Used 2010 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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205K and still going strong
Arthur Hoddick, 12/26/2018
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
My Outback is an AWESOME all round family utility vehicle, with unreal extreme weather capabilities and more clearance than nearly any standard AWD or 4WD vehicle sold in the US. It is the first car that I have owned, over 35 years, and 12 vehicles, that covers all the bases.. It tows my lightweight trailer well. It is a dream to drive on long haul trips; we've been done Upstate NY to Florida, multiple times, and do weekly day trips around New England. I, at 6'5" and 325 pounds, can comfortably sit in the rear seats, without pulling the fronts forward, and the front seats are phenomenal, with plenty of headroom, even with the sunroof option. I've used it for First Response Fire and EMS calls, in every imaginable weather condition, and it has always kept me safe. I have a full package of hideaway emergency response lighting, off road LED accessory lights, and public service/HAM radios installed. I bought it in late 2009, from a dealer in West Springfield, Mass. It has the longest lasting brakes of any car I've ever owned, as long as your mechanic uses strictly Subaru parts; my current set is going on 70K, and still has 30% left on the pads. The few quibbles I have, with my 2010, have been addressed and corrected, as the model has matured. I'm close to looking at a new machine, and have been considering the options out there, but, outside of gas mileage, I have yet to find a competitor's model that would give me more than, let alone near, what I already have in my Outback, and I know, firsthand, from working on crash scenes, that an Outback will protect me, and my loved ones, should we ever get involved in a bad accident; there are few similarly equipped vehicles available, that I would have that confidence about, and none are near the Outback's price point of entry.
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Wait for the 2011
CarProGA, 06/26/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
This car has terrible squeaks and rattles. It drives well but feels underpowered in the mountains of Georgia. I would wait and see if they work out some issues for 2011. Fit and finish and power anemic as well as strange feeling seats after about an hour in the car.
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The best and the worst of my first Subaru
AJG, 12/19/2016
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
With a redesign in 2010 & the promise of more room and a CV Transmission coupled with arguably the best AWD system on the road today, I was excited to take the plunge into the Subaru world. Seemingly endless research, advice from coworkers and friends and a dealer that was rated high by it's users, suggested a potential slam dunk purchase was in store. Well....maybe not so much. Both dealer and 3rd party vehicle service contract holder did their best to avoid any assistance in dealing with the dreaded Subaru head gasket failure brought on by weak dealer maintenance before the sale, shortly after I got the car home. I wouldn't get to drive my new Outback again for another month while the engine was essentially rebuilt. This is about the only thing that keeps Subaru from a perfect rating from me. Their failure to address what has come to be known as their Achilles heel. A full year later, I can't believe how great this car is. The savvy consumer will see beyond the brand name and realize what they are getting for their money. My Outback feels as solid as it did 6 years ago rolling off the lot. It's 2.5i premium package includes the heated power seats, generous interior space, amazing ride and fairly zippy 170 HP Boxer engine. Passing is done easily and winter drives feel more confident riding on an AWD system that won't back down. If you live in a cold weather climate like I do and the 'all weather package' is an option, take it. Heated wipers and side mirrors may not sound like much, until you get hit with snow and ice and spend the extra time clearing those areas for driving. Throw in remote start, insane fuel economy (22/29 CTY/HWY) when using the 2.5i 170 HP CVT automatic transmission, and features like steering wheel radio controls, I've had to stop and ask myself why I hadn't consider Subaru years ago. I no longer fear my snow/ice covered steep driveway in the winter time. I tackle it as slow as I can (Even stop half way up) to see if I can make it slip. So far I have been unsuccessful in doing so. It's worth mentioning another issue Subaru has which is the oil burning issue. From what I can tell, this isn't a problem on the 2010-2011 2.5i 4 cylinder models, however Subaru would do good to get this and the head gasket issue on the front burners asap if it hopes to stand with the likes of Toyota and Honda. My daily commute is now an enjoyable, comfortable ride. There is no rust and the car looks, handles and rides as good as it did from day one. This is the kind of car you hang on to.
