2005 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews Page 8

Very happy

Written by: Kristian Coyne on 03/24/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

I have had my OBXT for about 4 weeks and have put about 1300 miles on it. I am completely happy with it! The engine pulls like crazy and it loves the snow. The ride is very comfortable. The handling is very good, although I find the rear a little under damped when pushing through bumpy corners. Gas mileage has been about 23mpg (manually calculated--not from the display) so far in mixed driving and I expect it to climb once the engine is fully broken in. The power is fantastic even when over 10,000 feet above sea level because of the turbo. I am looking forward to some light duty off-roading this summer. This is the perfect "Colorado sports car"!

Favorite Features

TURBO, AWD, excellent handling for such a tall car, great stereo when ordered with subwoofer, heated seats, dual climate control, lots of cargo room, trip computer. Did I mention the turbo?

Suggested Improvements

Allow more passenger seat travel--my wife finds the seat cramped with her 35" inseam. Move the roof rails forward because my ski tips hit the rear door when opened. Make the moonroof optional on the non-LTD model. Have an optional boost gauge. More power is always good.

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Love/Hate Relationship

Written by: Russ on 03/21/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

I have a love hate relationship with my Outback. It has been into the dealer 9 times in six months. So far problems with the AC cycling every 15 seconds (hot to cold), defective radio, excessive rattles and squeeks in the drivers dash, coolant leaks, and the final straw, a cruise control that won't stay engaged. Performance wise, the car is great. Average 28-29 MPG highway roundtrip from Reno to Oakland and back. Handles great in deep snow and wet roads. Subaru is working the problems but I am about ready to give this one back! Must be the "one" defective Subaru. Would suggest a better stereo as the speakers are marginal at best for long drives.

Favorite Features

All wheel drive and fuel economy

Suggested Improvements

Fix the cruise control problem, better stereo speakers, use better plastic on dash that won't scratch so easily, go back to old AC condenser system that doesn't cycle every 15 seconds from hot to cold.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Formula 1 Station Wagon?!?

Written by: DukeTrout on 03/21/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

My wife and I tested three models of the Outback: 2.5i in manual and automatic and the 2.5 turbo in automatic. I was pretty impressed with the performance of all three, but the acceleration didn't match my 250 hp Dodge sedan. We ended up buying the 2.5 Turbo with a manual. Surprise! This car accelerates like crazy. It pushes you to shift and keep up with the turbo. On top of the fun factor, the interior and exterior are built to perfection. The design is amazing, from the big items like the beefy, high-riding suspension to the tiny details, like grocery-bag hooks that will lock closed with plastic bag straps in place so that you don't spill your Chinese take-out all over the cargo tray.

Favorite Features

TURBO, smooth transmission, interior build and detail, exterior build, suspension, tailgate design, safety features.

Suggested Improvements

The mileage is the only pause. My wife was used to 30 mpg in her Honda. The jury is still out whether it will average closer to the weak 18 mpg city rating or the decent 25 mpg of the highway rating. Homelink option very hard to program, although not a Subaru design.

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2005 LL Bean

Written by: groosejr on 03/18/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

This is the 7th Subaru that we have owned and is yielding the poorest miles per gallon of any. The perforated leather upholstery will now allow spilled items to penatrate the seating and prohibits easy wipe up. Still waiting for GPS to be available. Windows are not sufficiently tinted, requiring after market application. Transmission shift points allow engine to rev too high.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Transmission shift points. Go back to solid leather seats. Improve gas mileage. Tint side and overhead windows

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Couldn't Be Happier

Written by: FirstTimeSubaruOwner on 03/16/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

I owned my last car for over 10 years and I bought this with the intention of owning it just as long. This car has the best combination of utility, good mileage, low emissions, and safety (my priorities) that I could find...only the Forester came close. I was fully aware that to maximize these qualities I had give up a bit of power (I'm not passing many cars when driving up to the mountains), but this was a trade-off I was more than happy to make. I went for the comforts of the Limited because I plan to have the car a long time - the sunroof and leather together made that decision worthwhile. Everything about the car exudes solidness and smart design. I couldn't be happier!

