2010 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews

Very Pleased

Written by: jeffm55 on 11/11/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

We've had this car for about 3 weeks. We took a 900 mile trip last week & are very happy. Got 29.5 MPG doing about 65 MPH. Like the CVT. There is enough power to pass, go up hills, etc. Driver's seat comfort is very good. Good also in the back. Smooth, quiet ride on most roads. Fit & finish are very good. Has a feeling of quality to it. Good front & side visibility. Not so great in rear, but we got the NAV with the backup camera, so that helps greatly. Bluetooth & iPod connection work well. On the down side, over assisted steering feel at highway speeds. Passenger's seat can not be adjusted for height. Choppy ride on rough roads.

Favorite Features

Backup camera, bluetooth, iPod connection, Harman/Kardan audio system, sun visor extenders, CVT, paddle shifters.

Suggested Improvements

Full size spare, memory seat, push button start, folding mirrors.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great first impression

Written by: angelino on 11/11/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

First time Subaru buyer. Attracted to Outback by its upscale and well executed look, and 4WD reputation. Stable and comfortable road manners. Well controlled noise levels at speed. Looking forward to driving this puppy up mountains and through snow this winter. Harmon/Kardon stereo puts out great sound from CD, but strangely weak and tinny FM sound. Car still in break-in period. Expecting performance to improve.

Favorite Features

Puddle lights. Grocery bag hooks in cargo area. Spacious rear legroom. Soft leather seats. Reclining rear seats. Cargo floor cover. Fold away crossbars. Nicely executed steering wheel radio/cruise controls.

Suggested Improvements

Radio dials too small, even for average size fingers. Speaker grill on dash not flush with dash top. 2.5L engine could be spunkier. Outside mirrors don't fold away. Aux input available, but where's the USB port?

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Really really like it, but...

Written by: Dan on 11/11/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

It's quiet and well thought out. There is plenty of leg room for four adults. I'm having a little trouble with the front bolster on the drivers seat cutting off the circulation in my lower legs and feet. I agree with others about the gauge showing fuel economy, would rather have water temp. The roof rack is a clever solution to a non-problem. Subaru should offer a replacement rail for this so we can fit our old Yakima rack one can actually use. The CVT is great but it is taking some time to adjust to the longer coasting distance. Is it just me or doesn't it feel good hand washing it? If Subaru comes out with a diesel and fixes the roof rack I might buy a second one.

Favorite Features

Leg room, quietness, solid construction, great gas mileage for AWD (27.9 Avg. over 3000 miles mixed rural, interstate, and big city). It's easy to get over 30 on the highway. Storage is great. Steering and the controls are excellent.

Suggested Improvements

Ditch the roof rack and ease up on the leading edge bolster of the drivers seat. I'd prefer a diesel as opposed to a hybrid, esp. a plug-in. Hard to recharge em in the boonies. If you need to use the emergency brake release rod you will need a 5 mm socket and a socket screwdriver handle.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Underpowered car, slow, ok design

Written by: bob_b on 11/07/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

I have purchased the car and have put 2000 miles on it so far. My initial thoughts: This is underpowered and a slow car. I am not expecting 0-60 in 3 sec but 11 seconds is too slow especially when merging on the highway. I wish all exterior colors would come with dark interior but no, only few (not my type). Also some rattling noise is coming out of the dashboard, not a big thing but can be annoying. The factory roof rack is very flimsy, bad design. On the positive side. The car is roomy on the inside. Seats are very comfortable. All the interior features are functional and placed correctly. Not sure if I had to do all over again if I would buy the same car. Look at other options as well.

Favorite Features

Comfort, interior room, dashboard.

Suggested Improvements

Add at least 50 more HP. Fix the roof rack. Have the folding mirrors. Fix the color combinations.

6 out 9 people found this review helpful

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CVT Noise?

Written by: Dennis on 11/05/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

Really like this car but our model has a noise that is present at low rpm's and speed. It seems to disappear at higher speeds. The noise is coming from the front end engine compartment such as pulley system or CVT transmission. Similar to noise you hear from pistons/cylinders that rattle when not enough fuel octane. Dealer says it's a normal noise for these models but I have not heard anyone on the site indicate a similar noise/problem. Dealer does agree that noise is louder than other models on the lot that they have tested. I personally think the noise is from the CVT transmission which is a chain drive system or combination of the smaller pulley system for this model.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Would like to see the center console protrusion into the interior cabin softened back. Larger letters for information gauge. Eliminate some of the cheap looking plastic. Improved rear door lock. Would also like to see a little bit more horsepower for this model. Improvement on the CVT transmission.