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Never again update never never
Ray, 07/24/2016
updated 07/26/2018
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
52 of 58 people found this review helpful
I like to keep cars as long as I can, We bought this car new thinking it would last us 10 to 15 yrs, Now I'm not so sure it will, we are about 6 yrs in and have put way to much into it to get it here. the first problem we had at about 15000 miles was the brakes, the rear pads fell out wrecking the caliper, at less than 20000, the tires were shot, uneven wear, we are now at about 92000, and on our 4th set always uneven wear, we have to have it alinged twice a year because it won't stay alinged. Have had that done by a few different shops and found one that can do it really well and seems to last the longest. Other problems the ac sucks, dealer looked at says it's ok, still sucks, poor line of sight, the rear view mirior is in the wrong place, and the roof towers block a lot, also the shocks in the rear had to be replace at 15000, now they all need replacing again, all the wheel bearings have been done, front ball joints, brake pads at least on the third or 4th set, and the list keeps going, all the brake disc, Now for the second time it had to be towed to the dealer because the ignition switch is stuck, can't wait to get that bill, and to top it off it's about time to do the belts. We are not rich and this car has been hard for us, new this car was to much money. I hope this helps other people when buying a car. Update, so still have th car because I like no car payment. But we keep having to do a lot of work to it, hard to keep tires the alignment goes out a lot and runes the tires, lost count of breaks we have done, rusting out now hope to get a couple more years before I bring to the salvage yard, had to replace all the ball joints and a arms where shot. Just an all around pice of junk. But a thousand here and there still works out better than a car payment. 110000 miles or so now.
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Very Disappointed
sarah19goddess, 11/17/2012
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
37 of 41 people found this review helpful
Bought this car new off the lot and I have owned it for 1.5 years. From the very start I've had nothing but problems. Here's a list of issues: The GPS hard drive unit crapped out, entire unit replaced. Sun roof leaked twice in the first rains. Had to have new seals put in and buy a car cover. Sound system has been horrible from the start. At low volume the sound goes in and out in waves. Plastic seat casing along driver side seat kept popping off the track and then cracked. Passenger seat motor died, replaced. Check engine light keeps reappearing for gas cap (erroneously). Electronic e-break system keeps getting stuck engaged causing excessive wear. There's more but I'm out of characters.
First and last Subaru
Matt Wilkinson, 07/20/2017
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
After years of hearing nothing but amazing things about Outback's, I bought a 2010 2.5i Premium for my wife when we moved out into the country and traded in our 2012 accord EX-L. The Subie was comfortable, great looking and offered fantastic traction. Bought it used with 80k miles on it(everything I read said this was not even broken in). In the 4 months we owned it, the brake calipers literally fell apart, the engine mounts went bad, the torque converter failed twice, and the engine started drinking anti-freeze. in 4 months I spent over $3,000 keeping the car on the road. When leaving to go to dinner last night, the car lurched when coming to stop and with a loud CLANG stalled out entirely. This was very similar to what it would do when the torque converter failed(twice). Limped it to the dealer, they told me I needed to replace the CVT(transmission). Went straight from the Subaru dealer to the Honda dealer and traded it in for a 2012 CR-V EX-L. Feels great to be back in a Honda. Too bad. I was really looking forward to the Outback. Disappointed.
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Sports sedan of an SUV
sheepdog, 11/28/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
I wanted a family car/suv that drove like a sports car. This is the car chose. Fits the bill pretty well. I did research at Subaru outback.org and found a lot of them add a Subaru 19 mm rear sway bar kit ($72 online) that makes the car corner much flatter but still ride well. This 10 minute easy install job provided my family sports car. Best $72 upgrade ever. Dealership had no problem with the switch for warranty. Drives with a German feel now. Watch your speed, the car likes to be driven over 60 mph everywhere!
Needs redesign of back end
Heather, 05/08/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Within a month of owning this car, the thin piece of trim above the rear hatch release snapped in half. To fix, the entire rear panel (with multiple parts, like the logo, lights, etc.) has to be bought: $400+. Thanks, Subaru. Why isn't this a large, solid panel? And why can't individual parts be purchased? Also, the hatch door can be difficult to close, making me repeatedly get out of the car to close the door. You have to slam it. Otherwise have loved the car. Road trip mileage of 34 mpg/500 miles on that tank! Previous car was 01 Forester with 180K.
