Used 2008 Subaru Outback Wagon Consumer Reviews
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Do Everything
Ron Boller, 05/22/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Have a 2002 WRX, wanted a vehicle with power and handling that had more room, more ground clearance and more comfort. The Outback XT fit the bill. The WRX is fun and to this point bullet proof. The Outback does not corner as well, but is a fast and much more comfortable. So far so good.
Great Car
ldtjsa, 01/15/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I really enjoy the handling and the way the car feels when driving it. With two kids in car seats and two adults up front it feels small inside. But I went from a Ford Excursion to this car. The gas mileage combined city highway and driving it hard is ~23 mpg; if you drive it nice, it is like ~27mpg, all highway you can get around 30mpg. The backseat just needs to have more room.
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Solid choice
Spec, 11/12/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
You'll be hard-pressed to find a family-sized wagon in this price range that has a decent reliability record. I opted for the Outback because of its very smooth ride and generous cargo space compared to similarly-priced SUVs. I have not been disappointed. Enjoyable to drive. City mileage for me (~17) is a little disappointing, but highway mileage (~29) has been a pleasant surprise. I wish at times it had a little more power, but in most cases it is more than adequate.
2008 Outback
France, 07/22/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is the 4th Subaru I've purchased. My last one was a 2002 Outback which I found comfortable to drive. I've owned my 2008 for about 2 months and am looking to get rid of it. I started getting back pain within a week. There isn't enough foot room between the brake and gas pedals to place your foot comfortably on the gas pedal. In my 2002, the passenger side didn't have enough leg space. Now the 2008 does, but at the expense of the driver side.
Satisfied
aflier, 10/22/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We are a two car family and use the Outback for around town as well as much freeway driving. The car performs beautifully in all conditions. Good feeling of security and reliability. The car is a basic 4 and we got 28 mpg on regular gas. This is our fifth Subaru and so far it is the best.
Very nice car-- get the 5 spd XT!
georg, 07/20/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is our second Outback 2.5 5spd. Our first qas a 2006 Limited 2.5 5 spd that had a persistent air conditioner interior leak that we rolled over in at 45 mph and walked away fine. We replaced it with our current vehicle because it has the VDC. This Outback is great; the fit and finish is perfect. The XT should be purchased with the 5spd; the power of the engine in Sport# and the delayed shifting is a great experience.
Our 2208 Ru is a Little Tight
Barry, 10/31/2009
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We had a 1998 Ru Outback that we gave to our son and bought our 2008 Ru in July of 2007. The Ru rides great, has good mileage, 25MPG around town, it also looks great. Our Ru has been very reliable. Only problems so far has been a power steering arm that was leaking when we bought the car new. That was replaced under warranty. We have had an intermittent rattle under the car, especially when cold. Took it to two different Subaru dealers and they could not duplicate the problem. Went to our Subaru dealer in Flagstaff and they finally found the problem, something about the catalytic converter which will be replaced under warranty.
First non-Honda car in 22 years
Bob757FL, 03/18/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
After driving only Accords for 22 years, I wanted to try something else. Subaru came to my attention on both the NHTSA site, and the IIHS site for safety. Consumer Reports gave it high marks for reliability and user reports say 30mpg hwy. I have come to this conclusion after the 1st 1000 miles: it is as fun to drive as a Volkswagen Jetta or Passat, rated as safe or safer than any Volvo, yet has a reliability rating beating both of these. Below 60 mph it is an absolute blast to drive. I don't know why but it is. My wife keeps asking to take it for her local errands. Above 60, steering is more sensitive than a Honda and is taking some getting used to.
A really fun car to drive!
sm1335, 04/05/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car replaced a 2001 Nissan Maxima. We got the manual with turbo and VDC. It is such a fun car to drive! It handles great and when you kick in the turbo you pass cars so quickly the drivers mouths are open. Could that be a Subaru wagon? I like the firm ride and tight handling. If you don't like really "driving" your car, buy a Honda Accord.
