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Used 2014 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

3 years old now and still love it

Steve S, 10/23/2015
updated 04/26/2017
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
104 of 107 people found this review helpful

I bought my OB in January 2014. I originally wanted a Forester, but later decided on the Outback for a better ride, more room and its availability, being that it was manufactured close to home here in the US. The Forester is mfg in Japan and was hard to find what I wanted. For what I wanted the price seemed reasonable. I got the base model with a special appearance package. I also bought one of their extended warranties, as I wasn't 100% sold on the CVT and heard some rumblings from other owners about oil leaks, but I suspect that is from the older engine Gen 2/3. This car is FAR FROM PERFECT. In fact there are some items that are downright annoying to me. However, I still love the car. Comfortable for long road trips, so far very reliable, great gas mileage (32 highway, around 28 around home/work, and winter months about 25 with the change in gas formulation we have here in Illinois). *Acceleration: well, it's a four cylinder with CVT. I'm in no hurry nearly 100% of the time, and in the few times I get frustrated stuck behind a slower RV, I have plenty of passing power -- for a few seconds of 4000 rpm plus revving to get speed, I think the trade off is worth it. *One winter during a snow storm, I had full traction on the snowy roads, while all the other cars (and even big SUVs) around me just had a hell of a time moving up a slight slope at the stop light! *Braking has been good, but sometimes on hard or long braking, it might get spongy. One reviewer had issue in his review. I think he's just a pedal jammer and drives too hard for car of this type. He's right, this car wasn't for him. *The 2015 reportedly is quieter than the 2014, but I'm satisfied. Hey! This is not a high dollar car! The only annoying sound I usually get is the higher revs with the CVT, but it's 95% of the time due to acceleration from a stop and only lasts a few seconds before all's quiet again. *Bluetooth: works well. The first few times it would drop my smart phone and I had to remember how to reprogram it, but it's held firm since then. The voice recognition used for making calls by name, I never use, as it's way too picky and difficult to deal with. *On my 2.5i base model, there is an "MPG" indicator which fluctuates up and down based on how much gas I'm giving and the speed and resistance of the vehicle. This is annoying to me, as it's a constant distraction. However, in the couple years I've had it, it has grown on me and I use it as a reminder to ease off the gas when I can. If you don't pay attention, you can unnecessarily apply more gas with no end result, especially with the CVT and its rubber band effect. In fact, on a start, for example, the engine expectedly revs up and I then ease off a tad -- the revs decrease, but the car still accelerates. *Headlights -- average. A distinct cut off at the top; this can be annoying to some. However, it's adequate and illuminates the road well. *AWD -- need I say anything on this? It's great! *Climate control is good and had good heat/cool distribution. My unit does not have individual/dual controls like other models might have. This is OK, as I usual drive alone. *So far, NO reliability issues. *Last summer 2016, my engine started making some knocking/pinging sounds. I couldn't quite place it, but it sounded like valve knocking. Oil? Actually, no. It was the serpentine belt which wore out prematurely. Thankfully, the repair was only $150 (appx). Warranty did not cover it, under normal wear and tear. This car is great for hauling cargo in, has a modest tow capability, practical, roomy, and drives well. It's not perfect by any means; you have to pay for perfection, if you can get it. It's not a rocket ship. As I mentioned before, I'm in no hurry and the few times I really need to get past a slow moving car, or a merge onto a highway, or dealing with a semi-truck, the four banger does have the power, you just need to feed it the gas and put up with the high revs for a few seconds. Normally, I typically don't exceed 2700 rpm in normal driving. ***4/25/16 update on noise. I replaced the four Continental ProContact tires that came with the vehicle; only 45000 miles. One tire was damaged. I decided to go with four new tires at a local tire shop and used Consumer Reports' recommendation of Michelin Defenders. Here's the update: my car I would estimate is about 25% quieter on tire noise. ***4/16/17 60K check. The dealership found my rear brake pads were at 0%. They thought they might have to replace the rotors and the cost would be much higher. Thankfully, they were able to smooth them off and just put on new pads.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great for families (my intended purpose)

marbs34, 12/02/2013
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
40 of 41 people found this review helpful

I really like this car, I've been looking into it for the last couple of years. All of the merits fit what I've wanted it for. Lots of room, reasonable gas mileage, car-like handling, off-pavement ability... This car gets it done, after the first couple of weeks getting adjusted to sitting up higher than what i traded in, (2013 Buick Regal GS) I took it on a road trip 400 miles each direction and was very happy with it's comfort for the trip. The seats are great,supportive yet soft while not creating circulation hot spots over long periods, the driver lumbar support is actually very, very good as well.

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2 out of 5 stars

Subaru Transmission goes bad

Bneu, 03/29/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
67 of 70 people found this review helpful

We had a brand new 2014 Subaru Outback and after 4 years and just over 110,000 miles and the transmission blew. There were many previous complaints about the transmission so instead of recalling the transmissions, they extended the warranty. Subaru will not replace and it is shocking that after only 4 years a Subaru, which is supposed to be good quality and reliable.

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars

Luxury Swiss Army Knife

jg63, 06/12/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
59 of 62 people found this review helpful

Sold my BMW 330xi and got my new Outback 3.6R Limited. I've gone from the "ultimate driving machine" (which drove great, but didn't have a lot of room for people and stuff, didn't have a lot of ground clearance, and was getting very expensive to maintain) to the "ultimate do absolutely everything pretty well" machine. Tons of room for its exterior size. Plenty of power. Nice ride. Great value. Well built. Amenities are pretty good for this price point. While I miss a bit of how the old car drives when pushed hard on a curvy road, on all other points, I prefer the Subaru.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

unique wagon

zimboy, 12/15/2013
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
85 of 91 people found this review helpful

i did lots of research looking for a car that combined practical space, versatile in all weather conditions, cross-over aspects, a sense of adventure but confidence....something different from the hundreds of dreary over-sized SUV's out there. always knew Subaru were renowned in the AWD adventure/sport category but was surprised by how versatile the Outback is.