Great vehicle, finally grown up
downeast3, 04/28/2011
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Seems every time Subaru revamps a car there is quit a lot of controversy. I formerly drove a 1997 OB with 5 speed. I loved it but had to give it up due to poor ergonomincs. I'm 6'3" and used to get a lot of right hip pain when I drove for more than 2-3 hrs. I had a lot of 16 hr plus cross country trips in that car and it used to just wear me out. I had to swear off Subaru untill the 2010 came out. Love the fit and feel. Very comortable, more economical with the 6 speed. Not a dog but not as sporty either. For real travelling, there is no substitute for comfort! Nice to be able to get to Sugarloaf after the 2 1/2 hr drive feeling fresh and ready to ski! Very relieable so far!
Former VW - BMW Owner
bigchief, 03/20/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Made my decision to purchase after getting my BMW out of winter storage, became exhausted from the pounding of those run flat tires, just terrible. The ride is smooth, vehicle is sure footed, I now enjoy a relaxed commute. Purchased the 2.5 with manual transmission, just could not become convinced on the CVT. About 1,000 miles into it and has been enjoyable thus far.
Go for the 3.6R Limited!
rpr, 08/16/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
Our 2005 Forester was in an accident so we test drove the new Subaru's and were thoroughly impressed with the 2010 Outbacks. The 4 cyl didn't have enough power for us, so we went w/ the 3.6. Didn't like the fabric on the seats on the Premium models, and we needed bluetooth, side view mirror defrost & auto climate control, so we went with the Limited. Outstanding redesign, plenty of power, good fuel economy, extremely comfortable interior, very quiet (much improved w/o the frameless windows). One thing to look out for, these 3.6 engines can have a fairly bad hesitation when accelerating from low speeds. Many may not notice it, but I trust/hope there will be a TSB fix from Subaru.
Good Value
hokie_dad, 07/20/2011
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 27 people found this review helpful
Our Outback is now 2 years old and has been a great vehicle. It's big enough for trips around town, yet fits in the garage. It has more than enough leg room in the rear seat and still have plenty of cargo room. The CVT transmission takes a little getting used to, but overall has been great. It'll take a second to build revs when you hit the gas, but a normal transmission would take a second to downshift too, so it's about the same. Child seat is easy to install and remove. Our Outback has been averaging 28 mpg with mostly intown driving. On a recent trip, the highway MPG was averaging 34. I've seen a lot of complaints about steering issues. I haven't experienced any, ours does fine.
Unreliable, poor ride, crude handling
Scott, 08/02/2020
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
The Outback offers utility, but that’s about it. Ride quality is poor, especially from the rear suspension, and is no fun to drive on the freeway. The accelerator pedal is twitchy and hard to get used to. Now the fun part: the engine is very unreliable—you WILL have to replace the head gasket for $2500, and apparently this is true of newer models as well. Don’t believe people who say Subaru fixed the problem! In the last year I’v had it towed three times: new timing belt tensioner broke, then head gasket blew, now a valve train failure. It is now sitting at the shop needing a new engine. I am test driving Hyunda while I research salvage options. Subaru is a marketing, not car-car building success.
Back to the past
rsdao, 01/28/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2010 Outback recently after owning an RX 330 for the past 6 years. I must admit that both my wife and I felt a bit uneasy contemplating moving "down" from a luxury name plate but we couldn't be more pleased with our decision. We went with the less fuel efficient but more fun to drive 6 cyl. It combines performance, safety, comfort, and utility in a sensibly sized and priced package. Our first family vehicle was a 1985 subie that we loved but grew out of. After driving mini vans and various SUV's it is nice to know that you can go "home" and enjoy the experience. I recommend the 2010 Outback Highly!
