Used 2018 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Cruise Conrol Issue #1!
Ricky Ratliff, 01/01/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 23 people found this review helpful
Biggest gripe - and it's a head scratcher! Why, oh why does the cruise control go up or down in increments of 5 mph instead of 1 mph per click like every other manufacturer?!? This alone is almost enough to make me look elsewhere. The adaptive cruise control is gret, as are 99% of the other features of the car. But that cruise control! Sheesh, I have to change the way I use it and it's just silly.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Bought new Subaru it STILL has issues Subaru not h
Kelly, 10/12/2018
updated 10/16/2020
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
BEWARE Subaru knowingly released 2018 with known issues. We are getting nowhere with Subaru or dealership! Radio and bluetooth havent worked since we got car. We have to get lemon lawyer with new outback we purchased earlier this year.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 Subaru Outback for sale near you
3 of 105 listings
- 3.6R Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $16,99931 mi away
- 2.5i Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $18,99838 mi away
- 2.5i Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $12,49521 mi away
See all 105 listings
Car is much better than the infotainment unit
Lenny, 12/29/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
My last SUV was a 2012 Lexus RX350, so some of my criticism might be harsh. Handling is much better than I thought but the noise level is not as good as a 2017 Mazda CX-5. The CVT transmission has no soul nor better mileage; engine always seems to rev rather high when I put the car in neutral. Ride is soft but firmer than the Lexus. I'm OK with that since it seems to improve handling. The Mazda also has a much nicer interior and material. Only once did I bottomed out, not in the Lexus. Windshield noise is noticeable, but better than the 2017 Honda CR-V. Acceleration is strained but I can deal with it. Mileage is not as good as EPA estimate. Traction is better than Lexus; gives one confidence, especially stopping in snow. Areas for improvement - tailgate is primarily automatic; don't bother to try the manual mode or it might break. I've an Android phone. Though Android Auto/Apple CarPlay was out available in the Imprezza in 2017, for the Outback, it's the first year and it shows. One time my speakers were dead but resurrected after a trip to the dealer to reboot the software; time wasted. They claimed that it's not possible to be done at home. Go to the Subaru Outback Forum, there seems to be alternatives. Default navigation volume was way too loud, but could be adjusted. Tom Tom is a poor navigation package, comparing to Garmin, Waze or Google Map. My impression is that the Infotainment option was not well tested, especially for Android users. The power tailgate sometimes work. Kind of reminded me of my 2001 BMW X5. For the money, it's a solid winter driving SUV. For geeks, the infotainment could be a deal breaker. The Harmon Kardon speakers (optional) are nice, much better than Bose variety or Lexus. BTW, LG owns HK, B&O and JBL.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Pleasantly surprised
Laura, 03/24/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Traded in my 2017 Forester for the 2018 Outback and I am very pleased with the results. Pros for Outback over the Forester: upgraded back-up camera, rear heated seats, easier in/out for those with disabilities, and the mid-cycle refresh has given the Outback Apple CarPlay! Cons: lower roof makes me feel claustrophobic, seat belts are in a weird place when you're trying to reach for them, and peddles feel like they are a mile away unless you put your seat all the way forward (making seat belts even more awkward). Additionally, the Outback has upgraded interior materials making it look and feel top of the line.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Lots of Bang for the Buck
Carpro, 08/17/2018
updated 08/24/2021
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
The Subaru Outback 3.6R performs very well and offers a lot of premium features without emptying your wallet. It has tremendous cargo rom, is very comfortable, and gives you an unobstructed well lit view of the road. My only problem with this car is the lack of cornering ability due to the high ground clearance. You sacrifice handling for off road capability. Otherwise, this is a great vehicle.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Get what u pay for
bobby, 05/16/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
It is reasonably priced AWD car but what you get in AWD and safety comes at the expense of technology, materials and engine performance.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
First Subaru - probably not my last
