Overview & Reviews

Subaru commemorates 35 years of selling cars in the U.S. by offering a 35th anniversary special edition of the Outback H6-3.0 wagon, though this amounts to little more than a new alloy wheel design and a fender-mounted badge. Red Burl interior trim is new for the Outback this year, and six-cylinder models get restyled 16-inch wheels. L.L. Bean and Limited models get a new brown leather covering on the shifter handle, brake handle and steering wheel.

• Standard all-wheel drive, comfortable ride on pavement, capable performance on dirt, well-appointed interior.

• Not as capable as an SUV in terms of pure off-road capability or interior volume, four-cylinder models lack power, upscale models are expensive.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 91.00

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  Good car - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Jerry Savaloja - July 8 - 7:46 pm

  Very good ride at expressway speeds. Good handling. Solidly built vehicle. Have not had it back to the dealer except for routine maintenance.

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  No Reason To Buy High-End - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Jim - April 26 - 10:03 am

  The functionality of the Outback is great -- hauling bikes; moving friends; loading up my band gear. It does this well while remaining a practical urban car (read: easy to park). However, the VDC has failed 5 times -- each time while in the Sierras during a snow fall! Isnt that when I would most need it? Also, McIntosh has failed twice (radio reception is horrible). The two reasons for why I bought the upgraded Outback are both failing ... why did I spend that money?

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  Brakes - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Vermont owner - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I do like my 2002 Outback Wagon. BUT there seems to be problems with the brakes on the Outbacks. I drive a 5- speed standard, mostly interstate driving of 100 miles at a time. I had new brakes at 14,000 miles and another set of brakes at 25,000 miles. There also seems to be problems with needing to replace the head gasket at anywhere between 40,000 and 60,000 miles. This is unheard of in vehicles as this problem doesnt unually occur until 100,000 miles. Id be interested to hear if other folks are seeing and having these problems.

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  Subaru - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By TIm - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Good in the snow

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  OK but I expect more - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By jasn - October 16 - 8:30 am

  I purchased this after owning a Acura, Honda & Toyota - comparatively, the performance responsiveness is lacking in the Outback & it guzzles premium gas. Brakes and AC had to be replaced already & the much-vaunted AWD doesnt seem to make much difference on the snow covered roads of Canada - still slip & slide all over. I would definitely not buy another... back to Honda or Toyota for me.

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  Good, tough wagon - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By kialover15 - September 7 - 10:50 am

  Recently, we bought a Subuaru Outback, mostly because we needed something good in the snow, and boy is it ever. You can purposly try to do doughnuts and foolish car things and your not even able to. Very good in snow. The visibilty is good too, nice big windows in the back.

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  NV driver - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By NV driver - May 22 - 5:10 pm

  Outstanding car. The AWD, weight balance, and handling ability in snow make it second to none. I feel safe and confident driving in inclement weather. Car now has 56,000 miles and has been completely trouble free, except for paint during first year. Noticed checking, took to dealer where purchased, was told it was road damage. After nearly a year of hassle, had Subaru DM approve complete repaint of car, no problems since. Check paint carefully! Other disappointment was OnStar changed hardware and so no lonegr works. I plan soon to trade this car for sedan (no longer have need of wagon), will likely be Subaru Legacy; great value for price, and the reliability and performance have me sold.

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  wind noise &poor defrosting - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By naum - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Great auto. Interior wind noise is driving me crazy. Poor defrosting

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  4 vs 6 - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By weldonm - April 8 - 10:00 am

  If you think the 2.5 is what you want, dont drive the H6-3.0. We drove both, no doubt about it, the H6-3.0 is heads and shoulders above the 2.5. The Special edition is very well equipped and has plenty of spunk. The vehicle is solid and handles as well as any Ive tried. We are very pleased with the quality and we look forward to snowy weather.

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  great car - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By vlb - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun and sporty vehicle. In southeast Texas it is sort of rare, so I get a lot of looks and questions. I agree that the front seats need more comfort and the tilt wheel could use some more tilt. Overall, I enjoy the reliability of Subaru and plan to keep it for years....unless the seats get considerably more comfortable...then Ill get a new one..Are you listening, Subaru?