Used 2017 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Love my outback
Geoffrey Miles, 09/14/2016
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
I love my new 2017 outback. So far this is the best car I have ever owned. It is a great value. I think it is nicer than much more expensive cars. I would not change a single thing about the car.
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Comfy, quiet, plenty of space, and great MPG
Ben, 10/13/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my Outback at the end of May, it is now October and I have almost 18,000 miles on it. The ride is comfy, and the seats are great for long rides. There is very little road noise unless you get past 70-75mph. Visibility is high in all directions, and the eye sight system has been fantastic, we have a lot of deer in our area and it has made me feel better doing my night driving. It does occasionally stop working in heavy rains but other than that I have no had any problems. I have overall averaged 28.2mpg, when I am taking mostly backroads at 55-60mph I average 32-34mpg. There is plenty of room for 2 passengers in the back and our 2 dogs in the very back. I would buy this care again in a heartbeat. I only have a few complaints or groans about it, 1. is that sometimes at low speeds the gear changes are anything but smooth I'll randomly get a jolt this does not happen all the time but happens enough to be annoying. 2. We recently took it on a roadtrip from the UP of Michigan to Colorado, we had a total of 2 adults and 1 weeks worth of camping gear and food, our overall trip MPG dropped to 22.9mpg we were driving our typical 70-75mpg and most of it was flatlands through Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan ( I expected it to drop but not that much). And finally I knew buying a 4 cylinder engine I would get better mpg/less power I was realistic about this, but sometimes the lack of power is frustrating, make sure to plan you passing on the highway accordingly, because slamming the pedal down does not mean that you'll get thrown back in your seat. It is a great car, I love the eyesight, it is quiet and comfortable, the controls are nice and help you keep your eyes on the road, and it has plenty of room for cargo/passengers/our dogs. If you want a car like ride, with plenty of cargo space and great MPG with AWD, then this is a great option. If you like having speed, power, and need to haul heavier equipment I would recommend something else.
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2017 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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Happy wife, happy life
Mark Wynn, 03/04/2017
updated 03/08/2021
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I researched and drove demos for nearly a year before buying a Subaru Outback Touring 3.6 for wife. (I have a truck.) Ever make a purchase where every time you drive you're thinking, "damn, I'm so smart!" That's what our Touring 3.6 in Brilliant Brown does for me. The performance, styling, technology, advanced safety features, sound insulation, sound system, and comfort are comparable to luxury SUVs I drove costing $20,000 more than the 40K I paid for the Outback Touring 3.6. I strongly dispute Edmond's comment about lack of acceleration. Perhaps they were thinking of the 4 cyl. engine. The 3.6-6 is very strong, and works seamlessly with the CV transmission. Braking and handling are solid. The Subaru all-wheel drive is superior to most other marque's 4wd. We had record snow and ice this winter and the Outback was impressive. I'm somewhat embarrassed for being so over the top complimentary, as that's not usually my style ... but I'm really impressed with the Touring 3.6 model. Very happy I bought the 3.6 - 6 cylinder as Subaru now offers only a turbo 4. Also, the current Outback Touring regressed to the clunky black roof rails ... vice the beautiful, sleek stainless steel rails that came on the 2017 Touring model. Finally, the Subaru dealer (Omaha) maintenance department gets top marks for quality and customer service.
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I never ever thought I'd buy a Suburu ....
Holly, 03/15/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Suburu was just not on my radar. I'd never driven one. And, since I'm in my car a ton, I definitely thought I wanted something plusher. (I had a Lexus RX 350 last.) Still, I looked at a Suburu because of it's reputation for reliability and longevity. The leather interior and electronics screen on my new outback is far nicer than I had imagined. Seats are super comfortable and the visibility is great. One week after purchasing the vehicle, I was in a major snow squall in MA (18 inches!), and my outback performed beautifully! I love this car (and that's saying a lot from a former Lexus owver)!
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Eyesite feature great, Navigation maps outdated,
MR, 05/21/2017
updated 05/22/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Very happy with the Eyesight System & features. Navigation maps are about 3 years out of date in a new car with no updates available. I have contacted Subaru customer service several times and they don't seem to care and don't offer any prospects when an update will be available. Cannot see the clock or outside temperature display (which are poorly placed) if you are wearing polarized sunglasses. Some of the apps are a waste. I miss the calendar and calculator that was available on my 2011 Outback. They could redesign the display of the steering wheel and dash switches to make them more easily readable during the day. At a glance you do not know what some are for. At night with the red display on the buttons they are easier to identify. I don't understand why they haven't changed that over the years. Other than that I am quite happy with the car but very unhappy regarding the maps. I would not have bought the navigation system knowing the maps were out of date. Frequently have to use my iPhone for directions. FINALLY GOT MAP UPDATES!
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I sold my Prius for this?