The engine can shut off while turning
Delta, 07/29/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought this after driving a 1999 Forester for 10 years. We also have a 2005 Outback in the family. I initially like that this Outback is bigger, but quickly found that it is clunkier to shift and does not have the pick-up or power I could feel in my old Forester. Also, the trunk/hatch door is unnecessarily heavy and a pain to open and close. There have been two recalls necessitating trips back to the dealer for fixes. Now, after having the engine just cut off during turns several times, I have learned from my dealership that they've seen this with 2010 Outbacks. Engines can just shut off while driving! Seriously dangerous and the recall for this has not yet been written.
Does the job.
Neill, 12/13/2018
updated 06/14/2021
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Gas mileage is good on highway and average in city. Comfortable front seats and I took this cross country. Cannot rate backseats because they were not used by passengers. Sufficient room for storage when backseats folded down. Plenty of room to sleep in car on weekend roadtrips or hunting trips. Have had plenty of brake issues (master cylinder, pads, rotors and electric brake module around 135,000 . Check engine light comes on and has to be reset once a month, nothing ever is wrong. Same message but O2 sensor is fine, faulty box and dealers say they can't sell new ones so carhas to go to shop and get warning cleared. Extremely annoying.
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2011 Outback 2.5 limited w/auto CVT
mike07734, 01/11/2011
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Over all, the vehicle is awesome. Had some issues with rattle in roof liner up near the sunroof, front passenger door. Dealer fixed. Another issue now surfaced after the custom installed the ambient light package, now the switch for the vent on the passenger side is stuck in the open position. They also put watered down wiper fluid in the wiper fluid tank during the last oil change. Drove to upstate NY where the washer jets froze up. Had to go to the store and buy real wiper fluid that doesn't freeze, then let the car engine warm up the frozen lines. Other than that, no other issues.
The State Car of Oregon
Mikeonthe go, 10/01/2018
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
The only issues we have had were hose corrected in recalls. Like headlights burning out. The dealer does it for free. It just is very reliable and does what it promises. Not sleek. Not for racing. But, great for getting round in any weather. I have had three Outbacks and one Impreza. That should tell you something.
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Still Happy after a Year
billradio, 04/25/2011
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
It has been about a year of ownership of my Outback. This is the family's 3rd Subaru and my 2nd Outback. It may be too nice a car for me. Subaru owners use their car for hard work, rough terrain and bad weather. The 2010 model change made the car nicely refined and still able to perform those utilitarian functions. The upgraded audio/Bluetooth option was a good investment. I love the CVT transmission: in the mountains it adjusts as necessary instead of the constant shifting up & down on convential trannies. The 4-cylinder is more than adequate to climb on the interstate hills at full speed. The larger interior is great. The gas mileage is much better than expected.
2010 SUV of the Year? Not really...
Chebosto, 11/17/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
I needed a larger car due to family expansion and was drawn to the Outback due to the MotorTrend SUV of year award. Since owing the car since June, I believe that award to be false advertising. Our 2.5 Ltd does have good mpg & excellent interior design and ergonomics however there are too many minor issues to be truly satisfied with the car. The 2.5 H4 with the CVT transmission is weak and clunks when getting out of D or P; steering wheel vibrations @ 70-80 mph is hand numbing during long trips; Non-folding side mirrors annoying when parking; rear end sways in side winds; AC does not stay cold when idling; roof cross bars inadequate for most rack systems; the stereo sounds terrible. Sigh.
There's a LOT of room for improvement!
westtxlady, 05/28/2011
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
If I had written this review after three months of ownership I would have given it a solid 5 stars, but here's the thing - after you drive it for a while, you start to notice a lot of "little" things that turn out to be pretty darn big. The car stalls at low speeds, especially on inclines, but often on flat surfaces. This is annoying when climbing in a mountainous area or in stop-and-go rush hour traffic - dangerous because when you tell your car to GO! you expect it to go! Took the car to the dealership, described the issue and after a test drive they said that they didn't feel or find the problem that I was talking about. The AC doesn't stay cold and is inadequate for West Texas heat.
LOVE my outback!!
Chrissy, 06/23/2021
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I LOVE my outback so far. It's a bit pricier to up keep, but the peace of mind I have with that car is all worth it. Great mileage for such a large vehicle, Ive been taking it on cross country road trips, primitive camping adventures, it's a great vehicle for such an on the go outdoorsy person
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Love, Love, Love!!
