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 1 through 10 of 91.00

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  Good for snow, but thirsty and noisy - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Raj - August 27 - 12:50 am

  This is a fairly spacious little wagon that works well for our family of four and dog. The car shines in the snow, which weve had plenty of the last two winters. The reliability has not been so impressive - frozen calipers, broken primary pulley - and the clutch is pitifully heavy. The engine is torquey but thirsty - lots of sub-20 mpg tanks around town this winter. During the summer, I dream of selling the thing, but its effectiveness in the snow keeps it in the family (for now).

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  Engine Trouble - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Clooney - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Love teh car most of the time, but it keeps shutting off without warning while driving slow or at a stand still. Subaru so far hasnt been able to find the problem or fix it.

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  Check the paint closely - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Nevada driver - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Overall the car rides and drives good. Unfortunately the paint is another story. Mine is the silver paint and is mottled and inconsistent in color, especially the bumpers. My insurance companies adjusting agent helped set up a meeting with a Subaru District manager who just looked at the car and said "It matches the other cars on the lot and I do not believe it warrants any further discussion or attention." So if you expect service, or attention for a top of the line model, look at the Volvo or VW. If it is noticeable now, how will this car look in five years.

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  Subaru Outback Manual Defect - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By chrosb - June 19 - 2:00 am

  BEWARE!!! Serious problems with inability to maintain stable engine speed when going from no throttle to very slight throttle and back, most noticeable in low gear, when looking for a parking spot, for example. Also apparent using cruise control at freeway speeds. Results in neck- jerking acceleration and deceleration. Quite annoying, if not seriously unsafe. Passengers notice and comment on problem. Test drive carefully. We didnt and now find that it is typical of all Outback manual transmission cars. Dealer says its "normal."

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  SUV - Significantly Underpowered Vehicle - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By Paul - February 20 - 6:06 pm

  An OK car, but nothing to get excited about. I dont notice any particular benefit to the AWD, but northern NJ has pretty tame weather. The 4 cylinder is kind of wimpy in this fairly heavy car. Disappointed by cheap plastic in the interior. First day pulled the coin tray clear off the dash. Also, there are these silly little doors in the back that dont really close over storage areas. Most annoying - after 3 years, developed a whining sound at highway speed - exactly like our 2002 Impreza. Dealer wants $492 to replace some window gizmos. I think not. Our 97 Dodge Caravan doesnt sound like this. Probably last Subaru Ill buy.

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  First and last Subaru for me - 2004 Subaru Outback
  By MarcusCaudill - October 3 - 9:46 pm

  I bought this car because of the reputation for reliability. Wrong. Alternator failed at 60k miles. Multiple battery replacements. Brakes way too soon. Engine bearing failure at 90k miles. This car was driven on the highway, and was maintained better than required by Subaru. Be wise and drive something else.