well, a bit better actually imo ), and it doesn't look like SUV, but make no mistake - outback is massive compared to any crossover - that's why it's not as fast and fuel economy is not great (especially on 3.6L version - my highway mpg is barely 24, city is typical 17-18)
Btw: It's large size and capacity is not my complain, it was one of the reasons I picked it.