2005 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews Page 3

Green Bean

Written by: Dave on 08/05/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I saw the car on the lot and fell in love with the color (Willow Green) for starters. Thought the flared fenders and rugged looks were awesome. I took it for a ride and the seamless power from 0 to 70 was awesome. It does have a few second delay when you step on it so If you are counting on the 250 horses to make up for the close pull out in traffic, think before you put your nose out there. The huge sunroof is a bit chattery when closed and almost impossible to have open while going over 50 from the wind noise. I tried to buy a sunroof deflector from the dealer and the one listed ONLY fits the sedan, not the wagon.

Favorite Features

Power, color,17" tires, Tiptronic, leather

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage, quieter sunroof both shut and especially while open, gear selector gates are sometimes hard to get back into park. Real antenna not in the rear window, weather radio station, thinner rear view mirror.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Performance AND Utility

Written by: nhesketh on 07/19/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I could not decide between a used WRX and an older LL Bean Limited Outback wagon (pre-2005). I am a car person, and love performance, but need the room too. Until this vehicle came along, I was not sure what I was going to do. When I saw this, I was amazed that you could get a turbo AWD wagon, and had to have one. I have been happy with it ever since. It drives wonderfully, and is very comfortable with the leather upholster and heated seats. The stereo is okay, but I am not an audiophile, so it is good enough for me. It would be nice to have an iPod jack though. The acceleration on this car is amazing, and the traction is excellent. I have had Subis for years and love the AWD. Buy one.

Favorite Features

Turbo, AWD, leather heated seats, room (fold-down seats), AWD (bears repeating), boxer engine, shiftable auto transmission, 6-CD changer, handling and traction.

Suggested Improvements

Stock tires aren't great, could use an iPod jack, fuel mileage isn't terrific - the auto transmission pulls great even in fifth gear, so it seems there would be room for an overdrive for the highway.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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wouldn't buy another

Written by: steve on 07/08/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Lights burn out. Transmission slips.

Favorite Features

Good highway mpg.

Suggested Improvements

Better headlights, transmission, drop the gated shifter, needs better tires. Line in jack for stereo.

0 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive-Cheap to own.

Written by: Bill Hilow on 07/01/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

2005 Outback XT Limited 5M, 32000 miles - no complaints. The cost of AWD eliminates a few of the creature comforts most cars in this price range have e.g. radio controls on the steering wheel, iPod jack etc. The things that matter most get priority and Subaru needs to be applauded for that. Excellent AWD that is seamless and smooth as a Cadillac, Light vehicle weight, turn signals in the sideviews, fit and finish are unsurpassed and on my Black on Black Outback it is truly flawless. "Jewel like" is how I describe it. Not a cheap car for sure. But it is a statement of quality and independent thinking; performed to a high level. A superbly constructed lightweight rocketship.

Favorite Features

Sound of the boxer engine pulling at low rpms. HP and torque. Fit and finish unmatched by even BMW. High quality plastics and moldings. Tight seams. cheap financing. Subwoofer.

Suggested Improvements

Come on this ain't no Loyale! A bigger turbo. 300hp. Give us more hp! Did you know that AWD makes HP more usable and safe (streetable)?

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great in the snow

Written by: LMay326 on 06/08/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 3.0 R VDC Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Great in the snow.

Favorite Features

Heated seats.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy. I get 18-19 MPG.

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A great car!

Written by: luck11 on 05/19/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is my 2nd Outback. Love this car. Performance is amazing and it is a comfortable fit. I'm 6'4" and like the fit, but with seats all way back, rear seat foot room is tight. Also, my arms are fully extended to hold 3 & 9 on the steering wheel. Hopefully Subaru will offer telescoping steering column in the future. Caution for those with big hips since the sports seats are narrow and may cause pain. My mother, who is not overweight but has mild arthritis, found that her hips were sore after a while. Still experiencing hesitation upon acceleration which seems to plague the manual turbo. All that said, it is a awesome car and a looker. I would definitely buy this car again.

Favorite Features

Power seats, huge sun roof, tons of space, amazing AWD in the snow, the power!

Suggested Improvements

Telescoping steering column. Jack for mp3 player or IPOD. More sensors in the cabin and better auto HVAC. Option for slightly wider wheel/tire combo. Factory tint windows and sunroof.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best out of 6

Written by: Charlie on 04/24/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is my 6th Subaru dating back to 1981 and this is the best to date. 4 cylinder is fine for my needs. Have 23,000 miles on vehicle and have averaged 24.8 since purchase. Have gotten as high as 30 on a trip. Goes anywhere and handles exceptionally well (except for the OEM tires). Had them replaced at 22k. A great all around vehicle for the money. High ground clearance makes it easy to enter and exit vehicle. Standard model comes with a ton of options that are extra on other cars.

Favorite Features

Heated seats and mirrors. Front and rear defrost/de-icer. AWD traction and feel of safety in any weather condition.

Suggested Improvements

Telescoping steering wheel. A little softer seats. Better OEM tires. Weather band radio.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Ride

Written by: Jack on 04/06/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 3.0 R VDC Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

The car handles like a dream. Like ALL other automatics they will shift at a point that is right on the cusp of the power between gears, particularly when not broken in yet. Fortunately this car comes with a manual/auto option on ALL models so shifting is a breeze and you have full control always. The gears immediately shift when commanded to do so. Also to other reviewers that think this car has "turbo lag" guess what it's not a turbo. It's a naturally aspirated horizontally opposed 6 with fuel injection. Again wait for a few oil changes, Subes performance improves immensely as you pass the 30 K mark -- with power and smoothness. A very tight car new.

Favorite Features

Linear acceleration - tops at handling the rain & snow - solid - low center of gravity that all other SUVs and SUV wagons lack due to the engine configuration. Whips around turns like a Porsche.

Suggested Improvements

If you are the type of driver that just likes to mash the accelerator to the floor and expect perfect performance - don't. This car has an adaptive transmission with VDC and if you take the time to get to know the torque curve and power band this car will deliver. For those having problems - driving school.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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true Road Commander

Written by: Kevin on 04/05/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 3.0 R VDC Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I live in the Lake Tahoe area of California. This car handles the turns and curves with grace and surefootedness like no other 4wd. I've owned 4Runners,Cherokee's etc. The manual shift option makes the transmission respond instantly to your input and I've noticed that after each oil change and then the differential & transmission fluid change the car has broken in beautifully and does not even resemble the car I drove off the lot. Was very tight when new and needed breaking in. Noticed it about 15k miles .The VDC eats the snow and I've passed so many suvs wiped out in the banks I can't even count 'em. The low center of gravity makes this pup tops.

Favorite Features

Great smooth linear acceleration/outstanding transmission that is suitable for sporty or relaxed driving. Anybody that claims the transmission "jumps" between 4th &5th while climbing needs driving lessons. Anchoragell cars will exhibit this at a specific speed - switch to manual and take control in that case!

Suggested Improvements

Standard center arm-rest please and auto-dimming mirror would be nice. Not much else; this car was built to excel in the rain & snow and the patent that Subaru has on its AWD transmission makes it the #1 choice for a 2-300k car that will keep you on the road, out of accidents and having fun!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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great, but...

Written by: outbou on 03/22/2006

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Basically, I love the car (it's my 2nd one) but I absolutely hate the fact that there is no place for your pocketbook of bag of some sort. We need women to design a car with women and mothers in mind!

Favorite Features

Performance in inclement weather is great and the reliability factor is amazing - they always start!

Suggested Improvements

Front seating area feels a little closed in.

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