First Subaru
Stan Thompson, 04/08/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I like the combination of great looks (dark gray), good economy (23.5 mpg 70% city while driving briskly) and the comfort of the interior. Absolutely zero problems in 19,725 miles. Love the extra large moonroof and the AC copes easily with Phoenix summers. The car is everything I was expecting and more.
2008 Subaru Outback 3.0l LL Bean
halnwheels, 03/05/2024
2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I am probably going to retire my beloved 2008 Subaru Outback 3.0l LL Bean edition within the next year. It now has 235K miles on it and it's been a great car. The only semi-major work I had done was a front engine seal and I did the timing chain at the same time. The engine is still very strong. Never needed head gaskets or transmission work. Exhaust system required patching a number of times, but my local muffler guy always was able to take care of it. I love the heated seats, mirrors, and windshield. Good sound and 6 changer CD still works great. The SI Drive transmission adjustment is very useful and intuitive. I've towed (1800 lb total) my motorcycle a number of times with the car several hundred miles each way.on trips. No problems. A/C and heat always worked great. Only the side of my front seat has a wear spot. The rest of the interior including the steering wheel has held up great. There is an aire of luxury to the car, and certainly quality. I only wish I can find another one with low miles. Oh, the gas mileage is not good. Pure highway I can eke out maybe 22 or 23 mpg, but my long term average is about 17.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Solid car
Bob, 08/25/2018
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Comfort good in snow
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Lovin the Outback
anythngbutGM, 08/01/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We just purchased an 08' Outback 2.5i Limited with the LL Bean package, navi, and VDC. We really like this car. The 2.5 base motor is plenty powerful around town where it sees most of it's activity, and after it's first fill up we can proudly report 28 mpg. The seats are outstanding, the build quality is as good as a Lexus and the huge panoramic roof is awesome! Also, Subaru safety along with the excellent AWD system should help us weather the New England winters with ease. Seriously, if you are looking to buy something like a RAV4, CRV, or Forester, give the Outback a try. It is well worth your time.
Outback rattles!
Outback rattles!, 08/03/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car has way too many rattles, ticks and squeaks. It's driving me crazy and this is unacceptable for such a new car. The rattles started one week after my purchase. I've been a big fan of Subaru for years but not sure I'd buy another one after this experience. If you're thinking of buying one, definitely rent one for a couple days first. A new car should be quiet for the first few years. The car looks good but kind of too small for a family. Black leather interior is hot hot hot in the summer months. The huge sunroof is cool. The fat leather wrapped wheel feels nice in the hands.
Great Utility Vehicle
Radar1, 03/25/2009
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is a comfortable and well performing car. I use it to tow my pop-up camper and kayaks and it's one of the few 4 cylinder cars with a high enough tow rating to do this. The AWD comes in handy in some state parks when trying to maneuver in campsites and gives a solid feeling while driving in heavy rain and snow. My gas mileage is higher than the EPA numbers which makes me happy. The load floor is long enough to swallow a lot of cargo for our family visits.
Back to Subaru
David Smith, 04/26/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is my fourth Subaru Outback. For the last 4 years I drove a Volvo S60. The Volvo was a great car but had no clearance and was very expensive to maintain. I was excited to get back into a Subaru. I did have a problem with a tire when the valve stem came out while adding air pressure. The first dealership could not replace the original stem (did not have the part) and charged me for a replacement. It took a second dealership to get it right under warranty. I am also experiencing an electrical problem, the radio display and wipers will cut out randomly. They are always working when I take the car in so to date the problem has not been fixed.
A pocketworth
alston, 04/10/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Don't plan on the Subaru folks going out of their way to provide amenities. I have never seen a car with so few compartments for storage. No open area exists to put down your house keys, so I stick mine in the very small ashtray. There is a useless added-cost armrest which makes one lose more storage space. The lighting is red for night driving, so I feel like I'm on the late shift at a nuclear power plant. There are no night lights for the glove compartment or to find the "Door Unlock" lever. The cupholders cannot be taken out for cleaning and are not too versatile. The wind noise is better than in my last car, a Forester, which was very noisy. Outside visibility good.
