2009 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews

Best car for the money out there

Written by: Gary on 11/01/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 3.0R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Have had 6 Subaru's before this one and this is the best of the lot. My first 6 cylinder and it doesn't disappoint. It's a sports car, take it to the supermarket, it will do anything you want. It's well built, so far trouble free and handsome. The engine purrs like a kitten and the exhaust has a sound like a Jaguar. I guess you can tell I love this car. We are keeping it over a new 2010. Did I say it's fun to drive!

Favorite Features

Power, handling, awd, radio, leather, dash, sunroof, etc.

Suggested Improvements

For me, none!

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Garbage Garbage Garbage!

Written by: Kelly on 10/03/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

OMG! What a piece of garbage...Car rattles and is unusually loud...couldn't fit my infant son's carseat behind driver without being "Jacked Up" to the dashboard! If you are a tall or heavy-set person (I am not) than forget it! Plastic garbage.

Favorite Features

None

Suggested Improvements

More room

2 out 6 people found this review helpful

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BIG Sub

Written by: SCHATS on 09/30/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Love the car, have 12,000 miles, gas mileage has been better than expected. Would like a bit more power. Just finished a vacation traveling from Pittsburgh to Maine, 2500 miles averaged 28 MPG carrying quite a bit of camping equipment. The car always looks clean, shines beautifully, even with dust on it.

Favorite Features

Color-Green, Cargo Space, Stereo system.

Suggested Improvements

Larger Glove Box, Bluetooth, Steering Wheel Audio Controls, More Horsepower.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Blown engine at 2600

Written by: Skoalsnuff on 08/20/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Love the car, that's why having this motor issue is so painful. Driving down the freeway and I hear tapping that gets progressively worse. With no associated lights car just shuts down. Dealer says I have blown motor, come to find out that they are having problems with turbos doing so. Funny thing is everyone at Subaru acts like it hasn't happened at all. Getting new motor, but not feeling good about car. Read up, the turbo's are lemons.

Favorite Features

Love the car otherwise.

Suggested Improvements

Duh Engine

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Love It So Far

Written by: DogMomCT on 08/16/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Recently purchased, 7/25/09. First Subaru and AWD vehicle. Wanted an Outback due to New England weathers and having cargo room for my 2 Labs. Really grips the road. No snow yet obviously but it does great in heavy rain. Stereo is supposedly premium: speakers seem to rattle a little if you really turn it up.

Favorite Features

Feels very stable, great handling. 4 cyl is enough power for me! Huge cargo space, 6 CD changer and AUX jack, huge sunroof. I'm sure I will love the heated seats come winter.

Suggested Improvements

Stereo to handle bass better. IPOD integration / Bluetooth would have been nice.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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More than Worth It, The XT is the one!

Written by: tolyja on 08/09/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

Purchased a 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT in Diamond Grey w/Quartz Silver with slightly off Black Interior. In general this is the perfect vehicle to buy, especially in this trim if you want a sporty SUV alternative. It sits up like a small SUV, handles like sports sedan, accelerates like a small turbo coupe, and brakes like a champion. I'm still in the break in period but I have a feeling once this time passes this car will truly shine. Car rides very smooth and balanced, and when bumps are transferred to the cabin they are controlled. Interior is pretty quiet with windows up and wind is buffeting noticeable with windows down. Engine is powerful in all ranges especially with boost up.

Favorite Features

For me first is the engine. But I also love the huge sunroof, navigation which isn't bad, leather seats, stereo, fit and finish, sporty dials and red lighting, SI-Drive, and much more. SI Drive really changes personalities more than I thought it would. I also love that the 2.5XT w/NAV is rare.

Suggested Improvements

I would suggest more passenger space. A little more would be nice. The Navi could have a higher resolution screen, Memory Seats, Homelink and Bluetooth Standard, Autolocking Doors after 15mph, Full Size Spare, and Shift Paddles of the Legacy 3.0R, since the XT is above the Outback 3.0R.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Wind noise

Written by: kbob on 08/02/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Love the car, hate the wind noise on both the passenger side- whistle and the driver side continual. Also problems with the windshield wipers. Have had it to Dealership to resolve the wind noise problem(s) and is still not resolved to my satisfaction. We like the car I don't like the excessive wind noise. If I has noticed this in my test drive would not have purchased this vehicle- unfortunate because other than that it seems to be a great car.

Favorite Features

Colors, stability, room, turns on a dime. Getting between 25-30 mpg, more around 27- impressed.

Suggested Improvements

Wind noise for driver & passenger windows & front windshield wipers don't work with each other. When starting up the engine sounds a little like a truck- I hope this is a passing thing- dealerships does not seem concerned.

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Awesome car, BUT

Written by: Lumpy on 07/14/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Special Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Not happy with fog lights - they shine directly down to the ground even after dealer adjustment. Does not improve visibility at all. Inside of windshield has a scratch near top that can be felt with a finger nail. Other than that the car is great and the gas mileage ranges from 27-31 after 7000 miles.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

4 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: Pere on 07/11/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have it for 2 months and very happy. Great feeling in S-sharp mode, only using Intelligent mode in city driving. Manual transmission is great (forget about automatic if you like to drive). I love the interior design and the HK sound system. Can't wait to drive it on snow but I drove it in very heavy rain and the feeling of stability is awesome. Best performance and better mileage than the Volvo XC70 at a more affordable price.

Favorite Features

Symmetrical all wheel drive. Harman Kardon sound system. Interior design.

Suggested Improvements

More colors should be available. More legroom in driver and back seats. Should be able to run on regular gas instead of premium.

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Happy Subi Owner

Written by: slolane on 06/11/2009

Vehicle

2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I love this car! It shines as a well thought out vehicle. The Annapolis dealer provided the best car buying and accessories purchase I have ever experienced. I was able to get it out the door at 24k, I went in at the end of the month and as we all know the 2010's are coming soon. I wanted a 2009 as I'm not comfortable buying a first year remodel of anything. This is to be a long term car for me and from the positive experiences my family and friends have had with Subaru's this can easily be a 150-200k car (or more). The engine and transmission are quite capable and powerful for my city and highway driving. I get 32hwy and 28city... great mpg's for an AWD.

Favorite Features

Huge sunroof, cargo space, comfy seats, HK stereo, factory tinted windows, cargo areas and function, high ground clearance and low roof height, traction control, heated mirrors & windshield wipers. It feels like a more expensive vehicle inside, the fit and finish is great.

Suggested Improvements

More storage... larger glove box & center console. Audio controls on the steering wheel should scroll through presets. Door grab handles slightly in the way of power window controls... that's it, enjoy a great vehicle.

16 out 18 people found this review helpful

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