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:

• 

  Excellent vehicle - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Tim Johnston - December 24 - 7:52 am

  We owned a 1998 Legacy Wagon for 17 years, putting about 125,000 miles on it. It was a great car -- very reliable, comfortable, and capacious. When we decided to replace it last summer, we immediately went to Subaru again. Weve only had our 2016 Outback for a couple of months but are very pleased with its performance and versatility. Weve never owned an automatic before (!) and at first we were a bit hesitant because the Outback does not come with a manual option, but we find the AVT very smooth and the manual paddle shifts on the steering wheel are a great way to lock in a gear when you need it. (We frequently drive to a place we own in the Blue Ridge Mountains and being able to set a gear while driving up a very steep and windy highway is a convenient.) We didnt get the EyeSight option, as I didnt like the idea of all that electronic intrusion into my driving -- I was pretty sure Id end up turning it off, so why buy it in the first place. We did get the optional cargo area and rear bumper protectors, which I recommend if you are going to use the car to carry cargo other than groceries and suitcases. We move a lot of gardening supplies but I think theyd also be good for dogs or sports and camping equipment. There are levers to remotely fold down the rear seats from the back of the car -- a big convenience. The climate controls are not very intuitive and the clock is small and poorly placed amid several temperature readouts. The backup camera display is large and clear -- much better than on our 2013 Toyota Tacoma. As the Edmunds review says, acceleration is not spectacular, but its certainly adequate and quite safe for merging on to freeways or passing on 2-lane roads. If you are in the market for a station-wagon style SUV, the Outback is worth a close look.

• 

  I Just Like It - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By Reasonable - December 20 - 4:40 pm

  Traded a 1997 Ford Explorer for this 2.5i Outback Limited. Had owned a new 1980 Subaru hatchback and thought of Subarus as small cars. Surprise! Overall the 2010 Outback is as big as the 97 Explorer. Some dimensions are bigger, some smaller, but overall its about the same size. Its very comfortable, quiet, and a pleasure to drive. Took a 350 mile round trip last Saturday, through very hilly country, and averaged 31.5 mpg. Yes I drove conservatively, 55 to 60 mph mostly (hit 70 only once). I am more enthusiastic about this car than any car Ive bought since my Mercur XR4TI. Subaru, you really got it right with this one.

• 

  Dislikes - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Robert Evens - December 20 - 1:36 pm

  Road noise isnt as bad as previous vehicle but still leaves a lot to be desired. At thruway speeds you really have to turn up the radio to be able to hear it. Steering responsive fog lights are a joke as they dont really light up that much when making a turn. Would much prefer a set of good driving lights / fog lights that illuminate the road on low beam.

• 

  I sold my Prius for this? - 2017 Subaru Outback
  By Victor Doucette - December 20 - 10:56 am

  Yes ... and Im glad I did. As much as I love the Prius for what its good at, it was getting harder for my gimpy, old body to get in and out of it, and I would never have called it comfortable. My Outback has the easiest ingress/egress of the eight cars I have owned and the five cars Ive shared with my wife. Its also the most comfortable of those vehicles. Im getting 30 mpg in mixed driving, and can approach 40 mpg over long distances at a steady 60 mph. As always, YMMV. Some folks complain about the acceleration, but theres enough there for me. I have had no issues with the CVT. Visibility is excellent. The EyeSight features took some getting used to, but I am glad I have them. The automated braking has made it less fatiguing to driver in heavy traffic; the blind spot monitoring has helped keep me from changing lanes at the wrong time; and the adaptive cruise control makes freeway travel pleasant. The lane departure warning is too sensitive for my tastes. Ride quality is generally excellent, but I am on the conservative side behind the wheel and havent really "pushed" the car the way some folks do. I cant yet assess how it handles in slippery conditions, but I dont anticipate any problems come winter. The entertainment system would be better if you could switch back from the map to the radio in one step, but it takes two steps. You can run a split screen with the two functions, but there isnt enough detail when you do that to suit me. Its a little cumbersome to enter addresses into the navigation system, but the system seems to work well once I get it programmed. Bluetooth pairing was easy. I wish that the compartment that holds the USB ports was a little bigger; it isnt large enough to allow me to shut its door when my cellphone is in there. The A/C is really cold -- I need to run it at about 77 degrees or I get chilly -- in mid-July. I did have to bring it back to the dealer after 1,000 miles to have the trim piece under the drivers side of the dashboard reattached. The service adviser said the retaining clips holding it on had broken, and that it wasnt the first time he had seen that. An Outback owners forum suggested that this might have been caused by the dealer installation of a remote-start system (which works, but I can happily live without it). Another minor complaint -- the interior loses power immediately when you turn off the ignition. You need to remember to close the windows, sunroof, etc., before you shut the car off. All in all, I am a happy Outback owner. After 6 months and about 6,500 miles, heres an update. The electronics in the car have been a constant source of frustration. At various intermittent times the navigation system has stopped working altogether or doesnt work properly, not announcing the first four or five steps in a route before suddenly coming to life. Sometimes it wont read a USB drive that I have properly inserted. Sometimes the clock will show the wrong time, the correct minute but incorrect hours. The clock then magically resets with a couple of minutes and the problems disappear -- until they come back again a few days later. I dropped by the dealer and they suggested a reflash of the system -- whatever that is -- but I havent had the opportunity to get in just yet. Another issue is that the standard battery (group 25, IIRC) has an anemic 356 CCA. We went through a bad cold spell a few weeks ago and the vehicle had a little trouble turning over, even though it had been stored in a garage. I checked online forums and discovered that this was a common problem with the vehicle. I preemptively replaced the battery with a larger Group 34 battery (it will fit nicely, though you will have to discard the "cozy" that surrounds the original battery) that has 1,000 CCA. No starting problems since. The car has had excellent traction through our snowy winter. Its still comfortable and a pleasure to drive and ride in. I still like the car very much. I just hope that my next visit to the dealer can clear up these pesky electronic problems.