MP, 12/24/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is our first Subaru, we have test drove many SUVs and other crossovers, this was the last one we test drove. We love our Subie..drives great in the snow, does not even care what snow is!! The one thing my husband wishes it had was memory seats and the retractable side mirrors. I am super happy about the AWD and our Great Dane fits perfectly in the back. :)
A Maintenance Hole
Adams, 08/15/2018
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Holy cow! Every time I turn around I’m bleeding out money to maintain this car. From crappy headlights that constantly burn out ($110/each) to GD Check Engine lights every 3 months. Great car for 80k miles, then sell it ASAP. Get 31+ mpg regularly.
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I was sad to trade it in for a 2018 Outback!
Gabrielle RS, 04/12/2018
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I love this car. I just traded it in for my 3rd Subaru Outback. the things I love are how well it handles driving in snow and rough conditions. I feel quite safe in it while driving in all kinds of weather. I also love how much storage room there is in the back. We brought two kids back and forth to college and only had to rent a haul oncewhen my son graduated and somehow aquired a lot of furniture while in college. My husband loves the leg room in the front passenger seat. He is 6 feet tall and can sit with his legs completely extended. The car is also quite reliable. We onely started having problems with it after it crested 100,000 miles. Prior to that we experienced no break downs or surprises. The AWD is great. The sound system is adequate. There is no bluetooth so we always had a lot of cords connecting variosu devices. All in all it is a great car if you like long trips, have a family, do winter sports and want a great value!
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Head Gasket Blown at 80K
COKatie, 03/25/2019
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Title says it all. I have never put $2500 into a car at 80K. Previously owned Toyota and Honda. Way too many recalls and stupid little have gone wrong. Looking to dump car and move on
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I really wanted to like this car, but...
WeatherfordOutback, 09/23/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
This is a great snow car, however it developed the well documented front end shimmy almost immediately. Many of the convenience and entertainment features are quirky or poorly implemented (such as a Nav system that is horrendous and can't be read with Polarized sunglasses). Subaru finally admitted that their proposed fix to the shimmy problem would not really fix the problem, so we traded the vehicle in. Gas mileage was mid-20's in town, 30 and up on the highway. Dealership process was generally poor. A road force balance would fix the shimmy for 1000 miles or so, then it returned with a vengeance. Proposed permanent fix involved almost entire steering system rebuild.
Excellent Choice... 2 yrs later
yycfamily, 11/15/2011
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I have had my 2010 Subaru Outback since August 2009..... still one of the best, trouble free cars I have owned. Previous to this I had a VW Touareg and a SAAB 95 Wagon. The Outback feels more solid and I have only had to take it into the shop for regular servicing..... meanwhile the others spent more time in shop than out of it. Definitely a quality product! I wish I had got leather seating but, that's my fault not Subaru's.
Good first car, but noisy engine
AMR, 02/22/2017
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car at a used car dealership. It had about 137,000 miles on it and was priced at around $11,000. I was told this car would easily get to 200,000 miles so long as routine maintenance was done. I really loved this car, especially within the first year. However, at about 142,000 miles, my engine would sudden cut out in the middle of driving. It did this on three separate occasions and in different situations. The first time it happened was when I was trying to change lanes, and I sped up to pass another car. The engine made a strange sound and would no longer accelerate. Luckily there was a median in which I could pull into. The dashboard lit up with all warning lights, so I turned the car off and turned it back on. All the dashboard lights went off, and the car was fine after that. This happened again when I came to a quick stop near my neighborhood. The car shuttered and then would not accelerate. I was in a residential area, so I was able to turn the car off and on again at a stop sign. The third time was the scariest- I was driving on the interstate going 75 mph when the engine made a rattling noise and cut off. I had to quickly pull into the right lane so as to move into the shoulder. I was rather shaken up at that point, as it was a much more dangerous situation. I've seen a few other reviews that discuss the car suddenly stalling in the middle of driving and turning, so I'm not sure if this is a common thing on a 2010 Subaru. I took it to two Subaru dealerships to have it looked at, but no one was able to diagnose the problem. Eventually I took it to a maintenance company that worked on several different makes of cars, and they cleaned out the throttle body. Apparently it was gunky, though the maintenance man could not guarantee that this would fix the problem (so he did not charge me for this service). My Subaru was recently totaled, and I have to say that I already miss driving it. The safety features on this vehicle are phenomenal, and I don't think I would have come out unscathed from the car accident had I been driving something smaller, as I was hit by a Jeep Cherokee on my way to work. If you want something that will keep you safe, handles well in poor weather, and is comfortable to sit/drive in, I recommend this car. However, Subarus are pretty expensive to purchase and maintain, so it may be best to consider other AWD SUVs that are a little easier on your wallet and still perform well in unpredictable weather.