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4 out of 5 stars

Grinding noises and burns oil

Breana, 08/03/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful

I'm a huge fan of the Outback. After my 2011 was totaled I went straight to Subaru and bought the 2014. But I've had some pretty obnoxious issues, the first being it burns oil. Like other have mentioned my car burns a quart of oil every 2200 miles. Additionally, when keeping the car right around 30-40 miles slowly accelerating to keep the speed I notice a grinding noive coming from the front of the car. No one seems to be able to explain it to me which is pretty lame.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Rust its what makes a subaru

coffeelude, 03/21/2015
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
34 of 36 people found this review helpful

Got a brand new 2014 Subaru 15 months ago, mostly satisfied initially with the ride. Have about 12000 miles on it so far. Some minor issues include uneven acceleration in the morning and weird jerking when changing from reverse to drive. A few months after I bought the car I noticed that the bottom exterior of the car was rusting. A few searches online and seems like we were not alone. Neither the dealer or Subaru customer service were interested in acknowledging the problem. They claim that it is normal for a 5 month old car to start rusting. I live in the Washington dc metro area where the winters are not extreme.

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5 out of 5 stars

Happy to Join the Subaru Family

cornpuff, 10/31/2013
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
33 of 35 people found this review helpful

Shopped around a lot, but was won over by the Outback's push-button park brake (wife has physical issues with pull-ups), its interior refinement, its reputation for reliability, its snow-handling prowess (BIG plus). Dealer couldn't have been happier to give a great trade in value and shave 2,500 off MSRP. It has SUV abilities, but drives like a car, and does not jiggle like a tall SUV. We are an empty nest couple in our 60s, who live on a farm in PA, and we need the perfect blend of on-road manners with the guts to get up and down a challenging driveway. It is a relief to find such a vehicle after fighting the SUV wars for decades. Should've done this years ago.

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5 out of 5 stars

My Third Subaru

Dan Watson, 04/01/2015
updated 10/12/2021
2014 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful

I bought a '10 Forester when we moved to a ski resort. Loved it, but traded for an '11 Outback because I wanted a bigger vehicle. Loved that one too. After 3 years and 80,000 miles, traded it in on an identical '14 3.6 Outback. I prefer a traditional auto trans instead of a CTV, I got one of the last '14s. Love this one too. It has 16,000 miles with no problems. Gets 24 mpg with mixed driving. When I bought the Forester, I asked the salesman why Subaru doesn't advertise much (they do more now). He said that once someone becomes a Subaru owner, they tend to come back again. I guess I'm proof of that. We've had the Outback for almost 3 years and 40,000 miles and are still very pleased about it. No problems with it at all. An odd observation. My 2011 Outback often needed a quart of oil added between scheduled oil changes every 3,750 miles. I was told that's not unusual. My 2014 Outback, with the same engine, doesn't go through oil at all. The frequency of the recommended oil changes is shorter than most cars, but I've figured it's cheap insurance. I've been very satisfied with all three Subarus I've owned. The Outback just turned 50,000 miles and still runs great. I drove it from Southern California to Atlanta by way of Northeast Tennessee and back in June. 5,300 miles over 2 weeks. The only problems was a cracked windshield from a rock. The car ran great, got about 26 mpg, was comfortable for long periods of time. We now have over 75,000 miles of trouble free driving. The car still runs well. Have only had to spend on routine maintenance. There have been no mechanical problems at all. The Outback is now over 5 years old and nearly 90,000 miles. It still runs well and there have been no mechanical problems except for having to replace a broken rear differential mount. While the mechanicals are strong, the body is starting to show it's age with a few squeaks and rattles. Nothing serious or surprising considering its age and mileage. My wife is the primary driver and she loves the car. I sold our Outback in October 2019 when it had about 103,000 nearly trouble free miles. It was a great car but time to replace it with something new so I wouldn't have to worry about it breaking down on a long road trip or while my wife was driving out of town. After Subarus, a Forrester and two Outbacks, all of which were very reliable, we switched to a Grand Cherokee. I would have considered another Outback but I really don't like CVT transmissions and all Subaru's now have that as the only choice. Too bad or I would have stayed with another Subaru.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Love this car

jons2, 04/09/2014
updated 04/11/2016
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
36 of 39 people found this review helpful

I traded in my 04 Highlander for the Outback, primarily because I needed a small SUV type vehicle that would get better gas mileage, and be comfortable on trips etc. This Outback met all my expectations. The seats are very comfortable, gas mileage is better now that the engine is broken in and the Chicago weather is warming. I get about 27MPG in mixed suburban/highway driving with the 2.5 engine. I noticed that the mileage suffers when the engine is cold (runs richer) and can take some time to warm up on real cold days. Constant short trips will kill gas mileage, fyi. Engine has plenty of pep which was an initial concern and I was impressed on how quiet and refined it is. After 2 yrs and 15000 miles, I still love this car. No issues with anything mechanical or electrical up till now, granted 15000 miles is not a great test of time. Mileage is better in the warmer months than in the winter as it takes a while for it to warm up. I drive mostly short distances so that kills the mileage. I did take it on my first road trip last summer around lake Michigan which encompassed a multitude of 2 lane highway roads. The eyesight technology on the cruise control really proved its worth. The Outback kept a safe distance to the car in front and even stopped when the car in front of me stopped. Has great traction in snow and I love the CVT! FYI, I did have my unlock touch sensor re-programmed by the dealer to include all doors to be unlocked at the touch of the drivers door. Found it more convenient than just having the drivers side unlock. I believe however that if Subaru adapted direct injection on the cylinders it would greatly improve the performance and MPG on this engine. Also, the logic on the steering wheel switch for radio presets is backwards. If station number 1 is visibly located at the top of the screen and station 6 is at the bottom, would it not make sense to coordinate the steering wheel up down button to the visible location instead of what they have which is a numerical logic order of 1 being at the bottom and 6 at the top? It drives me crazy that I have to consciously think that up is down every time I want to change stations. I hope they fixed that on newer versions. Great car otherwise!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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4.38 out of 5 stars

It's a winner

autobahnburner, 03/18/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
48 of 53 people found this review helpful

My first Subaru was a 2006 Outback 3.0R LL Bean model, and my second is the 2014 Outback Limited 2.5 with the CVT. They are nothing alike, and and I like each of them for different reasons, but they do have one thing in common. Both came out on top of after an exhaustive comparison of other brands. Frankly, I prefer the 06 because it was a much more engaging car to drive. However, the new model was more of a sensible purchase. It's significantly larger and more flexible, gets much better mileage, and has more bells and whistles. I heavily considered a Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, and also an Audi Q5 and Volvo XC70. I can afford the last two but it was hard to justify their prices.

