Used 2015 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Danger: This Car is Unreliable!
J Malo, 10/25/2017
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
Do not allow anyone you care about drive this car. Besides not being great in snow as advertised, it is a very unreliable vehicle. We cannot drive this vehicle on a trip in fear of breaking down on the road. On three different occasions, while doing 65-70 mph on the highway, at night I might add, the vehicle just shut off. No lights, no power, no nothing. Almost got killed trying to get the car off the highway since the power steering was inoperative due to no power. Two Subaru dealerships made excuses on why this happened. One said it was because if you let the gas level get low, the fuel pump overheats and shuts down. The other said it was an ignition issue but can't find out what the problem is. In reading stories on-line, a woman had the same problem and couldn't pull off the road in time and was killed by a semi. I can see how this can happen. Subaru doesn't seem to care nor do the dealerships we've tried. This car is a lemon. We will not purchase another Subaru ever again.
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Vehicle is dangerous on grades
Richard Wright, 11/24/2016
updated 12/01/2019
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Update: Wife refused to drive car as is so traded it after two years, lost money but better safe than sorry. This car should only be sold in the flat mid west. Subaru software for transmission is ridiculous as car will role back immediately on any kind of slight grade when your foot is lifted from the brake pedal. It is like having a stick shift but you don't have a clutch to engage. The choice is to drive with left foot on brake and right foot on gas. There is a hill holder but even that only works marginally. The entire transmission is controlled by computer software so there is no reason for this dangerous situation to be present. We sold this vehicle after two years and purchased a Toyota Highlander which automatically holds on grade for about 5 seconds so you have time to move from the brake to the gas without fear of hitting something or person behind you. Complained to dealer but was told all was normal . No fix. Had software flashed but problem not corrected. Navigation system not intuitive at all. Backup camera very hard to use as limit lines in camera view would not be present unless you agreed with permission screen at each time you started the car. Juvenile in thinking yet missed the obvious warning about no hold on a grade.
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2015 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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- 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUVMSRP: $19,59020 mi away
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Great car, but . . .
arw608, 11/06/2014
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
So many things to like: handles exceptionally well despite its size; near zero-degree turning radius; plenty of power for a smaller engine with a CVT; lots of cargo space; huge improvements in fit and finish; the list goes on and on. But none of that matters because the front seats, and in particular, the driver's seat with power lumbar support, is the WORST seat in my entire experience with motor vehicles. It's a torture device, particularly for a smaller person. Zeroed out, the lumbar support still feels like a football at the base of my spine. I took a 20-minute test drive and I assumed I would find a comfortable position if/when I bought the car. Not even close.
Bought the car the day it was available
Gihan, 07/11/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Was the first one to drive a 2015 Subaru Outback in Brooklyn. My impressions on owning the car since? It gets you from point A to point B comfortably, safely and unnoticed. If your speeding with a group of cars, the cop will want to stop the Infiniti or bmw! The car is actually spacious and perfect for grocery shopping, fishing, camping blah blah blah it's enough room ok.... The car is really good on the snow too..... You know that travel ban they issued on that huge snow storm? I didn't listen and took my car out to see if I COULD get stuck! Did I get stuck? At moments I thought I did until I pressed xmode. Car is unstoppable in the snow. Nothing beats seeing the guys face after you park your car in a parking spot AFTER he warned you not to otherwise you will get stuck. Gas mileage? I get about 15MPG city ( I know I know that's poor but NOT really if you live in nyc where you can get gridlocked for half an hour and travel 7 blocks), 36MPG highway!!! ( yeap! 3 more then suggested BUT you have to have a clear road and do 65mph and you have to be alone -- 28 mpg if you have the car packed with people and gear ). Have I had any issues? Yeah... The passenger side window would glitch and roll up all the way but mysteriously roll down half way and stop/ I would have to roll it up using the non auto roll up to complete the process/ subaru changed the motor and no more problem. Would I suggest you buy this car? Yea go for it man, what other options do you have? The thing gets good gas mileage, drives like a sedan ( thanks to the lower center of gravity the BOXER engine provides ), has good ground clearance ( 8.7 inches > better then jeep grand cherokee, Toyota Highlander ), has a good AWD system ( most SUVs and what not have open diffs and to compensate for that, they have TERRIBLE AWD systems that would be FWD bias or RWD bias or would have 1 front tire only spin and 1 rear tire spin while the other two tires don't do nothing resulting in you staying stuck in snow / BUT NOT the out back, once you press the XMODe all tires actually spin as if it has lockers in the front and rear ), is comfortable ( I can have the seats rolled all the way back and still sit comfortably in the back and I'm 6'2 ), has the BEST resale value ( you can buy a dodge or a chysler for brand new for $30,000 or buy one used only a couple years older for $6,000 lol, but not the outback! Just look at the resale value of the old outbacks and you would be shocked how expensive they are ) ok I'm tired typing. I hope I helped and contributed in your decision in buying this car. It's good don't worry, you won't be disappointed.