Victor Doucette, 07/27/2017
updated 08/01/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Yes ... and I'm glad I did. As much as I love the Prius for what it's good at, it was getting harder for my gimpy, old body to get in and out of it, and I would never have called it comfortable. My Outback has the easiest ingress/egress of the eight cars I have owned and the five cars I've shared with my wife. It's also the most comfortable of those vehicles. I'm getting 30 mpg in mixed driving, and can approach 40 mpg over long distances at a steady 60 mph. As always, YMMV. Some folks complain about the acceleration, but there's enough there for me. I have had no issues with the CVT. Visibility is excellent. The EyeSight features took some getting used to, but I am glad I have them. The automated braking has made it less fatiguing to driver in heavy traffic; the blind spot monitoring has helped keep me from changing lanes at the wrong time; and the adaptive cruise control makes freeway travel pleasant. The lane departure warning is too sensitive for my tastes. Ride quality is generally excellent, but I am on the conservative side behind the wheel and haven't really "pushed" the car the way some folks do. I can't yet assess how it handles in slippery conditions, but I don't anticipate any problems come winter. The entertainment system would be better if you could switch back from the map to the radio in one step, but it takes two steps. You can run a split screen with the two functions, but there isn't enough detail when you do that to suit me. It's a little cumbersome to enter addresses into the navigation system, but the system seems to work well once I get it programmed. Bluetooth pairing was easy. I wish that the compartment that holds the USB ports was a little bigger; it isn't large enough to allow me to shut it's door when my cellphone is in there. The A/C is really cold -- I need to run it at about 77 degrees or I get chilly -- in mid-July. I did have to bring it back to the dealer after 1,000 miles to have the trim piece under the driver's side of the dashboard reattached. The service adviser said the retaining clips holding it on had broken, and that it wasn't the first time he had seen that. An Outback owners forum suggested that this might have been caused by the dealer installation of a remote-start system (which works, but I can happily live without it). Another minor complaint -- the interior loses power immediately when you turn off the ignition. You need to remember to close the windows, sunroof, etc., before you shut the car off. All in all, I am a happy Outback owner. After 6 months and about 6,500 miles, here's an update. The electronics in the car have been a constant source of frustration. At various intermittent times the navigation system has stopped working altogether or doesn't work properly, not announcing the first four or five steps in a route before suddenly coming to life. Sometimes it won't read a USB drive that I have properly inserted. Sometimes the clock will show the wrong time, the correct minute but incorrect hours. The clock then magically resets with a couple of minutes and the problems disappear -- until they come back again a few days later. I dropped by the dealer and they suggested a reflash of the system -- whatever that is -- but I haven't had the opportunity to get in just yet. Another issue is that the standard battery (group 25, IIRC) has an anemic 356 CCA. We went through a bad cold spell a few weeks ago and the vehicle had a little trouble turning over, even though it had been stored in a garage. I checked online forums and discovered that this was a common problem with the vehicle. I preemptively replaced the battery with a larger Group 34 battery (it will fit nicely, though you will have to discard the "cozy" that surrounds the original battery) that has 1,000 CCA. No starting problems since. The car has had excellent traction through our snowy winter. It's still comfortable and a pleasure to drive and ride in. I still like the car very much. I just hope that my next visit to the dealer can clear up these pesky electronic problems. It's been a year and a bit more than 12,000 miles. Time for an update The electronics suck to high heaven! The navigation system and the radio continue to intermittently malfunction. It can be slow to change stations; the nav system can intermittently lock up and refuse to function -- but it always seems to clear up before I can get to the dealer. The folks there are sympathetic, but they claim that they can't justify any action if they can't find anything wrong when the car is in the shop. I did get one new memory card and a reflash. I also just recently downloaded an updated map -- but none of that has corrected the problem. I love everything else about the car.
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Bought New
Jim, 03/09/2022
updated 04/21/2023
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Like this car better than the current model. Only one flaw: original battery was poor. There is a constant battery drain due to all the electronics. The car must be driven frequently to recharge the battery. Update 2022: A service manager told me to keep the car locked. That shuts down some 42 computers and reduces battery drain. It works. Still like this car better than new model.
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Good deal if you use Edmunds and shop around!
