2004 Subaru Outback Review
2004 Subaru Outback Review
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Used Outback for sale
Appraise This CarSubaru Outback model years
Subaru Outback types
- Sedan
- Wagon
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Standard all-wheel drive, comfortable ride on pavement, capable performance on dirt, well-appointed interior.
Cons
- 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.
What’s new
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.
Edmunds says
A versatile alternative to mainstream wagons and crossover SUVs.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Subaru Outback AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Carolina.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Carolina
$194/mo for Outback Base
Outback Base
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Subaru Outback.
5 star(64%)
4 star(24%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(0%)
95 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
6 Years Old and 125k miles
CT Dave, 05/04/2010
2004 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 L.L. Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
This car has been a workhorse, grocery getter, commuter car, and family truckster for us. It still runs great and we hope to get 200k out of it. The exterior has held up well. The car has been dependable.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Mountain lion/Battle tank
Ashwin, 03/20/2009
2004 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
This is the best AWD money can buy, I am so used to it now whenever I drive any other car it is always a comparison to an outback and everything else is disappointing, I specially like the solidly build chassis and suspension, wish there was little less body roll, I drove this car uphill in 1.5 feet of snow and it was like driving a battle tank, I love the sure footed handling, I tried a … 4 wheel drive Passat and Volvo, BMW, Jeep, etc and nothing performs like it, I drove it in the mountains in Catskill all winter, I found many jeep 4x4 stuck in the same tracks as mine, love the robust engine. Cross country trip was so comfortable, no problems so far, I am at 100000 miles, VDC should be standard.
5 out of 5 stars
Won over!
Brad, 08/15/2015
2004 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 VDC AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
I have owned and driven many different makes of cars and trucks and non of them new, and this one has won me over to Subaru. It has its quirks that many people have listed as major problems, but if you are buying a used car or any car there are the ups and downs. With this one, there are a few, in the gearing there is a lurching at a low speed if you don't feather the clutch right, I am … a larger fellow and it can be difficult to get in and out of and in winter with a coat it is annoying, there is a flaw in the design of the fender panels that leads to a rotting problem in the steel, and for the life of me I don't know why they don't give the wheels more clearance it packs snow like crazy! However with all of that I must say the thing performs! I have climbed hills where other AWD and 4x4 vehicles ended up in the ditch, any problem I have had with it is nothing I haven't seen worse in other used vehicles and most of the time come's down to general maintenance, any company produces its lemons, and I must say I haven't had cause to deal with a Subaru customer service, never owning a car new enough to be under any warranty, but I trust this vehicle to get me to where I need to go no matter the obstruction.
4.38 out of 5 stars
4 vs 6
weldonm, 09/08/2003
2004 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
If you think the 2.5 is what you want,
don't drive the H6-3.0. We drove both,
no doubt about it, the H6-3.0 is heads
and shoulders above the 2.5. The
Special edition is very well equipped
and has plenty of spunk. The vehicle
is solid and handles as well as any
I've tried. We are very pleased with
the quality and we look forward to
snowy weather.
2004 Outback Highlights
Sedan
Limited
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $26,720 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $194/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Outback include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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