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Really like the car, but...
Paula Witt, 03/01/2015
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
My first Subaru was a GL10 Turbo, that over heated and blew a head gasket. Had a Ford F150 and Toyota after that. I've had my 2015 Outback since Nov. It's beautiful inside and out. Handles well. I don't hear any wind noise, even at 85 mph on the toll road. Not being a computer geek, it took me a good amount of time to figure out the electronics. Still haven't figured everything out yet. Feels very stable and grounded while driving. Comfortable.
Best Outback yet
nyken, 12/14/2014
updated 12/14/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
After putting 24,000 on my 2015 Outback, I still am very impressed with this vehicle. It preformed very well during several winter snow storms. It's comfortable on long and short trips and the gas mileage is fantastic. I am getting 38 MPG on the highway and about 32 for mixed city/highway driving. There are a few things that are bothersome however. The most important is that the doors do not lock and unlock automatically. This is a safety issue and should be addressed by Subaru. The temperature and clock display is tiny and you can hardly read them. Also the entire display is not even visible in bright sunlight .because of glare. For no reason the front windshield cracked while I watched it just sitting on my driveway. Subaru would not even address this and made me go through my insurance. Since there has been a recall for this as it has been determined by Subaru to be a defect. Overall I am happy with my Outback. I hope that Subaru address some of the shortcomings that I have mentioned.
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Charging issues
Dennis Lain, 04/30/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
My 2013 Outback was an awesome vehicle. I traded it in for a 2016 Outback. I have been stranded at least 5 times with the 2016. Never with the 2013. When I would try and start the vehicle the battery would go dead. I thought it was my error by leaving items turned on and draining the battery. When I would get in the car it would slow crank a few times and then the battery would go dead. This is embarrassing, to say the least when I am leaving an appointment for a sales call and the owner has to give me jump. After reading these articles I now know it was not my fault and it is the car that is losing charge on its own. My lease warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles. I am at 38,000 miles right now so going to the dealer is not an option. It does not appear that Subaru is taking any responsibility so I will trade for a different brand next. In addition, I received better gas mileage on the 2013 Outback than I do with the 2016. Something is not right.
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CVT Transmission Fail
Rick, 11/18/2020
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Only 49,000 miles on the car and a sudden failure on I-84. Total loss of power. Luckily my wife was able to safely pull over. Towed the car to our ASE mechanic who diagnosed the problem and told this it happens a lot with Subaru transmissions. It's a certified lemon. We later discovered that Subaru acknowledges the issue and offers a 10 year/100k mi extended warranty ( i guess that is cheaper than a recall). Subaru customer "service" blew me off because we didn't do the repairs at the dealer. Thanks Subaru. The CVT transmission is a failure wait to happen, without prior warning and will put your or your loved one in jeopardy. You have to wait for it in order for them to fix it though. I couldn't dump this car fast enough. Decent AWD, popular and good resale (thank God). Noisy (road and air) car with vague steering, inferior instrument layout and controls and touchy gas/brake pedal. Much happier with my replacement car not to mention piece of mind. Avoid Subaru and ANY CVT transmission.
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Oil leaks - maybe head gasket
Heidi, 08/13/2020
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought this car new and have been leaking oil for the past few months. Had to add 2 quarts of oil in in the past 2 months. Took it to Subaru to have a recall fixed and told them about this. They investigated and said headgasket, valve cover gasket and timing gasket all leaking. No signs of smoke in exhaust or coolant problems but clearly leaking. Five year old car with 90,000 miles and well maintained. This is ridiculous!
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Can I get my Odyssey Back
jmb2015, 11/10/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful
I purchased the Outback Limited 2015 three days ago and if I could return it I would. This car was to replace my 2005 Honda Odyssey. I am accustomed to road noise because my van was loud. However, the engine noise combined with wind noise in the Outback is mind numbing. I also have a weird vibration when you get up to highway speeds and every bump in the road can be felt. My van may have been noisy but the ride was like that of a car. I was told the Outback is built on the Legacy chasse. We own a 2015 Legacy and it drives like a dream. The Outback comes no where near the ride of the Legacy. I will getting rid of this car before the end of the month. My recommendation is to look at the Lexus RX350 or the Honda Pilot.
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Battery Died at 11 mo, 9K
skavfive, 07/06/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
Love the car, but battery went in less that a year in a car that is garage stored. Get 23.1 MPG overall 60/40 mix on city/highway driving--pleased. The 3.6 power is nice to have for a 2 mpg trade-off. Handles nice and is quiet. Need to move the clock is a nit they should fix this year.