Jamie Diamond, 04/07/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I had been a faithful VW driver for a while, but decided to go with the Outback after my TDI Sportwagen was involved in the diesel buyback. I've only owned the car 2 months, but we've had our share of snow and rain in that amount of time. I'm thrilled with the handling of the Outback. The entertainment system takes some getting used to. It's not as intuitive as I would have expected, and it seems to be glitchy with the bluetooth - it inexplicably tries to sync with my phone and play from my Pandora app about half the time I'm in the car, and I suspect this is eating away at my phone data usage. The headlights are also taking me some time to get used to. There's a definite "horizon" - I can see a defined line right in the middle my field of vision where the headlights end, and I find that it makes the visibility really low when going up or down a hill. It bothers me the most at night on winding back roads, I can't really see if there are deer along the roadside any further than a few yards. I highly recommend using Edmunds TMV to find the best price. My most-local dealership was unwilling to negotiate price and was giving me a hard time about getting the Premium with the options package I wanted, so by using Edmunds, I found multiple other dealerships within reasonable distance who were willing to give me a great deal on those exact packages. Not only did I save over $3000 from what the first dealership quoted me, I got a better financing rate as well. Roberts Subaru in Downingtown, PA made this purchase very easy. It was the most haggle-free, laid back, simple car purchase I've ever made.
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Love, love, love my new Outback
Blue Water, 10/16/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is an awesome car! Be sure to test drive both models of the 2.5 and the 3.6. It made the decision simple about which car to get after test driving both models. There is no comparison between the handling and power, as the 3.6 is so much more responsive and powerful. The safety features are great and very helpful!
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Don't buy this car
Amara, 08/30/2021
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Worst experience with a new car I've ever had. I got a new car for reliability. So far I can't let it sit for the weekend w out it dying. Had the car since new. Subaru never figured out the battery drain issues. It consistently needs to be Jumpstart on Mondays even when I've put in a new battery. Actively planning for it to be dead on a Monday morning is the most irrating thing. Avoid this car till subaru owns up to their battery drain issues. I am really disappointed and probably will be trading this car as the reliability thing just isn't there because of the battery problem.
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Bought for wife - too much technology for her - -
Dennis Bencher, 06/22/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for my wife who is technology challenged to begin with. For example, she has an iPhone6 and all she can do with it is make calls and take pictures. That's it. With this car you have to like to read the Owner's Manual for things like using the radio and turning on the bright lights - which by the way you can't directly. She's had the car about 1600 miles and loves it - thought she hasn't driven it in the winter so we'll see. So far she likes the safety features especially EyeSight. After she's had it for 6 months or so we'll see how many of the features she learns to use. My guess is no more than 20%. This car replaced a Lexus 330. She also has a BMW Z4.
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Surprising Subaru Outback
Daniel, 12/04/2016
updated 01/18/2022
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Great car! Fantastic gas mileage for the daily commute with plenty of room for weekend sporting activities and excursions. Glad to join the Subaru family. ***Updated*** After two years of owning an Outback I love it even more. Nothing but great things to say about Subaru and this car! Highly recommend it. ***Updated*** Love my Outback!
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New 2017 Outback Owner
D.E.P., 11/17/2016
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
I have always been a VW Owner, have a 12 YO 4-Motion Passat which is seeing the end of its tenure as an everyday driver. I would have liked to stay a VW owner but the new SportTrack is grossly overpriced and is nowhere near a competitor for the Outback, more like the Crosstrek. VW Would not budge on price and in lieu of that would not up the Warranty ( they can be tricky in terms of reliability). So I opted for the Outback, in the Premium Trim in the Color I wanted with the options I like, it came in less expensive than the Base 'S' VW. I really think VW is going to have problems selling this car, they are not moving well at all. My wifes 2011 Impreza has been rock solid so the quality and resale value are there, unlike VW. Subaru AWD System is better than the Haldex system, I wish they had stayed with the Torsen. Only complaint is getting used to the CVT Transmission. It is not a race car but that is not what I bought it for.
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Not worth it
TM, 01/19/2019
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 18 people found this review helpful
Brand new it was low on coolant. We have taken it in 4 times and they cannot find the leak. Our 2010 Outback had the same problem and eventually overheated and the head gasket blew. We constantly fill the 2017 with coolant, about a liter every 6000 miles. At 2 years and 22,000 miles the battery died. The emergency brake was on, car parked in garage, and since the emergency brake is electric we could not move the car to a spot where we could jump it. Eventually we got the battery charged and then could not open the passenger side window or the rear hatch. Rear hatch beeped three times and would not open. Had to take it to the dealer and leave it there for a day while they reset and retrained the power windows and rear hatch. They also replaced the battery. The audio/camera/navigation system is highly annoying. When you are in reverse backing up you cannot adjust the radio volume. Changing the radio station, reading the current time, or using navigation is extremely challenging. Terrible user interface. Save yourself the trouble and steer clear of Subaru. The engineers at Subaru are truly idiots.
Slow slow slow slow slow!!!!!
