Used 2013 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Impressive Machine
jetpilot767, 08/28/2012
2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
39 of 43 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2013 Outback 3.6 Limited last month. Since then I have traveled from Georgia to New Hampshire to Michigan and Illinois visiting family and friends. All told, I put 3400 miles on the car very quickly. I had been looking at the Outback for several years since my 2002 BMW X-5 was getting a bit long of tooth. I am glad I did because just about all the complaints from other reviewers of the 2010- 2012 models have been resolved. The more I drive this car, the more I enjoy it. And it will go places that other crossovers only dream about.
2013 Outback Adds Bells and Whistles
bepete, 11/04/2012
2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
30 of 33 people found this review helpful
The Subaru Outback has always been on my watch list because of its high reliability / resale value coupled with proven AWD performance. When Motor Trend awarded its SUV of the Year Award to the redesigned and larger 2010 Outback, I took a closer look but felt the vehicle lacked tech and comfort features that were commonplace in the new vehicle market. The top of the line 2013 Subaru Outback has changed all that, and was worth the wait. The Outback Limited (especially with the Special Appearance Package) was a clear choice for me relative to the awkward looking (Honda CrossTour, Toyota Venza) and the pricey (Acura RDX, Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland). The 3.6R has been a blast to drive.
2013 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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Never again another subaru
Laura, 03/12/2019
2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I have had to replace catalytic converter and the car is less than five years old. Had to replace solenoid due to dash lights all flashing like 4th of July . Spent nearly $7500 over the course of a year on repairs and the parts for Subaru are extremely expensive
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V good except interior, controls, and NAV system
cmlsudbury, 12/28/2013
updated 01/06/2020
2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Perfect size for hauling dogs and gear (kayaks, bikes). Very good CVT and AWD, but poor choices of interior (light and dark both show every single mark, especially along door where the low entry angle guarantees that your toes will mark the lower door panel and clog the speaker holes), poorly-designed heating/AC controls, which are difficult-to-find (while driving) push buttons instead of an easy-to-find and turn rotary dial, horrible AUDIO/NAV setups (which are easily the least-intuitive and most frustrating interfaces I have ever used in my life), and many annoying designs (e.g., parking brake, window switches) which are the reverse of every other vehicle I have owned. Roof rack storage design looks clever, but it requires a wrench to move it to a useful position further back. Some rust along window trim, which will be expensive to fix. Still have original tires (summer and winter), but will need new summer tires after another season. Ride is much rougher than my Jeep Cherokee. The size is perfect, I will not buy another Outback.
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My first and possibly only Subaru Outback
John Winter, 09/01/2018
updated 03/10/2025
2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
I bought this car primarily for its reliability and that it has been. I have only been back to the dealer once for a recall and that is it. The only part I purchase from the dealer is the gasket for oil changes, which I do myself. The engine and transmission combination are interesting once you figure out where the power is and how much right foot to use. Around town a light right foot is needed because the throttle tip in on the four cylinder is abrupt. On the highway, a light right foot is also helpful when passing. The CVT for the most part is unobtrusive, especially when you are cruising on flat highway, but go up a hill or demand power to pass and the CVT whines and the engine noise goes up too. This is my first CVT and will be my last. Subaru did program in some shift points but in all honesty they are only good when downshifting to pass someone. I use the shift paddles on the steering wheel because the CVT will respond more quickly. Ride comfort is pretty good especially on good roads. The driver's seat is comfortable but the front passenger seat leaves something to be desired in terms of adjustability which is quite limited. Road noise is well suppressed except on very coarse surfaces. Wind noise is also well suppressed except in crosswinds over 20 MPH or if you have the cross bars open to carry cargo on the roof rack. Handling with the stock Continentals was barely marginal and after 22,000 miles I got rid of them. I replaced them with Pirelli P7 Cintourato H speed rated tires. Big world of difference. The Subaru rode more smoothly and was much quieter too. Handling went from barely marginal to nearly sports car like. Almost no drifting on curves at highway speed and instant response to steering inputs and nominal body roll in emergency maneuvers. Brakes are decent but do not hold up well. I had to replace the rear brakes at 42,000 and the fronts at 57,000 with mostly highway driving. I went with solid rotors on the back and cross drilled and slotted in the front. In both cases I am using high performance Hawk pads and since the change over the car stops really well and in less distance. The engine has been dead reliable. No oil consumption issues for my FB25. I change oil every 4000 miles and use 5W-20 synthetic instead of the 0W-20 synthetic. Oil consumption is less than one-half quart in 4000 miles. Oil change is a snap and it takes me about twenty minutes. Do not try a 5W-30 synthetic in this engine. It will run, but badly, at least in my experience. Climate control is excellent with very fast heat in the winter and very fast cooling in the summer. The A/C does take some power away from the performance and about one MPG in fuel economy. The basic radio/infotainment system is the only negative I have. The radio and CD player itself work well and the sound quality is good. Try pairing a cellphone and that in itself is a small nightmare. The instructions in the manual are beyond convoluted. Sometimes the paired phone is not even recognized. Sound quality is horrendous and in one case I had to hold my cellphone against the driver side window to be able to hear the other person or for them to hear me. Subaru and the dealer offered no support whatsoever for this issue. March 4, 2020. Have 87K miles on the car. Have had to do the rear brakes again with rotors and pads. Interior is starting to show it's age with the driver's seat now not as supportive. A bit more wind noise showing up around the outside mirrors too. No squeaks or rattling yet. Fuel economy remains mediocre at 23 to 24 mph combined with barely 28 mpg on the highway cruising at 63 MPH. Starting becoming cranky at times especially in the morning. Battery is in good condition. Transmission shutters from time to time when coming to a stop. Will keep it for another year or so. March 2023. Still have the beast. Has 112,600 on the odometer. Transmission shuttering better after a software update. Much easier to get the gear I want with my right foot. Fuel economy is better and the engine feels looser. Starting to get some very mild oil consumption, about 0.5 quarts per 2000 miles. No oil leaks or burnt oil smell. Ride remains quiet and smooth depending on the tires I have used. Presently have Nokian WR G4 SUV mounted. They are quiet and smooth and excellent in the rain.
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