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Luxurious Forrester
do-da, 08/30/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Wanted a Forrester for a year. Went to buy one but none on the lot. Test drove the new body style Outback. It has the same benefits as the Forrester, plus the advantage of better gas mileage and more plush interior. Can't beat the 30+ MPG on an AWD vehicle. Plus, it's wide enough to seat 3 kids booster seats.
Love my green machine
C caldwell, 12/28/2015
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Car is wonderful except for navigation. As long as you do regular maintenance, the car us a dream.
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Great Machine
Happy, 10/27/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I have 2000 miles on new outback. The 3.5 engine/automatic matchup is a perfect combination... getting 26 mph with all kinds of power and acceleration. Car handles well in high water with no hydroplaning. I live in snow zone, looking forward to experiencing its reputation as a snow machine. Very comfortable cabin and with the limited accessories it offers all one needs. Recommend this vehicle as a great deal for all around uses.
Best car I've owned, even with some ugly angles.
J.D., 04/03/2017
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The car is ugly from some angles but it's my favorite car ever and I absolutely love it. The engine is surprising responsive--I raced and won against my friend's 370 HP Jaguar in a 100 yard dash. I also beat his 1983 911SC Porsche in a 100 yard dash (both on private property, and safely). I pass with ease when I need to on the highway. The seat fits me perfectly--your results may vary. Traction is a non-issue, because it just grips everywhere. And my tires are nothing special--just some thin cheap little things that came on it when I bought it used. Even in wet weather, it's hard for me to get it to break loose (when I try hard in the rain just to test its limits). The car really is amazing. Dogs love the back. Dual climate control works well in full auto, heated seats are great, radio is fine (Harmon Kardon sound is ok but not great), hands-free phone setup works pretty well if you activate calling from phone instead of weird Subaru controls. Finally figured out cruise control and it works really well (you have to push Cruise ON and speed down at the same time). I bought mine in light blue because price and availability. And it is honestly somewhat ugly from the front. But oh well. I still absolutely love it and don't see owning another brand. First Subaru after driving for 30 years and it's a keeper.
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- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I should have done more research
Rich B., 12/24/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is certainly a much quieter and more comfortable vehicle than the '96 Outback it's replacing. It handles nicely, has adequate power for my needs, and is very versatile in many ways. There are, however, some features that really irk me: 1. The roof rack design is very inflexible compared to the typical set of rails on most SUVs. 2. The sideview mirrors do not fold. 3. In order to make Harman-Kardon stereo in the 2.5 Limited fully functional with an iPod, the dealer quoted nearly $600 in parts & labor for the "media hub." 4. Cost to add a bumper hitch was quoted at $675 due to bumper mods. My advice - look closely before you buy the 2010 Outback; it comes up short in a few key areas.
Great wagon/SUV combination
rschleicher, 11/17/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've only had my new Outback for a few weeks (600 miles), but it has been great. I was looking for something with a good AWD capability for driving up to Lake Tahoe in the winter, and one that would be pretty capable off-road, while having fairly car-like driving attributes, and better gas mileage than the full-size SUV I was replacing. The Outback scores on all aspects. Instead of being a compromise crossover that doesn't excel at anything, it is a vehicle that is truly a pleasure to drive in any environment. It satisfies my engineer's need for utility and practicality, while still being very entertaining to drive. The 3.6 H6 engine is very smooth and strong, with decent mileage.