Kevin Lowhorn, 01/24/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
This review isn't likely to dissuade anyone from buying one of these if they've decided this is what they want. Subaru owners are some of the most loyal in the industry. The Outback offers a lot of bang for the buck, in fact, it may be one of the best values out there; however, I'd never own one. The real hindrance in these vehicles is the powertrain. The Outback is seriously slow with the 4 cylinder, it's painfully and laboriously slow. The fuel economy is great for a vehicle of its size that has standard AWD, but it really needs an extra 20+ hp, and a conventional automatic. If it had 20+ more hp, and 20+ more lb. ft. of torque with a conventional 8-speed auto, then it would be an incredible bargain. Sure, you can get the 6-cylinder, but then the value proposition changes due to the cost and resultant drop in fuel economy. I was given one of these as a company vehicle, and my other option was a Dodge Grand Caravan-I wish I had been given the Grand Caravan...no joke. The droning CVT and terrible acceleration made this thing a pain to drive day in and day out.
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great car for the second time
Philip Hanna, 01/05/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
We replaced our 2006 subaru outback with a 2017 subaru outback. Why argue with satisfaction.
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bucket list
Jeri Ray, 10/19/2016
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
As my husband put it, the Outback was on my bucket list. We just took it for a weekend getaway and I love it, even he said, didn't even have a silent thought of wish she wouldn't have picked this car. The whole buying experience was good, highly recommend Royal Subaru in Charleston, WV and Kevin Jack was my salesman.
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A great vehicle but a hacker is needed to improve
alton briggs, 04/15/2017
updated 10/17/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Whenever the car is started the display immediately shows the "lawyer screen" dealing with safety. That is a fixed feature which cannot be changed. OK, I reluctantlyunderstand the manufacturer's defensive choice there, and the screen disappears in a few seconds. A regrettable fact but acceptable. It's what happens next that is really dumb, and arrogant, forcing presentation of a screen which many drivers would not want. That screen is for audio. It is not the menu screen. The menu screen logically should be presented immediately after the "lawyer" screen because it allows touch selection of screens which more likely would be of interest than the audio screen. OK, I'll admit that this complaint is subjective and the problem is not major, and I'll reiterate that the vehicle otherwise is great. But why would Subaru designers do such an unnecessarily dumb thing?
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Nice vehicle for the price
Scott, 12/03/2016
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
My 1st Outback-2017 3.6R Limited; Cons: No folding mirrors, No LED fog lights, No auto locks; Digital speedometer is poorly placed-difficult to see w/ steering lowered; Heated steering wheel should be standard, Should be able to see mpg w/o having to toggle all the time; Remote start should not require another fob-annoying, Pros: Accelerates well, smooth ride, comfortable seats, foldable roof rack;
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Subaru 2
John Juray, 08/02/2016
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
28 of 42 people found this review helpful
Great car, glad I went with the 6. Handles well, no real issues other than cost. All safety features should be standard!
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Extremely satisfied
Jack, 07/22/2018
updated 07/27/2020
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I can't say too many good things about my 3.6R Outback. I only went to the dealer to see the new tungsten color. The only Outback there at the time was the 3.6R. So, I test drove it. And immediately traded my 2015 Outback 2.5 for the 3.6R. The additional power is fantastic. I went from 30.5 mpg overall to 26.1. Florida 'ice' is not an issue; car handles great. My wife thinks there's more road noise than her Cadillac SRX but when we travel she prefers the comfort of the Sube. A modest ding is size/cargo space. We have 2 dogs; one is a Great Pyrenees. They take up the back seat. I had to get a roof top carrier for trips over one week to accommodate extras. The integrated roof bars work well with the 20 cu.ft. carrier; the car is not tall so access is easy. The NAVI is ok in general but I prefer my phone's Google Maps for more accurate traffic info. AC is very adequate for Florida. Other than a bit small for long trips; 2 adults and 2 dogs, this car is perfect.
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Luxury & Finesse Beyond Expectations
trace sexton, 02/14/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
If you are looking for luxury, performance, reliability, and safety while paying 32k or less, this is the car for you.
Enjoying this car - better than expected!
beachbum78, 08/23/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Started leasing a base, 4 cylinder, Outback a month ago and my husband and I are very happy with it. The mileage is good for a car this size - averaging 31.4 in mixed city/highway driving. Seat comfort is good for both of us, it handles real well and feels solid and well made. I did not want all the extra bells & whistles, so the base model was just right. As a person who always drove (and loves) manual transmissions, the automatic/CVT was almost a deal-breaker, but I'm satisfied with it and my husband loves it. I checked EMF (electromagnetic field) readings on quite a few new cars of different makes & models, since I am sensitive to being engulfed in too much electromagnetic radiation, and the base Outback had the lowest readings, which is a good thing for me. (I did not measure the other Outback models.) Looking forward to driving a car with 8.7" ground clearance this winter. If this car had a manual transmission and a higher horsepower turbo engine, it would be perfect.