Replacement for 2001 L.L. Bean
Old Soldier, 04/12/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Many improvements over the 2001 L.L. Bean we drove for 160,000 miles. Has more than adequate power on the road. Find traveling to be very comfortable.
The vehicle I was looking for
Ken Myers, 05/30/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Replaced gas-guzzler 3/4-ton 05 Chevy pickup with the 08 Outback. My requirements; better mpg, able to pull motorcycle and its trailer, high ground clearance w/ 4-WD or AWD to traverse the 2-track to my cabin in Michigans Upper Peninsula, handle winter snow, carry my radio-controlled planes and R/C equipment, ease of front seat access for my 85- year-old mother. Went to test drive an 09 Forester and while waiting saw the Blue/Silver Metallic 08 Outback and changed the test drive! The test drive, on poorly maintained paved roads, felt comfortable, and has proven so. There is a very solid feel between the car and the road. Good value. Better than a SUV for me. I like it a lot so far.
2008 Subaru
miamioolite, 07/15/2011
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Third Subaru. First was an 86' GL station wagon= 279,000 miles till it rusted away aroung the engine. Second was a 96' outback=120,000 sold to a friend who took it to Baja to be a surf wagon. Bought this one used with 20k I'm now at 30k. So far, nice car, no mechanical issues, drives great, still smaller than the new ones (I wanted that) drives through almost anything (snow, sand, mud) very comfortable on the highway on long drives. Finish is solid all the plastic lines up (AHEM chrysler...) and the fuel econonmy is good 23/28. Biggest complaint, the automatic is slow, and chunky, it seems to rob the engine of power. Look for a manual. Subarus are the offical car of the Mountain West!
Subpar Subaru
Can't make lemonade out of this lemon, 11/26/2015
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 14 people found this review helpful
Do not buy a 5 speed Outback. The quality of these cars has gone down quickly. This is my third Subaru, and it is definitely my last!!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Stability Control Requires Leather Seats
ruddyduck67, 09/14/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Best midsize value on the market. I wanted stability control as an extra safety measure but was kind of annoyed that this requires a whole host of non-safety oriented upgrades like leather seats and a moonroof (which is actually very nice). The other wagons in the lineup require premium fuel!? Yeah, I wanna spend an extra 20 cents per gallon for the life of the car. Anyway, it is a very nice driving car, very tight for a wagon, and can carry anything when considering the interior and the roofrack. One more thing about the roofrack, take off your crossbars when not in use. That little effort will take 5 minutes and can save you on mileage.
Best bang for the buck!
Chris S., 03/04/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Best all around value and functionality from any manufacturer! It's like taking a sedan, SUV, and sports car and fusing them together. Gets 30 MPG on the highway after switching to Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic.
It is what it is
thebigv21, 01/28/2010
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Traded in a Ridgeline for this vehicle. Couldn't pass up the price. It came certified bumper to bumper for 100K and only had 4K miles on it. Didn't really desire a 5 spd but I do like making the 4 cyl shift when I want it to shift. It has plenty of power. I average 25-26 mpg on about 60/40 highway/city driving. Had to purchase 4 tires because it wouldn't go in the snow. Unusual for a subaru. Why would they put high performance tires on a base wagon sold in the Northeast? Car is nothing special, but it does what it is meant to do. Good second vehicle for going back and forth to work
2008 Outback Is Frustrating
Bill R, 03/14/2010
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav, VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
We traded in a 2004 Outback for a 2008,and have been disappointed by poor mileage, need for premium gas, and the worst nav system logic ever invented (partly designed by lawyers, I assume!). The nav system won't even let the passenger set a new destination while underway, it has such inane logic. The seat heater controls require you to look down at the aft end of the center console, a major distraction.
Disappointment
Don B., 03/30/2010
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Annoying things with this car. The power window makes a scraping noise when it rains. Poor gas mileage after ecm reprogramming for wvm23 recall. Seat belt doesn't retract quickly and gets stuck in door jam. Serious safety issue, Passenger air bag stays off with passenger in seat. This has been "repaired" 4 times still not working right.
