2023 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Everything I expected and more!
URM, 11/29/2022
2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
44 of 45 people found this review helpful
Subaru's design philosophy and choices have always jived with my Mechanical Engineering sensibilities. The boxer engine, the wagon-ness, symmetrical awd, safety tech, the turbo, enclosed eyesight cameras, cooled seats and wireless android auto, regular gas, java brown leather seats at this price point are all the main selling points. I factory ordered myself a 2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT in Grey Metallic with the Java brown interiors. After the longest 8 weeks of my life, i finally picked it up around Thanksgiving. Once i picked up the car, i was blown away by the plush seats, the audio system, quiet cabin, and the comfortable yet sure footed ride. Not to mention the highest power to weight ratio for the price. I have no complaints about the 11.6" screen, auto start stop or especially the cvt. Blatant CVT haters are purely wrong to hate on it. And if they understood what goes on inside a transmission, they'd appreciate the amazing innovation that is the CVT. My only gripe is the lack of a massive sunroof. My suggestion to Subaru is that the wilderness should retain the small sun roof because they need the added roof strength. For the touring and touring xt, Subaru really ought to install a humongous sun/moon roof and to assuage any concerns, zero roof rails. The Yokohama Avid GTs from the factory are fine so far, but I'll keep an eye out for winter performance. I can't say enough good things about this car and I'm so glad i finally got one. I've been trying to get a Subaru since 2012, but never was able to for one reason or another. Especially been ogling at the Outback product since 2015. People who know me might heave a sigh of relief hoping I'd stop talking about this car after 7-10 years of me talking about it. But i guess they now get to hear all about it as i fall in love with everything i expected and more!
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Many improvements over the Gen 5 model
Desert Mountain Biker, 11/26/2022
2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
42 of 43 people found this review helpful
This our 3rd Outback. Previous were Gen 3 and Gen 5, a 2016 3.6R which was a very nice car. Primary differences are that the new version has less body roll, more Euro ride, better acceleration when you want it, nicer appointments and a more adjustable passenger seat. There is no overwhelming reason to trade up but my motivation was related to the unusually high value of the 2016, the upcoming 100000 mi maintenance, and my desire to try a turbo- powered car. The version has a nice ride, decent handling for the size but it is not a sportscar. Acceleration from a stop can be slow or very fast depending on how much throttle one uses. Once the turbo comes up around 2000 rpm, the vehicle can take off like a shot but it will cost fuel economy. My average fuel economy is 25+ mpg with no long trips in 7000+ miles and all in the high air-conditioning environment of the southwest. My driving is a combination of near rural (50-55 mph with lights every 1-2 miles), low congestion city and some freeway at up to 75mph. I typically ease away from traffic lights so more aggressive drivers will probably do worse. I have seen little turbo lag. Power always seems to be available instantly. Many complain about the center stack menus but for my driving style it is set and forget. The key things like a/c fan speed and temperature are easy to set. The seat fans seem to help somewhat in the hot southwest. The center stack lets you adjust anything that is factory set but I have found that the factory settings are generally acceptable. The LED headlights are much brighter and reach farther than the HID headlights. Subaru did cheapen some things like the hood struts and the rocker panel covers. I really liked the faux wood but not the price on the 2022. The fuel economy is likely better with the 2022: 2-3 mpg on my current driving cycle. The fuel algorithm is also improved ~ 3.5% high or about 1 mpg over reality based on more than a dozen fill-ups. I need some long trips to get a better feel for highway economy. There is noticeably less engine braking compared to the 3.6 so I often downshift when slowing from 50 mph. The life of the rear brakes will also be reduced. The fuel gauge isn’t as accurate at 1/4 full as the previous model so I use the 80+/- 10 range estimate to determine when to fill up. As with the previous model, there is a significant inflection point near ½ full and then the gauge reading falls quickly. The info on the space next to the speedometer is much more extensive – it is nice to know the tire pressure which correlates well with manual measurements. The auto-start stop is ok though somewhat rough. I haven’t had any problems others have listed for moving out smartly on left turns from lights. The driving position seems different, perhaps a bit lower than the previous generation and much more bolstered as the previous generation were flatter. The older generation also had better arrangement of controls on the steering wheel but this works ok. Moving the blind spot warning inboard from the mirror and also in the heads-up display is a great improvement. Back seat leg room is also a bit better and the 2 position setting for the “trunk” cover is another improvement. The map lights are better positioned and the passenger light can be used without blinding the driver. Recently downloaded the new Starlink software and the local maps through WiFi. That is a nice feature. So many features that are not covered well or at all in the manuals but one can find videos. I did not set up the facial recognition software so I don’t face the irritation of dealing with that. There are only 2 drivers so we just use the buttons on the door to adjust seats and side view mirrors. The one irritating feature is the “keep your eyes on the road” warning and beeping when I back into the garage. They need to sense that the car is in reverse and obviate that warning. There is resonance in the rear door areas at low speeds on rougher roads but not apparent at highway speed. Will have the dealer check it out.