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Technology and this car not the best
CurleyQ, 02/12/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car new 7/2017 - looking forward to the upgrades as my previous Subaru car was 15 yrs old. Unfortunately the bluetooth is not clear for people to hear the caller, calls frequently dropped and static to calls that go through. The HD radio looses connection frequently - and I live in a busy area - where I got great reception from my old radio. Blue tooth is poor for audible books - as sound disappears but the screen notes it is advancing. Navigation from your phone only works when on Blue tooth - hence can not listen to the radio while using navigation from your phone . I have brought my car back to the closet dealership - whom at first was not pleasant and couldn't verify the problem - I needed to call Subaru headquarters. Two new stereo's later from Subaru and it is the same problems. I am very disappointed in this car and miss my old one.
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Terrible Maintenance Costs!!!
TriMan, 03/04/2023
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I like many of the design features of this vehicle, and it has been reliable when not in the shop for repairs. That being said, it has had too many expensive maintenance issues for a vehicle of this type. It had a battery issue when I bought it used, for which there has since been a settlement of a class-action lawsuit regarding this issue. I have replaced the battery numerous times. I had to replace both front CV axles at 80,000 miles at a cost of $2,500, and was told by the mechanic to expect to have to replace them again at 160,000 miles. I am currently having the rear wheel bearings replaced at 130,000 miles at a cost of $1,600. The drivers' seat lumbar support track broke at about 90,000 miles and I have been driving it with a $30 lumbar support pillow in lieu of paying the $1,500 that the Subaru dealer wants to replace the seat back to fix it. This vehicle isn't just nickle & diming me to death, it's $1,500 and $2,500'ing me to death! I have always liked Subaru's, but this one has really soured me on the brand. Do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY!!!
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Great Car - lousy batteries
a jenkins, 12/30/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Base on my personal experience, I purchased a 2011 Subaru Forester, a 2015 Outback and a 2017 outback. All 3 vehicles had battery failure at about 18 months after purchase. The batteries fail without any particular notice or signs of failure. The last time occurred the morning we were flying from El Paso Texas to Chicago. We jumped started the battery off our trusty Mercedes, but felt we'd have trouble on our return...Sure enough left us stranded at the airport after returning from our Thanksgiving trip. Good thing they had a jumper box at the exit gate. Expecting returning to the same issue, I had called the dealership the morning we drove to the airport to leave and told him he might be sure to have a new battery on hand when we returned.
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Seventh Outback my family has owned.
DrMTee, 12/08/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I would rate Subaru safety features as excellent. I was broadsided in my second outback a 2001 model with 700 miles on the odometer. The police reported the car that hit me ran a red light traveling between 45 & 50 miles a hr in a 25 mph zone. The car hit me in the drivers door and pushed me across 5 lanes of traffic onto a curb into a light post. The accident investigators reported I was lucky to survive. I have had only one mechanical issue with all seven cars with was repaired at no cost despite the vehicle being out of warranty. I have had a few minor interior fit problems that were quickly repair. General maintenance cost is relatively low compared to other vehicles we have had over 60 years of motoring.
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Fifth Subaru....First New One
Brian Schoenrock, 08/19/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
My 2009 Subaru Outback 4 cylinder with a four speed overdrive tranny....the last year the Outback was built on the Legacy frame, with 96,000 miles on it....fresh out of the recommended 100K maintenance service (timing belt and radiator/tranny flush)...is going to my youngest son in Fort Collins, CO. He'll likely drive it for ten years. Love this car....handles like a Beamer. It also has a passing gear that puts you back in the seat when need to move. Bought a new 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring last week. IMHO, the 2.5i engine and CVT combo do not offer enough performance in terms of acceleration....its weak. If you need to clime hills or pass cars on two lane State highways....go with the six. This larger Outback has more ground clearance and a higher center of gravity that increases body roll in curves at pace, but the ride is firm and comfortable. The cabin is quiet...no squeaks or knocks...recommend the sunroof windscreen (optional add-on) as it keeps the cabin whisper quiet. Stereo system sounds great and can be EQ'ed to your preference. It's a pricey vehicle, but quality doesn't come cheap often. No buyers remorse here.
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Battery deaths!
Marc, 04/28/2019
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
The battery in this car sucks. I have replaced the battery twice. One time the dealer had the nerve to tell me it was a software update when it was once again a battery drain. What is the use of a car that you can't get into because a battery keep dying
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This coud be a great car, but it's just OK
Keith, 08/19/2018
updated 09/10/2019
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Side sensors often don't work and it takes four to five restarts to reboot. CVT transmission sucks and could cause accident because of lag time when shifting from reverse to drive or vice versa. Bluetooth is abhorrent a problem since day one dealer unable to fix told me it's my phone but has same issues with my wife's phone. Screen can be difficult to see is bright sun. Bridgestone original equipment tires were worn out after 30,000 mile and have no warranty on them. Mileage never lived up to claims either.
