Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Great overall car with just a couple design issues - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Bart B - June 5 - 12:55 am

  I really like my 2016 Subaru Outback. It rides very well, even in the rain. Its roomy, comfortable, great family car, and reasonably priced. The safety features cant be beat. P.S. If you have an iPod Classic, dont try to get it to work with the infotainment system - it wont! Just buy an iPod touch. Pros: Drives like it is on dry pavement, even in the rain. Eyesight features are great (cruise control that speeds up/slows down as needed to keep a safe distance from other cars, automatic braking to avoid collisions) Cons: Acceleration from a stop is not smooth. Climate control layout could be better (2 buttons for the fan instead of a dial?) Infotainment system wont work with an iPod Classic.

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  Great Car, couple minor shortfalls - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Luther Meitzner - February 12 - 7:07 am

  Ive only driven the car for 1500 miles, but 1000 of that was in a single trip. The more I drive the car the more I like it. Its comfortable, smooth, solid and enjoyable. The nav system is excellent, the eyesight system is very functional, and the cruise control system is amazing. The only drawbacks are well known, often written about, and fairly minor. There is more wind noise above 70 MPH than in my 2011 Outback. I think this comes from the rack, but cant be sure - its a rumble and not from the wing window that apparently was a problem on the 2015 models. Its not bad, just a little irritating. When shifting from reverse to drive there is a longer pause than seems appropriate. This isnt really bad either, but is something Ive had to get accustomed to when backing into traffic. For about 1 or 2 seconds, you arent going anywhere. The last slight irritation is the 2.5L motor. In most instances it has sufficient get-up-and-go. When trying to accelerate quickly on the freeway or on a busy city street it can be a bit of a dog. Nothing huge though and only slightly worse than my 2011. All in all, I love the car and hope to keep it for ever.

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  1st Subaru, last Subaru w/ the bells & whistles - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Nikki - September 1 - 7:19 am

  Replacing a mid-size sedan for something with utility for an active lifestyle. Enter the new 2016 Subaru Outback. With limited inventory, selection was few so I settled on a 2.5 Limited model with every bell and whistle including all of the aftermarket options. Hindsight, 16k miles later, I should have opted for the 3.6 without the bells and whistles. The key-less/proximity entry/ start is a pain in the ass in that I have no way to hide this giant remote while I surf or scuba dive which impacts doing anything with the water; the standard key would have been far more functional for me. I am finding the rear auto opener isnt so great when I have something extra long and sticks out. Regarding the Navigation system, it is crap. It is a Tom-tom and even in Southern California, there are places/cities that arent even in the database. Google/Yahoo maps on your phone is far more reliable. And that takes me to the voice activation. It rarely recognizes anything I say unlike iPhones Suri. As far as mechanical, I have been very pleased though I wish breaking wasnt so soft or the engine were the 3.6 so it had some immediately available acceleration for passing and hills. But all and all, it has not been a lemon outside of the navigation system, crossing fingers. Again, just go for the base models.

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  Second Outback ... better than our 13. - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Steve H - August 31 - 4:16 pm

