Subaru Outback

all around great buy cant wait for the snow to fly

By chug1966 (Pa) on Friday, October 15, 2010

"We have had our outback now for 4 months and love it.Pretty much has everything but navigation but we have it on our phones.About a $2000 dollar option if you dont need it.You get home link,navi,and some other options for that price.Handles well,gets great gas mileage,and rides like a cadilac.I would have to say best feature is the ride unbelievable.Ride height just rite for getting in and out.Test drive one,you will be a believer.And dont forget the best awd system in the world."

37 people out of 37 found this review helpful

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Great Vehicle

By Bikeguy (San Diego, CA) on Saturday, December 12, 2009

"I'm pretty hard on vehicles and I go through them quite often. I've owned practically all the models. This is my first Subaru. I was comparing it to the Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai VeraCruz, Toyota Rav4 and the Honda CRV. There is no comparison. There are different interest rates or promotions. The only thing that came close is the Toyota Rav4 but not that close. Most vehicles in this price range ($30-$35,000) are pretty similar. Once you go over the $35,000 mark, things change but for your money, this is by far one of the best. Things to improve on for this vehicle: The mirrors are stationary, they don't turn in and they're a little on the small side. The storage compartment between the two front seats is a little tight and small. It could use a little bit more towing power - they say it tows a little bit more than 2,700 lbs. - 3,500 to 4,000 would be better. I feel that this vehicle is outstanding. There is always something to find on any vehicle that can be improved. There is nothing perfect out there but if these changes were made, it would come very close. The vehicle is very comfortable, strong and has a great style to it now that it has become a little bigger."

16 people out of 16 found this review helpful

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An able and reliable vehicle.

By Anonymourati (MD) on Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 22,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I've owned over 30 cars in my lifetime, including several Mercedes and Jaguars. This is my first Subaru, and it does not compare unfavorably to those, or other high-end vehicles I've driven over the years. Overall, I quite like the car. It is solid, smooth and surprisingly powerful with the six cylinder, though I also drove the four cylinder and did not find it wanting. The AWD andtraction and stability control systems give the driver a impression the car is very sure-footed even in slippery conditions. Mileage somewhat exceeds EPA estimates both in city and highway driving. It produces little interior noise even at speeds well in excess of the maximum posted limits, and achieves those speeds effortlessly. It is equally at home on rough roads, producing a rattle-free ride that's mercifully forgiving in the kidney trauma department. The Harmon-Kardon sound system is quite good, and the Bluetooth interface is easy to program and operate. The rear view camera is handier than I had expected, though all-around visibility is quite good without it. I've very few complaints, none of which would deter me from buying another Outback, but they are as follows: The length of the front seat cushion is a bit too short to provide adequate thigh support if you are quite tall, but I am 6"6" and that is not an infrequent problem for me. The fuel economy gauge is not useful, and occupies space better devoted to more critical gauges like oil pressure and coolant temperature, which are sadly absent. I think I know that when I put my foot on the accelerator fuel consumption increases, and I resent a car trying to re-educate me about my driving habits nearly as much as I resent the government trying to re-educate me about my living habits. The day/night mirror automatically returns to the on position every time you restart the vehicle. Some drivers, including me, find the dimming effect of such mirrors distort distance, and prefer to have them turned off. It is annoying to have to search for the switch every time you start the car. There should be an auto-sensing setting on the windshield wipers. This is a $32,000 car. One should not have to adjust wiper speed manually every time the rain gets lighter or heavier. Paddle shifters? Seriously? The Outback handles quite well for a fairly tall SUV, benefiting from the lower center of gravity afforded by its horizontally-opposed engine, but only a lunatic would think of banging it through the gears on autocross. Maybe paddle shifters are helpful to those living in Maine, or Wyoming in the winter, where manual gear selection helps achieve and maintain traction. Maybe those who live in the Rockies prefer to downshift rather than brake on steep hills. But I'll guess most drivers will not have much occasion to use this option."

11 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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