Overview & Reviews

The 2013 Subaru Outback features a restyled front end, a more efficient four-cylinder engine, an updated continuously variable transmission (CVT) and revised suspension tuning. New features include keyless ignition/entry and newly available adaptive cruise control with a collision avoidance system.

• Generous cargo volume
• Clever roof rails
• Spacious interior
• Comfortable ride
• Excellent visibility
• Confident off-road ability.

• Weak base stereo
• Lacks agility
• Fussy controls on upper trims.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 62.00

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  Car is great - DO NOT PURCHASE WITH NAVIGATION - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By sailingfool - September 8 - 12:20 am

  I love my Subarus - this is my third. When it came time for a new car I did not hesitate and bought another Outback. Based on experiences with my wifes and friends cars, I sprung for the integrated nav after having played with one in the dealership and finding it OK. BIG MISTAKE! The 2013 Outback nav system is very different from the 2012, and severely lacking in user interface and usability. First, you can only enter addresses when stopped (a reasonable safety feature), however even when there is a passenger present and operating the nav (the car could know this as it detects front passengers for airbag activiation) it is not very usable.

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  oil consumption - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By zoltan1469 - August 2 - 3:01 pm

  we purchased our first new car, very exciting.. First year burned through oil, a lot of oil! dealer said this was normal, we werent checking properly, might have a problem. did oil consumption test, obviously a problem 1 quart every 700 miles. Subaru talerance is 1/3 quart every 1000? Subaru replaced the rings, and still theres a problem. weve now reached 26K miles. No new fixes. we were advised to carry a quart of oil with us. "I dont think so!" If the 2014 is the same as the 2013 you are making a mistake purchasing this car. If they tell you its normal.. Its Not.. Let Subaru admit and fix this "alleged" issue first, then this will be a great car.

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  Not as good as I had hoped for. - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By sknaffl4 - May 14 - 12:29 am

  This Outback is my first Subaru, and sadly, it will probably be my last. I had high expectations for this car considering the excellent reviews from prior models, but now that Ive got 40,000 miles on it, Im not impressed. It burns 1 quart of oil every 1000-1200 miles, which Subaru says is normal. There is a constant vibration at hwy speeds that is NOT tire related. There are large gaps in the body panels, and the hatch doesnt even line up...indicating poor build quality. The seat is already starting to deform, and Im not a big person. There is a constant rattle on deceleration, and the stock stereo speakers are probably the worst Ive ever seen.

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  Oil Consuming Outback - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By russellta - May 16 - 6:23 am

  Love the car, hate how it burns oil and Subaru knows about it but will not stand behind their product. Oil consumption test done by local Subaru Service department shows 1qt oil consumed in 1,529 miles on our 2014 Outback with 9,253 miles on the odometer. Local Service Department says they did not do the test right, but I looked at the dipstick myself before we took it in. 1qt low at 1,520 miles. Oil consumption test says 1/3qt in 1,200 is out of specification, contacting SOA got us an answer of; go back to the dealer. Really? Stand behind your product Subaru. Read the lawsuit against you and you will see there is no reason for me to go back to my dealer.

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  dissapointed - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By antlerking - May 6 - 8:03 am

  Choice of interiors, almost white or almost black. Two hardest colors to keep clean. My friend reached 16k and started using oil,{ring job]. Ive just reached 16k and used a qt. of oil in the last 800 miles. that will be a ring job also. Dash gauges that are of some real use. A voltmeter and temp. gauge to tell me about potential problems. What I do have is a gauge with a plus or minus to tell me about my fuel usage. It goes to minus when I go up hill and plus when I go down hill. This helps me in no way. The trans./engine combo is very noisy on acceleration. Stop talking and forget the radio, you cant hear anything. Its also a dog on acceleration, all noise and no go.

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  Suspension is a little hard as are the interior plastics - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By theooutback - March 16 - 8:45 am

  This is our second Outback, the first being a 2006. Whats nice - the interior styling, the very good AWD, and FINALLY rear air vents (at least in the Limited) that have been available on non-US Outbacks for years. But they did stiffen things up a bit and this is described by some professional reviewers as improved handling. In real world driving, it means that imperfect pavement (really normal pavement these days) is always there with you. Its not bouncy, just hard. Which brings me to the interior plastics - tap on them with your nails to get a knock on the door sound. The materials seem fairly cheap aside from the seating surfaces. A lesson from recent Toyotas?

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  MPG not as advertised - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By qphenic - October 8 - 12:29 am

  Outback 2.5i Limited rides and handles fine. Overall utility of the car is good. And the interior satisfies in most respects, including nav and sound. But the car often feels as if it is fighting headwinds, even on gradual descents. I attribute this to the CVT, or perhaps a lack of power. There is also a noticeable vibration which travels up the seatback at idle. But the biggest disappointment by far: I am averaging 21-22 MPG with this car (60/40 city/hwy, non-aggressive driver). EPA combined is listed at 26, so I am not happy.

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  Disappointing - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By 13outback - August 20 - 12:14 am

  4000 miles on new 2013 limited model. First new car purchase Ive disliked. I bought largely based on positive reviews but car has been disappointing. 1. 2.5 engine is inadequate. Granted we live around some hills but this car feels that it is actively protesting every time it goes up hill. 2. Fuel mileage is nowhere near EPA estimates. 3. Auto climate control works poorly 4. Build quality issues. For example theres a nut lock fluid thats obviously been used that is all over the alloy wheels. 5. Cheap materials. Seat leather is very cheap and at 4000 miles is already puckering. Id look really hard before buying one of these. Its not the quality of a $30K car.

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  The good, bad and ugly - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By farmboy97 - March 7 - 10:49 pm

  Subaru has great idea with AWD feature and high ground clearance. Gas mileage is good and sound system is great. Nice interior and appointments. The car has heavy steering and some wandering adds to fatigue after traveling long distances. The car uses excessive amounts of oil between oil changes. Dealership dismissed my complaint. Told me, "they all use a little oil". Found out recently, there is a law suit pending regarding the issue. May not purchase another Subaru due to this issue.