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3 out of 5 stars

Outback's maiden voyage to Baja

bajapable, 11/30/2013
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
88 of 99 people found this review helpful

Our 1998 Outback served us well so we went for the 2014. The test drive was a 3700 mi trip to southern Baja & back. It performed well, including on some pretty rough desert roads. It's not a luxury car, not a sports car, but so far it seems to be a solid mid-range car suited to a wide range of uses and conditions.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Decent, but burning oil

ckal, 07/02/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful

Traded in our 2010 Mazda CX-9, as my wife didn't like how big it was and wanted to go back to an Outback, as we previously owned 2 others. Easy for her to drive, though not as nimble as the '05 or '07 we had previously. It's a bigger vehicle and you can tell. The CVT seems to rev higher than necessary and doesn't accelerate quickly. It does get better gas mileage than my earlier Outbacks, and the best I've seen is 28 mpg on the highway. Roof rack is easy to use, and still quiet even with a cargo box on top and a full bike rack on the rear. The vehicle is good in snow. My wife is having an issue connecting her iPhone to the Bluetooth. I'm not crazy about the high-def radio.

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Ultra Practical

Kallst, 03/04/2016
updated 03/05/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

I've own the car for about 2 years now. No mechanical problems and it handles just as you would expect a 4 cy CVT car to handle. I have the Limited with Special Appearance Package so all the bells and whistles but it is not plush in any way just nice. I don't mind the slow acceleration because I just putz around town. The breaks are a bit soft and that is sometimes annoying. The seating is fine for me and my son who is 6' 2" says he is comfortable in the drivers seat or in the back seat so that works well. The cargo space is also spacious enough for the errands I run. Overall a very practical car. The touch screen for the navigation system is not quick to respond and the notice it gives for turns is minimal so it is good to keep an eye on the map for upcoming turns. The Bluetooth thinks it needs to scroll through my emails on occasion leaving me with 20 min of "you have a new message" alerts that can only be ended by stopping and restarting the car. The dealer has a work around but it involves clearing the memory in the cache of the Bluetooth or for me to not save any text or email messages. I do consider this a safety issue since I cannot view the map during these times. I am trying to find out how to deactivate the message function but keep the Bluetooth for phone. The Dealer is still working on this one. The dealer did finally replace the head unit and this corrected all the issues with messaging and the navigation warnings are much more timely. My Outback burned oil at about 33000 miles and the short block was replaced. Really too many issues for a new car!

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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4.38 out of 5 stars

High Value Car

r_k, 12/26/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Owned a Sienna XLE 2010 and wanted to move out of the big car league and looking for relatively smaller car which still gives SUV feel. We did try our hands on Forester as well but liked Outback better because of robust interior and better road grip. We drive it for pleasure/road trips and have put over 5K miles on it so far. The only complaint I have is, while going heavy on gas, it makes noise and seems like has trouble coping up, however give it 2-3 seconds and it's back to normal. I love the eyesight feature and whenever on highway with less traffic, I put it on cruise, leads to worry free driving. Love lane departure feature. My wife likes it better than Sienna. Love the green color.

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5 out of 5 stars

Have snow, will travel

slavik2014, 12/05/2013
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

The winter has arrived along with half a foot of snow, ice, and -20 wind chills - a perfect time to see what my new (just a month old) Subaru is made of. Happy to report that it's more than up to the challenge. Drove it this AM through ice covered hills and it held its own nicely. Even at the intersections, where I used to sometimes slide around in my previous vehicle (Honda CRV), the Outback holds steady. And, it's fun to drive!

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4 out of 5 stars

Nice vehicle with some issues

Paul R., 08/19/2017
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

It is AWD (all wheel drive) which is good but is you screw up one tire and the other three have some wear on them you will likely to have to replace all four so you do not screw up the differential units. New tires may be expensive but AWD is pretty good for safe travel. Subaru has one of the top AWD systems. The vehicles are more expensive to maintain because of the AWD. Fuel economy has been good for me (see below) but I do usually do not attempt to accelerate/decelerate too fast. Do not try to slam your way into the wind as the this greatly reduces fuel economy. The cargo area is usable as a sleep area with one or both the rear seats folded down. Floor coverings in the cargo area run up the back of the seats making for a nice flooring when the seats are down. Bluetooth sucks (at least in my vehicle)--microphone is abysmal. Changing spark-plugs is very expensive as it requires raising the motor slightly which is not something most people (even DIY people) are willing to take on. 4 plug change is over $300.00. Transmission and differently unit have worked so far but I just received something from Subaru indicating a warranty extension with suggests they are beginning to have unit failures earlier that one would expect.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Great overall In Town Vehicle

