2008 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews Page 4

First Subaru

Written by: Stan Thompson on 04/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I like the combination of great looks (dark gray), good economy (23.5 mpg 70% city while driving briskly) and the comfort of the interior. Absolutely zero problems in 19,725 miles. Love the extra large moonroof and the AC copes easily with Phoenix summers. The car is everything I was expecting and more.

Favorite Features

Comfort, ease of entry (not too high), reliability, responsive and surefooted handling, good visibility and all round practicality. At this price point the sound system is a pleasant surprise.

Suggested Improvements

Very much needs at least one more gear in the A/T to assist the engine to stay in its power band, especially when climbing long grades. Car bottoms at the rear with five adults and luggage on board much more than it should. A proper coin holder would be a nice plus. A bit more leg room in back.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A really fun car to drive!

Written by: sm1335 on 04/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

This car replaced a 2001 Nissan Maxima. We got the manual with turbo and VDC. It is such a fun car to drive! It handles great and when you kick in the turbo you pass cars so quickly the drivers mouths are open. Could that be a Subaru wagon? I like the firm ride and tight handling. If you don't like really "driving" your car, buy a Honda Accord.

Favorite Features

handling, turbo, visibility, seat warmers, sun roof

Suggested Improvements

cup holders, gas mileage

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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None better at this price

Written by: Eastharlemboy on 03/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

First 4500 miles impressions: good handling, comfortable, quiet, decent stereo, sufficient (not great) power, averaging 28 MPG. For around $21K - $22K I believe this car is a bargain compared to other all wheel drive vehicles.

Favorite Features

Handling in bad weather, fuel economy, standard safety features, easy to see and to use instrument panel and controls.

Suggested Improvements

Could be a bit more powerfull (without compromising fuel economy).

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Outback 2008 3.0

Written by: Jose Alvarado on 03/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I owned a ML350 of very questionable quality and performance and two discoverys before. I pick an Outback looking for a smaller confortable car paying almost one third of the money I paid for the other cars. A big deal! Great off road and fast in road, a lot of space in a not-too-big car.

Favorite Features

A fast car, almost a sport car undercover in a family car. Good in both off and on road.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe some more space to put change and small stuff.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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A great practical wagon

Written by: eds on 03/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Read all the car tests and test drove15 different cars. The Outback 2.5xt with manual shift just made the most sense. Very classy functional exterior design. Instrumentation better than my Audi. I'm 61 - this wagon was designed for adults but with the turbo its fun to drive-easily better than a Honda CRV.

Favorite Features

Design, gauges, power, ride, seat comfort, price.

Suggested Improvements

Should have a 6 speed. Grey or brown interior option.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Shudda kept my Beloved Baja

Written by: Ray on 03/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I traded in a very nice 03 Subaru Baja and stayed with Subaru because of the splendid 5+ years experience I had with my Baja. In general, the Outback looks just fine and the Limited model has a nicely appointed and comfortable interior. However, the MPG on the outback is not very impressive … 24.2 hwy (recent trip) and something under 20 around a very rural town. When compared to my Baja at 29 hwy and 24 town, I’m loosing almost 82 miles per tank on the hwy (worth $11.00+/tank at todays prices and subject to increase in the future). All in all, really wish I had kept my beloved Baja.

Favorite Features

All wheel drive and overall utility of the vehicle (seating room/comfort, towing capacity, rear storage capacity, etc.) is excellent. Very cool, very large sunroof.

Suggested Improvements

Ride is too firm, almost harsh. Maybe because of the recommended 33/lb air in tires. Low beam headlights are also odd. Some sort of height limiter on the beam, which is a real nuisance on darker rural, hilly roads. Can drastically reduce the length of road illuminated in front of you. Mileage!

1 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Choice

Written by: Doug on 03/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I did a lot of research and really wanted to buy my 4th Honda. I looked at the CRV and didn’t like the interior. I am a fly fisherman and like to have a vehicle in which I can lie down and take a rest. I have a serious back problem and need to take breaks in my fishing day. The CRV just wasn’t able to provide a long rear floor space. When the rear seats are folded down there is plenty of room for me at 5’9”. Interestingly enough, the Honda dealer sent us to Subaru! The Subie us everything I wanted. I am an environmentalist and biologist so my carbon footprint and controlling pollution output is important. So far we have gotten 25 mpg in mixed driving short trips (a bit disapointing).

Favorite Features

My favorite feature is the ride/handling combination. The wheel base is long enough to prevent pitching yet short enough to allow for a fairly tight turning radius. The smoothness of the ride is exceptional in a “crossover” vehicle and the AWD gives a sense of security that is difficult to match.

Suggested Improvements

More comfortable passenger side seating would be desirable. I should have gone up to the Limited except I really wanted the manual gear box. There needs to be a coin box and some other accouterments in the cabin. The standard arm rest is weak and I fear it will eventually break.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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First non-Honda car in 22 years

Written by: Bob757FL on 03/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

After driving only Accords for 22 years, I wanted to try something else. Subaru came to my attention on both the NHTSA site, and the IIHS site for safety. Consumer Reports gave it high marks for reliability and user reports say 30mpg hwy. I have come to this conclusion after the 1st 1000 miles: it is as fun to drive as a Volkswagen Jetta or Passat, rated as safe or safer than any Volvo, yet has a reliability rating beating both of these. Below 60 mph it is an absolute blast to drive. I don't know why but it is. My wife keeps asking to take it for her local errands. Above 60, steering is more sensitive than a Honda and is taking some getting used to.

Favorite Features

Perfect combination of car/SUV/stationwagon without the fuel penalty. Sit higher than a car. Fun to drive. Utility/usefulness. Autodimming mirror. Everybody doesn't have one - not Honda or Toyota. Looks cool!

Suggested Improvements

Bigger/better cupholders. Window frame should be added. Less sensitive steering at hwy speeds. (Maybe that's a characteristic of AWD?) Great car that is advertised too little.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Second Beaner

Written by: jim n. on 03/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Traded our 2002 Bean Outback. This one is a much better performer but the interior has been redesigned for the worse. Controls were moved around to accomodate the opt. Nav. screen (which should be mounted on the dash). Climate controls placed low behind gearshift, audio controls lowered. You used to be able to adjust with a glance, now you have to take your eyes off the road. No storage for cds or loose change. The ashtray barely holds a chapstick. Rear seats no longer fold truly flat. Parking brake lever intrudes on drivers right leg. Odometer/temp/etc multigauge is useless and annoying.

Favorite Features

Great engine. SI Drive is fun. Handles well in all conditions.

Suggested Improvements

Redesign the interior from scratch with emphasis on human factors ie. practicality instead of flashy electronics. Subaru should do some focus groups to find out why folks fell in love with older Outbacks.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Best bang for the buck!

Written by: Chris S. on 03/04/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Best all around value and functionality from any manufacturer! It's like taking a sedan, SUV, and sports car and fusing them together. Gets 30 MPG on the highway after switching to Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic.

Favorite Features

Everything for the cost!

Suggested Improvements

Just a little more pulling power up hills. A 6th speed (overdrive) as it's pretty high on the tach at highway speeds.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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