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Exactly what I needed
Mike, 03/01/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
23 of 23 people found this review helpful
This car is exactly what I needed, if not everything I wanted. I am your stereotypical Subaru customer. I love camping, rock climbing, hiking, the great outdoors, you name it. I wanted a car that would be able to competently deal with most trails, I could throw AT tires on for the really rough stuff, and also keep me on the road in the snow. I also have a long commute to work everyday and MPG and normal driving performance is important to me which ruled out the XT models (along with the added price). Pros: Honestly though, there are very few times when I think I would truly have wanted the extra power from the turbo. The engine still has plenty of oomph to get the car going. So far after just over 6,000 miles, I am averaging 30mph which is just what I expected. Steering feeling is not too light, not too heavy, and easy to maneuver in car parks. Brakes have nice feeling to them and can bring the car to a stop very quickly. AWD system is great! Within a month of having the car, the midwest got slammed with snow and -30F wind chills and the car was able to take me up steep snowy, hills lined with cars that couldn't make it, with ease. The massive screen is a great feature especially for using maps and navigation. Audio quality (no Harman system) is perfectly acceptable. Seats are amazing comfortable even after 2+ hour drives. AC works great and can warm up or cool down the car quickly, and the seat heaters are perfect in the winter. Wireless Apple CarPlay connects quickly and painlessly and doesn't drop ongoing calls. Cons: The active cruise control can be a bit funny. I have it set to its most passive mode for acceleration but the second a slower car moves out of the way the car floors it which I find annoying. I have also found that using the active lane centering system tends to have the car gently weaving side to side in the lane so I never turn it on. The car is definitely on the louder side. The engine noise is droning under acceleration from the CVT and at highway speeds there is quite a bit of road and wind noise. For the price though I guess it is okay. The climate control switches are permanently on the main screen which is nice but I would definitely prefer if they were physical buttons. In the rain, there is a pronounced trickling noise in the doors. I know it is not an issue but it is annoying. Overall though I am incredibly pleased with my Outback. Sure there are a few things I would prefer on it and it has its little flaws here and there but they are so significantly outweighed by all the positives. When considering cost, I think it is one of the best cars out there.
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keeps getting better
stew, 01/04/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
38 of 40 people found this review helpful
Prior to 2017, I owned a number of Subaru Outback Limiteds. In 2017 I switched over to the Honda CRV Touring. The 2017 Honda CRV power train was much better than the Subbi, as was the look of the exterior, and the quality of the interior appointments (I did outfit the CRV with the Sport Package bumpers and the interior "blue package" which gave the CRV quite a different look). I have been wanting to buy a new family vehicle for the last couple of years (I usually trade every three years or so), but dealer lots have been bare. The 2023 Honda CRVs and Subaru Outbacks are finally showing up. I test drove the 2023 Honda CRV and the CRV hybrid, and both showed improvement in driving comfort over my 2017 CRV. After 5 years, I never had a lick of trouble with the CRV. However, the interior of the new 2023 CRV seemed cheap, with hard plastic everywhere. I was disappointed with the look - my 2017 looked a lot better than the 2023. I recently came across a 2023 Subaru Outback Limited on the show room floor, outfitted just the way I would order one. This Subbi is a step above the new CRVs in most categories. The interior of the Subbi extensively utilizes soft materials, and the dash layout is much better than the CRV. The ride of the Subbi is much more compliant than Outbacks of old and my 2017 CRV, and the handling of the Outback is very responsive. The Outback overall length and whee base is longer than the CRV, The interior of the Outback is also more comfortable. So far, the only area where I judge the CRV to be better is the gas mileage. I was always able to clock > 30 mpg combined on my CRV (34 highway), whereas I have yet to achieve advertised mpg on the Outback. One gripe I had with the 2017 CRV was the small gas tank. The Outback gas tank is about four gallons larger which should give the Outback about 100 miles longer range. I am not a fan of the appearance of the funky wheel well moulding design on the Outback, which was almost a deal breaker for me. But then I saw how they looked when matched with the Magnetite Grey paint. Look at how the wheel moulding looks on a white Outback body paint and compare to the look on the grey paint. The center touch screen on the Outback is well positioned (and easy to use), compared to most other mfg's which have a center screen that sticks up quite a bit, vertically above the dash, dominating the interior. I am wondering what it will be like to wash the Outback in "bug season" - the nose of the Outback is a maze of small geometric shapes with recessed sharp corners to act as the final resting spots for the onslaught of all of those bugs to accumulate and avoid the reach of the wash mitt ...