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Heart broken owner - 2015 Subaru Outback
Russ, 03/03/2020
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
I’m a former raving fan of Subaru Outback. I bought my first Outback 2.5i Limited in 2012, a second in 2015, and then told every friend who would listen these were the best cars on the road. THREE of my friends then followed with purchases of their own. So I can confirm I’ve been personally responsible for the purchase of five (5!) Outbacks since 2012. Subaru then BROKE MY HEART…my 2015 at nearly exactly 60,000 miles had bad wheel bearings in BOTH rear wheels. The windshield cracked along the lower edge (for the second time) during a ski trip to Tahoe after turning on the defroster while parked…no rock strike. And now the CV axle in the front right needs replacement, so I’m going to assume the left side is not far behind. So in the last year…at only 60k miles, I’ll be spending $1,700 (rear bearings & windshield), plus an estimated $600 for the CV work…for a grand TOTAL ON REPAIRS IN ONE YEAR AT 60K MILES…$2,300!! That’s a long way from 5-star reliability…and I’m researching my next purchase now…probably NOT going to be a Subaru. - Broken hearted :(
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Gone downhill !! Wish I never bought it!
JT, 09/11/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 21 people found this review helpful
This is my 3rd Outback and it's poor to say the least. The transmission hesitates, studders, and is "jerky". My old ones didn't do this and they were the CVT as well. The Forester is a little better. The dealership and Subaru USA said; "it's just a different feel". Yeah right, this is why there are so many complaints on this issue. Also, they made it sound as if they made the car bigger? Not much so. This is a very poor job done by Subaru and if they spent more time figuring it out versus defending their cars, they could have taken care of it. Worst purchase I've made.
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Good car but could use some tweaks
sassy1866, 06/07/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
17 of 26 people found this review helpful
Just bought a 2015 with everything but the moon roof and nav. Nice ride but gas mileage seems dismal so far. Hope after the break-in period it improves substantially. Interior is very nice. I got leather as I thought the cloth felt cheap and thin.
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Great Car EXCEPT for
bal1013, 12/09/2014
updated 12/22/2022
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 30 people found this review helpful
Now have 75435 miles on our Outback and we love the room in the front seats, seat could be bit longer on our theighs. City Gas mileage is less than advertised about 18.5, highway around 27mpg. Clock could be bigger but biggest flaw is failure of the doors to lock when car is placed in drive and unlock when in park. This is a safety issue and if I had known or realized this when I was looking at the car I would never have bought it. After 75000 plus miles, my opinion of this vehicle has changed little, still less than listed MPG and that does not make me happy. great ride and visability as well as comfort. Car is also very noisy and was told to just turn up the radio by salesman. if and that is a BIG IF they would improve the MPG and made the vehicle 50 percent quieter, I'd buy another one in a heart beat. til then NO WAY. Only major repairs on our car was new tires at 45000 miles, otherwise a really dependable car. If only they could make the care less noisy make that a lot less noisy.
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Yeah, it a Subie, but CVT is a dog
Kargok9, 11/15/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
You wouldn't be here if you didn't know what you were looking for. I understand that, so I'll just denote the most troubling issue that I have about our car. It's our second Subie. Our first Subie got T-boned at 40+ mph on the passenger door and I got to see all of those airbag thingies that you should only see on TV, and yeah, the Subie died and I didn't. Naturally, I felt an obligation to purchase another one, only unlike the first 4 banger, I opted for the 3.6 Limited with Eyesight. Because we couldn't find the flavor that we wanted at large, we unfortunately ended up purchasing from a local dealer <grrrrr>, but that's another story. The real story is that I would like to pass along about our '15 3.6 is that the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission ...never shifts, sounds like a motorboat) is DREADFUL. The car jumps and lurches at low speed, surges, stumbles and stutters lifting off the gas and generally makes what should be a buttery smooth flat 6 engine (Porsche) meaningless. I find the car miserable to drive. Taking your foot off the accelerator at 50mph produces a subtle but perceptible CHUNK, CHUNK, CHUNK, CHUNK. The wife doesn't care. The car has been to the (same) dealer <grrr> several times to try to remedy the stumbling transmission. Each time I got what I call the Turbo Encabulator speech (it's a hoot, Google it) and nothing changed. It has been used primarily as a bike carrier with Torx Eco hitch (great) and Thule 4 tray bike rack (great). For that, it has done a perfectly adequate job. So, bottom line, if you are looking for a Subie for all the reasons that make it a Subie, you'll most likely be pleased. If you are a gearhead or particularly curious about the mechanical goings on of things, it could be an continuous pain in the butt. Safe travels.
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2015 Outback - Easy to Own and Drive
Mike Greene, 09/11/2015
updated 09/19/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 17 people found this review helpful
After having some issues with the electronics - Subaru came through and fixed it after a couple of tries - the car has been performing great. Dealership is always polite and ready to assist. They do the service on time and in the amount of time they say it will take. The car is a great value for the money and an all around great wagon. We get nearly 30 mpg and are thrilled with that - we do not need one of those oversized SUVs.
