Overview & Reviews
Designed with the North American market in mind, the Subaru Outback wagon provides many popular SUV traits without the associated drawbacks. Based on Subaru's midsize Legacy, the Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive, a raised suspension for better ground clearance, and special interior and exterior styling details.
There have been four Outback generations. At its debut, the original Subaru Outback was pretty much the only vehicle of its type and was an instant hit with consumers. More recent iterations lost a bit of an edge as other automakers came up with similar crossover wagons and SUVs at the start of the new millennium, but the latest fourth-generation Outback is more like a crossover SUV than ever. New or used, the Outback is a strong contender for shoppers interested in a car that provides plenty of everyday versatility with the type of all-season capability needed for frosty climes.
Current Subaru Outback
The five-passenger Subaru Outback is a tall wagon available in a number of trim levels -- 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited -- distinguished by powertrain. The base engine is a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder that makes 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. It comes with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Also available is 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine good for 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, with a five-speed conventional automatic as the only available transmission.
Even the base Outback comes with roof rails, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-telescoping steering column, a height-adjustable driver seat and a CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. Higher trims add niceties like alloy wheels, foglights, powered and heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, iPod/USB inputs, Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity and a Harman Kardon sound system. There's also an optional voice-activated navigation system.
More so than previous Outbacks, the new model is meant to appeal to more mainstream buyers by being larger on the inside. To this end, while bumper-to-bumper length has shrunk by almost 1 inch, the wheelbase has grown by nearly 3 inches, width by 2 inches and height by 4 inches, enlarging interior space considerably and putting the Outback on par with other midsize crossovers. With the rear seats folded, there are an impressive 71 cubic feet of cargo space available.
In reviews, we've commented favorably about the current Outback's roomier interior. Performance with the base four-cylinder is unremarkable, however; if you want some zip, you'll need to ante up for the 3.6-liter engine. We miss the previous Outback's turbocharged boxer-4, a boon for owners living in mountainous areas. Handling is also unimpressive, as the Outback's elevated ride height and soft suspension tuning do their best to obscure the vehicle's sedan roots. Overall, the latest Outback is a solid choice for utility-minded families, but it's not as enjoyable to drive as previous models.
Used Subaru Outback Models
The current, fourth-generation Subaru Outback was introduced for 2010. There have been no significant changes since then.
The third-generation Outback was produced from 2005-'09. There were several trim levels: base 2.5i, 2.5i Special Edition, 2.5i Limited, 2.5 XT Limited, 3.0 R, 3.0R Limited and 3.0R L.L. Bean Edition.
For power, 2.5i trim levels had a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that made 170 hp. The XT level upgraded to a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 243 hp. The 3.0 R model came with a 3.0-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder (H6) good for 245 hp. All-wheel drive was standard across the board.
Models with either of the 2.5-liter engines could be equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic was available on 2.5i models, while 2.5 XT models got an optional five-speed auto. The 2.5i Limited models were four-speed automatics only, and the H6 came only with the five-speed automatic.
If you're shopping for a used model of this generation, there are a few items to note. An Outback sedan was offered from 2005-'07. Additionally, all Outbacks prior to the 2008 model year lacked a telescoping steering wheel and auxiliary audio jack. Horsepower figures were lowered for 2007 due to revised SAE standards, but actual performance was not affected. The luxurious L.L. Bean trim levels were discontinued after 2008, replaced by a single 3.0 R Limited model, and stability control also became standard.
In reviews, this third-generation Subaru Outback received praise for its standard all-wheel drive, long list of features, strong turbocharged engine, above-average build quality and balanced ride and handling dynamics. While it didn't quite have the off-road capabilities of a true SUV, it could take on light-duty terrain without complaint. Negatives brought up in reviews typically centered on the vehicle's smallish backseat and the sluggish response from the automatic transmissions.
The second-generation Subaru Outback (2000-'04) was also available as either a sedan or a wagon. In its first year, this model was available in base and Limited trims, and had a 165-hp, 2.5-liter engine. The following year, Subaru introduced the L.L. Bean Edition and the VDC trim levels. These featured the more powerful 212-hp six-cylinder engine.
Compared to the current car, the second-generation Outback is a bit smaller and not quite as refined or capable. Subaru made minor improvements to this generation during the years, but none are significant enough to make any particular model year stand out. In Edmunds.com road tests, reviewers liked its standard all-wheel drive and car-based comfort. Some felt that the four-cylinder models were underpowered, however, and that it was eclipsed by newer competition in its later years.
