Overview & Reviews

The 2012 Subaru Outback's Premium trim level gets a new standard sound system with an iPod interface and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming capability. A new nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is now part of the Premium model's options list.

• Strong crash scores
• Spacious interior
• Simple controls on lower trims.
• Commendable off-road performance for a wagon
• Excellent visibility
• Comfortable and composed ride

• Lacks agility
• Poor base stereo
• Fussy controls on upper trims.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 57.00

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  My 2012 Subaru Outback Review! - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By box4legacy - October 1 - 4:14 pm

  I have owned my 2012 Subaru Outback for approximately three months, and I am very impressed and satisfied with my Subie! I drive many miles each day from and to work, and I needed a comfortable car! I researched into many different automotive manufactures, and a lot of people recommended the Subaru Outback. To make a long story short, the Subaru Outback AWD, and CVT Transmission does wonders on long distance drives on the highway and city with rain, ice, snow, and heat all thrown at my Outback, with excellent results. Currently, I am averaging 31 mpg on the highway, using Shell 87 octane gas, and Mobil-1 5W30 Synthetic Motor Oil.

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  6 Month Review - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By gebdog - August 23 - 7:23 am

  After approximately six months of owning this vehicle and 10K miles of driving I have to say I am very impressed. My wife and I tested similar vehicles before choosing the Outback. We are getting better than the advertised city and highway driving mileage. We decided to change out the factory installed tires for Michelin HydroEdge and happy we did. The new tires make an already nice ride feel more stable although with a little more road noise. We lost the passenger door speaker and once that was replaced the Harmon Kardon stereo sounds great.

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  All purpose vehicle - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By ken90004 - July 5 - 5:15 am

  Owned for two year, have 36k miles. I had no complaints about the car at all. Good gas mileage. I towed trailers and a camper with it with no issues. It is great in the snow and bad weather. Best AWD system out there in this price range. And Subaru is dedicated to their customers. Top notch service all around. I spent a year of research before making my buying decision, and now as an owner, I will own nothing else but a Subaru.

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  First Subaru - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By williemo - March 5 - 8:35 pm

  This is my first subaru and I cannot be more pleased. I was looking at some higher mileage rated vehicles - but the Outback was so quiet and comfortable, I decided to sacrifice the 5 mpg. As it turns out, Im getting 25 mpg around the city and 32 mpg on the highway. First time Ive actually beat the listed mpg. Great car!

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  2012 Outback Limited Very Good But Noisy - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By sharon61 - February 19 - 4:23 pm

  I leased my Outback 33 days ago thanks to Subarus rewarding customer loyalty program and a great price from our local dealer. I love the moderate size and stylish exterior design and wheels, as well as the luxurious interiors heated leather seats and faux wood trim. The Harman Kardon stereo is great as is the Bluetooth connectivity feature between my cell phone and the stereo. Not having taken an extended trip yet, Im averaging 23.7 mpg in a combination of city and highway driving (no lead feet) here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. My biggest complaint is that the Outback is noisy, no doubt due to the boxer engine and CVT, but no vehicle with the word "Limited in its name should be noisy.

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  Highly Recommend the 2012 Subaru Outback - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By rdp4 - January 31 - 12:53 am

  Purchased a 2012 Premium 2.5i mid-January replaced 2002 Subaru Forester. Test drove ten vehicles before deciding. Absolutely LOVE it and have no regrets. I drive 100 miles a day & was looking for comfort, safety & good mpg. Seats are comfortable, nice all weather package, heated seats get nice & toasty, lumbar support great for back, drivers side power seat is nice, love heated side mirrors. Other vehicles I drove had blind spots, this has good visibility. Averaging 28+ mpg. AWD great in bad weather. Roomy, high ground clearance, handles well, ride nice & quiet, rear hatch holds a lot, like pull out screen for privacy. If need large item can store screen, flatten rear seats, love that.

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  Outback is great - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By Mac_Camper - January 20 - 11:08 am

  Have had our 2012 Outback Premium 4 cylinder for over 4 years and 70,000 miles. This is by far the best car we have ever owned. I cannot believe how amazing it is to drive in the rain and snow. We get over the MPG ratings often with the Continental tires. Highway between 32mpg or better. In town it is closer to 25mpg. Nothing sedan/wagon handles like an Outback, they are so fun to drive. The space in the back is excellent. We find this car so practical for traveling and especially camping with the roof box on top,...recommend Thule 6300, fits perfect on top. Only recommendation to improve this car is dont get the Ivory colored cloth seats you cannot keep them clean even though the fabric is excellent quality, it is the color,...too light. Recommend WetOke seat covers.

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  Perfect car - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By jstrap - November 30 - 4:45 pm

  I traded in my 2008 camry for a 2012 outback and Im extremely happy with it. The level of comfort and smooth ride matches the camry only it sits up a little higher. I went through a broker so I didnt get my first choice in color but got a great deal. For $22.8k you cant beat it. The base stereo is satisfactory and its not quite as quick as the camry but its a lot of fun to drive and has AWD which comes in pretty handy in Colorado. This is the best car Ive owned.

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  The Outback, great choice in this segment - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By lou90 - November 11 - 6:34 pm

  I own the wagon 2.5 with CVT and I can say that I’m very happy with my purchase. With over 3 K right now, I haven’t found anything that I don’t like or didn’t expect in a “Wagon”-SUV in this segment. I almost go for the new 2012 Honda CRV, but I don’t regret my decision. It’s solid and comfortable, enough room in both front and rear seat, plenty of cargo space, has style and a great history of reliability. A little noisy because of the CVT, but I could live with that as long as I’m getting fuel efficiency and this seems to be the case since I’ve been averaging (mostly highway) from 27 to 31 MPG not bad if you consider the size of this car and that many times you can’t drive at less than 70 miles on NJ highways, otherwise they run over you. I’ve been to several shows where I was able to see and compare others SUV like Toyota Venza or RAV4, the CRV, or the Forester , I’m glad I chose the Outback. I highly recommend it.

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  Snow Gobbler off roader - 2012 Subaru Outback
  By John - May 19 - 9:23 pm

  So far the Outback 3.6R - 5 speed trans Limited w/nav. is a gem. No problems just maint. Ice cold air, MPG avg 26+ - hwy around 30+ smooth ride, quiet engine, snow gobbler and easy to drive. Keeping this car for another 5 years or longer. Have a 2013 Legacy limited 2.5i and it was flawless and just as good. Big front seats, quality leather; the black leather looks as good as it did in 2012. Paint is shiny. Glad I purchased the Outback over the other FWD V6 brands this car cant be compared to other vehicles its in a class of its own. The H6 is so smooth and quiet its a pleasure to drive. What is really fun is the turning radius you can do circles with it...