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Navigation a deal breaker, long trips uncomfortabl
rambodrives, 05/16/2015
updated 11/21/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 34 people found this review helpful
The inability to turn off Voice Guidance while navigating is a major blunder. I would return the vehicle if I could, especially since the response I got from Grant Noble at Subaru was "I cannot help you at this time". Seriously? He was "talking to the engineers" just today but no solution in sight! Not a tough fix, guys. Add an off button to the volume control. Also, my 8 year old Camry will navigate me home if I say "Home". Easy peasy. My Subaru requires 4 hand buttons or 6 commands to do the same thing. ET would still be pushing buttons if he traveled via Subaru. I hate this complaint, because I would love to ride in this car otherwise. But now I hate it because it will not shut up. In the area of comfort, I find that after a trip of more than an hour I am sore and stiff. I notice a big difference between the comfort of this car and my Camry, and I think the combination of ride stiffness and seat quality makes the Subaru hard on my body. The last update to the Radio/Nav was needed because the radio had started to skip stations, like I would be sitting at a light and suddenly the radio would change stations. After this update, the clock no longer automatically adjust time. The service department cannot fix this. Before, the clock would adjust within seconds of crossing a state line. Now it is totally manual, another small dissapointment made bigger by the fact that Subaru just does not care!
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Not at all happy
busymommy, 02/01/2015
updated 08/03/2020
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 24 people found this review helpful
I've had my 2015 Outback since August. Within the first week, we noticed several rattles. I took it to the dealer for its first oil change and mentioned the rattles. They said they couldn't duplicate two of them (a rattle under the dash and a rattle on the rear passenger side), and for the 3rd, they told me to not put the seatbelt positioners in the lowest setting, even though that fits me better. The car has been to a different dealership twice now and will be going in again this week, all for the same issues. I agree with others about the wind noise, the short seat bottoms, lack of interior storage, etc. I'm very disappointed with the quality of this car and regret buying it. Update: I loved it so much I got rid of it in less than 2 years and went back to Honda.
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Pleased With Our Purchase
tnt16, 04/11/2015
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 19 people found this review helpful
We bought an Outback 2.5L Premium with the Eyesight safety option seven weeks ago. We have averaged 21 MPG in suburban driving since the purchase. We find the performance of the car adequate. The car is quiet at highway speeds and we have not noticed the wind noise that some early owners' reported. The Outback is a well manufactured car and we have not had any problems as of yet. The interior is the car is well finished and the seats are comfortable. My wife loves the heated seats and lumbar support and we appreciate the dual zone air conditioning that comes with the Premium model. The Infotainment center that is standard on the Outback is logical and coherent.
2015 Outback Limited Worst car ever!!!
Roman, 04/23/2017
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
I bought new 2015 Outback limited in 2015. After 22 months the car would not start on multipple occasions after just one day sitting idle. Took it to two Subaru dealerships to find the problem, including the one I bought it from. Both dealerships claimed there is no problem, and the battery is good. Finally got fed up of wasting time while waiting for roadside assistance every time, and traded this lemon for a different car make. Took a huge loss on trade in of course! Want reliable car - go with Honda or others.
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Battery issue
Ryel, 07/26/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I start having problem stating the ignition. The battery is intermittently giving problems. I always check that there is no light left on. I had it jump couple of times from Subaru road assistance and AAA. I was told that don't leave the key to accessories, that it will drain the battery. I think the battery had issues. i will bring it to dealership. Its just only 2 years old.
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Engine seal oil leak after 5 years cost 4k to fix
First and Last Subaru, 04/08/2021
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought my outback new in 2015 and took great care of it. Since 2016, the car has been operated in California without extreme harsh weather. However, in 2020 summer, right after the power train warranty expired. Oil leak from engine seal and upper oil pan were detected. The cost is around $4,000. For a 6 years new car, this is not acceptable.
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Poor gas milage
v cook, 09/23/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Subaru advertised 25 city 33 highway mpg the outback will not do better than 26mpg combined,27mpg best I have seen on highway. Dealer said wait till 10 k miles now have 15k miles and it has not improved. I believe Subaru is misrepresenting the mpg
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3rd Subaru for John of Columbus, NC
jaacolumbusnc, 09/13/2014
updated 09/15/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
In August 2014, I purchased my 2015 Outback 2.5i Limited at Vic Bailey Imports, Spartanburg, SC. The car is terrific in every way. The ride is very comfortable for my wife and I - both in our mid-80s. The seats are high for great visibility. I really like the CVT. Smooth and quiet. The HarmanKardon sound system is supreme. I am averaging better then 27mpg around the local area. Highway consumption is much better. This is a truly great Subaru and should not be overlooked.
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one hell of a vehicle
Bob G, 11/15/2019
updated 11/15/2021
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great in bad weather, good mpg, handles fire trails and wasboard roads well and roomy enough for gear and provisions. Handles two canoes with additional gear on rooftop (with my homemade roof racks) and I've had no problem with the cvt, quite frankly it shifts well. Limited is nicely equipped and adding falken wildpeak all terrain trail tires has transformed the ride for the better both on and off road. I guess the true test is whether I would buy it again and the answer is a resounding "yes'.
