Subaru “Bozeman” Edition
Tahoe, Yukon, Tacoma, Aspen, Santa Fe, Denali—what do all these locations have in common? They’re place names borrowed by the auto industry to make their vehicles sound cooler and more outdoorsy than they really are. Each one boasts impressive upgrades, such as locking differentials that occasionally get activated when the T&C parking lot gets a little icy, and automatic descent-control for steep hills during holiday visits back home in “the Bay.” Those top-of-the-line all-terrain tires come in handy in snow-covered, pothole laden Gallatin Canyon, while winding home after dinner at the Montage.
By and large, however, all that high-end functionality goes mostly unused. Until now, that is.
Yep, Subaru decided that it was high time that a car was designed with features its target market actually utilized. Enter the Outback Bozeman Edition, a hybrid SUV that’s chock-full of accessories and equipment destined for a lifetime of use around southwest Montana.
It starts with some basic improvements. The Outback Bozeman, or OBB, has reinforced tire sidewalls that are virtually unslashable by the cheap knives carried by disgruntled native Montanans. It’s got a built-in “six-banger” fly-rod carrier, a convection boot dryer, and an air compressor for bikes and river tubes. Secure bear-spray storage prevents accidental deployment, while a mat sanitizer wards off hot-yoga funk. With press of a button, “guru mode” uses a custom AI assistant to help with Dharma studies.
The default setting is quad ristretto half-caf oat-milk latte, no foam, 1/4-pump vanilla, 3/4-pump lavender, served at exactly 142 degrees.
To improve camping safety, the “Grizzly Guard” feature deploys pepper spray on all sides of the vehicle, which also provides peace of mind when a wrong turn sends you through a low-income neighborhood. A high-frequency alarm sends both types of predator scurrying. On powder days at Bridger Bowl, OBB owners enjoy VIP parking and FastPass advancement to the front of the lift line.
But Subaru didn’t stop there. Onboard Starlink makes remote work a breeze, and an auxiliary battery powers up your e-bike on the way to the trailhead. The license plate is an electronic display, syncing geographically and switching to the number corresponding with whatever Montana county you enter. For additional safety in remote, rural areas, this feature is paired with “cognito mode,” which switches the Subaru symbol to a Ford logo, and plays realistic big-block revving noises upon acceleration.
“Sauna mode,” activated at the push of a button, produces a high-heat interior for on-road sweat sessions, with the option for mist-jet rapid cooling to simulate a cold plunge. Last but not least, the OBB’s GPS connects to your favorite coffee shop when you’re within 300 feet, automatically placing your go-to order. The default setting is quad ristretto half-caf oat-milk latte, no foam, 1/4-pump vanilla, 3/4-pump lavender, served at exactly 142 degrees.
