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 11 through 20 of 262.00

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  Worst Car I Ever Loved - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Pilgrim 54 - May 29 - 4:53 pm

  North western PA winters were no match for the Sube. Foot of snow; no problem. Need lots of ground clearance, fine. Need service...good luck. Yes you WILL need service. We bought ours new and sold it after 4 years. Had numorous problems with the cruise control operation. Replaced the timing belt tensioner TWICE! On the way to the dealer when we were trading it in we were having second thoughts till the check engine light came on!!

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  Disappointed. - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Dmitry - May 28 - 1:13 am

  Drivetrain: Rear suspension is too soft, (car goes up & down more than once after bump). 4-A transmission is the same slow as previous generation, but shift logic now is very stupid, kickdown is absolutely unacceptable. Interior: Well, finally they switched to better materials, but this is the only improvements - ergonomics is nightmare. At night the instrument panel and console look like Christmas tree! There are 5 different colors. Brightness of several things is not adjustable. Some controls are hard to reach, (eg. "horn button" is not reachable by thumb!) Exterior: Because they rounded down roof toward rear, visibility is affected. Headlights generate awful light distribution, high beam is useless.

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  Reliable?? - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By chickentoaster - March 17 - 6:56 pm

  The first 4 years car was alright, just dont expect much in the way of gas mileage. Had to replace rear wheel bearings under the special extended warrentee. Car was so loud that I could not hear the people in the back seat at over 25 mph. Have kept all the service intervals. Dealer says the head gasket is shot and needs to be replaced, estimate $2000.00. Only 71,000 mile on the car. Ive had cars with 150K+ miles with fewer major problems. Headlights burn out about 2 months. Car has a higher than average cost of ownership, intervals for regular service items seem more frequent than other manufacturers. I dont think Ill be getting another Subaru. Not the quality I expected.

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  Going back to Toyota - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By debafish - May 31 - 9:31 am

  Ive had nothing but problems with my Subaru Outback since we bought it. We burn through breaks, head lights and the car smells of burnt rubber after minimal driving. When the ABS light came on I took it to the dealer and they couldnt diagnose it (they failed to mention I need to leave the car running with the light on to diagnose..so they said). Now that is has 104K miles they tell me its the ball bearing, covered until 100K by warranty. Then the turbo went out, $1600 later its still smoking when I drive. Today they tell me the head gasket is shot and it has two leaks. This car is a money pit. I04K miles and a lot of issues, Im going back to Toyota.

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  uses more gas than advertised - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By geo - April 27 - 6:40 pm

  Generally an OK car except it barely gets over 20 MPG and there is a noticeable boxer engine vibration noticeable through the gas pedal from the opposed cylinders. Fairly rough on tire wear.

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  Never Again - 2005 Subaru Outback
  By Keith - March 1 - 4:50 pm

  I dislike this Subaru more than any car I have ever owned. I avoid driving this car rather than deal with the cars quirky and dangerous characteristics. Examples: Climbing a hill at highway speeds the car shifts between 4th & 5th gears every 4 seconds on average. The car responds to quick acceleration maneuvers with a 2-3 second delay before accelerating; not a good thing on busy Southern California freeways. The car has only 8K miles. After nine months as a Subaru owner I am ready to visit my Toyota dealer and eat the trade-in costs. I hate this car!

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  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.