Having Second Thoughts on Subaru
Erik59, 04/14/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased a manual 2010 Outback after wrecking my BMW in a snow storm. It definitely has great all-weather traction, and is very comfortable. I'm very tall and I fit very comfortably in the front seats. The power front driver's seat is nice. It does OK on the highway, but is more jittery than my old car. I thought the manual transmission would be fun (my last 4 cars were manuals) but the clutch engagement is very high, and not progressive. The 4 cylinder engine has just enough oomph but is very noisy at anything more than medium throttle. The handling is clumsy compared to a car, but probably better or on par with other mid-size SUVs. Should have gone with the AWD Ford Fusion
Great, little things need to be fixed
DK, 10/26/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
We had a steering shimmy at 60+mph, but was fixed with dealer changing wheels/tires upon pick-up. Great all around car, but for a "Premium" trim that costs about $28000, missing too many little details. My Scion($18000) has one-touch auto up/down windows at ALL windows, the Subaru only has the driver's side. For an "outdoors" car, the door cup holders should hold a Nalgene Bottle. Throttle response in Reverse is horrible. Great off road, great seats, awesome amount of space in second row and rear cargo area. Folding cross-members are an excellent idea. the front seats are comfortable and seat heaters are quick to heat. Driving for MPG, I can get around 30-33 highway/city mix!
got rid of the Lemmon. Sub frame rotted out, widow
J. P. Bacsick, 11/20/2015
updated 06/01/2018
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 11 people found this review helpful
Expect to be looking for "RUST RESISTANT" brake rotors to replace factory installed. Factory specs for allignment not the best for breezy days on open road. Oh, and the water intrusion! Jammed driver door window, "premium sound system" really sucks. Constantly having to clamp loose heat shields from rattling. Going back to Toyota products. Switched to a Prius V. It is almost as spacious as the Outback, but what an upgrade! Wife can still load kayaks INSIDE and have a friend sit behind to head to their destination.
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
It grows on you....
Chris Amberg, 03/17/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Traded a 2002 Honda CR-V manual for the 3.6R Outback auto. I live on an acreage and drive gravel every day, plus after this winter realized I needed the ground clearance. With snow tires (must have) it will be a tank. Most CUVs have gotten lower to the ground; Subie is tops here. Love the smooth, quiet power of the flat six; wish the engine came with a manual but paddle shifters will help wean me from my manual preference. I still have a Miata stick so ok compromise.
Frozen feet
Hill Dweller, 02/23/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is our third Subaru and we've loved our 2001 Outback. The most disappointing feature of out 2010 is that the heater does not blow heat onto one's feet even when set to floor alone. When the fan is turned up the noise is deafening and still no heat on feet. We took it in for servicing as we just assumed it must be some blockage or disconnection from shipping. We were told this is "normal". This seems ridiculous as this model touted as being perfect for snowy climes. Should be sold with complimentary boxes of toe warmers! What's up with stationary outside mirrors. Liked the break-aways on older models lots better! Wish speedometer was more precise- only 10mph increments and 20 mph digits.
Best Vehicle I've Ever Owned
GNC, 03/20/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Took almost 12 weeks from order date until delivery, but was really worth the wait. This is by far the best vehicle I've ever owned, I love driving it. Drives like a much more expensive vehicle. Very responsive acceleration and braking. 3.6 engine has great power and still gets very good gas mileage, avg 21 mpg in city. Extremely comfortable seats. Excellent sound system. Performance in snow is outstanding. Holds the road like a magnet even in deep snow. Hands free phone system is disappointing, not easy to program or use. Heated seats work great but would prefer they turn off automatically when engine is turned off.
Subaru Virgins
Asphalt Pirate, 02/01/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We just purchased our first Subaru for my wife. Neither of us had owned or driven one before. Wow, was I impressed. I figured it would be a typical Japanese tin can with no power. This car is all business and yet refined. Fantastic engine, plenty of head and leg room (I'm 6'3). Smooth endless power on tap. Nice layout of the interior controls. Absolutely an outstanding car.
CVT Noise?
Dennis, 11/05/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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.