Evan, 11/16/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful

I purchased a used 2014 Subaru Outback in spring of 2017 with 117k Miles. The car was previously a company fleet vehicle hence the higher miles. No modifications were done to the vehicle except a trailer hitch. Maintenance done: Spark plugs and Brakes. Spark plugs were done at dealer and I did the brakes myself - which were as easy as any other brake job. Pros: - First and foremost the symmetrical AWD system is the best. Believe me, I've TRIED to get this car stuck in the snow up in northern Michigan and it just won't happen. The car handles amazingly well on ice and snow at all speeds. This reason alone I would buy another. - The utilitarian aspects of the car. I've towed a dual-axle 27ft pontoon with this car (luckily the boat launch was only 2 miles away). The looks on peoples faces when this little station wagon rips a boat that size out of lake Michigan was priceless. I've also towed plenty of Uhauls and fishing boats around town and the car does great. The trailer hitch was easy enough to install myself and so far is holding up. - There's tons of room in the back. I play in a band and can load almost all the gear to shows. - The sound system is Amazing. - The car looks great. I've colored the wheels a dark grey to match the paint and people compliment it all the time. - The factory installed roof racks. These are perfect if you have any Yakima applications or for a canoe. - Simpleness of everything. Subaru keeps it simple when it comes to their designs and clearly it works. - Subaru is know to hold it's value very well. I feel good about what my car is still worth today. * Bonus Pro: Someone rear ended me fairly hard and was driving an older Impala. Their car was totaled and limped away billowing smoke. The Subaru's bumper cracked a bit and I had to pop the corner back out. Cons: - My biggest complaint with this car is the power train, specifically on the highway. The car is very under powered. Simply entering a freeway the engine struggles and will almost rev to redline just to get up to speed. The car also does not sit very well it at 80mph. Again, lack of power causes the transmission to constantly be shifting and running at higher RPM's which leads me to my next con: - The transmission. I really do not like the CVT transmission in this car. It's very jerky taking off and overall doesn't seem to be a good fit with the car. After a few months of driving, the car would almost stall when shifting into drive from reverse and while coming to a stop. I took it into a dealer and they did flash update on the transmission which didn't fix a thing. The car still drives fine but it's a little worrisome that you're about to stall out at every red light (car has yet to actually stall but has come very close). The entire driving experience with this transmission is so unsatisfying due to the numbness of the CVT. - Engine is very noisy. Actually the whole car is kind of noisy especially on the highway. - The engine uses oil. I've had the 'oil level low' light come on about 5 times since I've owned the car. Two buddies of mine have the exact same year and model and have said the same thing. I'm sure to always keep an extra quart of oil in the back because you never know with this thing. - The 'instant mpg' gauge instead of an engine temp gauge has to be the dumbest idea ever. The display above the radio shows the instant mpg - why would I also need an analogue gauge of my mpgs? Who cares that much? For a car company that is known for bad head gaskets, I think and engine temp gauge would be a very smart thing to have on your cluster. (The car averages 24mpg highway at 80mph by the way). - The hazard button is at the bottom of the hvac controls so be prepared to accidentally put your hazards on more than once. - Steering and accelerator pedal are extremely stiff. After a 1.5 years of owning this car I still cannot smoothly take off from a stop. - Don't expect any sort of performance or handling from this car. Overall this has been a decent car and I plan on keeping it in the family until it dies. Living in Michigan the AWD is a must have and this car does not disappoint. For a city car and for hauling stuff around this car is great.. but so is an actual SUV. If you need a spacious grocery-getter for driving around town with the dogs in the back then this is the car for you. If you desire any sort of performance or ability to work hard I would not recommend this car. In shortness, for what it is, It gets the job done. If I had to replace it, I would buy some sort of SUV that's better at what the Subaru tries to do (especially for only 24mpg).

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

We Love this Car More and More!

Hank, 12/20/2015
updated 12/26/2017
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

The Outback was a replacement for a 2004 Subaru Forester! We wanted something a little bigger but with good gas mileage and some neat features! It also had PZEV, which I had to look up and stands for Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle. The Outback, was purchased used, with 7200 mi on the odometer, and fit the bill and has not disappointed us. The transmission is unique and what I immediately noticed as a major difference is the variable shifting eliminates the up and down jerking of speed changes with the car in cruise control on hills. And we took a trip from St. Louis to Houston, and averaged 30mpg going. The trip back was 28 but for the size of this vehicle, not bad at all! And the car is much more comfortable than the older 2004 Forester! Our 2014 Subaru Outback now has 21,000 + miles and we just we just got it back from a local Collision repair center, We hit a deer or the deer hit us! The impact was at 60 mph and the front bumper and support structure absorbed the hit very well.(no airbag deployment) And according to the repair center, the parts came from Subaru, some refurbished but all Subaru parts but the paint! This car looks and performs as well as it did the day we bought it! If I could give this car 10 stars I would. Best car we have ever owned! Update Dec 22, 2016. We have now had the car for about a year, we have hit a deer at High Speed and the cars safety features saved my wife from injury. Even hitting a deer, front damage, the car was derivable to a auto body shop! The Missouri State Trooper could not believe it! Like the titles says; "We Love this Car More and More! it is now Dec 23, 2017 and our Subaru is now, not only our primary transportation, but has been put into service as a transporter for Animal Rescue my wife has become involved. The point is mileage is now up to 45,000 + miles and this car performs as well as it did the day we bought it! To us it is the best car value choice we could have made! And I love the warranty on this vehicle..........................I have never needed it! Nothing breaks!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

Subaru needs to redesign the braking system

Andrew S, 12/06/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

So this is our second Subaru. The first was a 2012 Premium Outback 2.5, which we traded in with 62,000 miles. No major issues. We have owned the 2014 for about one month and have noticed a significant difference in the braking. The braking is extremely soft. With 24,000 miles on it, I changed out the all the brakes and rotors. I noticed the the rear pads had only about 20% remaining and the front pads had 60-70%. I thought this was odd and mentioned it to the dealer. The dealer stated that Subaru changed the majority braking application to the rear brakes preventing the vehicle from "dipping" when coming to a stop. Overall, I think this is a great idea, however Subaru forgot to increase the rear brake pads and rotors to prevent quick wear. So my guess is that I'll have to replace the rear brakes and rotors every 25,000-30,000 miles. The 2014 handles better and rides smoother than the 2012. The MPG seems to be less in the 2014 than the 2012. The factory installed remote start needs to change. It's annoying the vehicle shuts off when you open a door, after activating the remote start. The ride noise is a little loud. The interior needs to be upgraded. The only reason why we would purchase another Subaru is depending on the reliability of the 2014.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Expensive Problems

David Wesley, 07/23/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 22 people found this review helpful

