Used 2006 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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This is an Outback?
Liz, 06/03/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This vehicle is fantastic! With 250 HP and 250 ft. lbs. of torque, it's got guts galore. And I was amazed that an Outback could handle this well. With its higher center of gravity, I simply wasn't expecting handling this taut. It's a sports car--with room to haul all your stuff safely on snow-covered highways or backwoods roads. The 5 speed manual, especially with the optional short-throw shifter, just adds to the sports car feel. It's the perfect combination of sportiness and utility. It's just plain fun to drive!
Powerful Ride, Great Handling
Phipka, 11/22/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is my third new Subaru and there are noticeable improvements from model to model. The only real negative I see is a hesitation to accelerate. This is a real problem when coming onto a road past a blind curve or pulling onto a parkway with fast unforgiving traffic. Otherwise the car has amazing handling and is the best foul weather car I have ever driven in. It is a little closer to the ground than my 2000 Outback Limited offering excellent stability in the wind. I particularly liked the sport shift when I went over the 16% grade of the Sonora Pass in California this year - I really feel safe in this car under almost any condition. 19/25 mpg traffic/highway.
2006 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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- 2.5i WagonMSRP: $6,4506 mi away
- 2.5 XT Limited Wagon w/Black IntMSRP: $3,800329 mi away
- 2006 Subaru OutbackMSRP: $8,998432 mi away
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Excellent Vehicle
JM94, 08/17/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Traded my 92x for the 2.5I with Navigation; I've had it a few weeks and love it. Vehicle is very solid, absolutely hugs the road and rides much smoother than I expected. It feels safe as a tank, and already I'm getting 27-28 mpg on the highway. The navigation system is cool, the guy has a slight Australian accent. You won't win any drag races with this car, but it is more than adequate for every day life on the highway. I had a car with 227 hp before and found it was an utter waste; great I can floor it for 3 seconds before I have to stop again in traffic. Thinking of an SUV but worried about gas, check this car out, you won't be disappointed. You will save on insurance too, very low risk.
I love this car!
Sharon, 06/17/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is my second Subaru. There's a world of difference between this one and the 2002 model I had earlier. The wheel wells are larger so I no longer get snow packed in them. (I live in a climate where we get 200 inches of snow a year, so this is important.) The car is roomier and there's more cargo space. The seats are more comfortable and the car is relatively quiet. I've owned a lot of cars, but this one is my favorite.
More Personality Than I Expected!
Evan E., 02/12/2024
updated 03/26/2024
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I came to own this car because I needed a smallish vehicle that had some room to move larger items. I found that with all of my home improvement and garden projects it became necessary and I didn't really want to put that stuff in my nice Avalon. So began my relationship with the Outback Wagon. I have had relatives and friends who have owned them both in CO and UT and have always spoke highly of them and I figured it would be interesting to try something other than Toyota for a change even though I love them. This car is surprisingly fun to drive. The AWD definitely adds to the good handling. Power is about what you would expect from a 4 cylinder engine but it holds its own on the highway for the most part. Braking is really good. I prefer these brakes to my Avalon with that annoying brake-assist feature. Just straightforward, powerful and responsive braking. No gimmicks. Visibility is good all around in my opinion. I enjoy the cockpit feel of the interior as well. It almost feels like a well tailored suit once you settle in. Everything is truly within easy reach here, angled toward the driver and simple. Given how many gadgets are crammed into cars these days, I find the simplicity of this model very refreshing. Overall the interior materials are of high quality. This interior is light beige with black accents on the upper door trim and dash. There are also faux-wood accents on the center stalk and door panels. Everything seems durable and easy to clean. After a day of detailing, it looked brand-new again. Seat comfort is good with excellent contours and bolstering. I've driven this car some long distances for long hours and don't feel super fatigued. My lower back doesn't hurt either. Not a huge amount of storage up front. Console is smallish, each front door has a pocket, and there is a compartment between the vents but I wouldn't put any temperature sensitive items in there for long periods because it can get a bit hot in there. Heating and cooling is very quick and powerful. I was surprised at the amount of power that comes from the vents. I rarely have to have that on the highest setting. I