Great car for money
SClaus, 12/15/2016
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Have owned Lexus rx and now own Toyota Highlander hybrid and the outback limited gives a great ride and list of options for substantually less money. Hard to beat
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Not Lov'in It - 2017 Outback 2.5i Limited
Lee H., 02/02/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
18 of 29 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car now for four months and have about 2300 miles on it. I've read the reviews on here and this is my take on the 2017 2.5i Limited with EyeSight: 2.5i engine is severely lacking . This engine only has 175hp, and for such a heavy car acceleration is terrible. Forget any kind of "fun" driving experience because you go from zero to sixty in over ten seconds - painfully slow if you are trying to do any kind of quick maneuver (which you must not do in this car lest you cause an accident). Honestly Subaru should not sell this configuration and should only do the 3.6R (which really isn't all that much better). The CVT transmission for the most part is sufficient, but again paired with this 2.5i engine, it is not a great transmission choice for a car lacking in horsepower. The "sport" shift paddles in the limited are a joke. Except for down shifting, there is no reason for them because they do not enhance performance in any manner. In fact if you use them, you can't really go faster than 65 - it is limited to about that speed, but if you go back into auto mode you can go faster. Makes no sense! I also am not getting the mileage promised on the sticker. It says 25 city but I am getting about 19 - not a great fuel savings for having to put up with a lackluster engine. For a Japanese car, the feature set is perplexing. The Starlink system is confusing with similar features offered in multiple apps, and some of the subjects offered like sports and stock info is redundant because if you have a smartphone you already have this. There is menu upon menu and honestly it is very convoluted. I have an iPhone and you'd think in 2017 they would use Car Play and the voice activation assist Subaru provides is useless as well. You can do it faster manually than asking the car to do it. Also Perplexing is that there is no auto start available even as an option. In 2017 a $16k Chevy has auto start. You can however buy a dealer installed device, but that's another $600 or more and it is a bit confusing as there are two types offered. One that uses the existing remote (with extremely limited range) and one that is a separate remote (with a long distance range). If you opt for it the car promptly shuts off when you open the door which is very odd considering other manufacturers do not do this. Also some of these message boards indicate that you get the auto start with 2017 Limiteds. This is not true. The dealer has to "turn it on" and it costs you whatever they decide. One of the features that is supposedly superior is the symmetrical all wheel drive system. I've owned Volvos, Fords and GM vehicles with AWD systems and have used them in heavy snow. I see no difference in Subaru's system compared to other manufacturers and honestly before other manufacturers started offering it, that was Subaru's niche, but now just about all car companies have AWD models and they all perform just as well as the Subaru. Also as reported the door locks are not programmable. All you can do program them to unlock all doors or just the driver when you grab the door handle. Otherwise the doors do not lock or unlock when placed in gear or when driving away. Also when the car is in reverse, the rear windows will not go down and you can't adjust radio volume. Again really stupid features! The radar cruise control feature is okay and works just as well as other cars I've had - nothing special but the lane assist feature is annoying. The car over compensates and is very clunky. I never turn it on because of this. The lane departure warnings are extremely annoying and if you drive curvy roads it just adds to the annoyance factor. Same with the auto bright lights. If you use it, it constantly turns the brights on automatically and usually blinds oncoming cars because it cannot compensate for curves. Again I have to keep this off. Overall there is nothing special for this vehicle. If I had known all of this before I bought I would not have gotten this brand - there are a lot more negatives than positives and having had other vehicles with the same feature set as this Outback I can honestly say there is no compelling reason to pay the large sum of money I paid, and I feel a bit betrayed as this car has not turned out to be what it was promised. I will more than likely turn it in for something else once I have equity. Oh also the other real big detraction for me is that this car is extremely pedestrian and common. I chose the white and in my city there are THOUSANDS of Outbacks in white and other colors. I am not kidding when I say I've gone up to the wrong car in a parking lot on more than one occasion!
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Handling is better than I thought.
Kris, 09/13/2016
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 20 people found this review helpful
I have 40,000 miles on a 2012 Outback. It is boringly reliable, unlike the Passat I traded for it (A/C, non-functioning traction control, sunroof issues, camshaft and oil pump replacement, corroded wiring harness for transmission, turbocharger replacement.......). The front seats are OK around town, but I find 90 minutes is about my limit on a long drive before needing to stand and walk around. What I found particularly fun is how it responds to throttle input, mid-turn, when you first detect understeer about halfway to an apex. You can ease off the accelerator and let it scrub off speed, or (drumroll) floor the throttle and transfer torque to the rear which tightens up the line with perfectly neutral steering. It requires a leap of faith on a freeway onramp or offramp, but it sure is fun.