Shudda kept my Beloved Baja
Ray, 03/24/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
I traded in a very nice 03 Subaru Baja and stayed with Subaru because of the splendid 5+ years experience I had with my Baja. In general, the Outback looks just fine and the Limited model has a nicely appointed and comfortable interior. However, the MPG on the outback is not very impressive 24.2 hwy (recent trip) and something under 20 around a very rural town. When compared to my Baja at 29 hwy and 24 town, Im loosing almost 82 miles per tank on the hwy (worth $11.00+/tank at todays prices and subject to increase in the future). All in all, really wish I had kept my beloved Baja.
Love this car
soldonsuby, 09/07/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love the way this car does what it does. Traded out of 1/2 ton full size pick up. I am very impressed w/ interior design, layout and comfort. I have big feet so the pedals could all use some more spacing but is not a problem. I like the aux audio jack but wonder why its hidden the console compartment. This does make it easy to "hide" what you have plugged into it. Hmm. The engine power is adequate and fuel economy is great for AWD vehicle of this size. Handling and ride comfort are excellent. Note on the cruise control... would like to tap the accel/decel buttons a number of times and have the speed change the corresponding number of MPH.
We like it so far!
Radar1, 01/10/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We needed a safer car for long distance touring with lots of cargo space, capable of towing our pop-up camper. The Outback fills the bill, and after 1100 miles we are impressed with the ride quality, handling, and gas mileage. On our first trip we averaged 28.2 MPG, which is just as good as our smaller 2.3 litre Ford Focus, but we had much more luggage space and comfort.
Not too bad
Ted, 01/02/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have been driving a civic hatchback for the past several years. I loved the civic, but with a growing family, I had to buy something a little roomier. The Outback was a good compromise between the civic that I loved, and the SUVs that I hate. It has enough room inside for me, my wife, and two small children in the back, with car seats. Being a family car, I also like the various standard safety features . The cargo area along with the roof racks, make the outback a great "errand runner". My only complaint is the the lack of power. I describe the outback's power as barely adequete. It could really use about 10-20 more horsepower. Not terrible, but noticable. Overall I do like the car alot.
Great value, fun!
cdb9000, 09/27/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought this car 4 months ago, replaced 2001 Toyota Landcruiser. Tired of paying $75 premium, now I pay $35 regular to fill it! Owned 2 Volvo wagons (new) before my LC, and the Subaru compared to those in comfort and luxury. I looked at the Honda CRV and Rav4, too. CRV had good safety, but so cheap inside I couldn't stand it. Rav4 has very poor rear crash test, and I don't like when Mac trucks come up on my rear when I'm stopped and sitting in a car with no bumper. Acceleration is fine, it's no BMW or 8cyl, but gets me from here to there safely and in comfort! The Subaru has 5 star safety ratings all around - very important to me (and kids). Check out IIHS website for crash ratings.
Best yet
Third timer, 07/01/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my 3rd Outback wagon and is the best so far. It rides and handles wonderfully and I actually get better mileage than the EPA sticker indicated.
Love driving this vehicle!
MarcusinPitt, 01/09/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A lot of friends questioned why I would purchase a wagon rather than a sports sedan such as the BMW 325xi, but I was looking for a vehicle with some utility, and this vehicle is a great alternative to an SUV/Crossover with much better gas mileage and handling. With only 1500 miles, the car is getting 23mpg (city/hwy combined). It rides 10x better than my 2006 Honda Accord and much quieter I must say. This Subaru is surprisingly elegant with a great interior layout, quiet, smooth ride, good handling all the while maintaining nice attention to luxury and durability. Despite the lack of a few accessories/options that are standard in most cars in it's class, the car is a great buy!
Nice Change For Us
Andy S, 10/09/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is our first Subaru and we're very favorably impressed. The car is quiet and handles very well both on the road and in the field when we're taking feed to the run-in sheds. Fuel mileage is great for a full time all wheel drive vehicle. Safety and reliability were key factors in selecting a Subaru. These cars are legendary in both areas and their strong, cult like customer loyalty reflects it.