Favorite Features

The partial-zero emissions are my favorite feature. The sunroof is enormous and ground clearance is significant yet well disguised. I'm hoping that the navigation system will retrofit to the 2005 model as I have been told that it will.

Suggested Improvements

The AUTO feature of the dual-climate control is a bit over-reactive and blows at the same intensity on both sides. The shocks that hold up the back gate are a bit weak such that it sometimes hangs midway (this may be a warranty issue). And, I wish the stereo had a front jack for an MP3 player.

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We Love this Car

Written by: Pilgrim on 03/06/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

This is our 1st Subbie and we're hooked. Heated seats, mirrors and wipers. This is a car designed for folks who live in the Great White North! Comfortable ride coupled to the security of AWD is a winning combination. The versatility of a wagon is a plus as well. Would not hesitate to recomend a test drive on a foot of freshly fallen snow!!

Favorite Features

AWD is the feature on which this car is built. The 5 speed manual has a slick and positive feel. The rubber mat in the cargo area is "sticky" - things don't slide around. Get the thick rubber floor mats, they keep snow/mud/sand off your carpets. For an entry level model there are many surprising extras.

Suggested Improvements

Miss a center arm rest? Seat fabric is nice to look at but gets dirty easily. The power with the manual transmission is adequate but that's all. If you like performance I'd suggest the XT model with the turbo. Personally I'd like a sixth gear to lower cruising speed engine noise as well as increase MPG.

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love it

Written by: keywest305 on 03/04/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

This car is a pleasure to drive.The comfort is soft and plush but the build is tough and stable on bumps and turns.This vehicle did awesome in snow.I love the power of the 3.0 250 hp. The engine is smooth quiet and quick.

Favorite Features

The interior layout.

Suggested Improvements

None yet..still enjoying that new leather smell/

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LOVE this car!

Written by: elfie on 03/01/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

I've had the car for a month now and LOVE it. Everyone who rides in it can't believe it is a base model and how much it costs. It really feels like a luxury car. I went from a minivan to an Outback Wagon and the space has not been an issue as of yet. I have 2 kids in car seats and can fit a third booster seat in the middle in a pinch. Power is sufficient for me and have only felt a very slight lag when the car is loaded with firewood and all seats full with folks. Best feature - cuts through snowy roads like butter! 7" yesterday was no problem for this car. We are now die hard Subaru family and would never purchase anything else. My husband is looking at the Impreza or Outback Sport.

Favorite Features

Luxury feel, high quality material, comfort and AWD capability

Suggested Improvements

Memory power seat settings (only because my husband now drives it all the time!).

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Ultimate Adverse Weather Sedan!

Written by: Alex Parisky on 02/25/2005

Vehicle

2005 Subaru Outback 3.0 R AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased the Outback 3.0R Sedan last October, 2004. The car has already been through 2 blizzards in Mammoth, CA and the monsoon rains here in Southern California. The 8+ inch body lift came in handy when 3-4 feet of snow dumped overnight during Christmas and I had to get out in the morning, with no problems of course. I am happy Subaru finally put a nice strong, responsive engine in strong sturdy body.

Favorite Features

Favorite features are all standard of course - heated seats, heated side mirrors, heated windshield wipers, body lift, 250hp engine. Automatic with manual shift. :)

Suggested Improvements

Put in an audio input connector in the front of the stereo so I can plug my Ipod into the stereo.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Subaru #6

Written by: ihtpsswrds on 02/25/2005

Vehicle

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

Review

I've driven them all (yep, I've had a De Soto); domestic, Japanese, German and American, and this make is the best bar none. The only brand I've been able to consistently put 300k on since the Ford Falcon of the '60's. But this is a lot more fun. All Wheel Drive - it's very addictive. The first time you squeeze a little too much out of a wet curve and you feel the Outback "hunker-down" and dig in its claws, you're hooked to the car like the car is hooked to the road.

Favorite Features

Ergonomic design - no groping for switches or wondering where knobs are. Put your hand down and it's there. I've noticed a lot of pilots like Subarus; maybe this explains part of the reason.

Suggested Improvements

Can't wait for the Tribeca.

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