  Our 13 Outback Premium had 50,000 miles on it, and we got a good trade on a 16 Limited. We did go down a trim level, but other than the radio & leather - we are happy. The Outback overall is not too big on the outside, but not too small on the inside - so a good comprimise. And its a nice balance between performance and economy. We had a minor issues with a wear spot on the outer edge of the leather seat along the outer seam area on the 13. The local dealer worked with Subaru to get it repaired free of charge (thanks C&S Waterloo & Subaru). And the repaired seat (new leather top portion) still looked good and was holding up when we traded for the 16. I do like the cloth seats in the 16. Our 16 drives better and gets better mileage than our 13! We now have 4,000 miles on the 16. The 16 CVT is calibrated a little differently than the 13 - and seems to do much less "downshifting" going up hills, which is way better! The CVT just is happier overall - so more enjoyable to drive. Also, the ride seems more compliant (not as harsh over bumps, etc) while at the same time - seems to corner a little flatter. To me, the driving experience has improved over our 13. The MPGs are better with the 16. In our old 13 highway driving was around 26-28 at best, and really negatively effected by how windy it was. The 16 seems to get 27-28 just in 45-55 MPH suburban type driving. And on the highway weve gotten 30-31 on long trips (like driving from IA to SC). On the interstate we are usually going with the flow traffic, so 7-8 over. (Ofcourse that uses more gas.) Even though this is a mid-level Premium, it has nice freatures (and more than the 13). We decided to get the sunroof, instead of all the new safety options. The safety features would be nice, and hopfully they will be standard in most autos in the near future. And I should say, the mid-level radio in our Premium is really not too bad. Not as good as my 13 Limited (ofcourse), but you can stand to listen to it. I recently rented a Toyota Senna van to haul a full load of moving items, and the radio in the rental Toyota was terrible! It actually gave me a headack, so I had to turn it off! The Premium Outback radio is much better to my ears! Also the mid-level Premium does have some nice electronic features that are fun to play with. If you have a smart phone, it can work with that too. I havent used the call feature (like on GM vehicles). Not sure I would pay extra for it as an option. I dont notice any more actual usable space inside the 16 compared to the 13 (even though Subaru seems to indicate there is). I think any small amount of extra space is just where the lower edge of the windshild is mover forward a little - but not really extra space you can use. The 13 armrest lid design was better than the 16. It had a two step top compartment inside the lid where you put penciles & pens in one level, and other itmes in the next level. The 16 did away with this useful feature. So, not as good to store pens, etc. And Id like a little more knee room for my right leg (as is true in most all cars that are made nowdays.) I like to spread open my legs, and cant do that with the armrest housing. Wish the housing was about 2" thinner to give the driver more leg room! Are you listening Subaru??? Id recommend the optional plastic trim over the rear bumper by the tail gate, and the all weather floor protectors, and the seat back and cargo protectors. We got the power rear gate, and it works OK, but not a big deal too me. Ironically, since Ive had the Outbacks, we have left the mid-west winters for the SC area (and grand daughters), so havent actually had much snow experience ... yet. But returning to IA for turkey day in a few weeks, so who knows??? Ive just done the normal maintenance, and no problems (other than the worn leather in the 13 that Subaru replaced). The Outbacks have been good, and the 16 is better!

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  Impressive - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Paul - August 25 - 3:34 pm

  While just short of one month since purchase; Im very pleased, very impressed with this car. The eyesight assist continues to amaze me. Such clever technology at a reasonable price. My daughter will start driving next year. Ill feel so much better knowing shes in such a safe, reliable car. Assuming I let her drive it. ;))

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  First Subraru - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Steven Ennes - April 9 - 11:33 pm

  Other than Subaru uses recycle vote batteries on new vehicles had to be jump started, twice under 500 miles once new battery was installed no problem!

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  Bring on the snow - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By rollin gianella - June 25 - 8:15 pm

  It needs a little more pep, also it takes time for the gears to kick in, people I speak to on B/T tell me they hear a constant buzz overall it is an amazing car. I should have gotten the 6 cylinder.

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  Steering: - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By Elton McCann - March 26 - 1:34 pm

  It seems that the Outback has a tendency to drift from one side to the other. It requires constant correction and on a long trip steering becomes tiresome. I have contacted the dealership about this problem and the conclusion is that it is a characteristic of the Outback. Everything else about the car is great and the problem doesnt seem to bother other people but it does me. My 1999 Dodge pickup is easier to hold in a straight line than my 2015 Outback.

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  Moving up to the 2016 Outback Limited - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By S D Miller - March 11 - 5:51 pm

  I looked at several other vehicles including the Forester, Hyundai Sport, Volvo X60, VW Tiguan and the Audi Q5. In the end the Outback seemed a much more logical choice for the money. The Outback rode a little better than the Forester and Tiguan, but the Audi Q5 was indeed a nicer vehicle, but at a much greater cost. The Subaru Outback Limited was a loaded vehicle and really liked the latest safety equipment provided. We immediately drove the vehicle from Houston to KC and hit some of the worst rainstorms wed ever been in. There were even tornados. The vehicle handled marvelously and was always sure-footed. The front and back seats were both very comfortable for four adults and handled all of our luggage. The HID lighting was not available, but I will get after-market which is a nice option when driving on old blacktop roads. The only other item not available was a front passenger seat memory & height adjustment. It can be difficult for over 6 ft people when the seat cant be lowered. The engine is very smooth with the transmission, but definitely could use a few more ponies under the hood. However, the trade-off with the 6 cylinder didnt really work for us. There wasnt a big difference in power in the lower range and the mileage dropped quite a bit - as do most larger engines. The Turbo 4 cylinder as in the Forester would be a welcomed option indeed. We did end up getting an extended warranty due to all the electronic equipment on this model. (not shown in total price)

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  still lookin - 2016 Subaru Outback
  By johnny - February 19 - 6:19 am

  seems to be concern about the tire wear for the outback and some folks claim to change out the standard tires