Overview & Reviews

An all-new and vastly improved Outback is introduced in sedan and wagon body styles. Highlights include a new turbocharged engine, a stronger H6 motor, a stylish new interior and increased ground clearance for more serious off-highway adventures.

• Standard all-wheel drive, generous standard equipment list, exemplary build and materials quality, strong power from turbo and H6 engines, balanced ride and handling dynamics, capable performance off-road.

• Desirable features reserved for top-line models, smaller backseat than most competitors.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 262.00

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  Worst Subaru Ive Ever Owned... - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Garandpa - July 6 - 2:56 pm

  This is our 5th Subaru, 2 Legacys, 1 Justy and 2 Outbacks & this car has been the worst of the bunch. On the positive side, the gas mileage is good, it runs well and the problems have not been anything serious. BUT, weve had trim pop off repeatedly, carpet come loose & handles break. In 4 years/77,000 miles, weve put in 5 headlight bulbs, all front & rear brake pads (my 88 Chevy truck had the original pads and bulbs in it when I sold it in 2004 w/130,000 miles), replaced the interior bulbs 2x, both rear wheel bearings (under warranty at least), put 3 O2 sensors in and now the car has a new whine in the rear. The nearest Subaru dealer is 50 miles away and difficult to deal with.

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  A Lemon of a Great Car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By husker_soobie - January 18 - 4:40 am

  4th Soob. Bought it used at 2 yrs old with 40k miles Fast forward 4 yrs now at 100k. The last 2 yrs have been a nightmare. Brakes, headlight bulbs, CVs, spark plugs, axles, 2 Oxygen Sensors (in December 10, failed April 11 - part under warranty-not labor. The car was great to drive in inclement weather, & was a looker, it was a mess under the hood. Weve spent $2200 in the last 7 months. Took it in for brakes AGAIN last week only to find out that we had a bad head gasket. We used 3.5 qts of oil in 2000 miles! Estimates $1700, plus impending timing belt, water pump & steering pump $1200 more. Just traded for a new Forester. Praying this one isnt possessed by demons!

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  wouldnt buy another - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By steve - July 3 - 11:43 pm

  Lights burn out. Transmission slips.

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  Liked 97 much better - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Kiko - May 20 - 9:40 am

  Very disappointed with the fuel economy - 16mpg in winter, 19 in summer. Climate controls are confusing, impossible to get fresh, cool air into cabin w/o A/C. Continue to have issues with noise and vibration in front drivetrain. Dealer has not been able to correct after vehicle being in shop over two weeks. Should have stuck with the old reliable.

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  Never again - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By larry - January 31 - 5:46 pm

  This car is the worst used car Ive ever owned and Ive new bought a new car in my life. Ive had trouble with the alarm going off for no reason for months and the dealer not being able to figure it out then finally they discovered the rear hood latch was faulty. Ive had several sensors replaced one cost three hundred and one around four hundred. The rear wheel bearing went out and the heater fan needed to be replaced. It blows headlights constantly and has a horrible squeak in the dash. All these repairs in less than a year, and the car doesnt even have 70k on it - seems ridiculous back to toyotas for me.

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  Frustrated!! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By kdurre - August 24 - 5:50 am

  Im sure I have a lemon but with 89,000 miles there is not much I can do. I do like the car other than the CV joint and Rear wheel baring need to be replaced. The CD player may or may not play. The front driver seat burns you when you use the seat warmer. The passenger seat "passenger sensor" dings all the time unless the seat belt is locked in. The windshield rattles unless papers are pushed down between the glass and dash, even after one windshield replacement. And the transmission lurches to shift until it warms up.

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  headlights - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By w.frascella - January 9 - 10:00 am

  low beams in rural areas look like a shade was pulled down to about 6 feet off the ground.headlights have 2 filiments in 1 bulb and to raise the low beams so you can rean street signs the high beams are directed into the sky. there is a coller around the bulb and it cuts off the top two thirds of the light.it is not as noticeable in the city because of the background lights.i contacted subaru at the suggeston of my dealer and after 2 calls was told they plan no corrective action. test this car at night and on rural roads-it is scarey!

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  Never again, going back to Toyota! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By msshrink - December 30 - 5:20 am

  I bought this 2.5i Subaru Outback used about two and a half years ago, after totaling my previous car in a nasty rainstorm. The four wheel drive was barely needed overall (milder winters) and my gas mileage plummeted from the mid 30s per gallon (Camry) to more like 20 mpg, sometimes a rare 25 on the highway. Then an annoying clicking sound developed when I turned the wheel and, only two years into the vehicle, both axles were shot. Naturally, they were very expensive because they could not be after-market, only Subaru. Several mechanics told me this is not unusual for Subarus, and after I had to plunk down over $1,000 suggested I head back to Toyota-land.

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  I cant wait until I trade it in - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By denisa - January 10 - 9:43 am

  As a former Legacy owner, I planned on a Forester, but bought an Outback because the seats were far more comfortable. I regret my decision daily. The projector beam headlights are horrible - they create a dark "curtain" that dips up and down and cuts visibility. They also blind other drivers and I am constantly being flashed. There is steady wind noise on the drivers side. The tires are terrible - slid off the road in slush my first storm out. Shifts between gears too much. The rear window is high, angled and small and makes parking and backing up difficult. The back-up lights are not bright. No keyed trunk release! The seatbelt bell is a nuisance. So-so on fuel. I hate this car.

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  Wont get burned again. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By outback - October 22 - 1:43 am

  Bought an Outback summer of 2005. Came highly recommended by everyone I talked to. I have no idea why. Had to realign at 5000 mi and I hit nothing. OEM tires shot at 20000 miles. Replaced with cheap Cooper tires, ride and handling better than OEM Bridgestones. Seats are very uncomfortable and back seat is way too small. Gas mileage is good (26 to 28 very careful hwy, no A/C) but if you add a roof carrier and bike rack, drops to 23 to 24 mpg. Car is underpowered. Also, the Outback is not an SUV or truck. Not durable.