love the windshield wiper de-icer feature. That was definitely a "surprise and delight" item. Heated mirrors, curise control, power locks and windows, power driver seat, six speaker sound system and a generous cargo area round out the package very well. I like the red backlit controls at night. Overall, I wasn't sure if I would like this car as much as I now do. I always thought they were pretty bland because they are driven so slowly, and being from Colorado they always seemed so ubiquitous here, but I can definitely understand why much more now. Perfect for those who want utility but not necessarily the soccer mom image that comes with some of the larger SUV's. Gas mileage is probably the biggest shortcoming of this car that I can think of. My V6 Avalon gets way better mileage but it's not AWD either. So I get it. But I think it also explains the slow Suby drivers. Gentle driving is definitely more with this car. People pass me all the time in this baby, but its Ok. I didn't buy it for speed. The manual door lock on the driver door took time to get used to as well. I didn't realize I was leaving it unlocked for a the first few weeks I had it, but now I just make sure I use the lock button on the door when I exit and I use the key to manually unlock that door. Minor gripes include the hump that protrudes into the drivers footwell at the pedal. Sometimes can get uncomfortable on long drives. I dont care for the design of the sun visor. The outboard sides of the sun visor dont have a folding flap that folds flush into the ceiling. As a result, depending on the angle of the sun, the sun comes right through the crack bewteen the visor and the A-pillar. Kind of annoying. Lastly, the parking light switch just seems like an annoyance. I get trying to be quirky and different. But its annoying because it's easy to forget, no indicator when its on for the driver. Can leave parking lights on inadvertently and they dont turn off when the engine is off like the headlights. What's more, is that the parking lights come on with the headlights anyway. I just try and leave it alone. Not huge issues, but a few minor things I don't particularly care for. Overall, I like this car and I think it is a good value overall. I hope with proper care I can wring a few more years of life from this one.
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last of the Outback Turbos
Greg K, 12/29/2018
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Ltd 4dr Wagon AWD w/Ivory Int (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought this '06 in '08 with 13k on it; it's been virtually maintenance free. We just put $950 into a new power steering pump; everything else has been scheduled maintenance. Pearlcoat white with ivory interior (and my wife is a bowhunter) and with the exception of 4 rust spots I've covered; looks great. I'll be selling this car out right when she buys new in the coming year.
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Sweet
Big Purple, 10/21/2005
2006 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Sedan AWD w/NAVI (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Having driven many of the Subaru wagons I thought I'd try this shorter version. Boy does it go. I think the AWD couple with the excellent handling will prove this model to be the best I have driven. Bring on the rain or snow.
My 4th Subaru!
Trina Stephenson, 02/14/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
A few things not quite as good as our 2004 Subaru Outback. Built in dust deflector does not work as well as the add-on available on previous models, sport shift is great, the seat belt sound is annoying; if you want to drive 50 feet in your driveway it will make noise, the Weather Band radio on the 2004 was wonderful, why was it excluded on the 2006? My biggest beef with the new Subarus is the lack of a full size spare like my old Forester (2000) had. When you live in the remote areas of the US, you don't want a donut tire!
great car
Rich Clarke, 04/29/2006
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
A great, stylish, very comfortable and well-built car; drove cross country (NYC to WA) in third week of owning and car drove great. Now have 3800 miles and averaging 27 mpg in mixed highway / rural. Couldn't be happier with it. Considered Toyota Highlander Hybrid but couldn't justify price; also considered Honda CRV SE but didn't want Honda's usual road noise and CRV not nearly as stylish or comfortable as Outback. I highly recommend the Outback.
Good All Purpose Vehicle
Desert Rat, 12/29/2005
2006 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
First Subaru. Good leg room for the driver with an automatic. Tight foot space with the manual transmission. Small feet are a good thing if you want the manual. There is less legroom on the passenger side which is something that I hadn't realized till after purchase. Check it out if the passenger is tall. Seats are very firm and take some getting use to. My wife preferred the Outback to the Forester so we got the Outback. Interior controls are typical of Honda and Toyota and well laid out. Controls are convenient. Back seat leg room is tight -- acceptable for short trips. Ride is comfortable on most surfaces. My driving in more higway than city: mpg is about 24-25 of the first 1200 miles.