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Our Fifth Subaru
GOM, 06/23/2017
updated 01/11/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We have owned all of the major Japanese brands and they are all great autos. However, we keep coming back to the Subaru's and lately it has been the Outback Premium 2.5. The 2015 Outback has a little more room and engine power compared to our 2012 and the technology is much more digital. I have noticed that many reviews mention a lack of power and to be fair, while the Subaru 2.5 is not going to make you feel the G's on acceleration, the engine is perfectly adequate for everyday driving. There is enough power to accelerate and easily merge into 70mph freeway traffic or to pass another vehicle. My mileage in town is at 24.3MPG and on road trips, the mileage goes well over 30MPG. The AWD for winter driving is a very important feature to us and the main reason why we keep buying Subaru.
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We love our Subbie!!!
P. J. Hicks, 01/27/2016
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
When we bought our Subaru Outback Premium and are thrilled with our purchase. It is great in snow, trails, and many other challenging tasks. When we take trips and have very little fatigue compared to some other cars we've had. It get good gas mileage for the size of the wagon. I am very impressed being that this is our first Subaru. Only improvements that I have made is to put in a new stereo system because the one that was in was not to iPhone friendly.
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Electrical issues not good- Stranded Mother-In-Law
Robert Simpson, 08/15/2017
updated 08/16/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
There is no explanation or solution offered by service department and as mentioned in other reviews the battery will be dead if you do not drive vehicle on a regular basis. I keep a battery charger on stand-by in garage and have used it at least 4 times in last 6 months. Multiple visits to dealer results in same response indicating no issues with electrical system or battery. Then next month it happens again. Very poor quality for a car with such a good reputation. Would not buy this vehicle again. Update- replaced battery at my expense and it appears to have resolved issue. It appears that batch of bad batteries may have been a root cause but too bad issue was not addressed by Subaru dealer.
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Subaru fades
Santa Fe driver, 08/09/2020
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
1997 17 years with a great Outback 2013 new car determined to be a lemon 2015 given new Outback...brakes/tires needed replacement at 25k. First battery died while camping. Second battery died in garage in under 1 year. Drivers seat ripped in 2 Nd year....replaced under warranty..ripped twice more in different places (not the “leather” is not leather). 2020...traded in. Bought a 2020 Honda CRV touring.. Done with Subaru!
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Utterly Unsafe
Backpacker007, 09/28/2015
updated 03/31/2017
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
17 of 31 people found this review helpful
Rating after 2 years of ownership. Overall this is a very good car. Like the 6 cylinder engine, CVT transmission works very well. No reliability issues to date. Very comfortable for long trips. Now for the negatives. Subaru missed the mark on several areas. First there is wind noise that comes from the front door weather stripping near the front of the roof and top of windshield. When driving in a cross wind the weather stripping flutters against the body. Next, after 2 years of ownership I still find the door locks unsafe. They do not unlock when you pull the door release handle forcing you to find a small poorly positioned button to open in an emergency. The key fob design is an utter failure. Buttons are not recessed and have very light springs. Bend over to tie my shoes in the laundry room and open the garage door to find the hatch is up or a fan or the car is in some goofy accessory mode with a fan in the dash running which requires the car to be started to get it to turn off. This may not be a problem if you have no other keys on your key ring. I stopped carrying the key fob as it is my wife's car. The many beeps do become tiresome and annoy passengers. I can turn off eyesight and blind spot, but there remains a seemingly random beep that sounds. Original feedback:The doors cannot be unlocked from inside the vehicle without pushing a 1/2" square poorly illuminated button. In the case of an accident, pulling the door release lever will not unlock the door from inside. If you find yourself upside down in a pond - good luck! Maybe this is why Subaru seems to be the only brand that does not give the driver the ability to automatically lock the doors. If you decide to buy, I suggest placing a tool that will shatter the side windows at each outboard seating location. It's 2015 Subaru, door locks are not that complicated. While I am at it, how can a 3.6 liter engine require 7 quarts of oil. A Chevy 454 cubic inch big block only takes 7 quarts. Want eyesight? Well I hope you like random beeps. Beeps all the time for known reasons which is annoying but it also beeps frequently for no discernible reason which is infuriating. The digital clock would be great if it did not display the time with 10 font. You must take your eyes off the road for far to long to see the tiny clock display yet another unique Subaru driving hazard. I wish I had waited for the new Ford Edge to come out.
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Great Car - Lousy Battery
Alan Jenkins, 12/28/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
My second Subaru, and I'm still, and will continue to be, head over heels in love with the car. I was stranded twice with a 18 month old bad battery. It was covered under warranty, and was replaced..... a minor issue given the great Subaru experience overall. Great cars, Great Service, We continue our romance...
