Used 2006 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Month Old Outback
WL, 01/24/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
A month into ownership with approximately 2000 miles, I'm learning to like it more each day. The drive and ride are superior but I'm having a hard time getting comfortable in the seat. The back seat is too small. Cup holders need to be better thought out and more plentiful. Gas mileage avg. 25 overall. But when I'm driving it I love it.
A confirmed Subaru buyer
Trina Stephenson, 11/11/2005
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned many Subarus -- 1993 Impreza, 2000 Forester, 2004 Outback and now the 2006 Outback. Basically the car gets better with each iteration. There are a few things missing on my 2006 that I had on the 2004 which I miss: 1. Weatherband radio, why was this fantastic feature removed? It was great when we traveled through tornado alley to make sure there weren't any weather events that we should know about. 2. The beeping feature on the seatbelts is annoying. My dog sets off the seatbelt alarm, my bag of trash or myself driving 100 feet down my driveway before I dash out to open my gate all set it off. 3. The cupholder is still awkward and small.
2006 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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- 2.5i WagonMSRP: $7,99588 mi away
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Subaru's a Best Bet
Eric, 04/17/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Ltd 4dr Wagon AWD w/Ivory Int (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I owned a first generation '96 Outback and had a bunch of problems. This is not that car. This car rides much better and is far more upscale. I replaced our '98 Volvo and could not be happier. This provides the versatility and safety I had with a Volvo at a much better price and much sportier package. It is a rocket off the line (be sure to go with the turbo if you want performance). It also rides like a regular car but with enough clearance that we can comfortably go into the mountains and tackle 4-6" of new powder on the back roads. If you need a wagon, but don't want to give up performance, go with this vehicle.
I love this car
mcmurt, 07/14/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I had a Subaru Legacy before this Outback. I love this car. I have the 6 cylinder, and it is sporty and functional at the same time. Well designed and luxurious for this type of car. I compared it to all other models in its class including the RAV4 and it stood way above the others!
Well cared for
2006 Subaru Outback, 11/10/2020
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Very reliable
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2006 Subaru Outback not a hardy 4WD
aurora, 08/31/2009
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 7 people found this review helpful
Three big disappointments: 1. it is promoted as a 4 WD with high clearance. So you would think you could take it on a mountain road. Although it has high clearance there is no "low gear" so it doesn't have the umpf to make it up a steep hill (I do not mean extreme steep just a somewhat steep hill -- like to a trailhead). 2. I have owned this car for 3 years and I have had to replace two rear wheel bearings. A mechanic told me that when Subaru redesigned the Outback the rear wheel bearings weren't of the quality as the previous design. 3. We had absolutely no steering control on a powder snowy road last winter & crashed 5mph. I've never experienced anything like that in previous cars.
Good wagon, but not great
andy, 08/04/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Being a Honda man, I defaulted to a Subaru Outback wagon because the Accord isn't available in an AWD wagon; a manual transmission because of its slow 0-60 times. I have a few complaints: shifter is too far forward in relation to how I like to sit in the driver's seat, power windows go up and down too slowly, miss the power up feature in my old Accord, wind and tire noise, rear slides out when cornering, exterior panel gaps are too wide and are unsightly, balky and ambiguous manual gear shift pattern and feel of engagement, awkward clutch/gear engagement (compared to my old Accord), the lack of telescoping steering column, sub-par standard audio system/speakers and lack of standard sunroof.
Dependable workhorse
ctac, 08/24/2010
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 14 people found this review helpful
Our family has been running this Outback for almost four years. We put a little over 50K miles on it, with probably 30K of daily commute and 10K of annual ski trips. Subarus are usually praised for their AWD, but in the first couple of winters I had some skidding incidents (shouldn't have pressed the gas pedal so carelessly on tight turns! This is a manual transmission car, so not all of the fancy electronic stabilization systems are available). Once that has been figured out, we found ourselves working as a snow taxi for our friends in a small Midwestern town. I was disappointed with the fuel economy at first (it was clearly below the nominal rating), but then it somehow got better.
2006 Subaru Outback LL Bean
Angel, 03/29/2019
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
I drove the car for 2000 miles and love how it handle on the road
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Check Engine Light For the LOSS
Amy, 08/05/2010
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Ltd 4dr Wagon AWD w/Black Int (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 10 people found this review helpful
I purchased mine as a CPO. Within 2 months the drivers side window stopped going up and down, the sunroof refused to open, and the check engine light has come on 3 times. It has been the dealer 4 times in 2 months! I am BEYOND unhappy with the purchase! Subaru clearly also doesn't know how to fix the check engine light as the code is for an engine misfire cylinder 2 - we first were told to do the spark plugs, done, then when it went back they did the coil for just that cylinder, and now who knows what they will come up with. I can't rely on the car not to throw a code. Waste of money.