sheehanje, 06/19/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I initially was looking for a used car for my wife. How I ended up with a brand new 2018 Subaru Outback is still a little tall tale. In searching for a used car for her, I test drove a 2011 Outback, and loved all the boxes it checked for me: excellent cargo room, good roof rack system, decent mileage, good inclimate weather driving, safety, comfort. I just couldn't get over how this car had more cargo room then my Rogue. I decide I'd purchase the 2011 for myself and give my wife the Rogue seeing she likes it. After not getting a good rate or warranty for the 2011, I decided to look new. I ended up with a 2018 Outback 2.5 Premium with Eyesight, Remote Start, and a few other options added in. I love it. My two biggest complaints are the Infotainment system can glitch once in a while, but not catastrophically - and the remote start has the odd "feature" of turning off the car when you open the door. Odd behavior/system, but not enough to deduct a star. Most useful feature I wasn't even look at has to be adaptive cruise control. I use cruise control A LOT - and after a few trips with adaptive cruise control, I'm sold on it. I didn't have to fiddle with the controls once on two 50 mile trips. Seeing it's the middle of summer, other then a camping trip coming up on some pretty easy dirt trails, I won't get a sense of what the Outback can do in a US Northeast winter - but from everything I've heard it's going to be probably the best driving car I've ever owned in inclimate weather. I'm so glad I came across the Outback - it's comfortable, it will do a family camping trip easy, and it has some useful features I didn't even know I was looking for. Oh - roof rack system is great with the swivel crossbars, don't know why more cars don't incorporate that.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Subaru corporate useless
Mep, 01/06/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
2016 outback with 29,000 miles ( bought brand new) has had issues with the windows not working, transmission stutters up hills, battery has been replaced(researched this and it is an on going problem with the 2016’s, but biggest issue is my roof racks began to buckle. You could put your fingers up under them along the seams. It’s now been in my local Subaru dealership, Beechmont Subaru in Cincinnati, Ohio since October. They were supposed to fix the roof racks but instead they broke the sunroof twice, dented the roof, three tries to “repair” the racks, car got hit on their lot and the entire back bumper had to be replaced. My 2018 loaner Outback has a recall which I didn’t know about. The recall is for the gas gage, it reads incorrectly and I ran out of gas. Corporate has not been that much help. As they have said,” Dealerships are not owned by corporate,so all corporate can do is recommend that they make things rt. for the customers”. If the dealership doesn’t then they can’t force them to. Shouldn’t Subaru corporate want good dealerships to represent their products? I bought a Subaru for what the stand for and because they used to have great reliability. Research this they no longer score high in reliability. So frustrated.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I will never buy a new car again.
Margaret, 03/13/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Yes, this is a Subaru and will drive excellent in the snow. That's about how much good I can say for this car. I bought it brand new and right away had issues that the dealership did not want to address. The brake rotors were out of tolerance and caused shuddering when braking at speeds greater then 40 mph. The dealer tried to tell me it was because the brand new machine ground brakes were 'too rough' and that their brake lathe could do a better job. I work in manufacturing and know this is BS, they remove 0.050" of new brakes around 2000 miles and this fixed the problem only now i'll need new brakes before too long. This a real quality control problem and reflects badly on the overall reliability of the cars parts. In addition to having mechanical issues out the box, the head unit is an absolute piece of garbage. I have drives where it turns white and is basically frozen. I have had it 'ghosts' the controls and flip between radio and AUX and then repeat the same part of a song over and over without touching anything. Most dangers and annoying is that the master volume control will randomly lock the music (AKA you cant turn it down) and start only effecting the volume of the GPS voice - even if you aren't using it!! This will happen for a few minutes or a few days - turning the car off and on does nothing but it will go away just as randomly as it starts. The dealership refuses to look into this unless i can re-create it there, and given the nature of the problem- it happens at random - this has not been possible and there is no fix. Basically everything new about this car is terrible. Having owned an older model I am seeing a real decline in quality and performance and considering Subaru of America doesn't care about these issues and likely wont fix them I wish I never bought this car. I would not recommend it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Outstanding in both performance and Safety
William Comer, 11/01/2018
updated 11/03/2021
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
The Outback is an exceptional vehicle to travel in in both comfort and gas mileage, 32+ MPG. I had some screen issues that took several software upgrade to correct. I would buy another without hesitation and highly recommend.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Six months and 6K miles with my 3.6R Touring