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terrible handling on ice and snow
W Stewart, 12/29/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased this 2015 Subaru Outback (4 cylinder) premium new. The windshield cracked within a day of buying the car, there was a great deal of air noise by the front passenger side, (both of which Subaru finally fixed). The heat is also poor on the drivers side where your feet are. I live in a cold climate and it takes forever to get warm feet. My current issue is that it drives horribly on Ice. The best way I can compare it is that it feels like your driving on marbles. I originally thought it was the poor quality tires that came with it so I upgraded to Michelin All Seasons. The same issue happened. It seemed as if I was fighting the car continually on hitting ice and snow. Talked to Subaru Dealership and they had two suggestions. Get it aligned once a year and keep 200 lbs of weight in the back. Evidently they are aware of a situation called, (and I'm not sure if Subaru came up with this name) "GHOSTWALKING". Evidently, when you hit a small patch of ice, the rear tires start acting like the front and take over steering. Subaru says this is from needing an alignment. I've been driving cars for 50 years and have never heard of such a thing. I do know that it is very dangerous and easy to get sideways just prior to hitting dry pavement. That could make for an ugly situation. I'm looking at trading it off, the sooner the better. Subaru has to know there is a definite safety issue with this!!!
no voice commands in navigation
ViaP, 03/17/2016
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Navagation commands are not heard. One year old car the voice commands began to leave off mid word. For example, instead of turn left it says "eft" Now there is no sound at all for navigation. Also, the directions fade out while driving and light up only when the car is stopped. Not very helpful. The is a very poorly designed system. I had a horrible experience in trying to get home from Newark airport. The navigation routed me through side streets in Newark instead of taking the highway. Soo stupid. Never buy a Subaru for it's navigation. Honda's navigation is much better.
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I regret buying a 2015 Subaru Outback
overrated, 12/18/2014
updated 12/19/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
34 of 64 people found this review helpful
I have owned my Subaru Outback a little over a month. The second or third day that I had it, I noticed that the gap between the rear hatch and the body of the car was very uneven. Like almost twice as large on one side as the other. The dealer claims that nothing can be done about it, the manufacturer claims that it is "within specifications", and I claim that the should have better quality control. Since having this happen to me, I have done a fair amount of research. Subaru Corporation doesn't have a great track record for building reliable, dependable cars. The sales staff will tell you how much improved the 2015 outback is, but it is way to early to know that. I regret buying mine. Been over two years since I bought this car. Would never buy another Subaru.
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Great SUV!
Susan Tyler, 10/17/2015
updated 04/20/2017
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
This is such a great functional car for the price, and am very pleased with its safety, driving system, and overall functionality. It is an outstanding SUV, particularly during inclement weather conditions in our area; you will feel confident driving on the road. The all wheel system is outstanding. I love my car!
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Great car with a few issues
drfire, 12/24/2014
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 28 people found this review helpful
2015 2.5i Limited. I have owned for about 4mos/4000miles. Great car overall. I will list a few pros and cons for the new model as I have owned a few OB's over the years. Pros: infotainment system works better than most, rear seat room better than most, few luxury touches like powr gate and blind spot warning are nice, maintains grt ground clearance, now with much improved ride. Cons: seriously excessive wind noise (I believe this issue is being addressed by the factory), MPG less than advertised, far less interior storage from prev models, esp in the rear cargo area. CVT works well, but has a very annoying lurch during initial acceleration, lthr seats too short under thigh, too hard.
First Subaru - 2015 Outback 3.6R
echodave2004, 08/13/2014
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
37 of 72 people found this review helpful
Was originally interested in the 4cyl Forester, but after reading about Oil Consumption Issues with the 4cyl engines, decided to go for the 6cyl Outback. The 6 cyl with the CVT is very Smooth/Quiet and has nice pep. There is a little lean with turns, but no big deal (taller car). The interior and infotainment system is much improved over previous models. Speakers are clear, but seem to lack some depth to the sound. USB ports are GREAT for music. Did not get the eyesight/nav system cause of the extra cost. LOVE the blindspot monitoring system. Very happy with the purchase and look forward to the next 10+ years with this vehicle. Bring on Winter!!
Would never buy this car again
jwindler, 02/09/2015
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
47 of 99 people found this review helpful
Have had my 2015 Outback all of 10 days and would never buy another one with the navigation system. In the 2015, you can not turn off the voice guidance system. I am forever hearing, "recalculating route!" I have called one dealer, taken it to another, and spent 10 days waiting for Subaru to tell me it is not possible to turn off the voice guidance. Performance, comport, value, fun to drive, etc., are all a zero when you can't enjoy sitting in the car. Every song, every radio station every conversation in the car is punctuated by the guidance voice interruption. Turning it down helps (Subaru's only suggestions), but it is still always there!
