Overview & Reviews

A navigation system has been added to the options list for 2006, and trim levels have been realigned. Non-turbo four-cylinder models get a bump in horsepower (now up to 175) thanks to a new variable valve-lift system.

• 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.

• Automatic transmission upshifts too early, desirable features restricted to top-line VDC model, smaller backseat than most competitors.

User Reviews:

Showing 41 through 50 of 106.00

• 

  First Subaru former Toyota owner - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By marcob68 - October 17 - 10:20 am

  Great handling, mileage now averaging 27.6 mix of mostly highway and 10% city. Interior finish is excellent and everything works the way it should. Acceleration without turbo is very good and no problems cruising at 75. Radio and CD changer sound quality are very good. Much tighter handling than prior Toyotas.

• 

  Pretty Nice - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By shaposky - October 4 - 4:00 pm

  I like my new Outback 2.5i. The only problems I have had with it so far is a malfunctioning airbag system and mediocre (but EPA accurate) gas mileage (Im getting between 23 and 24 mpg in mixed driving). I did average 31 mpg on a recent road trip to New York, though, which was impressive. People dont buy an Outback for its sportiness, but a little of that would have been nice. The cargo area is extremely useful.

• 

  Very nice car - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Tscheid52 - July 22 - 11:06 pm

  My GMC Jimmy was coming off lease and I was forced to look for something else. I wanted four wheel drive to deal with the winter weather conditions of the Northeast. However, I was getting tired of paying for the poor gas economy of a mid size SUV. The Outback fit the bill perfectly. This is a very nice vehicle. It is well made inside and out. It drives very much like the 1984 Toyota Supra I owned for ten years. The 6 cylinder boxer is very smooth and powerful. Plenty of passing power, very stable and nimble in the turns. It is very easy to build up speed without noticing it. Good braking. All this and 4 wheel too. Buy it!

• 

  The PERFECT Car? - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Stephen - May 31 - 12:06 pm

  This is my 2nd Outback. My first was a 00 5 speed manual. When I was in the Pacific NW, that car was my weekend savior, irrespective of the weather. I loved it. Well Im pleased to say the new Outback is better in every way. 1st-incredible power with the 2.5l turbo. 2nd, shifting/clutching dramatically improved. 3rd, interior build and design is outstanding. 4th, handling has improved. 5th, ride quality and comfort are also improved. This car will get you there in any weather, and youll have a blast along the way. Suggested improvements: get rid of the plastic popit fasteners for engine cover and oil cover-theyre too easily damaged on removal (I bugged the dealer to give me a dozen).

• 

  My first Subaru - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By bassmohn - April 9 - 7:36 am

  Im just one of those people who likes wagons, and need once a week extra room but dont need a typical sized SUV or a van for the rest of my driving. The Outback is pretty much a base model with a couple extra option packages, power seat, dimming mirror plus a host of standard equipment - certainly is a comfortable well designed car. Its ride is comfortable and fairly compliant. The base 4 cylinder isnt spectacular, but once up to freeway speeds is peppy. Im averaging 27.9 mpg over the first 7,000 miles, 80% freeway and 20% city. Id easily get over 30 on continuous 70+MPH drives. Great car so far.

• 

  First Subaru - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Joe in Houston - April 5 - 12:43 pm

  I have been driving expensive sedans, coupes and roadsters for years (BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, Porsche) but recently needed a vehicle with good road manners, hauling capacity, decent mileage and that burns regular unleaded. I am tired of dropping $40- $50 for cars. My sister loves her WRX so I found myself test driving the 2.5i Limited. I am very impressed with this car! Rock solid, sure-footed, handsome inside and out. And on road trips Im getting 27+ mpg. Kudos to Subaru. My first 2,000 miles have been great...many more to come.

• 

  Good All Purpose Vehicle - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Desert Rat - March 23 - 2:20 am

  First Subaru. Good leg room for the driver with an automatic. Tight foot space with the manual transmission. Small feet are a good thing if you want the manual. There is less legroom on the passenger side which is something that I hadnt realized till after purchase. Check it out if the passenger is tall. Seats are very firm and take some getting use to. My wife preferred the Outback to the Forester so we got the Outback. Interior controls are typical of Honda and Toyota and well laid out. Controls are convenient. Back seat leg room is tight -- acceptable for short trips. Ride is comfortable on most surfaces. My driving in more higway than city: mpg is about 24-25 of the first 1200 miles.

• 

  Nice Car- Unless you have a BABY - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Carrie - March 19 - 2:07 pm

  This is a good car- except that it sacrifices function for design. Cmon Subaru- We like you because of your functional cars! I bought it because unlike my Forester, it has enough leg room for my husband in the front when the child seats are in the back. I like it because it drives good, it looks good, its all wheel drive, it has reasonable gas mileage, and has decent cargo space. If it werent for the leg room issue, I would stay with the Forester, which I think has a much better design. I am writing this review because it has two features which annoy me to no end. 1. The shape of the rear door/window makes it near impossible to buckle a child in and out of a rear-facing child seat. My poor baby has sustained more bumps to the head getting in and out of the carseat than I can count. 2. The seatbelt chime is about to drive me over the edge- and Im an avid seatbelt wearer. It also has several features which definitely get the thumbs down. 1. The slant of the front door/window makes it very awkward to get into the front seat. 2. There is very little storage space in the front. 3. The control panel for air & heat are not nice and straight-forward like those on the more basic subarus without dual climate control. 4. The rear cargo area is limited by the inward slope of the rear windshield. Of all of these complaints the only one that I feel is actually important is the rear-facing child seat issue. For me it is the deal breaker. Ive still got a few years of rear-facing child seat use ahead of me, and as much as I hate to do it, I am now looking for a new car.

• 

  I love my first Subie! - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By nhsubie - March 5 - 12:13 pm

  This is my first Subaru and it wont be my last! We shopped around for months for a solid used car and finally decided on the 06 Outback Limited after driving the new Jetta, Rabbit, Civic, Fit, CRV, v50, Forester, Sonata, and old 04 Outback. The 06 Outback Limited outshines them all! This car has everything you would ever want in a car - AWD, HUGE moonroof, heated seats, leather, turning radius, 28 mpg, smooth ride, and space to haul. And at $14k, its a steal!

• 

  New Favorite - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Chase - February 18 - 7:06 am

  Previously owned 2 Audis. Would probably never buy another one. Just as good a car, if not better, for $15K less.