Don’t buy this car. I picked one up in 2017 for around $14k, and have since regretted it. It is underpowered (a staple of crossovers), the CVT is terribly built, the infotainment is underwhelming, etc. during and after driving it for 20k miles (80k-100k), it had severe electrical problems, catalytic converter problems, problems with burning oil, transmission problems, brake problems, and many unfortunate rattles. These amounted to over $4k in repairs, on one visit to the auto shop. Keep in mind it was clearly babied and driven mostly on the highway before I bought it. If you are absolutely set on buying this car, the pros include great ground clearance, great AWD, great cargo space, a good low-speed gear ratio, and bearable fuel economy on the highway. Either way, it is a much better idea to pick up a same-year, same-mileage Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.88 out of 5 stars

surprised fan

zimboy, 12/10/2013
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 16 people found this review helpful

always liked the idea of an adventure vehicle like the Outback something fun and versatile. i had no idea how captivating it would be. perfect ride height, super-stable all wheel drive (almost invincible in the snow), adequate power, great space and rugged looks. my wife and i fight to drive it and may have to get another as second family car. we are outdoor fans and love the rook rails and easy level load bay and space.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Never expected to like it so much

todrit, 06/09/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I have had my subaru Outback fro two months and I honestly never thought I would like it so much. I went for it mainly for the value and comfort. it really is a fun car to drive and has great gas mileage. I never even concidered a Subaru, my wife talked me into looking at them. the only issue i have found is that the control for the radio are a bit hard to reach while your driving and the sound system is just OK.

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1 out of 5 stars

Great vehicle but it might kill me

tds, 04/03/2019
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 23 people found this review helpful

I bought my 2014 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5i in late April 2014. 2 things that sold me were: - tailgate capacity for my beloved 80 lb. German Shepherd "Sue", yes "Sue" and it fits - Subaru's reputation for safety The car ran fine for 2 years. Then, suddenly, in early 2016, about every 3 weeks, it would run away on me as I came to a stop at a light or stop sign or even slow down to turn. I would stand on the brake to keep from smashing whatever was in front of me. Later, I learned to keep my right hand on the gear-shift and kick it into neutral as soon as I senses the throttle surge. The horrible part is Subaru cannot duplicate the problem - in effect they are calling me a liar. I even had them put in a camera to document the tachometer surges when this happens. To flag the incidents of runaways, I planned to say "Geronimo" on the video. However, when it happened, it came out spontaneously "Son of a bitch". The dealer and Subaru corporate have 8 or more instances of this on video. They remain in denial - hoping I'll give up or go way. At this point, after 2 years of driving a potentially killer lemon car, I hate Subaru.

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2 out of 5 stars

Subaru has lots of faulty parts requiring repair

Benjamin Master, 01/06/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

We have not been impressed with the quality of the car in terms of many expensive parts needing replacement, both before and immediately after the warranty expired. The parking break in particular is electronic, stopped working for no reason after 3 years, and is extremely expensive to repair.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Awesome wagon!

Francis LeGault , 07/16/2023
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

My 6 speed manual Outback has been rock solid going on 350,000km now. Still gets amazing fuel economy and drives like it did when I bought it new in 2014. Very few issues other than normal maintenance/repair items. I recommend one if your in the market for a great AWD wagon. Extremely hard to find a manual unfortunately.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.63 out of 5 stars

Car for areas with snow

lew716, 03/31/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I know that this model will be replaced this summer with a newer version, but I love it and needed a replacement for my previous Outback. The car has plenty of room, comfortable seats, and handles snow and other bad weather with ease. I chose the Eyesight feature and found it excellent. The newer version should be even better. It has the capability of stopping accidents, and controls your cruise control to ensure that you are following the vehicle ahead of you at a safe distance even when they slow down. The car can carry most things a homeowner would want either on the roof rack, or in the back with the rear seats folding flat.

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4 out of 5 stars

Subaru Needs To Own Up To the Brake Problem Still

edofswfla, 06/10/2015
updated 06/12/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful

At 1000 miles I had a problem with the Brakes. Noise and spongy. 1809 into Dealer. "Subaru Tech Tip" "Master Cylinder...normal operating characteristics". At 12,000 my the Pedal finally ends up when depress resting on the Brake and the Gas Pedal at the same time requiring me to Stop The Car turning the key off. 12,116 back into the Dealer. This time I get the Service Advisor into the car. "Feels lower than normal" "Admission some Customers have complained". But, the end result was "Subaru Tech Tip" "Master Cylinder...normal operating characteristics". There is a problem in a limit number of vehicles and Corporate Subaru just will not deal with it. Out of Sight Out of 12/11/16: After almost 3 years of ownership Edmunds has asked for an update. In 3 years only 2 other people have driven my car. They have pronounced the Brakes..."Fine". I know what was delivered to me and what changed.....But, I own it with an extended warranty to 60,000 5 years. The MPG is often above 30 which is great. What I have a complaint about are the Dealers... At 30,000 miles the Manual calls for "Inspections". What the Dealer came back with "Everything" inspected needed to be replaced. Brakes, Tires, etc. I gave them an inside cabin filter and oil change. Update 40,000 miles: Per recommendation brake fluid was changed at 33,000 plus. I still have a problem with the Subaru brakes. What is really crazy is when the car goes in for a service (oil lube rotation) and comes out the brakes will be ......firm....for about a 1000 miles then the peddle loosens up. They claim they touch nothing on the brakes. 6/12/18: 57215 Miles I simply can not give Subaru a pass on the original problem. I continue to drive the car as a manual which translates into when stopped shifting into neutral so my foot does not rest on the brake pedal reliving each time that mushy brake pedal. Clearly I have looked for a new car but just can not bring myself to look at Subaru again. Not so much the car but the Manufacturer lack of willingness to accept responsibility.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Not Worth The Hassle

John, 12/16/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 17 people found this review helpful

Here's the deal: This car starts and runs reliably everyday in any kind of temperature or weather, will go places with it's AWD system that others won't, and handles flawlessly on ice and snow. Kudos to Subaru for that. But, this one is my 4th Outback, and by far the worst. The ride is absolutely awful with road and wind noise like an old beater and you'll feel every crack in the road. The engine sounds like a prop-plane, it uses way too much oil and the dealer will tell you "they use a lot of oil, that's normal" which, sadly, is the truth. If you burn out a headlight (and you will) be prepared to take it to the dealer and pay $100 to replace it, or learn how to pull the entire front clip off the car yourself. If you're lucky it'll be the passenger side headlight, in which case you might be able to pull the tire, remove the inner fender, and do it yourself if you have the ability to do work blind because you'll be sticking your arm in there and blindly feeling around while you perform the complicated process. Forget replacing the driver's side light yourself. Headlight replacement that is that complicated is not the mark of superior engineering. The Navi is useless, worst I have ever used. I just use my phone, but it won't work with the bluetooth so you'll have to read it because it won't provide audio to give you turn by turn. All cars have their flaws, but this car was way too expensive to have these kind of issues. Pure utilitarian, even the most luxurious model available like mine. You'll never get stuck on ice or snow but it's still not worth it in my opinion. Maybe the new ones are better, but I still won't be buying another one.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Love it!

