2005 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews Page 4

uses more gas than advertised

Written by: geo on 03/11/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

Generally an OK car except it barely gets over 20 MPG and there is a noticeable boxer engine vibration noticeable through the gas pedal from the opposed cylinders. Fairly rough on tire wear.

Favorite Features

Good premium sound system with the subwoofer.

Suggested Improvements

Needs a six speed manual transmission and better engine vibration insulation for the driver.

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love it

Written by: c on 02/14/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

I downsized from a Pathfinder that I loved to the 2005 2.5i limited. Very comfortable, agile and just superb in bad weather. Driving in rain is like driving on dry pavement. In 18" of snow it did well except when the drifts exceeded the front hood. All I had to do was back up and try again and it blasted right through.

Favorite Features

AWD of course. Large sunroof, great ride, bad weather driving.

Suggested Improvements

Standard Navigation. Several occasions I could have used this. Larger wheels. Don't like the frameless doors. I feel like I'm gonna break the window if I push too hard.

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cruise (out of) control

Written by: fred on 02/07/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

Had an '03 Forester with cruise control that worked great. Why did they change it? Have they never heard "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"? Have had it "worked on" several times including sending the unit to regional office for re-programming and it still "hunts" while going down hill. Very annoying! :-( Is the factory going to recall the '05s and correct it? Am losing my patience! Otherwise, I think it is a very fine vehicle.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Correct the problem with the cruise control -- fix it or replace it with one that works correctly.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Never Again

Written by: Keith on 02/02/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

I dislike this Subaru more than any car I have ever owned. I avoid driving this car rather than deal with the car's quirky and dangerous characteristics. Examples: Climbing a hill at highway speeds the car shifts between 4th & 5th gears every 4 seconds on average. The car responds to quick acceleration maneuvers with a 2-3 second delay before accelerating; not a good thing on busy Southern California freeways. The car has only 8K miles. After nine months as a Subaru owner I am ready to visit my Toyota dealer and eat the trade-in costs. I hate this car!

Favorite Features

Nice looking car, excellent fit and finish, comes very nicely equipped, comfortable front seats, and with VCD handles very nimbly.

Suggested Improvements

Hate the drivetrain/powertrain/gearing and the acceleration characteristics. All the pluses of this car - and there are many - are canceled out by the quirkiness of the powertrain.

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Hidden Cost - Replace tires in pairs

Written by: Tired of run around on 01/05/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

Per the Service Manager at Dallas Subaru, tires must be replaced in pairs, either the two front or the two rear, at the same time. My 2005 Outback wagon has 25,000 miles on it and pulls so hard to the right, it's hard to keep it on the road. I have one off-brand tire and the dealer requires that I replace it and the other rear tire with matching major brand tires before they will even put the car on the rack to check the alignment. He says that every time one tire goes out, two must be replaced so they will have identical wear. Otherwise, warranty on the car does not apply and the car will not handle properly. I think this is an unreasonable expense and hidden cost.

Favorite Features

Seat heaters.

Suggested Improvements

The insulation on the sunroof is crumbling and leaves black crumbs all over the interior of my car.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Not a bad Car...

Written by: Brian Muir on 01/03/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

I have had this car for just over 9 months. This makes my 9th Subaru. Overall it's a very nice car. Front seats comfy and instrument panel are very easy on the eyes. The center instrument cluster is just to BUSY. Wait till you see it at night, I thought I was flying a jet! It wouldn't be so bad if different areas (heat, radio) were different colors. But everything is amber at night. Very confusing to find things. I'm not too happy with the automatic transmission, but I love the Sports mode! The Gas economy is terrible. I think most pick-up trucks do better. Remember high test gas ONLY.

Favorite Features

I like the steering wheel with audio. Large sunroof very nice. Auto dimming mirror very nice. I kinda now like the idea at night I'm flying a jet! I really like driving in Sports mode.

Suggested Improvements

I think the auto climate control needs a bit more work. Why does the AC come on even if it's 20 deg. outside? DUMP the automatic transmission! Anyone else notice it down shifts for no real reason?

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To Subi or not to Subi, ....... question

Written by: RBN on 01/02/2006

Vehicle

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

Review

Very well performing station wagon that has a lot of utility. 250 HP is great, smooth transmission makes for a soft ride. 19 mpg is not great but a fair deal for the performance and utility received. Tire pressure sensors are sensitive and alarm the driver somewhat early. In fall and spring when night and daytime temperatures vary more than usual, the warning light goes of frequently. All in all a great car with full time all wheel drive. Ultimate control in every weather. Nothing slips, nothing slides. Great car.

Favorite Features

Favorite features include the well designed radio controls in the steering wheel. The storage arrangement in the rear surpasses everything in practicality. The added power outlets facilitate usage of electric stuff all over the car.

Suggested Improvements

Relocate the fuel door opening latch from the driver foot area to the driver side center console (half way up the console side). Collects dirt. Change remote opening and closing to one push button operation instead of multiple pushes to open all doors. Current design is nonsense.

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Good, but could be better

Written by: Jerry Levy on 12/17/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

Excellent driving experience, a good combination of handling and luxury ride. Fun on two lane mountain highways, dirt roads, and freeways. Dealer very helpful when I needed unscheduled maintenance--gave me a new, free car for two weeks.

Favorite Features

Real nice freeway cruiser as well as back road handling. Dash is very easy to read and modern looking. Exterior styling is both rugged and luxurious. Lots of storage pockets. Great travel car for two.

Suggested Improvements

Very poor back seat room, much worse than my 99 Outback. No roof runners under luggage rack to protect paint. Cruise control on downhill is rough. Keyless entry is too sensitive, sometimes going off when I put the key chain away. Rear stereo speakers should be on back tailgate pillars.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Long Term Test Drive

Written by: Pilgrim on 11/06/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

Had the car for 10 months now and it's still a thrill to drive. Full-time all wheel drive is wonderful; though the stock tires are a poor choice. Transmission is smooth yet tight, one of the best I've driven. With better than 10K miles still no rattles. Surprising handling for such a high profile will be made much better by tires that actually grip the road. Despite the tires the car has a very substantial feel whether on a back country dirt road or out on the interstate behind a semi on a windy winter's night.

Favorite Features

All wheel drive. Tight steering with just a hint of oversteer ... enjoyable. Great shifting manual. Unexpected extras such as the heated seats, mirrors and wipers for us in winter climates a plus.

Suggested Improvements

Number one is a higher final drive gear ratio (sixth gear) to lower engine speed at highway speeds. A cruise control that does not turn on and off on downhill grades. VERY annoying! A better tire selection PLEASE! A cable clutch linkage for better clutch "feel".

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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After 30,000 miles!

Written by: sabatia on 10/18/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

I have driven 30k miles, including three trips to my extreme getaway in the near arctic in winter and summer, city driving, and semi-rural around home. This car is fun to drive, feels quite safe, has plenty of cargo room, a big sunroof. If I could do it again, I would have gone up one more step to the VDC and gotten a major winter safety boost. The all-wheel drive is seamless and has gotten me out of some very slippery and rough situations in my explorations of very remote areas in all seasons. I live in a very wealthy area and I don't see any car I'd rather have!

Favorite Features

Car has plenty of pick-up for getting on the busy expressway or passing trailers on narrow two-lane roads. All-wheel drive. I got the monotone "stealth" which I like but wish more colors offered. I like the steering wheel audio controls. Never liked sunroofs, but this one is fun, if noisier than my Audi's.

Suggested Improvements

Stock tires (RE92s) are lousy and wear very quickly. You must do better Subaru. The complicated heating system distracts my eyes from the road.

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