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:

• 

  Best Car Ive Ever Owned!! - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Big Dog - August 8 - 12:50 pm

  I traded in my 97 Dodge Ram Pickup for this car. It was a dealer demo; had 6k on it when I got it, has 17k now. Car is awesome no problems at all. The 3.0 H-6 is a great engine, it has plenty of power to do the job and gets about 23 mpg, much better than the 13 mpg in my truck. The VDC is pretty cool; it gives you great confidence while driving. I turn it off in the snow and have some fun! The interior is great, leather heated seats and climate control plus the Macintosh stereo are all excellent. I love the wood grain trim and the sunroof is nice. It has a very comfortable ride and still performs excellent when pushed hard. As good or better than my mothers BMW 323 and girlfriends Audi A-4.

• 

  Great Value for your Money - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By 23simply - August 8 - 4:00 am

  We were looking for an AWD or a 4WD, however, gas mileage and the NHTSA crash test rating were two big factors for us. We found this perfect and value laden family AWD that gives you the ground clearance and the traction of an SUV, the comfort of a long wheelbase car and the price of a 4 door sedan. Amazing! We love it, perfect for the family on the go, perfect for the New England Region. Oh the NHTSA rating for front and side crash test? 5/5... sweet!

• 

  Its fun to drive again! - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By sierra - August 6 - 12:00 pm

  This car reminded me a car should be fun to drive! If you want to see what this car is about, include a drive on a windy country road.

• 

  Check Engine Light For the LOSS - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Amy - August 6 - 10:16 am

  I purchased mine as a CPO. Within 2 months the drivers side window stopped going up and down, the sunroof refused to open, and the check engine light has come on 3 times. It has been the dealer 4 times in 2 months! I am BEYOND unhappy with the purchase! Subaru clearly also doesnt know how to fix the check engine light as the code is for an engine misfire cylinder 2 - we first were told to do the spark plugs, done, then when it went back they did the coil for just that cylinder, and now who knows what they will come up with. I cant rely on the car not to throw a code. Waste of money.

• 

  Stalling and Shaking - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By rgh - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Like other Subie owners, Im experiencing sputtering and stalling when coming to a stop. CVT shifts down and rpm plummet below 500 or it stalls. Slight shimmying at 60 to 80 MPH. No fix found for either to date. Multiple recalls in the 9 months Ive owned it and taken in for service 3 times to address stalling issue. Deeply concerned about safety risk if car were to stall in a situation that would put my family at risk. Outside of that, I love the vehicle.

• 

  So far so good - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Rene - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I have had my OB since March 09 and so far its been great. Took a road trip to Sedona and averaged over 30 MPG. The 2011 has the folding mirrors which would be nice and the fuel efficiency gauge has got to go. My only real complaints have been that it idles very high in the morning and on cold starts and the passenger side airbag sometimes does not show activated when a 120 lb woman is sitting in the seat.

• 

  Great Car - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Mifflin Mary - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had it a short time. Im looking forward to taking a trip with it. I had an Impala before and had it for 8 years. I really liked it. But not as much as I like my outback. I compared and test drove a lot of other cars before I bought our outback. I read al lot of reviews and none compared. I always came back to this one.

• 

  Great car - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Bill - August 4 - 10:56 am

  Ive had my Outback a little over a year. I run my cars to death and they never set for long periods of time. I do newspaper delivery in this car. So you know the car has to be good. It gets driven anywhere from 60 miles to 150 miles everyday. The only problems Ive had with it is the water pump went out, nothing new had a 97 legacy gt with the same problem. Recently the CV boot tore in half and threw grease all over the catalytic converter. Not a big deal. The water pump was bad for almost two weeks before I took it into the shop. Car has never really left me down. Now I have had some performance parts put on it to compensate. Overall a great car would buy again.

• 

  Good vehicle - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By psteele - July 31 - 2:00 am

  AWD imparts an amazing sense of stability in the rain, and the very taut (but supple)suspension has a Mercedes/Volvo feel to it. Way above expectations for a $22,000 vehicle. Will never go back to a non-AWD vehicle. In 90 days/2,500 miles, zero problems. Flawless fit & finish & build quality, for mechanicals and trim. We dont drive that fast in town & the base 4 cylinder and auto goes plenty fast enough for us. Ours is the base model, but we appreciate Subaru making the AWD, ABS, 4 wheel disk brakes standard across the line. A Passat or V70 with the same equipment would be $10,000 more.

• 

  not user friendly - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By jarb - July 28 - 5:04 am

  seats are small,and hard as a rock. taki g a long trip is painful.The instrumentation on the steering wheel is obstructed by the plus and minus paddles. The knobs for the radio are very small,and not lit.Also a long reach to operate.the wipers are both defective,one is smearing brown grease, the other not wiping water away.the hub caps are all sticky with unsightly spots everywhere. The heater takes awhile,and the floor mode blows cold air. this is my second outback. this model is nothing like the first one.this is my last outback .the pabel for the time and temperature are hard to find