Matt M, 08/03/2016
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Bought CPO 4 months ago, and love this car. I have been a Subaru fan for quite some time, and finally bought one. The best word to describe this car is practical. Combine that with Subaru reliability and quality, and you have a winner in my book. The seating/cargo space - I'm 6'2" and can sit comfortably in front or back seat - is excellent. The fuel economy is as expected - 28 combined - and considering AWD and the size of the vehicle, is above average. The CVT took some getting used to, but I've quickly adjusted to the changes and don't mind it much now. I appreciate the functionality of a CUV (ground clearance, cargo room, AWD, etc.) with a car like ride. My only minor gripe is with the braking, which can be a bit spongy. I'm not an aggressive driver, so it's barely noticeable, but in hard stop situations it shows up. Overall, I'm very happy with this vehicle and will continue to buy Subarus going forward.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Dont Buy it if you have big thighs

Dennis N, 02/14/2016
updated 08/02/2016
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

You cant tell in a 15 minute test drives how the seats will do long term. They will woo you with leather (which I hate) and multiple adjustment seats, which are just flash. If you have larger thighs or are a weight lifter or hiker, where your thighs might be a little tighter, the seats will kill you. I cannot drive longer than 30 minutes without the back of my right leg going numb and tightening up. They have a roll of foam in the end of the short seat that hits you mid thigh and there is no way of adjusting the seats to make it go away. Im making an appointment with an upholsterer to see it the foam can be scooped out, which will cost a lot and void the warranty for the seats...comfort more important. If you have larger thighs...TAKE A LONG TEST DRIVE...INSIST ON IT.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
1 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

But this car

Robert Spinna, 08/18/2016
updated 02/21/2017
2014 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

I really enjoy driving this car. It Is comfortable, safe and reliable. Very little maintenance. Zero problems. I plan to buy the same car in 2017. Great trade in value. Subaru gets it right.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Best car I had

karlrad, 09/29/2014
updated 10/04/2017
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

This is what I originally wrote: I bought a 2014 Outback 2.5i Premium 6 speed a year ago, now I have little over 13000 miles on it. I can say this is the best car I have owned and for the money we paid, you cannot get anything with all the equipment it has for such a price. Subaru’s AWD system was a selling point, since I do not want any FWD cars anymore: I am sick of replacing boots and front axles. This Outback is extremely spacious, comfortable, and reliable. It handles very well on any terrain, snow or rain, sand or pavement. The finish and quality of the car is very good, I may not have ash wood like a luxury car, nor do I have Napa leather, but I did not pay three times what I paid to get them. My new review: I had to sell the car to CarMax since my wife made the terrible mistake of accepting a posting in Buenos Aires. Even with diplomatic credentials she was not allowed to "import" a used car to a fourth world country like Argentina. The communist/populist president did not want us to have it there, so we were obliged to buy a locally made Peugeot 408. We miss terribly our Outback. There are a few here in Buenos Aires. Every time my wife sees one, she cries. Everything was perfect in our Outback. I sold it with 22000 miles on it, 22 months use. Like new. CarMax sends me annual emails asking for another car... I only had to do the maintenance, wheel alignment, it never let me stranded. Nothing was damaged. Subaru was so nice, they even paid for a small indentation made by road debris, just where the windshield starts on top. We are hoping to be sent back to Washington DC and we are going to buy a new Outback 3.6R or the new Ascent, if it is sold when we get there. This one I shall never sell. Unfortunately it does not have a 6 speed manual tranny...

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Great Car For Seniors - w/Spouse with Medical Need

Ron Lee, 01/01/2020
updated 01/23/2023
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

January 23,2023 Our 2014 Subaru Outback Ltd. is still in excellent condition. I have applied 4 Ceramic coats in the last 2 years and it looks better than new. I applied it around all doors including the lift back and around the hood edges about 5 inches in. The engine also got treated. A dealer who looked at it said it was exceptionally clean and looked new. (nice complement for all the hard work) We now have 72200 miles on it and it is running very strong. This is the very best vehicle we have owned - and we have owned quite a few. We no longer take our car to a dealer for service. Their prices are through the roof! We have found an excellent ASE service tech's center that charges almost half of what a dealer charges, for the the exact same service. (Great savings on a fixed income) Keep the car Maintained According to the Manual. Keep the Exterior clean and use a Top Quality Poly-finish product. Maintain air pressure at least 1 Lb. above manufacturers recommended pressure (better milage). I use 1/2 lb. during winter months, but will use 4 Lbs Above recommended during warmer months. (expect firmer ride) July 6, 2020 Not much to add to what has been a GREAT automobile for us. We keep the car polished and clean, well maintained and it has paid us dividends. We currently have approximately 61,700 miles on the car and will have the oil changed at 62,000 miles. Our Subaru has been an excellent buy for us. I recommend the brand all the time. I hear of horror stories from around the country and all I can say is IT'S THE DEALER who makes the car what it should be. If they don't - use research to find a Subaru dealer other folks love and use them. I'll bet you'll love the dealer too! 1/7/2121 We now have close to 64K miles on it. Still a rock solid vehicle! I have it serviced regularly according to the manual, and have just replaced the front brake pads. Other than that, there is nothing new to report. However I'll share this story with all of you. The repair shop, where I took my car to have the brakes replaced, the repair shop owner (a very large operation) when asked by a fellow veteran what car should he should invest in, the owner told him to buy a Subaru. According to my fellow vet - He is VERY Satisfied. July 8 2021 Our 2014 Subaru Outback now has 66000 miles and is running great! Not bragging but we really like our Subaru. The next service is due at 67000 miles. I'll be taking our Subaru to our Dealer for the service. Nothing new to report, just great fuel mileage this time of year, 27.6 in mostly suburban/rural driving. We can't complain.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Keeps on going

Peter, 10/20/2019
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

190,000 and only the periodic maintenance.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.63 out of 5 stars

Wonderful value!

drj13, 12/12/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I took a look at the Outback at the suggestion of a friend. I was lukewarm on buying since I was very happy with my CRV. Took the Outback for a test ride and liked it for a number of reasons. So I decided to make an offer to the salesperson along with what I wanted for my trade in. He disappeared for a few minutes and came back and said "okay". At that moment I changed from just looking to really buying.

