Overview & Reviews

Designed with the North American market in mind, the Subaru Outback wagon provides many popular SUV traits without the associated drawbacks. Based on Subaru's midsize Legacy, the Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive, a raised suspension for better ground clearance, and special interior and exterior styling details.

There have been four Outback generations. At its debut, the original Subaru Outback was pretty much the only vehicle of its type and was an instant hit with consumers. More recent iterations lost a bit of an edge as other automakers came up with similar crossover wagons and SUVs at the start of the new millennium, but the latest fourth-generation Outback is more like a crossover SUV than ever. New or used, the Outback is a strong contender for shoppers interested in a car that provides plenty of everyday versatility with the type of all-season capability needed for frosty climes.

Current Subaru Outback
The five-passenger Subaru Outback is a tall wagon available in a number of trim levels -- 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited -- distinguished by powertrain. The base engine is a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder that makes 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. It comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Also available is 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine good for 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, with a five-speed conventional automatic as the only available transmission.

Even the base Outback comes with roof rails, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-telescoping steering column, a height-adjustable driver seat and a CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. Higher trims add niceties like alloy wheels, foglights, powered and heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, iPod/USB inputs, Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity and a Harman Kardon sound system. There's also an optional voice-activated navigation system.

More so than previous Outbacks, the new model is meant to appeal to more mainstream buyers by being larger on the inside. To this end, while bumper-to-bumper length has shrunk by almost 1 inch, the wheelbase has grown by nearly 3 inches, width by 2 inches and height by 4 inches, enlarging interior space considerably and putting the Outback on par with other midsize crossovers. With the rear seats folded, there are an impressive 71 cubic feet of cargo space available.

In reviews, we've commented favorably about the current Outback's roomier interior. Performance with the base four-cylinder is unremarkable, however; if you want some zip, you'll need to ante up for the 3.6-liter engine. We miss the previous Outback's turbocharged boxer-4, a boon for owners living in mountainous areas. Handling is also unimpressive, as the Outback's elevated ride height and soft suspension tuning do their best to obscure the vehicle's sedan roots. Overall, the latest Outback is a solid choice for utility-minded families, but it's not as enjoyable to drive as previous models.

Used Subaru Outback Models
The current, fourth-generation Subaru Outback was introduced for 2010. There have been no significant changes since then.

The third-generation Outback was produced from 2005-'09. There were several trim levels: base 2.5i, 2.5i Special Edition, 2.5i Limited, 2.5 XT Limited, 3.0 R, 3.0R Limited and 3.0R L.L. Bean Edition.

For power, 2.5i trim levels had a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that made 170 hp. The XT level upgraded to a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 243 hp. The 3.0 R model came with a 3.0-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder (H6) good for 245 hp. All-wheel drive was standard across the board.

Models with either of the 2.5-liter engines could be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic was available on 2.5i models, while 2.5 XT models got an optional five-speed auto. The 2.5i Limited models were four-speed automatics only, and the H6 came only with the five-speed automatic.

If you're shopping for a used model of this generation, there are a few items to note. An Outback sedan was offered from 2005-'07. Additionally, all Outbacks prior to the 2008 model year lacked a telescoping steering wheel and auxiliary audio jack. Horsepower figures were lowered for 2007 due to revised SAE standards, but actual performance was not affected. The luxurious L.L. Bean trim levels were discontinued after 2008, replaced by a single 3.0 R Limited model, and stability control also became standard.

In reviews, this third-generation Subaru Outback received praise for its standard all-wheel drive, long list of features, strong turbocharged engine, above-average build quality and balanced ride and handling dynamics. While it didn't quite have the off-road capabilities of a true SUV, it could take on light-duty terrain without complaint. Negatives brought up in reviews typically centered on the vehicle's smallish backseat and the sluggish response from the automatic transmissions.

The second-generation Subaru Outback (2000-'04) was also available as either a sedan or a wagon. In its first year, this model was available in base and Limited trims, and had a 165-hp, 2.5-liter engine. The following year, Subaru introduced the L.L. Bean Edition and the VDC trim levels. These featured the more powerful 212-hp six-cylinder engine.

Compared to the current car, the second-generation Outback is a bit smaller and not quite as refined or capable. Subaru made minor improvements to this generation during the years, but none are significant enough to make any particular model year stand out. In Edmunds.com road tests, reviewers liked its standard all-wheel drive and car-based comfort. Some felt that the four-cylinder models were underpowered, however, and that it was eclipsed by newer competition in its later years.

When the original Subaru Outback model debuted in 1995, it was little more than a trim package on the Legacy wagon. In 1996, the Outback (officially known as the Legacy Outback for this generation) gained its raised suspension, large foglights, SUV design cues and optional 155-hp 2.5-liter engine. Further improvements during successive years included the addition of a leather-lined Limited model, dual sunroofs and powertrain refinements. As the Outback was one of the first crossover wagons to be designed, consumers interested in this type of vehicle from the late 1990s will likely find it to be quite suitable, especially compared to SUVs from the same period.