Excellent in snow/ice
Joe, 01/09/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got this car during my second winter in the Northwest. Was driving a FWD Lexus RX 330 and a RWD Ford Explorer. Worlds different! I felt very unsteady with the Explorer, better with the Lexus. I haven't had any problems at all with the Subaru with regards to traction, control in the snow, etc. It works well for what I got it for. On snow days, I've taken it with no problems up and down hills which had given the other cars trouble.
Engine Racing
Carol, 12/22/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Had a 2000 Outback, liked it so well, I bought a 2008 Outback Wagon 5 spd man trans. It has 1,522 miles and just started this engine racing thing. When you shift thru from 1st to 5th gear it seems as though the gas is sticking causing RPMs to go up when you let off the accelerator. Sometimes when you downshift, the engine races like the accelerator is sticking. Took it to the dealer, he called Subaru Techline but before he could finish telling them what was wrong they said it was normal operation. We find that hard to believe. Racing past 2000rpms when the clutch is pressed and no foot on the accelerator doesn't seem normal to us.
Basis model beats Rav4 in smackdown
Lk Superior north sh, 08/19/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Had great Mazda3 but couldn't sleep with winter coming, spent two weeks checking out Rav4 options. Then drove the Suby, game over. Rav4 has +7ft cargo, +800lbs towing, and losses on at least a dozen other comps. This is a classy ride, I don't need speed. It's got all the winter things Toyota charges extra for. Better ride than either Base Rav or Rav Sport. 4AT has 3 modes, what else could I need? The basic climate and audio systems are a good trade off for heated 8 way power seats and true AWD.
Subaru Outback Limited with VDC
TODD SIGLER, 09/27/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I just bought my outback limited w/VDC about 3 weeks ago. At first, my vehicle was hesitating very badly and I took it back to the dealership where they said it was a loose #3 spark plug wire. I was not happy at this, to say the least. However, since the spark plug has been adjusted 2 weeks ago, my vehicle has been performing very well. My ride is much smoother than most vehicles I've been in; I don't feel bumps in the road as much as other vehicles. The AWD is wonderful in handling a lot of turns as I live in West Virginia.
Computer, oh my!
handimandi, 01/16/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my first Subaru and perhaps my last. After having a fun and wonderful drive home to Michigan from Virginia my Outback gave me a full "light show." Most of the warning lights came on, the most interesting being the "check engine" light. Computer problems. It has been back to the dealer service department 3 times now. It has been in the shop for more then 2 weeks. I bought it on 12/12/07, it has approx. 3100 miles on it, and I just made my first payment. The service department has been great, but my first Subaru experience has been a headache and a heartache. Will be using the lemon law if the car returns to the shop for a 4th time. Otherwise, a great and fun car.
Best Outback yet
Andrew, 10/02/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My third Outback and by far the best. Wanted a fun mid-life car, needed a practical car for the fam and the mountains. Subaru hits the mark with the XT turbo! Far more fun to drive than my H6 2002 LL Bean! It drives very tight and solid, very smooth and quiet, turbo kicks in nicely and pulls you along beautifully. I love wagons and the XT is the best combination of any brand/model. Steering wheel feels good in my large hands. Still trying to find the best seat position for my tall self. Skip the nav and add your own portable, upgradeable Garmin or other. Looked at SUVs (Tribeca, Highlander, RAV4, CR-V, RDX) and prefer XT. Great car for my wants and needs!
Subaru safe but
nukalas, 12/24/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It is an excellent vehicle in snow and in wet conditions. seats are a bit hard to get used to in the begining but you get used to them. MPG is below average and below what is advertised, for city driving I get 14-15 MPG with careful driving. Overall a good buy if you live in a snowbound area.
Love It!
miss_m, 01/17/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I absolutely love my Outback. I wanted a station wagon but few auto makers have them. It basically came down to a Subaru Outback or a Mercedes station wagon. I opted for the Subaru, which seemed far more practical and easier to maintain.