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5 out of 5 stars

reliable, comfortable, quiet, great mpg

archblasta7799, 09/18/2019
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

bought my 2014 OB 2.5 limited in 2017, with 30k miles. Aside from consumables like new tires, brakes and oil changes I have had zero maintenance issues. It is reliable, comfortable quiet, and reasonably powerful while getting 31 mpg highway, with a Thule Cargo box on the roof. Overall a great experience. Thanksgiving week Blizzard of 2018 was no match for this Outback.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Watch Out!

Diane, 12/29/2017
updated 12/31/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 19 people found this review helpful

At 40,000 miles, would not buy another Subaru. Between 30-40K, Outback has hard time starting and when it kicks on and runs, it sounds like chimpmunks under the hood with chirping. Not happy Subaru hasn't addressed lights/voltage for all customers of 2014s. A mediocre car at a stiff price. First and last Subaru. My original post-->Don't know what the love is about and won't be buying again. I am a light suburban neighborhood driver who takes care of my care. 1. Continental tire went bad at 9,000 miles. 2) 3 other tires needed to be replaced at 28,000 miles. 3) Known issue with CVT transmission. Subaru only extends 1 year beyond. Known problem now. Not happy cuz warranty won't cover most people. 4) Front driver's headlight issue. My front Left headlight & parking light burnt out at 35,000 mi. Known issue. On '11 & '12,, they are replacing them all for free. Won't even extend warranty for this when it is an implicit problem with the '10-'14 models. And you need to remove the tire, and back engine wall to crawl in thru the engine to replace it. 5) Passenger seat is fixed, cannot raise. My passengers aren't happy when my seat elevated and they are sitting in a pit. 6) Can only handle ipods - what about the 50% of Android users? USB is outdated. Can't handle more than a ~4mg USB. Have ruined 2 16mg USBs with music. So less than thrilled. I can accept a few issues, but it seems they just keep coming on. Won't be getting another Subaru.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Transmission and/or fuel delivery problem

lillie12, 08/29/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 16 people found this review helpful

After shifting into drive, the transmission waits a beat (about 1 long second) and then shifts. When the car is in drive, the fuel delivery and/or timing surges periodically. Both make for a jerky drive. The gas pedal is VERY touchy. The gas pedal must be pressed very lightly at first, so as not to give passengers whiplash on start-up from a stop. For short drivers (5'-5'4") the headrest can be uncomfortable. Instead of a flat surface, it bulges out and tips forward, pushing the driver's head into a chin downward position. It is not tilt adjustable. Eyesight is helpful, however, it once stopped the car on a highway when the car in front moved left to make a left turn.

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1 out of 5 stars

2014 Outback is a problematic DOG-mobile

Another victim of Subaru lemon, 07/02/2021
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 15 people found this review helpful

Just got the worst car we have ever owned (2014 Outback) out of the shop for the latest of numerous problems. It took three mechanics at N.T.B. two days to get the disintegrated rear wheel bearings off the axle spindle. They "had to disassemble the entire rear drive axle system and use a 40,000 p.s.i. press to force the bearing out. " And as usual, we were told the exact same thing as we were previously told by other mechanics that repaired other "issues/problems" with this demonic money pit: we were told " ...We (the repair shop) see alot of these Subarus with wheel bearing, air-conditioning, brake and engine problems." They also said the2012- to current model Subarus ALL have bad problems with wheel bearings. We have pampered this poorly-engineered DOG- mobile since new, yet something else breaks on it every other week. And despite the Subaru Mfg./dealer recall on the unreliable engine, it still continues to burn at least a quart of oil every two weeks or so! The "check oil" light comes on constantly, requiring addition of oil. This has been a re-occuring problem, even after Subaru " rebuilt most of the engine" due to recall for excessive oil consumption. Instead of spending their profits on cute commercials about how Subaru loves dogs-Subaru should spend money hiring some non-teenage mechanical design engineers that can figure out how to design a new engine that does not burn a quart of oil every week and wheel bearings that are at least as reliable as those on a child's toy wagon! This lemon is costing us a fortune to just get it to keep rolling.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

2014 2.5L Preium - There are better choices

Warren, 11/30/2015
updated 09/21/2023
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 15 people found this review helpful

CVT transmission is worst feature on this car. The colder the temp outside the worse this feature is. Slow acceleration, high engine RPMs all while the engine is cold just to get this car moving. Interior of the car is cold in the winter. Cold air leaking around window and door controls. Read similar complaints by others in cold winter climates. Otherwise the car is ok and seems to be solid. Handling is reliable but certainly not fun to drive. 12/13/16 update: Car now has almost 40k miles. Vehicle was using oil at the rate of 20oz every 5400 miles. Subaru claims that this is normal for a new car and it isn't a problem until the engine uses a quart every 1200 miles. I disagree and so do plenty of other owners and Consumer Reports. Car is now using 20oz every 4000 miles. The oil fill light comes on at 20oz low. I do wonder what the engine will consume at 80k or 100k miles. 12/26/17 update: Car now has about 50k miles. Car is now using 20oz of oil every 2800 miles. 1/30/2020 update: Car now has about 74k miles. Car is now using 20oz of oil every 2500 miles. 3/10/2021 update: Car now has about 84k miles. Car is now using 20oz of oil every 2000 miles. 2/03/2022 update: Car now has about 102k miles. Car is now using 20oz of oil every 1600 miles. 3/18/2023 update: Car now has 126k miles. Car is using 20oz of oil every 1200 miles. 7/15/2023 update: Engine has developed piston slap according to the Subaru Certified mechanic that I took the car to. Car has 132k miles on it. Won't own a Subaru ever again. Ordered a Toyota RAV4 last month and should have it mid October. Good by and good riddance to the Subaru.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Give Subaru a try