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The best!
GingaNinja, 11/08/2022
2023 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
41 of 45 people found this review helpful
We needed a new family car. Tied for most important criteria were fuel mileage and a spacious back seat. Preferred options were heated seats and roof rails. After weeks of poring over reviews and specs, we widdled it down to a shortlist of: Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Nissan Rogue, Honda CRV, and Toyota RAV4. The Rogue and CRV eventually were crossed off because they got too expensive for the features we wanted, when more affordable options existed. Really it came down to back seat space and proximity of the nearest dealership that gave the Subarus the edge over the RAV - and, as luck would have it, our local hometown dealership had a red Outback Premium in stock (most dealerships don't seem to carry the lower trims or fancy colors, but this had been a special order where the would-be buyer got impatient and wound up picking another one off the lot; they say it takes about 2 months for an order to come in). We checked it out after hours, loved the look, and made an appointment the next morning for a test drive. Love love love the way it drives! Handles very easy - all of the mechanisms are responsive but not jerky, ride is super smooth, I don't find any of the safety controls bothersome and most can be turned down or turned off if I did. The engine power is a little underwhelming going up hills, but it's capable of maintaining speed with extra pedal pressure, and I understand that's just the tradeoff for the good mileage. People complained about the touch screen on older models but they seem to have fixed those problems and I find it intuitive and user-friendly. I'm averaging about 32.3mpg with my best driving behavior (which probably won't last, but it's nice to know it is, indeed, capable of the higher numbers should I choose!). The back seat feels even more spacious than in the huge Ford Expedition it replaced, comfortable even for adults, and plenty of trunk space for our day-to-day needs - or for road trips if we can learn to not pack half the house. It has even won over my husband, a "car guy" who traditionally picks his cars based on looks and the 0-60mph rate, and he's been finding excuses to take her out. UPDATE: Edmunds won't let me update my original review so I'm posting a second one. After over a month of driving my new 2023 Outback Premium around, I'm more in love than ever! Driving "normal" (versus being extra gentle to maximize mileage, when I was able to get about 32mpg over several days), on about 70% rural roads and the rest equal parts freeway (~70-75mph) and city, I'm averaging 28.5 mpg. Very smooth ride, and the gas and brake are just right - not jerky at all. I love the automatically adjusting cruise control, and the lane centering feature comes in handy on the highway. The automatic engine off/on is seamless, and the button to turn it off is always there on the bottom of the screen if I don't want it. Car is plenty roomy for all of my family-of-four's day-to-day needs, which include trips to the dump & recycling center, hauling two bales of straw or one bale plus a few 50-lb bags of critter food, eating carry-out in our seats during our jam-packed Thursday evenings, and we're betting we'll be able to fit all of our luggage for an upcoming road trip without even needing the car-top carrier. Absolutely no problem strapping a 9-ft Christmas tree on top last weekend, with room to spare. It also drives well in the rain - it slices right through the puddles on the road and still brakes well. The heated seats warm up quickly for mornings when I forget to get the car pre-heating. The extra ground clearance is great for pulling in and out of uphill driveways and parking lots. Cons are minor, and all tech-related. My main gripe is the stupid seatbelt alarm; it's alarmed at me when I put groceries in the passenger seat (moving the milk to the floor made it stop), if I unbuckle before I put it in park (and then it doesn't stop even if I get out without shutting the car off - when I was at the dump last week it kept beeping until I came back and buckled the empty seat because it was irritating even through the open liftgate), and if I hop out at the bottom of the driveway to grab a package or something, it immediately yells at me to re-buckle when I put it in D for the short trip back to the house. Even my old 2015 Expedition allowed a short grace period before alarming and stopped when it was in park, and that tech is over 7 years old. I don't bother with the "high beam assist" because it turns the brights off for yard lights and reflections off road signs, while a car waiting at an intersection/driveway as I pass doesn't trigger them off. The low beams must be fairly bright, too, because I'm getting flashed a lot. The Starlink has failed to connect a couple times so I couldn't remote start the car once and I couldn't use satellite radio once. And the hands-free power rear gate doesn't always work so I mostly don't bother trying, the button is right there. I should add that the lock/unlock feature built into the driver's door works flawlessly. But yes, the tech is still a little glitchy (I wonder if they can just push a software update when they work out the bugs from their R&D section?) but it's all stuff I can work around; as far as the actual car goes, it drives like a dream and has plenty of space for our day-to-day needs, convenient roof rails for more space, and decent towing capacity for lots more space.
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