Overview & Reviews

The 2013 Subaru Outback features a restyled front end, a more efficient four-cylinder engine, an updated continuously variable transmission (CVT) and revised suspension tuning. New features include keyless ignition/entry and newly available adaptive cruise control with a collision avoidance system.

• Generous cargo volume
• Clever roof rails
• Spacious interior
• Comfortable ride
• Excellent visibility
• Confident off-road ability.

• Weak base stereo
• Lacks agility
• Fussy controls on upper trims.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 62.00

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  Great car for tall people - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By lala09 - May 30 - 9:37 pm

  This is the first Subaru Ive ever purchased. My husband is 67" and when we saw the legroom of 43" we did not believe it would ever work;however he has plenty of leg room and head room (more than Tahoe, Yukon, Sequoia, etc) with way better gas mileage. The gas mileage is right on target of 24.6 mpg with all mountain driving (very curvy with lots of hills). The 4 cylinder is plenty enough power. We also live on a very steep dirt road and does very well. Have not gotten any snow yet, so not sure how will handle. Very impressed with features in "base model". 2nd row passengers (2- 3 year olds) have plenty room and love the cup holder between them.

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  Competent and fun utility vehicle - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By restless4 - March 13 - 9:00 am

  Bought a silver Limited 3 months/3500 miles ago. In general it is a very competent vehicle, extremely spacious for the overall dimensions of the vehicle. Initial reliability has been perfect. 2013 included a change to the suspension, which has made this car handle well, and fun to drive on country road. Two downsides to this car. First is that it does have an economy car feel, even as the high end Limited model. Switchgear, plastics used, and such are cheap for a $30K car, and there are some sloppy manufacturing shortcuts that are easily noticeable. Second is that the 2013 model has a new drivetrain thats supposed to get better mpg, but it seems to have dropped from the 2012s.

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  Good car, except for MPG - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By bigstig - January 29 - 6:57 am

  We are Subaru people. Ive owned 5 in the past decade. While we are basically happy with our 2013 Outback, we dont enjoy it as much as we had hoped. Our 2013 Outback Limited 2.5 CVT replaced a 2010 Outback Premium 2.5 CVT. We traded in the 2010 for the nicer interior, better color, and "bonus" 1mpg. While we love the Limiteds features, after 18k miles the MPG falls well short of the EPA estimates. With the 2010, we got 75k miles worth of 30-31mpg 70mph commuting. Thats 1-2 mpg better than the sticker. With the 2013, we struggle to get 26mpg. Dealer says car is normal. Had I known this, we would have bought a 3.6R and gotten more power and avoided the dreary droney CVT.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By postit1 - December 7 - 6:46 pm

  I would like this car very much were it not for the gas mileage. I would not recomend this car if fuel economy is at all important to you. I am a light footed driver who has always gotten near or even slightly above the rated mileage on vehicles owned. There are always a few drivers who will get poor mileage with any vehicle. Before buying I dismissed these at lead footed drivers. I should not have. Check around on the web and you will find poor mileage is a pretty common issue with the 2013 4 cyl. Outback. I am getting 22-23 mpg on 70-80% highway driving split between 50-60mph and 75 mph. Non highway driving is suburban areas. Am actively working to unload this vehicle.

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  2 years and 33k miles later - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By brent05 - December 22 - 1:32 am

  Got a great vehicle just about 2 years ago, and still love it. Had some difficulty on color choice because apparently they dont built as many cars as what I was used to (chevy Malibu) but I am still happy with my choice. Met a nice guy camping in northern Michigan that had one and was raving about how good it was in snow and he even let me drive it around down the road and back. Got mine in August of 13 and so far so good. I do mainly highway driving with my cruise set at 60-62 and Ive been getting 31.2-31.5 MPG at the pump. Only complaint is the trip computer tells me Im getting 34.1 on average...I WISH!

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  Nice overall car but wandering issue on highway - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By stradivarius - October 7 - 3:57 am

  This is my sixth Subaru and it is the most refined Subaru I have owned. The interior is very comfortable and after 4000 miles it does most things well, except driving on the highway. The first extended highway drive I encountered I found that the car wandered and I had to do constant corrections to keep it in the lane. It felt like driving on an extremely windy day but it was dead calm. I contacted the dealer and they advised to bring it in as it probably needed an alignment. When I brought it in someone test drove the car and said it was normal. That day I had a friend drive it who noticed it immediately. My wife wont drive it on the highway and Subaru claims this is normal? Buyer Beware!!

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  Great car for the Money - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By cdose - July 4 - 1:52 pm

  Recently got this car in July 2013. I wasnt thinking of spending the money for a new car but somehow I found one on the lot for 4k off sticker and went for it. It was a great choice, the car is incredible sturdy, useful, easy to drive, it came with a manual which was important to me. The backseats are much more comfortable than any SUV I have been in, lots of space in the back too. First snow of the season hits and I could not be more pleased with how the car handles. The only thing you have to worry about is the cars around you, this thing is just phenomenal in the snow, especially with a manual transmission.

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  Love the eyesight - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By jonaki - May 7 - 7:11 pm

  I bought my subaru from Gillman Subaru San Antonio, Texas. Austin, Tx dealers are hard to negotiate. I read about the eyesight technology in 2013 outback. This tech provides adaptive cruise control, safety against impacts, lane departure warning, etc. Unfortunately, this feature comes with a package with moonroof and navigation. The whole package and some other accessories brought the MSRP to about 34.5K. Offered 29.3K which was accepted by Gillman. Really enjoying the car, especially the eyesight features.

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  Great - but just misses it - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By tlhcpa - April 7 - 3:07 pm

  Ive hqd my 2013 Outback 2.t Limited for over a year. I wanted a 6 cylinder. The choise was between an Acura RDX and Outback. While I like the Outback, for the amount of money I think the RDX would have been a better deal. The price was about the same except the Outback does not have drivers seat memory, a LOUSY almost unusable navigation system, no auto assist parking, no power tailgate. In addtion the OUtback is noisy as all get out. The heat/AC fan is so loud you cant hear the radio. Road noise is loud as well. Gas mileage is 5-7 MPG below what is advertised. Not exactly the best choice in the $35K-$40K price range.

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  Going from full size truck to outback = Good - 2013 Subaru Outback
  By bigdavenh - June 27 - 2:07 pm

  I am a student that has to travel 425 miles round trip per week from home to school. I previously had a full size pick up truck and I can not be happier with the switch to the Subaru. I live in Northern NH and the outback is great in the snow/ice and handles well on the highway. I have been averaging 25-27mpg highway but I suspect it mostly has to do with the terrain. I am 63" and am not skinny by any means. 17,000 miles in 5 months and have been very happy so far