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I would buy another in a heartbeat - great car! I
Gadabout, 07/26/2017
updated 01/29/2021
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
8 of 13 people found this review helpful
I still can't stand using the onboard navigation system, it is terrible I still use my Garmin. The other technologies outweigh the previous issue. I would definitely buy another BUT I would hope they get their act together on the fronts seats, the voice commands etcetera. I recommend this car, great value, the 3.6 engine is strong and fast - happy I got the bigger engine. UPDATE - just purchased an extended warranty, GREAT CAR! And yes I would purchase this car again.
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Why is this car so popular?
KJ Osterkamp, 12/05/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
9 of 15 people found this review helpful
I got talked into this by my husband because it does well in the snow (which happens twice a year here.) However in the ways that count, this is a poor value. The road noise is so bad, one can’t hear the radio and the visors are not set to a position to block bright sunlight (blinding if you’re heading west.) The acceleration is like the old Beetle, albeit automatic, it is loud, slow and dangerous enough that freeway entrances are terrifying. The navigation system is unlearnable and incredibly frustrating while the phone operation is unreliable and not available when ignition is on. But the biggest design flaw involves the rear hatchback, which literally operates on its own. It never opens all the way up and has almost killed both my spouse and me by closing in mid lift! The battery has died several times requiring our AAA friends. The back seat is very awkward to enter and exit and the drivers seat controls do little more than go back and forth with little lumbar or positional support.
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Fancy new mom car for the win! (I'm not a mom yet)
Autumn Crossett, 01/05/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Have had my 2017 Subaru Outback for a month. We call it Gandalf because he keeps me safe by beeping at me when I start to go out of my lane or there's an object in front of or behind me. Incredibly comfortable with limited road noise. Not a huge fan of the stereo but I think that's because the vehicle is so large.
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First Subaru
Paul Lockey, 02/06/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have owned and driven many SUVs including X5, Macan, RAV. I chose Subaru Outback for its interior space, particularly luggage and price band and safety features for mountain winter driving. Thrilled with features and performance in first month of ownership. Pleased to have upgraded to 3.6 after a few drives over the Vail and other mountain passes
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1st time subaru owner
s Kaiser, 01/13/2017
updated 02/05/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
if you are going to use the roof rack, there are a couple of options for the rails. be sure to look at each type for the one that best suits your needs. check out the tires. not sure if a particular model always has this same tire brand but worth checking it out depending on your driving conditions you are most concerned about.This car spoils you for smooth ride and great handling. Air conditioner easily handles the Texas heat , front and back. Heated seats and steering wheel are really nice for the really cold weather. Distance holding feature of the cruise control makes it really nice for long highway trips.
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New Subaru
Neil S., 02/08/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
New to Subaru after luxury German cars. Car is under 1000 miles so it's hard to give a true assessment but so far, love it. Very comfortable, very solid. Definitely go with the 6 cylinder for a quiet, solid feel.
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Really needs more supportive front seats!
Rick, 11/03/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We recently took our 2017 Subaru Outback for a 300 mile drive. I'm 6'4" and my wife is 5'7" and we both had problems with the the lack of support under the thighs in the front seats. They seem to be very short in length and don't have enough bolstering in the front which caused both of us discomfort in the legs, and also in the low back (the latter especially for me). I noticed the new Subaru Ascent has a driver seat extension for better thigh support (but not for the front passenger??). Would love to get 2 of those seats in the Outback. The engine really needs at least another 30 horsepower, really noticeable when on hills.
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Best Subaru Outback we have owned to-date
Cliff, 12/28/2019
updated 06/30/2020
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Loved this Outback ... best one we've owned today .. totally trouble free. Just didn't care for the color as much as others we owned, and we racked up way too many miles too quickly. Trading it for the new 2020 Outback Touring edition .. can't wait.
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No USB port for rear passengers
Ganesan Doraisami, 04/05/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The vehicle is great for my kids but in 2017, Subaru should have made at minimum a 12V adapter or two USB ports available so rear seat passengers can charging their smart devices. Running a 6 feet USB cable from front or from the cargo area does not make sense for this.
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Sensible and Fun
Don W, 04/07/2017
updated 06/22/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
After several months of online research, I bought this car as my retirement gift to myself. I used a car buying service online to get the car at the price I thought reasonable and then was referred to three dealers in my area that had the car I wanted. I chose the dealership with the most to offer. Free loaner cars during service visits, wave deductible up to $500 and free flatbed service for any collision repairs in the first 2 years, free oil change for 2 years and car washed at every visit. The buying experience was painless with the price set before I spoke to a dealer and I skipped the usual hassle of dealing with their finance officer by paying cash. I chose the Suburu Outback because it offered good cargo room, great all wheel drive system, comfort, safety and reliability on top of a very good reputation. Update-I now have 8,000 miles on the car and still loving it. No problems of any kind. I love the fact that the rear seats drop giving me room for garden supplies and with the removable rubber mat it makes for easy clean up. I did change out the standard tires for good winter tires for snow and ice. I have used the car to tow a small utility traier(4'x8') that I use when I need to bring larger items home and it tows it just fine. Overall I'm a very happy Suburu owner.