Subaru
Barbara Bengels, 10/09/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Adequate acceleration, stable braking, air conditioner dual controls and seat warmer excellent, single roof window works fine. Quite pleased with it. Miss cassette tape deck. Would like MP3 port.
Reliable AWD
NJ, 07/31/2009
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Ltd L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall, very nice car. Leather seats are luxurious and comfortable. Decent MPG for AWD system. Accurate Navigation system. Nice cargo room. Back seats are a little too cramped. I've owned 4.9L V8, 4.5L V8, 3.5L V6. Maybe this is why this Outback seems so so so so so slowwwwwwwwwwww. I make sure engine revs at around 6000 rpm and this car doesn't pick up speed quite well. I should've got XT or H6 version. If you don't care about acceleration, then this car may be the perfect car.
PZEV - "My Inner Treehugger"
highmile, 10/29/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We had already decided to buy a 2008 2.5i Outback when I happened across an Outback on the dealer lot with a different badge on the back that said "PZEV - Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle". I was curious as to what this was. Basically, it is the exact same car as your regular Outback, but with a more thorough burning of fuel and an emissions system on steroids. The emissions are as clean as a hybrid. My "Inner Treehugger" decided to splurge for the extra $200 for the PZEV option. We have been extremely happy with the vehicle. Unfortunately, I had to discover the PZEV since there seems to be little to no marketing for this "green" option.
Loud Car
Joe, 11/03/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Car is very LOUD at first start-up (cold after sitting overnight). Called Subaru about this. Said this is normal for 2.5i PZEV vehicle? I mean LOUD. It does quiet down after it warms up. When I went for test drive the car had been warmed up by dealer. Same thing when I went to pick-up car from dealer after purchase. I think that they were trying to hide this from me. I was told that only 2 valves are working at a cold start in order to heat up the catalytic converter faster to achieve the partial zero emission vehicle claim? Sounds like a class action suit in the making for premature engine wear in about 2 or 3 years. I would not have bought this car had I known this.
Great Wagon
eonrac, 10/01/2009
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Have owned this 2.5i for 2 years without any problems. Bought new and has only been to dealer for maintenance checks (oil change, tire rotation). Fun to drive. Back seat passengers are a little cramped, though front seats are very comfortable. Mileage is better than EPA. Gets at at least 20mpg in town and 29 on the highway. Cargo area is wide and long. Have hauled a Hoosier cabinet and a large entertainment center. Would be nice if hidden side storage compartment doors would stay on (only thing on OB that is flimsy). Love my Outback. Best decision ever made! My OB 2.5i is a PZEV and it is not loud. In fact, my neighbors call it the stealth car because it is so quiet.
08 Outback LTD
cptplt, 11/10/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
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2800 miles and I was concerned about the higher height and handling compared to my previous 98 Legacy GT but this Outback can take the corners as well as the Legacy did and has a softer ride. Having a WRX as well, this car handles surprisingly well for something with more ground clearance than an Explorer! Getting 24mpg in suburban roads. Front seats are incredibly confortable but coudl do with a memory function. Radio/HVAC controls need to be easier to use, you need to really look down at the controls whgen using them. The stock Potenza RE92s I have never liked (had them on 3 previous cars).
Pleased new Subie groupie
Frmr SUV ownr, 06/18/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Previously owned a Ford Explorer so skeptical about power of 4cyl but you can't have it all and I have been pleasantly surprised with performance/gas mileage. Getting 20city/29 hwy and it's plenty zippy for that king of economy. Brakes a bit unresponsive/long braking distance, taking getting used to but drove in the Carolina mountains and handled like a dream.
Too Small
Unhappy Outback, 11/11/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This Subaru does well in snow, is somewhat fun to drive, and gets good mileage. However, the interior is too small. There just is not enough leg room. When you look at the specs, it appears there should be plenty of leg room, but the seats are at an odd height or something so the numbers are very misleading. I'm actually thinking about selling this thing since I don't have enough leg room up front with a 4 yr old in the back!