Overview & Reviews

Subaru commemorates 35 years of selling cars in the U.S. by offering a 35th anniversary special edition of the Outback H6-3.0 wagon, though this amounts to little more than a new alloy wheel design and a fender-mounted badge. Red Burl interior trim is new for the Outback this year, and six-cylinder models get restyled 16-inch wheels. L.L. Bean and Limited models get a new brown leather covering on the shifter handle, brake handle and steering wheel.

• Standard all-wheel drive, comfortable ride on pavement, capable performance on dirt, well-appointed interior.

• Not as capable as an SUV in terms of pure off-road capability or interior volume, four-cylinder models lack power, upscale models are expensive.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 91.00

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  Best alternative to SUV - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By spokanewa - January 23 - 10:20 am

  I love this car already; for one it can go up my 20% grade driveway, something my sebring convertible could not (when covered with snow). I dont like trucks/big suvss and other ugly gas guzzlers, but wanted the big cargo. I dont think there are many cars with such a good gas mileage yet are as versatile. Storage is huge and roof cargo is easy to use (i.e. no need for a ladder to reach it). I dont find the car performance so bad; its not nearly as smooth as the v6 i had on the Sebring, but its more linear, power is the same at any RPM, whereas some V6 i tried like the Mazda 6 wagon only had punch at high RPM. Definitely more fun to drive that similar price small suv like RAV4 or CR-V.

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  Subaru loyality shot - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By spirit1 - December 25 - 11:30 am

  I had to have the stereo replaced (after fighting with the dealership over it because they initially refused to repair it) while it was under warranty because of a faulty CD player. Soon after the repair, the speakers quit working. Some of them will work some of the time, but never all of them together and most often, none of them. Dealership wont back their work. With 50,000 miles on the car I had a dash light burn out. Soon after several instrument panel lights have burned out - windshield heater control, passenger side seat warmer button and the air circulating button. The cruise control lever sticks and often wont disengage. CV boot shaft just replaced. 62,000 miles. Now what?

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  Ditch the SUV - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By cdski - December 25 - 10:00 am

  What a value! I considered the Volvo XC, Audi A4 and VW Passat and all were 10 grand more. Obviously for this price you sacrifice a little quality but not much. After having my kidneys rattled on a daily basis in a Landcruiser I couldnt be more content. The car has some pep and handles reasonably well. It is definitely front dominant.

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  Rock solid but a little boring - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By 3rdSubaru - May 13 - 6:36 pm

  This is the third Subaru Ive owned. In 57,000 mi, Ive yet to have a single problem. I have separate wheels for snow tires, and I put some sticky summer tires on the stock rims for summer driving. With snow tires, this car is unstoppable in the snow! I also have a full size 4x4 pickup truck, and this car easily out- performs it even in deep snow. Youd have to be a real idiot to get this car stuck. On dry (or wet) pavement, it handles nicely, but I wish theyd offer a more powerful engine. The 6-cylinder is OK, and I get a consistent 27mpg -- no complaints since I drive it pretty hard. My next car will probably be a BMW 335xi or an Audi S5, but the Subaru has served me well.

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  Noisy low mileage sub - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By leon - November 23 - 7:03 pm

  This sub is fun to drive and responsive, but it gives very low mileage as compared to our sienna awd which gives 23+ mi/hwy; the side mirror makes swooshing sound and suspension --the thug sound. I only have 40,000 miles to date.

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  so far so good..better than i expected - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By TSC333 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car becuase a move to the north, needed all-wheel drive, decided on this because it seemed a good value, excellent AWD performance and edmunds rated it as reliable. It has been very good for intial quality (3000 miles). It is as quite as our BMW 528 on the highway. Seems a little cramped in the backseat with adults, do not get the performance out of the 6 cylinder as expected. Overall very pleased.

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  great car but problems since day 1 - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Michael Armani - May 10 - 1:00 am

  Really like the car, great all around vehicle. towing jet ski, hauling stuff, going thru snow, it does it all. However, idle problem with manual transmission model. Car out of service 6 days in first 2 weeks of ownership ! one fuel inj replaced. Idle and hesitation continued to be a problem. Very disappointed in both the dealer and Subarus willingness to sort.

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  The balance I need for my family - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By jszilvagyi - March 30 - 6:23 am

  This car has offered the perfect balance of performance, comfort, fuel economy and reliability for my family. I have experienced cars that are better in one or two categories but this has been perfect for loading up my family for week long road trips as well as my daily commute.