Steve, 06/01/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I love everything about this car and have no regrets. Other than lacking a big "L" on the grill and swooshy styling that seems to impress my neighbors, this vehicle blows away my wife's Lexus NX200t in almost every way, including fuel costs considering the turbo Lexus' apatite for premium. Power delivery from the flat 3.6 is smooth and always ready, even at 10,000 ft. with a load. Although I was skeptical about the CVT, I've become a believer. The car is eerily smooth and quite. The technology is amazing, especially the Eyesight. Other than three minor encounters with the infamous head unit "freeze-up", this car has been flawless. After 30 years of brand loyalty toward the Japanese big three (Honda, Toyota, and Nissan), I have high expectations for this vehicle and so far have not been disappointed.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Good Car, some issues
Mr. Atex, 01/25/2019
updated 09/01/2023
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Infotainment/Navigation screen periodically goes blank. If im lucky only 5 minutes, if unlucky 5 hours. To this day I have not received any communication about this issue from Subaru Corporate or the dealer. An issue Im 100% sure they know about. I received a letter about the fuel gage not working ok. This issue is something I have witness. Letter came 5 weeks ago. When is fix coming? Really disappointed, thought Subaru was brand to be trusted. Guess I was wrong. Addendum : Soon after the original review Subaru fixed both issues free. 🙂
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Wish I never bought this vehicle
Kerri, 10/11/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 17 people found this review helpful
From day 1 I have had issues with this vehicle. Countless trips to have the radio and system fixed then completely replaced and still having issues with it. Also leaking into the car which no one can figure out where it is from but there was a huge puddle into my car!!!! More than once and if I didn’t take up my weather tech matts in the first place it would have continued to get moldy and smell also every time I call the dealership I have to call repeatedly to get anyone to get back to me. The car was bought brand new and haven’t even had a year!!!!! Also my sun roof whistles , I had to take videos because they kept saying they didn’t know what I was talking about, now that can’t figure out why. They wish they had a better answer for me for the car , but it’s ready to pick up. Worst car and worst company they will not give me a new vehicle or fixed so now I have a brand new vehicle with constant problems and issues and can barely use any handsfree options . They are stumped to why it’s having issues- their answer! I had less problems with my Hyundai !!!!!! Thought subaru was a reputable company with Decent vehicles!!! Not the case
- Performance
Sandy Subaru
Edward J Wysocki, 08/06/2018
updated 08/15/2023
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
We were looking for another SUV to replace our 2010 Honda Crosstour. She had 76k miles and was really worry free. Not much however in the technology department as that was the very first year for the Crosstour. Our daughter had purchased a 2017 Outback 3.6 Limited and when my wife test drove it she fell in love with it. One of the outstanding features is the small turning radius. The EYESIGHT safety equipment is really top notch. Works as advertised, keeps you in the lane by gently nudging the steering wheel, this may take some getting used to, but we adapted quickly. The adaptive cruise control works great as well, slows you down and keeps you a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. The seats are VERY comfortable and hold you well as they are bolstered on the sides of the seat bottom and the seat back. The lumbar support and adjustable steering wheel can make for a comfortable driving position for almost anyone. Rear heat and cooling vents in the console throw the cool or heated air for the rear seat passengers a nice touch. Plenty of power from the 3.6 litre engine and the CVT is just wonderful. The symmetrical all wheel drive is another plus keeping the car planted and secure.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best SUV for us.
Delancy Hotalen , 02/04/2018
updated 08/06/2021
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
This is our first SUV. Drives more like a sedan than an SUV. Love the “Eye sight “. Mileage is about 27 or 28 depends on the weather and type of roads. Acceleration with the 4 cylinder engine is fine with our type of driving. Our driving is, 50 percent 65 to 75 MPH, 25 percent 30 to 45 MPH and 25 percent 45 to 55 MPH. Lots of good high speed highways in this area. After 4 months we have about 4500 Miles on the Outback. Plenty of room and we moved a chest of drawers without any problem. I researched vehicles for months and decided this was going to be the best for us. Would have liked to have had the push button start but it came with a package of things we would ever use. Research for yourself and choose wisely because a new vehicle is expensive. Since we like the Outback we won’t put on anything negative.