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Great Choice

Written by: Steve on 11/01/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

Third Subaru, but first Outback and so far it's proving to be a very good car with plenty of space, comfortable highway cruiser and reasonably economic at ~24mpg combined. As with all the Subarus I've had it's well built with a great drivetrain, but the handling isn't up to what I expected, body roll is reasonable for having a high C of G but it's the steering set-up that really lets it down. Turning into a gradual corner 40-50 mph and the steering feedback is not progressive and is somewhat jittery. Tire pressure is correct so assume steering rack and suspension set-up. Overall though we've made the right choice and you really do get a lot of car for the money.

Favorite Features

AWD; safety features; family space; fold back roof bars; paddle shifters; comfortable leather and drivers power seat adjustment perfect for tall/short; Harmon Kardon; Bluetooth; Puddle lights.

Suggested Improvements

Fix CVT kickdown at low speeds; steering lacks feel in corners; folding mirrors w/signal; auto locking doors >5mph; rear air vents; power tailgate; simplify steering wheel radio, phone and cruise buttons (too many close together); ski hatch in arm rest seatback.

15 out 18 people found this review helpful

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Very Happy

Written by: Chris on 11/01/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased as Company Car under reimbursement program... love 6 cyl engine, and height off ground. Feel very safe commuting long distances. Purchased for safety factor yet am impressed with comforts like excellent heated cloth seats, and bluetooth ease of use. Also get many comments on look & style... wife just got luxury SUV that costs twice as much yet we seem to drive the Subaru equally as often!

Favorite Features

Comfort of seats, bluetooth ease of use, acceleration on highway and quiet.

Suggested Improvements

Rearview mirror seems very cheap. Will purchase homelink mirror next week. Also a power tailgate would be excellent.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Limited Lover

Written by: Woody on 10/31/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

This is my 3rd Outback. Test drove both the 4 & 6 cyl limited 3 times each before deciding on the 4. After 1 month & 800 miles this one is proving to be the best. On a recent Fall weekend we drove this beauty through a field & into an orchard for some apple picking with nary a shake, rattle or roll. From there we headed to one of our hilly State Parks to view the foliage & take in a picnic. We turned down the windows, opened the moon roof & inserted a favorite CD into the radio. I switched the CVT into the Manual Mode & up & down shifted throughout the park using the paddle shifters. What a Blast!

Favorite Features

I'm a do it yourselfer & oil changes are the easiest ever. Spark plug life has been extended & a coolant change is called for after 11 years or 137,00 miles-Wow! I like the luxurious seating with excellent view of the road, one hand operation of the hood, CVT, climate control & the max cargo space.

Suggested Improvements

Immediately missed the ash tray which held my toll & vending coins. Solved this by locating a hard rubber container which fits nicely into the door cup holder. I miss the weather band which was in my 97 & 04 Outback radio. Where I live we sometimes have 4 seasons in the same week.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Great Car!

Written by: subieconvert on 10/31/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

I had always liked the previous model of the Outback but wasn't sure about the new one. My son recently had back surgery and had a hard time getting into the low doors of the old Outback, so when we tried out the 2010 model we were thrilled to see that the access was no issue for him. This vehicle is comfortable and very satisfying to drive. The mpg is great with the CVT, but when you need power it is there. We recently drove the vehicle in the mountainous SW Pennsylvania region and had no trouble going up and down the roads. The overall mpg was still just over 27, which is incredible for a vehicle this size with AWD. I hope to have this vehicle for many years of safe, happy driving.

Favorite Features

Comfortable heated seats, cvt auto-manual transmission, mpg, room for passengers in front and back seats, load capacity.

Suggested Improvements

None so far

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My Review

Written by: Gene H on 10/29/2009

Vehicle

2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Review

I've owned 2 Subaru's in the past and both were very reliable. I heard that the 2010's were going to be larger and I had to test drive one. It didn't take long to decide that the new 2010 Subaru Premium AWD (2.5i, 4cyl, CVT) was for me. I have over 800 miles on it and getting 24 MPG. It is a very smooth ride and comfortable front and back seats. I'm sure I'll buy another new one in three to four years.

Favorite Features

Very comfortable seating. Equipped with Homelink & Blutooth is nice.

Suggested Improvements

Along with other reviews I recommend: 1. Memory seating (Driver and front passenger) 2. Memory rear view mirror. 3. Power rear hatch (Very hard to open & close) 4. Reverse sensors or rear view camera (for safety reasons) 5. CD player change to hold Five/Six CD's. Folding outside mirrors. Move Hazard button.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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