Love my car
becs, 08/14/2008
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my third Subaru. I love it. It handles like a dream. I have a 140 miles round trip commute everyday so I went for the automatic this time. Makes a big difference when stuck in traffic. I get fantastic mileage. 30 on the highway and around 26 about town. It's my favorite car I've owned so far - even got my favorite color this time - green. The interior is comfortable (leather) and easy to clean. And I've got a 10yr old boy so I've cleaned that back sit a number of times - grin. The safety features are great. I do have to agree with another reviewer that the headrests are a bit in the way of the rear view sometimes, but I've learned to adjust how I look back now. I love this car!
Fun
P.Krezel, 09/25/2008
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Ltd 4dr Wagon AWD w/Black Int (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought the Outback for our growing family and Im impressed. Nice interior, big trunk and lot of storage. Outside sporty wagon with AWD Do you need more - No. When I drive Subaru I have a lot of fun a specially when Im using sport driving. I have always wondering whats make Subaru Subaru now I know.
We don't need no stinkin' turbo!
Lynne, 12/25/2007
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My first Subaru was a 2000 Limited Wagon. Had no trouble at all with it, except the automatic transmission never seemed to downshift when I thought it should. Now have the 2006 Outback wagon, and love the redesign both inside and out. Have 5 speed manual transmission in this car and love it. If you know how to drive a manual transmission, get it in this car as you can do way better than the 0 - 60 on the automatic transmission. This car is lots of fun to drive, and hugs the road even though it sits rather high up. I feel very safe in it in all weather. I get approx 27 mpg combined in this car with normal driving, but it can really move with the 5 speed manual if you need it to.
best Subaru yet
Nell, 09/27/2005
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had 6 Subarus over the years. 3 of them Outbacks. This car is fun to drive, has more than enough power, is strikingly handsome and has enough safety features to make my wife like it as much as I do.
A lot of research leads to the Subaru
New England Driver, 11/09/2005
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Having moved up to New England from DC two years ago, I wanted a car that was better suited to getting caught on the Mass. Pike in a snow storm or getting out of the drive way for a snack run without out first snowblowing on a Saturday morning. Safety was also critical. The 2006 bettered the side safety so now it's an IIHS best pick for front and side. Reliability was also key and consumers reports shows a good history. I also wanted fairly good mileage (coming from a Civic Hybrid) and usable backseat room for my gigantic Marathon car seat (this and the reliability concerns left over from our '02 VW Passat ruled out the Audi A4 even with the good lease deal). This car simply had it all.
nice performance wagon
sheesh-kebab, 11/18/2005
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just got this wagon, or maybe a truck, or whatever it is after spending 10 minutes test driving one - it's very nice. I looked at 2006 Accord V6 (cheap interior, back seat folds down in 1 piece), Acura TL (back seat doesn't fold down, blind spots, snobby dealerships), Saab 95 (poor quality apparently) - this one beats those by a nice margin. Beautiful and very practical interior for a 6'3" skier with family, tight ride, decent acceleration (get turbo if you like to feel the engine), good MPG for AWD, tons of storage, not a single blind spot, pleasant buying experience, what else do you need?
Great Vehicle
efinkens, 04/10/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought the LL Bean with the 6 cylinder. Not cheap but when I considered that I will burn 300 gallons less per year, the choice was easier. Nice ride, peppy motor and the stereo is great. The sunroof is the coolest on the market. I have no problem throwing the dog and decoys in the back for some hunting or showing up at a business meeting. Great vehicle.
Nice Car!
sasquatch, 06/25/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This was my first Subaru since my 85 GL Wagon. It came down to a choice between the Sube and a Honda CR-V EX AWD. I chose the Sube because of its superior AWD system and better towing capacity, while the Honda had an advantage in interior space. So far, after 3000 miles but no winter driving, I'm pleased. I'm averaging 25-26 mpg. I get 30 mpg on the highway at 65 with the A/C on, or at 70 with it off; mileage decreases to about 26 at 80 mph. Trip computer mileage estimate is optimistic by about 2 mpg. Plenty peppy with manual transmission, but revs are high - almost 2700 rpm at 60 mph. I just hope that Subaru hasn't strayed too far from its roots - who really needs expensive 55-series tires?