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 51 through 60 of 106.00

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  Solid Subaru - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By ricardo - February 17 - 2:06 pm

  The car is solid as a vault and has been absolutely reliable. Plenty of power from the turbo 4, but the transmission is a little squishy on shifts. Great traction from the AWD, but the suspension is a little too soft for cornering. comfortable and quite ride. Car provides a feeling of confidence, and AWD is very effective since the 5 speed AT powers all wheels all the time (unlike the 4AT which is FWD biased). Mileage fairly poor ~20 overall, and never higher than 24 on highway. CD/radio a disappointment - rather mediocre custom built radio that cant be changed out or adapted for iPod.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By R.E.Rodzwic - December 18 - 11:46 pm

  This is my third Subaru (I have a 2005 Legacy & 2006 VDC); traded in a 2002 VDC. Its remarkable in the snow, went through 17"( tires were Dunlop Winter Sport). Its comfortable and fast. Fun to drive with the sport shift. I would highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Its like a cockroach - its almost indestructible - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By sherry32 - October 28 - 9:14 am

  My 2006 Outback Wagon has over 132,000 miles on it, and has been completely trouble free for 7 years. It drives no differently than it did when it was new. Id actually kind of like a new car, but its hard to justify the expense when this one is paid for and is so reliable.

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  Dependable workhorse - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By ctac - September 13 - 1:23 am

  Our family has been running this Outback for almost four years. We put a little over 50K miles on it, with probably 30K of daily commute and 10K of annual ski trips. Subarus are usually praised for their AWD, but in the first couple of winters I had some skidding incidents (shouldnt have pressed the gas pedal so carelessly on tight turns! This is a manual transmission car, so not all of the fancy electronic stabilization systems are available). Once that has been figured out, we found ourselves working as a snow taxi for our friends in a small Midwestern town. I was disappointed with the fuel economy at first (it was clearly below the nominal rating), but then it somehow got better.

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  Great car - great buy - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Kenneth - August 16 - 11:26 am

  So far so great with the Outback. The ride is very smooth, stable and comfortable and has very good ground clearance. Actually fun to drive. Controls are well positioned and easy to use- as is the trunk\hatch. Great MPG - 1st check was a little under 27mpg (mostly highway but awesome for all-wheel drive!). Very peppy - dont bother with the bigger engine - the 2.5L does very good getting up on the highway. Great safety and reliability ratings to boot. Very happy we went with the Outback.

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  Not Too Impressed - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By John - April 4 - 5:06 pm

  After extensive research on the Internet I decided on this Outback 2.5i base model. Car looks very nice, is comfortable to drive and has nice handling and performance. Feels as safe as a tank to drive. However, the interior trim material is extremely poor. It has developed all sorts of intermittent squeaking and rattling (have to turn up the radio just to cover it up when driving). The dealer says all those noises are normal for this car. Also the engine is extremely loud at ignition, sounds like it is going to breakdown. I was expecting a great car when buying but ended up with just a good car. Also very poor gas mileage of 22 MPG on mixed driving. Car didnt meet my expectations.

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  Best of all worlds - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Bruce - March 27 - 3:50 pm

  Of all the the new cars/suvs Ive owned, this ones the best so far. I wanted good gas mileage, decent performance, good handling, safe, full time all wheel drive, decent ground clearance, room to carry, comfort and this car has got it all. I got the base engine and its been a solid performer. Only once trying to pass going UP a hill did I notice less power available to me. Im getting 24.3 MPH in mixed driving with lots of hills. The one car Ive never regretted buying for any reason. Get the leather seats. :-) Cant think of one complaint yet.

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  Sweet - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By Big Purple - March 21 - 3:43 pm

  Having driven many of the Subaru wagons I thought Id try this shorter version. Boy does it go. I think the AWD couple with the excellent handling will prove this model to be the best I have driven. Bring on the rain or snow.

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  2006 Subaru Outback not a hardy 4WD - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By aurora - March 5 - 7:03 pm

  Three big disappointments: 1. it is promoted as a 4 WD with high clearance. So you would think you could take it on a mountain road. Although it has high clearance there is no "low gear" so it doesnt have the umpf to make it up a steep hill (I do not mean extreme steep just a somewhat steep hill -- like to a trailhead). 2. I have owned this car for 3 years and I have had to replace two rear wheel bearings. A mechanic told me that when Subaru redesigned the Outback the rear wheel bearings werent of the quality as the previous design. 3. We had absolutely no steering control on a powder snowy road last winter & crashed 5mph. Ive never experienced anything like that in previous cars.

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  6 Month Review - 2006 Subaru Outback
  By JM94 - January 24 - 8:53 am

  I reviewed my "tank" at 1000 miles, now a follow up. 2.5i Nav. now 6700 miles. I average 23-25 mpg mixed, no problems so far. Has enough power for day to day, not a speedster. Ride is smooth, car has been very reliable. Great cargo room w/ seats down, enough for a 40 inch tv and stand. Took it out in the snow today. It handles well, great traction. It took hard acceleration and irresponsible turns to get it to fishtail, but it will. I floored it, jerked the wheel and found myself hitting a curb. The Outback was fine, but I think I broke the sidewalk. I did this in an empty parking lot, hey if youre going to drive in the snow, you have to know your vehicle. Confident, solid car, not sexy.