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Used 2016 Subaru Outback SUV Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
251 reviews

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Cons
5 out of 5 stars

Get new Outback

s. Dunlopp, 07/28/2016
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Careful of the dealer insurance add ons when you sit down with the finance guy. They can add up quickly.

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
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Don't Waste Money on a Subaru

Neil, 11/29/2019
2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful

I bought a new 2016 Outback 3.6 Limited in 2016 and have been sorry ever since. My newest service appointment is to deal with defect/problems numbers 9 and 10. Problems have included defective fuel filler doors, defective battery, numerous problems with the infotainment system, seat cover failure resulting in the incredibly cheap and poor quality leatherette (dealer had called it "leather") material tearing open, broken lumbar support, etc. Although a dealer service advisor recently agreed with me that the car is a piece of crap, Subaru customer service thinks all of this is normal wear and tear for a car that is now 3 1/2 years old and at 29,000 miles. I'm currently researching other cars and can't wait to trade this lemon in. This is not the first Subaru in the family, but it is definitely the last.

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

My outback

Ralph Monge, 09/01/2016
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful

This is our 4th Subaru. We've had 2 Foresters and a Legacy previously. With all the new features we feel safer that we did with the other 3 cars.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
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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1 out of 5 stars

2016 Outback Issues....

Mike, 11/13/2016
updated 05/22/2017
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful

Update- May 21, 2017- got rid of the car. Subaru stated the noise was "normal operations" despite being loud enough at times to wake a sleeping 14 month old who can sleep while you vacuum the floor. So needless to say we were a Subaru family and now we are no longer going to purchase. Subaru's only offer to resolve the matter was if I came back to buy a new Subaru they would treat me a loyal customer. From 2016: I purchased my 2016 Subaru Outback in September of 2015. After about 5 months a strange noise started to occur from the back of the car for which I thought was the muffler. The noise was intermittent so the dealership could not diagnose the problem but told me to premium gas, fuel additive as it could be engine pinging. Finally they did hear the noise and stated it was very loud evaporator pump for which they were going to replace. After picking up the car, they had changed out the evaporator valve assembly and added extra insulation. The noise is still ongoing and the noise has waken my baby up from a sleep, made people come outside from their camping trailers where fans were on to heat, but again I am too sensitive and am hearing this. To this point there has been no resolve, and now run the risk of loosing thousands of dollars if I have to get rid of the car. I have reached out to Subaru America with minimal help outside of listening and still no resolve or true assistance. The local dealership is trying all they can but are at the point looking to National Subaru to help diagnose or provide guidance which appears to be lacking. People like the look of the car and the features for which I agreed with but tell them my issues and they have moved onto look at other cars.

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

Best car for the money on the road, today.

roger gorski, 11/24/2015
updated 08/01/2016
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 12 people found this review helpful

This is my 3rd Subaru. I have only traded an old for a newer one, because the lease ran out. Great value for the money.Like a Timex watch...just keeps on ticking.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
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

Solid choice for versatile vehicle

Ray S, 02/08/2016
updated 08/01/2016
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 9 people found this review helpful

Positives - great value, simple and logic gauges / controls, great audio system, EyeSIght safety system is top-notch, great gas mileage, easy access in and out Negatives - navigation system not as good at my 6 year-old portable Garmin, Starlink system is worthless, do not like the volume button on steering wheel (not as good as Honda's thumb wheel)

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
4 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

Love it except the MPG: in LA averaging 19.1 city

Diane, 04/23/2016
updated 05/06/2021
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful

Comfortable, and still very reliable basic ride. Great in snow. Still not thrilled with the MPG.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 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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2 out of 5 stars

Stick to a Toyota!

Subaru Outback 2016, 04/14/2019
updated 05/17/2019
2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
6 of 12 people found this review helpful

I actually purchased a 2016 outback 3.6r limited. Have had problems 6 months after got the car. I had to take it for a front pump seal leak 3 times before they finally fixed and replaced the part. The cvt transmission is [non-permissible content removed], in my opinion. These car manufacturers are trying to cut corners by inventing something that saves fuel, where’s they mass produce cars. And the price definitely does not equal the performance of any of these cars. No car should be worth over 30 grand and give you these many problems so early on. For now, Toyota is keeping it real, not this cvt crap. Hopefully they don’t change.

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
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

SS, 02/28/2016
updated 09/15/2016
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
18 of 40 people found this review helpful

I purchased this car two months ago. The navigation did not work the first time I tried to use it. The dealer replaced it under warranty. The engine noise is unbearable especially when it is a cold start. It sounds like a garbage truck. Accelaration is awful. I am getting 20 mpg average which is very disappointing. The fact that the gas fill cap is on the right caused me to scrap the the side of my car on a low planter at a gas station. I never had this issue when in my previous car which had the gas fill cap on the left. I truly cannot wait to get rid of this car. After doing further research, I found a lot of consumers are complaining about the engine noise issue in other online forums. What I do not understand is how this car is getting very positive rating on Edmunds and other mainstream car review websites. Here is my honest opinion for anyone who is thinking about buying or leasing this car: Go somewhere else. DON'T BUY THIS CAR. After 3,500 mile on the odometer, I am still very disappointed especially with the engine noise and lack of power. This car is seriously underpowered. I still do not understand how anybody thinks this is a good car. I personally do not believe so.

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

Not feeling the love

Wally, 11/14/2015
updated 05/28/2019
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
37 of 84 people found this review helpful

Technology is outdated! Really sorry I didn't pay closer attention before buying. Voice commands have very spotty performance. Very hard to adjust heater/defroster controls while driving. Clock is barely noticeable and poorly located. Maps radio and other controls on Starlin/GPS control panel are useless when the sun reflects on the dash. The garage door opener/Home link is poorly designed. When I pull up to the garage at night there is no lighting on the mirror. So you need to grope around your mirror to locate the button to open the garage door. The Forester has a much better instrument panel /Starlink interface. The dealer misinformed me about the abilities of eyesight. I was initially told the car will stop on its own when an object is in front of the car and moving slowly. I have since found out that is not the case. Do yourself a favor stay away from this one!!! Unless something amazing happens this will be my first and last Subaru!!! Do not buy this car!!!!!1 After 2 years I am ready to dump this piece of garbage. Valve tapping engine was determined normal by Subaru Rep from factory. Gas mileage is barely 22 mpg. Intermittent problems with electric window control. Does not hold a hill when at an incline and stopped or backing in reverse. Run as far as you can from your Subaru dealer and never look back!! Never again will I buy a Subaru. Buyer beware. Traded the outback on a Ford Edge. What a difference very happy with the Edge.

Safety
2 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
3 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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