Edward Furman, 01/20/2017
updated 02/02/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful

I went this route to have more cargo space and all wheel drive. Wish the MPG was better. Haven't had it long enough to know handling in bad weather but it is supposed to have the best all wheel drive. The Bluetooth with iPhone works great and has very clear sound. Very fun to drive and the CV transmission is smooth and no shifting of gears during acceleration. Quiet interior and good audio sound. Didn't think I would care but I really enjoy the heated seats. One year in I still like the car. We've discovered gas mileage goes down when it is cold. We recently had the 90000 mile service which included an engine tune up. I wasn't keeping track so I can't prove it, but my perception is that this tune up lowered the mileage. I plan to contact the dealer that did the work but have not done that yet.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Subaru

Spud, 04/22/2017
updated 05/03/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful

This is very reliable car. Great in bad weather. Engine is good but underpowered. Gas mileage 24mpg. Highway milage only 25mpg. Blue tooth and Harmon kardon sounds like a transistor radio. Ok around town but a poor road car. I have driven it over 70k.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

2014

Jonathan, 01/12/2019
updated 07/15/2019
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Overall- a nice car...though I am really surprised that the radio/phone interface is SO hard to use!! Car is reliable, handles well, is comfortable and I would buy another one! I have driven a 2019 Outback, and the improvements to the technology are great! Also, the safety features that are on the 2019 were wonderful and we are considering get a new one.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Old Traveler - Outback Envy

RP, 11/27/2019
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

For years I had wanted to own an Outback. The looks, the reputation, the ratings....had to have one. Finally took the leap and could not be more pleased. Roomy. Comfortable (I'm 6'2"). Reliable. Great in all weather conditions. It is exactly what I expected. And if I get another car, it will be another Outback.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Subaru Enthusiast

Andrea, 02/09/2017
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I upgraded from a 2007 Forester to 2014 Outback & can't say enough good things about both of these vehicles. They're reliable, great value, & drive well. 2 years now in the Outback & my only complaint is the noise from the belts & quality of the stereo. Bluetooth could be better, but gets the job done. I average 26mpg w/combination of city & highway. I've put 65K miles on this wagon in less than 3 years & have only had to invest in tires, oil changes, & the 50K mile service. I was rear ended in this vehicle a week after I purchased it & my newborn in the backseat was totally fine. The rear crumple-zone was amazing & the officers that responded could not believe that the woman in the 1990 Buick Park Ave. didn't plow through the backseat because her vehicle was all sheet metal & she was driving quite fast on impact (the skid marks on the road were evidence of her speed). My family of four feels safe in this vehicle & I'm confident it will last many years to come. Side note, I still have the 2007 Forester & we use it as a beater car now. It has nearly 200K miles on it & it's still in great condition (does burn some oil, but it's 11 years old & that's par for the course).

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

DO NOT BELIEVE THE HYPE; This car is a BIG LIE

ej perryman, 08/19/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
20 of 37 people found this review helpful

I have never owned a Subaru before. After this car I will never own a Subaru again. What a piece of crap this car is. The only good things about this car are the generous cargo space, the (so far) lack of repair bills and the resale value. That is it. Everything else BLOWS. The acceleration is abysmal. The braking is ridiculously soft and bad. The handling, well, there is no handling on this car and good luck taking it on road trips; you will spend 75% of the time fighting with the steering wheel to keep the car from wandering all over the road. Oh and don't even think about taking a corner fast with this car! The A/C is adequate, but god forbid you step on the gas, IT WILL STOP COOLING! The CVT transmission hesitates, is jerky and Subaru says that's perfectly normal! The sound system and entertainment screen is just an embarrassment. The backup camera of course is very LOW-RES. The MPG on the sticker is a BIG LIE; I have never gotten anything over 24 miles per gallon with this car. I won't even keep typing, as Subaru doesn't deserve for me to spend another second writing about this substandard vehicle. Make sure you test drive this vehicle many, many times before you buy it, and for the love of god do not even think about buying the 4 cylinder, unless you like to be blown off the interstate by trucks since your car will not be able to accelerate enough to merge. This car is for people who are not drivers. It's only good for hauling stuff in the snow. It gets two overall stars from me for that. That's about it.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
1 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

Better than the Rest

lbf404, 03/14/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
29 of 57 people found this review helpful

Waited until I had my car a couple of months to post a review. Looked around at every midsize crossover, from BMW X1, X3, Infiniti, Acura, Honda, Toyota and Volvo for months to find something that met the needs of city driving and parking while also comfortable enough for a road trip. After 4 BMW's this was quite a change, I've been so impressed with my Outback! It does everything well, and the 3.6R has plenty of get up and go when needed. The Limited has all the creature comforts, excellent visibility and the car has that safe, solid feel to it in all kinds of driving conditions, including the rare snowstorm in Atlanta!

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5 out of 5 stars

Missing my beautiful Outback!😭😭😭

Susi Orosco, 01/13/2018
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful

This was the best car I’ve ever owned. I never had a moments trouble with it. My son in law ran through a stop sign and totaled it. No one was hurt! My husband was going blind and we had to drive 5-6 hrs to the surgeon and then back over 2 years, then we found out he had cancer, I was never concerned about being able to get him to chemo. I loved that car. I recommend it highly. Best car I ever had.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.75 out of 5 stars

Perfect fit for me...

skw0123, 02/12/2014
2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
36 of 83 people found this review helpful

I have been shopping the compact midsize crossover segment forever and have driven a fair number of the contenders in test drives or rentals. I finally pulled the trigger on an Outback 2.5i Limited. The Outback may seem big, but it's very close to CR-V and RAV4 in size. It's an inch or two less tall and about 8 inches longer than cute-ute crossovers, with about 2 inches more in wheelbase. I think this gives the car a much more composed ride. Maneuverability is awesome. Subarus have character that many cars lack. The 2.5i 4-cyl boxer is very reasonable in terms of power delivery, but it isn't your garden-variety 4 cylinder...it's quite smooth in operation though, especially w/CVT.

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