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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  Not for Tall People - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Gary - September 6 - 2:16 pm

  I am 511." I am tired of leaning forward because the steering wheel doent telescope. My feet (size 11.5) barely have enough room as a driver and no room as a passenger. The front seats are too hard and a little too small. Brakes are not powerful enough, can be scary at times. Regular mode of transmission is uncooperative. Cannot drive with windows open because of poor buffeting. Handles great. Fantastic turning circle. Quiet. MPG not great around town, but good on highway. Average 20.7 over 10,000 miles.

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  A Gem of a Car - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By reeder - August 18 - 9:43 pm

  I have had my new Outback less than one week. Had a 2001 Forester which has served me well. I love this car! The interior is plush and updated. I have noticed the headlights are not super bright, but everything else is wonderful.

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  Nice to drive - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Dave - August 14 - 11:43 pm

  Driving is fun again; while I liked this Limited in the show room it has been a delight to drive. In the snow it was a dream, smooth and very much in control. The power ports are well placed. One surprise that was unexpected is that you can leave an interior drivers spot light on by accident and find the battery dead in the morning. No auto shut off as all of my past cars. I would love to say I have all the power I need with the 4 but not always without really downshifting to get things moving. I would have picked the 6 or turbo but the higher priced gas is needed. Rear door too narrow at times. The family loves it and it never gets to rest in the driveway 15K in 6 months.

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  Station wagons can be fun - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Bill - July 20 - 8:06 pm

  I went from a 2004 outback base to this turbocharged outback. Let me say this, I deliver newspapers for a living. So the car needs to be reliable. I will say that the car has been really good so far. Gas mileage isnt the greatest, but then again a lot of starts and stops and riding the clutch too. The car is fast only when you let the rpms run to about 6300 rpms to shift it takes off. For the money you cant go wrong but sadly Subaru dropped the turbo outback for 2010 now it looks like a big SUV. Driving this car everyday is fun, love the turn signals on the side view mirrors. Subaru only made a few of these cars every year if you can get a chance to own one grab it.

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  Like a bad marriage. When it starts breaking, DUMP IT. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By freeskier118 - June 21 - 4:05 pm

  I loved my turbo Outback. It was absolutely bulletproof in the snow--unstoppable with snow tires. It was fun to drive with lots and lots of power. The interior is super comfortable. Unfortunately it did not love me back. Over the last year it was in the shop overnight at least 5 times for major engine and transmission repair. And on the turbo model, everything is more expensive to fix. A lot more expensive. If it would just hold together I would drive it into the ground. But in the end, its just not worth bankrupting myself. It was great for a fling, terrible for the long haul. Now I read reviews from Honda drivers complaining about a $700 timing belt replacement and just laugh.

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  Its no Audi S4, but... - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Jack - March 9 - 4:33 am

  ...thats not a bad thing! Dont tell the Audi guys, but Im a Subie convert. Prior to the XT I owned an Audi S4 with the biturbo 2.7 V6 and 6 speed transmission, AWD, of course. Ive always been a car guy and the S4 is a "car guy" kind of car, but I actually like the Outback XT more. Why? It provides 90% of the driving pleasure of the S4 (100% of the acceleration!) but without the worry over expensive repairs. I am totally thrilled with this car. I bought mine with 32,000 miles on it, one owner, and the car looks, feels, and runs like brand spankin new. I used to think I was an Audi guy. Turns out I was actually a Subie guy with pretensions. Dropped the pretense and picked up the Subaru.

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  great turbo - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By michael - December 15 - 11:43 am

  This is a terrific car much more responsive than the 6 cylinder. Wanted to get the Limited, but am too tall for the sunroof. Why does a nice interior require a sunroof? Great handling for a car with this much ground clearance. Good job, Subaru.

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  Not for people with long legs / big feet - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Mitch - September 17 - 8:30 am

  Im 511" with 33" inseam and size 11.5 shoes. My drivers shoe get stuck under the dash if I wear dress shoes. The steering wheel is too far away when I have the seat back almost all the way. The front seats are too small, hard and narrow with bolsters that are too hard. The back seat is too hard with no thigh support. Back seat passengers cannot put their feet under the seats which compounds the problem of little legroom. The front passenger cannot stretch out their legs/feet if they have long legs or put them under the dash because the ductwork blocks it. Front maplights do not come on when you open the door...only the back lights do. Windows painfully slow.

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  fun to drive; service dept. stinks - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By ecwma - September 14 - 12:10 am

  This VDC is an amazing car to drive but has had lots of "little" things go wrong with it; also had to replace tires at 30,000 miles - not cheap. AC did not work first several months I had the car; local service could not find anything wrong with it. Seat was broken but was worst after service department "fixed" it. Windshield broke/cracked with one small rock hitting it on way to work. It was out of alignment, local service said no; had warped rotors already. Subaru needs to communicate with service departments. Its been a lot of little things but many of those are service department errors...thinking of trading for a Honda - more reliable and service better.

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  Not a bad Car... - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Brian Muir - September 12 - 9:10 am

  I have had this car for just over 9 months. This makes my 9th Subaru. Overall its a very nice car. Front seats comfy and instrument panel are very easy on the eyes. The center instrument cluster is just to BUSY. Wait till you see it at night, I thought I was flying a jet! It wouldnt be so bad if different areas (heat, radio) were different colors. But everything is amber at night. Very confusing to find things. Im not too happy with the automatic transmission, but I love the Sports mode! The Gas economy is terrible. I think most pick-up trucks do better. Remember high test gas ONLY.