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Excellent so far
Nick Mitlo, 11/29/2016
updated 06/03/2021
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Driven for one month and love it so far! Problems with set up of My Subaru thru Dealership error and poor Customer Service at My Subaru web site and their Customer Service! But the car itself Is a dream car! Driven it 12000 miles without any issues! Not one! Noise level could be quieter! But not too bad! Safest car on the road today! Will buy another Subaru for my wife!
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Love my outback
DA, 06/26/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I changed from a Santa Fe to an Outback and it is much easier to drive and the ride is much more comfortable. I love the amount of cargo space.
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Great cat so far
Josiane Stickels, 04/29/2017
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have only had this car for about a week, and the only thing I don't like is that the driver seat headrest is too far forward. I've had to tilt my seat back so that I can get my head back far enough to be comfortable. If I put my seat back upright like I'm used to the headrest pushes my head way too far forward not in line with my spine. Uncomfortable. Otherwise great car.
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2017 Outback Review
CT fisherman , 02/06/2020
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I put about 50K miles on this car since I bought it new. Sadly it was totaled in a rear-ender three weeks ago. I withstood the impact well, although I was seriously injured. The car served me well, especially considering I towed a 2,000 boat/trailer for thousands of miles in New England. The only complaint I had was a persistent and loud rattle in the dash just in front of the steering wheel. They tried to fix it four or five times but it kept coming back. It made the car sound junky although I learned to ignore it. This car does great in bad weather and snow and I'm sure would have lasted many more years if not for the accident. I may just get another one.
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Great Hauler but a Dull Drive
Pete G, 01/16/2020
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I got the top of the line Touring 3.6R. It stickered at just under $43K. For this price point there was too little differentiation from an Outback selling for $10K less: a strip of bright work on the lower sides and a unique color and quality of interior leather. Same “rubber” outside accents and really bad faux wood inside. Not even a “Touring” badge anywhere. It did come standard with all of Subaru safety feature: Eyesight, rear cross traffic alert and breaking, lane keeping assist, etc. All worked well as along as you didn’t mind playing “Chicken” with the vehicle following and automatic braking feature. I usually blinked first preventing a high speed, late braking approach that the system preferred. Like riding with a very aggressive, unskilled new driver, but the car had no learning curve. Too many gongs alerting the drive to routine things: car ahead identified, car ahead out of range, turning on this or turning on that This super safe behavior carried over into how the car handled. It was slow to respond, but rough on uneven pavement, the flat six was quiet and offered OK acceleration, but with lapses in smoothness I attributed to the stepped CVT. Throttle tip-in is abrupt and jerky as is shifting from forward to reverse. What the Outback did well was to take the two of us with lots of luggage and two dogs at Interstate speeds anywhere we wanted to go with perfect reliability, great comfort and little stress. But off the Interstates we opted for another car. Evidence of this is that in nearly three years from being leased new, the Outback’s odometer just passed 6,000 miles - most of it on two trips the first year we had the car.
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1st Subaru
GoNolesJBW, 01/19/2019
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I kept seeing more and more Subarus on the road and read good reviews but just never really considered it. Well my wife's MDX lease was over and we were less than thrilled with the vehicle. So I decided I'd look at different options and glad I did. The 3.6 engine is great. Not as fast as the Acura but very quick when needed. Recently took a road trip with the family from FL to VA and then NC and home and the ride was so comfortable. Truly the only potential knock on the car is the road/wind noise is a little loud but not overly annoying. Roof racks are easy too use, the car is great to drive, takes only 87 octane gas and it is much less than other cars I considered. Now I just wish it was mine instead of my wife's. However in a couple months the 2020 will be released and I'll get my own Outback.
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My little Subie
Richard, 06/25/2018
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
After owning two Kia Sorentos a 2014 and a 2016, decided to try a Subaru Outback because of it's safety features, namely the eyesight controls. Overall was pretty much pleased with Kia, and would recommend them. I have had two crash saving incidents when backing, and the auto brake worked as it should. Subaru has done a great job with that, and the cruise works without a problem, following the car ahead even to a dead stop, and then starting to go again by touching the resume button. In mix driving the computer says 29.2 but in my calculations I would say more like 26 mpg on average. In the 2017 they did not have android auto, so I switched to a I phone to get better results, and be able to talk a text while driving, without taking my hands off the wheel, or fooling around with a phone. I know to some people that is no big deal, but whatever I can do easier, and safer, am all for it. I am currently awaiting to see if the new Subaru Ascent is going to be worth the switch. The boxer engine is fine, but the Kia with turbo did a good job in performance on regular gas. Probably should have got the 6 with Subaru, since I was use to more get up and go.
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