2015 Subaru Outback Review
js_hiker, 02/10/2015
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
Just upgraded from a 2013 to 2015 Subaru Outback. They improved its handling in snow and the electronic steering and cvt are smoother. I rated the 2015 low due to quality of the fit and finish of the body panels especially my hood. My 2013 and other manufactures have nice consistent gaps between body panels. I even found an online video where someone was showing issues with their hood.
average vehicle, too many recalls and TSB'S
Steve, 11/17/2015
updated 01/18/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
7 of 14 people found this review helpful
The first issue at 6600 miles is the , SRVD " system (blind spot ) , has disabled intermittently since new in April 2015 ( over a dozen times) , as others have complained , illuminates on dash SRVD disabled on occasion , it does reset when engine is turned off,after over 40 times I returned to selling dealership in Denver on 12/29/15 , also I have been in contact with Subaru customer service, I had found TSB #Sb 07-90-15 released 04/22/15 just weeks after we picked up our Outback 3.6 liter Limited ; the sensors were replaced along with a module , took a week, it appears to be operating correctly , 01/11/16 , now has 7900 miles; update 07/11/16 14,000 miles, blind spot is working correctly after repair . update 07/12/17 24,000 miles, eyesight cameras are not 100% accurate , as I have been told by dealership service department, at times will alert when a vehicle is up to 40 feet from the front of the vehicle, also cross traffic alert in reverse at times will sound with vehicles up to 100 feet away , also told this is normal, would have not wanted all these new safety features if these issues were disclosed, also if the windshield is replaced, has to have a genuine Subaru glass for the camera's , which can cost up to $1,000 , re-calibration is about $250 of that , insurance won't cover that. Will return for another problem on 07/28/17 , side view mirrors are loose, rattle, screws have to be removed and have red lock-tight , this is a known problem; also as many have complained , the rear power lid at times either opens by itself, or won't open , several times won't close, recently several times it goes half way down then back up ; just got a letter Subaru has extended the warranty on the CVT transmission to 10 years or 120,000 miles, that is nice . Won't buy another one , my 2017 Tacoma is much better; update 01/18/18 29,000 miles ; 3 times to selling dealership for rattle in eyesight camera housing , very annoying , remains not fixed , lots of complaints for same problem , shimmed it with cardboard , still rattles , 2015 Outbacks have a very poor resale value, at almost 3 years old with a cost of about $40,0000, Limited 3.6 liter loaded with all options now worth about $22,000 again not a good value
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everything breaks.
K, 12/26/2017
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
All of this was covered under warranty in the first 3 years of a lease but it's still a lot: 1) gas tank cover stuck and had to be replaced. I was stuck in a snow storm at a gas station with car on E. This was before recall. 2) door seal leaked and ended up filling my car with water under the floorboards. Only noticed when car kept getting so much condensation inside it. Was leaking down inside back door panel and even into side of rear seat. Dealer never got the water stain out. Later found out caused rust on metal inside seat. 3) Windshield broke many times. Last was due to the heating element at the bottom of the windshield 4) screen on navigation system went out and sensors were all visible 5) touch screen cracked and would select things without me touching it 6) rear camera would flicker and not come on properly sometimes. Also selectively did not show distance indicator bars. 7) Tires seemed to go flat really easy and were replaced multiple times. Those were things fixed for free under warranty. These are the issues I have with it that are not fixed: 1) it will slip into the auto/manual mode without actually moving the shift. This is actually pretty scary and it took me a few terrifying instances to figure out what was going on. 2) It SUCKS on snow. I don't know what the problem is because my 2013 Impreza was great (along with my Audi A6 wagon). This car slides all over the place and its traction control is a joke on snow. On snow the abs system is scary as hell to use because it will not stop the car. 3) Related to breaking on snow, the electronic button for the e-break removes this last resort ability at slow motion slides once abs engaged 4) The console plastic seems to not quite fit the car (I think this is what cracked the navigation screen) and you can hear it cracking and shifting especially in high temperatures. 5) The seats are really uncomfortable for long drives. 6) The paint scratches if you look at it sideways. 7) The windshield cracks if you look at it sideways. 8) You cannot drive it anywhere dusty. I've never seen a car that had so much dust getting inside the door frames with the door closed while driving through dry agricultural areas. 9) It is really bad at hydroplaning. This started immediately with the stock tires. Never a problem with any other Subaru I've had. 10) User design and layout of console and navigation is horrible and counterintuitive. 11) The sound from blue tooth or plugged in device is very low but you cannot control the sound on the device when its plugged in. 12) I've heard it's nearly impossible to hear me when I'm using the hands free device. 13) it's bad at recognizing what you are saying for voice controls. 14) Battery dies really easy. 15) no ability to turn fog lights on without headlights.
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Love the car HATE the battery problem
njordan3, 04/14/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have replaced the battery once, have gone on longer drives to keep the battery charged, have had a software update so the battery will charge more and I trickle charge the battery several times a month and I still have been stranded four times in the last 30 days. I live in fear of leaving a dome light on or not closing the door properly when I park since I will have a 95% chance of the car not starting when I get back. This car is awesome and I love the way it drives and the lack of other issues it has had in the 3 years 7 months and 74799 miles that I have had it but it is now becoming a burden because of this issue. I am VERY Frustrated!. A few weeks ago I drove 460 miles in one day and the next morning the car would not start because a dome light had been on for 8 hours. I have never had that issue with any of the other cars I have owned.