When the original Subaru Outback model debuted in 1995, it was little more than a trim package on the Legacy wagon. In 1996, the Outback (officially known as the Legacy Outback for this generation) gained its raised suspension, large foglights, SUV design cues and optional 155-hp 2.5-liter engine. Further improvements during successive years included the addition of a leather-lined Limited model, dual sunroofs and powertrain refinements. As the Outback was one of the first crossover wagons to be designed, consumers interested in this type of vehicle from the late 1990s will likely find it to be quite suitable, especially compared to SUVs from the same period.
User Reviews:
Showing 871 through 880 of 2,095.00-
Subaru Outback 2016 - 2016 Subaru Outback
By Mary Spence - October 20 - 10:39 amYou should drive both the 3.6 and the 2.5i to get a feel for the difference. Also should test the difference between the cloth seats and the leather seats, In my view comfort is important with the leather seats that give more. So I got them.
-
First Subaru former Toyota owner - 2006 Subaru Outback
By marcob68 - October 17 - 10:20 amGreat 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.
-
Wow! - 2005 Subaru Outback
By Jfish - October 16 - 10:00 amJust traded in an anemic 200 Outback w/ the normal 2.5 for the new XT. This car shows that Subaru pays attention to detail, and acutally improves wht needs to be improved, and can leave the rest alone. This car is fast, handles great, outstanding comfort! It was more $$ than the old 2.5, but well worth it. This care GOES!
-
Enjoyable drive - 2011 Subaru Outback
By arnab1 - October 13 - 10:06 pmGot my first Subaru (Outback 2.5i Premium). Decided it over CX-7 and CR- V. Took a test drive and we (my wife and I) really loved it. Bought the next day. Ride is really smooth. Gas, hmm, getting about 25 mpg in city traffic. Loved the compass on the mirror. Less noisy than the last model. Overall its a sport SUV with a sedan like handling.
-
Great car - 2009 Subaru Outback
By Pere - October 13 - 1:30 amI have it for 2 months and very happy. Great feeling in S-sharp mode, only using Intelligent mode in city driving. Manual transmission is great (forget about automatic if you like to drive). I love the interior design and the HK sound system. Cant wait to drive it on snow but I drove it in very heavy rain and the feeling of stability is awesome. Best performance and better mileage than the Volvo XC70 at a more affordable price.
-
Life is good in the fast lane - 2005 Subaru Outback
By Outback lover - October 9 - 11:56 pmI told the sales guy I need a family car that will satisfy this middle age mans need for speed and style. This car is amazing - if I could custom design a car from the ground up, it wouldnt be much different than the Outback. The European manufacturers arent my style. This car is very styling without flaunting it. Sound system is decent.
-
Luv this car! - 2010 Subaru Outback
By justsomeguy - October 7 - 10:23 pmThis is my first Subaru. Love it! CVT transmission takes some getting used to. Car is bank vault quiet on the highway. Excellent on slick roads. Put just under 4000 miles on it on a trip to Texas in April. Twice during the trip got 500 miles on a tank of gas and that was with 3 adults and all our luggage and a large cooler. Can hardly wait to take it to Vegas this fall! I like that the car sets up a little higher than a sedan, makes it alot easier to get in and out. The only thing I have a complaint about is the drivers seat. It could be a little wider. The bolstering on the seat bottom and the back is a little tight. All in all very happy and I hope to be driving this car for many years.
-
Extremely well balanced car - 2017 Subaru Outback
By Phil - October 6 - 10:53 pmBought a 2016 Hyundai Tucson and had to get rid of it because of dangerous engineering defect of the DCT transmissions. Bought the Outback and wished I had done this in the beginning. We took our first trip and got 30+ MPG. Extremely comfortable ride, takes a n enormous amount of cargo, actually more then the Tucson, feels like a much sturdier car. I was worried about the 4 cylinder engine ,but we were able to keep up with traffic and enter highways with no problems. The GPS worked great as well as the adaptive cruise control. Can not say enough about this car.
-
Nice Subaru - 2010 Subaru Outback
By Sean - October 6 - 10:13 amGreat little SUV, Very useful in everyday life. It just got back from its first road trip of 700 miles of mixed driving, and got 30.3 mpg!
-
Better than I could imagine - 2016 Subaru Outback
By Laura - October 5 - 1:16 amIm loving the car. It is proving to be even better than I imagined. Handles great on freeway. Love the EyeSight Assist system. Great when trying to back out of parking lot spaces.
