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:

• 

  Homerun with new 2010 Outback - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Terry - February 18 - 8:50 pm

  Now looks more like a SUV- taller stance- larger interior and the new CVT is silky smooth! Very impressed with how the interior looks- seats are more comf. and visibility is improved.

• 

  Faulty Clutch - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By moohoggle - February 15 - 10:00 am

  2 months after taking delivery of this Outback, the clutch began to chatter badly in 1st gear (less than 2000 miles). My wife and I took it back to the dealer where we bought the car from 3 times, and each time they said that this is a normal condition with manual transmission Subarus. We pursued a second opinion at another Subaru dealership and they agreed, that this was indeed, not normal. We then opened a case number with Subaru Corp., and it took 8 months to re-engineer and manufacture the replacement parts (was initially told it would take 4 weeks). Its been 3 weeks since our car was fixed under warranty and for now, its tolerable.

• 

  Great Car - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Len - February 12 - 5:53 pm

  Other than a very poor heated seat button location the car is great. This car when new would be overpriced but used is a great value.

• 

  Just back from a 4100 mile trip - 2011 Subaru Outback
  By Calvin Wilvert - February 11 - 5:10 pm

  Two days after we bought our 2011 Outback, we left on a five-week, 4100 mile camping trip in the Northwest. Even with a lot of mountain driving and with frequent use of the air- conditioner, gas consumption for the trip averaged slightly over 30 miles per gallon. At all times, the car handled well, was comfortable, and felt safe. I did not experience any steering vibration that a few reviewers have noted. Indeed, I liked communicative feel imparted by the steering. Driving this fine vehicle was a pleasure, and I felt less tired after hours behind the wheel than I have with any other car I have owned. More pep on steep hills would have been fun, but the power is adequate.

• 

  If This Was Baseball Subaru Would Be An AllStar - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Happy Basset - February 11 - 5:22 am

  This is my Third Subaru. My first was a base model 2011 2.5 Pzev Outback, my second was a 2014 fully loaded 2.5 Limited Outback. This one is by far my favorite! I have done quite a bit of test driving before I bought my first Outback, but given we wanted the 3.6 this time I did some more. It came down to the 3.6 or the Highlander and the Subaru won out. I LOVED my previous two Outbacks but to be honest I wanted the technology and the comfort so we moved up. Moving to the 3.6 was also for the towing capability (small utility trailer type) but it was mountain driving so the 4 cylinders gave it a champion effort but just didnt do very well. My 3.6 makes it in STYLE AND SPEED. Handles very well with or without the trailer. The safety features are super, the eye sight I cant live without now and I love the lane change feature. Im still learning all the other technology on the car but I can live with that. The stereo is awesome, especially with my Ipod and Sirus XM. It is comfortable and beautiful. Ill be honest the 4 cylinder Outbacks I had were a bit noisy due to the CVT but the 3.6 purrs like a kitten. It is a VERY solid car. My gas mileage did suffer a bit but the extras on the car and the fact that we can make it up the canyon in under an hour with the fully loaded utility trailer makes it worth it. My Basset Hound can easily get up and down from my Subaru, and loves the cargo area in the back when we travel. We do have a hard time with the Navigation. It isnt all that intuitive or easy to put in addresses and when I try to use my phone the Bluetooth feature in the car wont let it come through. (The tech guy at Subaru says he can help me with that so Im going to go back there and have him walk me through it. Subaru backs their products. You cant do any better than a Subaru and this one hits it out of the park every turn at bat.

• 

  7 years and counting.... - 2009 Subaru Outback
  By satisfied owner - February 10 - 8:42 pm

  Bought this car at end of model year at a good price with the exact features, trim, and color that I wanted. I have never fallen out of love with this car -- the looks, the handling, the 6 cyl engine, the comfort and seating position, the harmon-kardon sound system, the overall performance, reliability, and integrity. Semi-luxurious car-like transport that can also be your truck when you need to haul lots of stuff in back. Well, regarding reliability, although I only have 36,000 miles on it, the front CV boots failed and the CV joints were worn and needed replacing recently. Seems too early to have a problem like that, but I guess driving the gnarly and pot-holed big city streets can do that to a front end. Glad I never do any real off roading! No other problems with it so far. I thoroughly enjoy this vehicle.

• 

  LL Bean, H-6 is major improvement over 4 - 2003 Subaru Outback
  By Goodaay - February 10 - 10:00 am

  6 cyl. is SMOOTH, POWERFUL. Big improvement over the 4 cyl. Good ride, handling. Comfortable leather seats, great stereo, quiet interior, versitle hauler. Dual moonroofs are nice addition.

• 

  4.5 month review - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Linas - February 10 - 8:50 am

  The 2.5 L engine is plenty for highway acceleration and high altitude driving. I like the interior design and look. All the controls on the dashboard and steering wheel are comfortable and intuitive. The AC is sufficiently powerful. The music system is ok with the circle surround and speed adaptable volume features. The driver and passenger space is plenty. There is good front, side, and rear visibility. I like the cubby below the cargo floor. Initially I found the drive to be floaty and strongly affected by crosswinds and passing semi-trucks at highways speeds. So I replaced the rear sway bar with a thicker 19 mm STI bar and the ride improved considerably. I definitely recommend the car!

• 

  Not What Its Cracked Up to Be - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By pf - February 8 - 5:20 am

  The 2005 Outback is a fine car from the point of view of performance, but after driving it for more than a month, I still cant get comfortable in it. Both I as the driver and my wife as the passenger are pretty cramped after driving for a long distance. The seats are very uncomfortable. Also, there is inadequate room in the back seat. The sloping hood is a detriment, since it makes it difficult to judge ones distance from another car or other object being approached. As a long-time Subaru driver, I am disappointed in this edition.

• 

  Great all around auto - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By slocumt - February 7 - 11:43 am

  Safety, great traction wet or dry, good gas mileage, room for five and then some; with todays high gas prices it just seems right .