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Good Car for the Money
bswangh, 06/03/2015
updated 08/02/2016
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 21 people found this review helpful
Bought the Outback a few months ago and have taken it on a few road trips plus regular daily driving. The Outback is a great daily driver and even on longer road trips, the seats are comfortable all day long, and it's a very quiet car. It has good steering feel and handling - feels more like a car than a crossover. Highway fuel economy has been right on target, and sometimes better (my best average was 35.5mpg one afternoon). In town, however, I'm only getting 19-21 mpg average. I can't blame Subaru for that one, however, since I live in a town with a lot of hills, and that terrain coupled with short trips means terrible fuel economy for all cars I've ever driven here. UPDATE: I have had the car for over a year now, and I still think it's a great car, but there is one quirk I do not like at all. When shifting from reverse into drive, there is an uncomfortable pause until the drive gear engages. It's very unnatural, and extremely annoying. Subaru dealer told me it has to do with the way the CVT is programmed, and that it is normal. Also, a few defects cropped up over the first year of ownership, all replaced under warranty: a cracked windshield caused by a defective heat strip, a fuel filler door which stopped opening, a bad battery, and a recall on the electronic parking brake. None of these were big, but it seems like a high number of issues for a new car. It makes me wonder what else will go wrong.
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5th Subaru and the Worst one ever
James Meyer, 02/23/2015
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 19 people found this review helpful
We bought our 5th Subaru because of the Outback's revised exterior styling, 4 cylinder engine and the new touch screen system. I was happy as we drove off into the sunset and then my attitude soured. I think the entire entertainment layout is horrible. The volume control for the stereo is very small. Touch screen is not intuitive. The outside temp and time displays are very small. The worst is how it handles in the snow. Just driving in my neighborhood I have slid around corners and through corners with bad traction control and antilock braking. My confidence is shattered. Mountain driving is no longer fun as I am white knuckling the entire time. Anyone else experience this?
Don't plan on being far from a dealershp
Jane Steinberg, 03/06/2015
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 26 people found this review helpful
If you tire blows on the 2015 Outback and you are not near a Subaru dealer plan to wait 3-5 business days for a replacement. The tires on the new model are not usually stocked at tire dealers! Really bad decision on Subarus part. So ignore the expensive commercials and do not go far from home unless you plan to carry a real spare!
Safety Problem and poor mpg
bal1013, 11/12/2014
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 15 people found this review helpful
we haveowned this car for almost two weeks now and we love the car except for a few small problems and one major City mpg is poor so far just making 18 mpg and 12 combined, hopefully get better with time. will let you know. We bought this car for its safety values, little did we know that the car did not have automatic door locks when placed in drive. I ththought all cars did and even salesman at dealership thought it did. My grand daughter opened door in drive. this safety feature should have been a given or at least let us know with a warning sign or something. Just imagine your wife or daughter getting car jacked cause the doors didn't lock.
Almost perfect
Ed, 04/14/2018
updated 10/16/2018
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
We purchased this car and all was fine, the morning after it was 20 degrees we started the car and it knocked so bad I thought all of the rod bearings were shot. took the car back to the dealer and was told it was normal, no other explanation. when the car warms up the knock goes away. everything else about this car is fine except the clock which is hidden among the readout in lower center of .dash. I still want to know why it knocks when cold. us to sell the After 6 months of ownership we gave up, denials by the dealership prompted us to sell the car at a tremendous loss. a month later Subaru admitted they had a problem with some 4 cyl engines and outlined how to correct the problem.
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Tough wagon
Ron patrick, 09/04/2016
updated 09/09/2019
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Great gas mileage gives a great ride tough little wagon pulls my boat well fun car to drive radio controls suck and are hard to use this car keeps suprising me with great gas mileage and comfort after four years owning this car I have plagued with check engine lights once for maf sensor next oxygen sensor and a month later check engine light again then car does not start now on the back of tow truck waiting to hear what this time
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Disappointed with Subaru
Amanda, 01/09/2019
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car new in 2015. I was in love with it. It is very comfortable, peppy, and solid. I had trouble when the car was a couple years old with the car not starting. I took it to the dealership service department. As they were bringing my car back and telling me that they couldn’t recreate my problem, my Outback wouldn’t start for them. They checked the battery again and it was fine. They ended up installing a new battery to satisfy me, but they weren’t able to figure out what caused the problem. The problem continued to happen occasionally, so I kept jumper cable with me to be safe. Lately, it has happened more frequently, so I researched the problem and I’m not alone. I called the Subaru service department and they are unwilling to cover costs. I realize I’m out of warranty at this point but they didn’t fixed the problem when my car was under warranty. I am disappointed with Subaru because this is a reoccurring problem with many buyers, and I don’t believe that they don’t know the cause. Subaru should recall and fix the problem. Corporate greed doesn’t agree with their marketing image. Sad!
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