Like my new 2010 3.5 Outback
PM, 02/01/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Got about 600 miles and really like it. Had a 2004 LL Brean and this is a lot more car. Larger, more comfortable to drive, but more difficult to parallel park. A lot nicer on the road and feels like a Lexus ride. Mileage is better too. Will take it to snow country this next weekend. Tires bounce a little (not terrible) and feel like they are over inflated or made of a cheap single ply rubber.
Another Great Subaru
Fritz, 02/04/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My fourth Subaru and thus far my favorite. This car is "tight" and well built. The 3.6 is a strong, smooth engine that works well with the 5 speed auto. The navigation system is easy to use and the Harman Kardon stereo sounds great. Interior room is MUCH improved over previous generations and overall it is well laid out. As one would expect this car handles the snow and cold with ease and is a blast to drive.
Be safe with a Subaru
DeniseLovesCars, 08/25/2017
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
What a great ride. Aside from regular maintenance, I can't recall doing any other repairs, other than having to fix a rattle in the undercarriage (just replaced a couple bolts.) I've been pretty hard on the vehicle too. I hit crazy potholes living in Pittsburgh, I hit a curb hard once (oops). Never let me down. The seats are much more comfortable than my 2001 Outback. My back starts to hurt after about 4 straight hours in the car instead of one or two. This thing doesn't let me down in the winter. I frequently have to drive in snow/ice and only occasionally get stuck in very deep snow on my driveway, which is a very steep hill and not shoveled when I arrive home from work. The only negatives are: 1.) the vehicle didn't come with a USB port. It has bluetooth for the phone, but really no other modern technologies that seem to be found in other 2010 vehicles. 2.) I only get 22-23 mpg (pretty much all city driving), which is what it's rated for I believe, so it's what I should've expected. 3.) I find the interior kind of "cold" in that there are "metal" accents in the car. Also, if I want to be really nitpicky, it doesn't hug the road as well as my 2001 Outback did. But I imagine that's due to it's bigger size, it's more like a crossover than it's predecessor.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Mixed Feelings
Fatty, 08/16/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The concept of the car is perfect. Excellent fuel economy, lots of cargo and passenger room and an available manual transmission (a rarity nowadays). The execution is less than perfect. A new rattle or two every day, wallowing handling (although the smooth ride is a decent consolation) and serious quality and safety defects. If you own a manual transmission equipped Outback (or will own in the future), make sure you get the TSB performed to fix the stalling issue (a major safety concern).
Best of the Best
Adam, 12/09/2009
2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Wow! Drove it 347 miles non stop from dealer driveway to my driveway, virtually all @ 70 or 75 MPH and averaged 28.2 MPG and still had more than a quarter of a tank left. A little more than five hours: the seat was great; no fatigue, great support. Vehicle is quiet, tight and fun to drive. The 3.6R is a great engine.
Blind spot and poor sight lines are a deal killer
fyb, 12/28/2011
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 24 people found this review helpful
I've had this car on lease for over two years, it will be going back to the dealer. It's okay for around town driving at moderate speeds. On the highway I find the car exhausting to drive on trips longer than 30 min. The sightlines make me feel as though I am hurling through space. CVT delay is significant and the blind spots take away my confidence so I stay in the slow lane and rarely go over 65mph, which is not my normal style of driving. I live in the NYC area and am accustomed to aggressive driving and drivers. My boyfriend hates driving this car too, and being a passenger is no better. The design/windshield angle makes the passenger feel as though we are going to crash at any moment.
Difficult to start at high altitudes
Jeff, 01/27/2010
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
All perspective owners should be aware that this vehicle has a known and systemic issue at high altitudes. Specifically, the car is very difficult to start. I live in the Denver area (5200 feet) and took it up to Breckenridge (9200 feet) for the weekend. When we wanted to leave in the morning to go to the slopes I had a very difficult time starting it. This happened again after skiing all day. According to Dealer, this problem is well known by Subaru and they are working on a fix but don't have one yet. I am extremely frustrated (not surprised) that this known issue was not communicated to me by the dealer. I am writing this review to warn other potential buyers of this issue.