• 

  2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i base model stinks - 2010 Subaru Outback
  By jayvee - December 19 - 7:20 pm

  Subaru has made some very good improvements from 2009 model for the Outback. I am really happy with most of the car functionality. I am extremely disappointed that the drivers seat is jerky and moves forward by ~ 1cm almost every time I apply brakes. When I contacted the dealership about it, they said it is a Subaru problem and does not have any fix. They tested this in all other cars they have with manual seats and experienced this problem. I do not understand how such a reputed company like Subaru that makes airplane engines cannot figure out making properly working driver seats? I have seen 15 year old cars that have manual seats that work correctly. Other than that its good.

• 

  nice performance wagon - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By sheesh-kebab - December 19 - 1:06 pm

  Just got this wagon, or maybe a truck, or whatever it is after spending 10 minutes test driving one - its very nice. I looked at 2006 Accord V6 (cheap interior, back seat folds down in 1 piece), Acura TL (back seat doesnt fold down, blind spots, snobby dealerships), Saab 95 (poor quality apparently) - this one beats those by a nice margin. Beautiful and very practical interior for a 63" skier with family, tight ride, decent acceleration (get turbo if you like to feel the engine), good MPG for AWD, tons of storage, not a single blind spot, pleasant buying experience, what else do you need?

• 

  Very satisfied - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By skipp - December 18 - 12:00 pm

  Handles nice, good gas mileage, seems very solid, and fun to drive

• 

  Excellent except HK Audio/Nav system - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By anavig8r - December 11 - 11:38 pm

  I agree with all points of the review by cmlsudbury. Ive got the dark interior and it does show every mark, especially where shoes hit the door panels. Not sure this would happen in other cars with similar color scheme. I hate the AUDIO/NAV system. I wanted the backup camera and you had to get the AUDIO/NAV to get the camera. I feel totally ripped off for the price paid for this upgrade vs the value received. Software upgrade had better be a warranty item. Only 7500 miles so early days on reliability. Dinged Interior Design and Value because of the audio/nav system.

• 

  Almost a Great Car - 2002 Subaru Outback
  By DCU - December 11 - 4:00 pm

  Had the clutch "shudder" early and dealer eventually fixed it after repeated failed attempts to duplicate the problem. No problems since it was replaced. Wind noise on highway is annoying. Leg room in rear seats is too small. Mileage hasnt been up to advertised. Never gotten more than 26 mpg and usually its only 20-22, even on highway. Great in snow, suspension and tire life are fantastic, extremely versatile, brakes are decent, winter package and amenities make this a real enjoyable car overall and I have found it reliable.

• 

  01 Subaru Outback wagon - 2001 Subaru Outback
  By Larry Leidecker - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this is an extremely reliable and capable vehicle. I bought it new and have had it back for a recall to have the underside undercoated. Other than that, an engine light came on and so a sensor was replaced under warranty. Very good car overall, especially in the snow.