User Reviews:

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  Great car - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By JLD - September 2 - 1:36 pm

  Have 4700 miles on OB 800 in snow and mountains. A little over steering at higher speeds. Other than that handles great.

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  2000 Outback Wagon Limited - 2000 Subaru Outback
  By Spikef - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Great all around car. Practical as heck. Needs more power desperatly, a turbo would do nicely. Surprisingly luxurious.

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  Get new Outback - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By s. Dunlopp - August 30 - 5:11 am

  Careful of the dealer insurance add ons when you sit down with the finance guy. They can add up quickly.

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  love it - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By c - August 25 - 1:16 am

  I downsized from a Pathfinder that I loved to the 2005 2.5i limited. Very comfortable, agile and just superb in bad weather. Driving in rain is like driving on dry pavement. In 18" of snow it did well except when the drifts exceeded the front hood. All I had to do was back up and try again and it blasted right through.

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  Limited Lover - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Woody - August 23 - 2:30 pm

  This is my 3rd Outback. Test drove both the 4 & 6 cyl limited 3 times each before deciding on the 4. After 1 month & 800 miles this one is proving to be the best. On a recent Fall weekend we drove this beauty through a field & into an orchard for some apple picking with nary a shake, rattle or roll. From there we headed to one of our hilly State Parks to view the foliage & take in a picnic. We turned down the windows, opened the moon roof & inserted a favorite CD into the radio. I switched the CVT into the Manual Mode & up & down shifted throughout the park using the paddle shifters. What a Blast!

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  Great Car - 2007 Subaru Outback
  By Fredzilla - August 20 - 3:40 pm

  We just picked up the new Outback and love it. I was afraid that it would feel gutless compared to my WRX, but the increased low end torque makes it feel almost faster off the line. With the increased creature comforts of the interior (leather, heated seats, aux plug in the center console, Homelink, autodim mirror) and the added cargo space, we have absolutely no regrets.

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  Comfy, quiet, plenty of space, and great MPG - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Ben - August 17 - 7:10 am

  I bought my Outback at the end of May, it is now October and I have almost 18,000 miles on it. The ride is comfy, and the seats are great for long rides. There is very little road noise unless you get past 70-75mph. Visibility is high in all directions, and the eye sight system has been fantastic, we have a lot of deer in our area and it has made me feel better doing my night driving. It does occasionally stop working in heavy rains but other than that I have no had any problems. I have overall averaged 28.2mpg, when I am taking mostly backroads at 55-60mph I average 32-34mpg. There is plenty of room for 2 passengers in the back and our 2 dogs in the very back. I would buy this care again in a heartbeat. I only have a few complaints or groans about it, 1. is that sometimes at low speeds the gear changes are anything but smooth Ill randomly get a jolt this does not happen all the time but happens enough to be annoying. 2. We recently took it on a roadtrip from the UP of Michigan to Colorado, we had a total of 2 adults and 1 weeks worth of camping gear and food, our overall trip MPG dropped to 22.9mpg we were driving our typical 70-75mpg and most of it was flatlands through Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan ( I expected it to drop but not that much). And finally I knew buying a 4 cylinder engine I would get better mpg/less power I was realistic about this, but sometimes the lack of power is frustrating, make sure to plan you passing on the highway accordingly, because slamming the pedal down does not mean that youll get thrown back in your seat. It is a great car, I love the eyesight, it is quiet and comfortable, the controls are nice and help you keep your eyes on the road, and it has plenty of room for cargo/passengers/our dogs. If you want a car like ride, with plenty of cargo space and great MPG with AWD, then this is a great option. If you like having speed, power, and need to haul heavier equipment I would recommend something else.

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  Unintended acceleration - Beware. Test for it before buying - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By petertpetert - August 15 - 12:27 pm

  After the purchase, I discovered that the car has an unintended acceleration problem in 2 situations: 1. At very low speed, eg inching the car with foot on the brake while parking, turning the steering wheel 15 degrees can make the RPM go up from 700 to 1000. This results in the car surging forward. 2. Again at low speed, just when you let the foot off the brake, the car inches forward at about RPM of 650. After 1-2 tire revolution, the RPM pops up to about 900. The car is still moving slowly, but at a higher speed. This is a particular problem in tight parking situation or stop and go traffic jam. This is at least a big annoyance, but can potentially cause property damage or injur

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  Nice Car - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By TBUCK - August 14 - 8:00 am

  Standard 2.5i better than what I read. Very comfortable to drive. Harmon Kardon stereo so-so. Mileage seems better than I would think.

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  VDC - Very Dynamic Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By WRXSTi - August 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my 7th Subaru, and by far the best made and engineered of all of them. No rattles, squeaks, grinding, smoking as of 32000 miles. The VDC is all about the motor, VERY smooth throughout rev range, boxer H6 like a "Porcha", tranmission well matched and downshifts without hesitation. Tip- take the spring on the muffler bypass and reverse it, it allows full flow of exhaust and gives you the distinct pleasure of hearing the engine note at all throttle settings, plus increases the MPG and acceleration.