- Performance
- Comfort
would not purchase this vehicle again, 8800 miles
what a mistake, 10/06/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
Problems with car from day one, dealer would not accept it back. Navigation screen along with all controls involved with system stop working, only fix I know is to disconnect the battery and reconnect. Eyesight is a problem with braking, unsafe brakes entirely to early, wife and I both have unexpected braking when it was not required. Backing on hills are problematic if the conditions detected with the rear breaking system turned off, ie the roadway, shuts down the entire safety system. Power seats are not comfortable, and lumbar support is ineffective. What a waste of 35000, going to trade as soon as possible. To Subaru America, you need to make sure devices work correctly before putting on the market.
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
Nightmare electronics radio phone maps garbage
Jeffrey Maron, 12/31/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
the electronics has a major factory flaw everything goes blank the dealer said it was a software upgrade did no good needed to stop car and shut off this went on for 6 months the dealer said they could not repair until total screen failure total failure dealer said they are back ordered 6-8 weeks WTF Subaru made a partnership with a bad supplier they blame radio mfg I don't care who they blame no phone maps or back up camera no screen nothing I should put the CEO in my car for a week as payback. the company should take back these cars junk. the seat rocks they said that was another problem they had in 2018. I recommend you look elsewhere Subaru you messed up any questions my cell 917-751-7800. Subaru Corporate said they were sorry that makes two people me and them I bought abuse in a car
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 Subaru outback head unit
Jerry Shepherd, 10/24/2018
updated 11/04/2022
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have 50, 600 miles on this new ride and the Bluetooth stopped voice texting and call by voice recong on its on, I re-paired phone with texting and it still will not text or call contacts in the list, then yesterday the head unit just went completely out!! no backup camera, no screen, no radio nothing on the apps side. Poor design by Subaru , but however im getting it to the dealer this weekend. If Subaru dont get this resolved I will trade for another brand of vehicle. Oct 2020 update> my subaru has 45k miles on it, the left front driver seat has 2 in tear in the manmade leather seat. not under warranty, even extended 88k warranty does not cover it. Head unit still sux . software works sometimes, Navigation system on auto day/night mode will not change as it should, must change manually. Sometimes the head unit works and sometimes not. This is my only complaint other than the 4 cylinder sounds Raucous when you step on it. Overall very dependable vehicle but leather interior is cheap and well as a horrible head unit. You would think subaru would do better for the price of the vehicle. Having my Subaru drivers seat manmade leather repaired. $150.00 cheap leather . New head unit under warranty installed, Im hearing others complain about the cheap CRV tranny thats been going out at 80K, I traded for a new 2022 Wilderness. Traded this vehicle
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
We love our 2018 Outback Limited!
Mira Nenonen, 02/03/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
We finally traded in our sweet old 1995 Impreza after 22 years of reliable service. Although we experienced sticker shock with this new Outback Limited (came loaded with extra bells & whistles; went for optional protections, extended plans & warranties), we really love this car. It's very comfortable for both driver and passengers, and the heated seats really help to relieve aching hips and backs. We made sure that we measured old car's width (including mirrors), length & height, along with garage space before buying. We compared against Outback Limited's dimensions (including mirrors). Outback is long, tall & wide! We have to use the hatch height memory feature in order to safely open the hatch in our 1-car garage, but it works! I highly recommend this car. I don't even mind the long work commute so much! Infotainment system works great for us, too. Car is attractive inside and out. Love the moonroof! Fun!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
I’ve changed my mind
Todd Donaghy , 11/16/2018
updated 12/26/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
This is a follow up to a previously written review. I can’t say enough good things about how the Outback handles, the interior and the comfort and utility of the car. Now I also had my Head Unit die. The dealership had my car for two weeks, but they gave me a Forrester to drive. SOA was fabulous to work with; It took 3 weeks for the new Head Unit to come in which I wasn’t thrilled about but SOA offered me a 7 year / 100,000 mile gold plus (I think it’s called) extended warranty with a $0 deductible. They also included a 3 year / 36,000 mile maintenance plan. Outside of the Head Unit the car is everything I was hoping it would be. The Head Unit was a nuisance but SOA more than compensated me for my 3 weeks of having to drive a 2018 Forrester. Which by the way is a pretty nice car as well. Great car, only issue is the Head Unit. It completely died; no radio, no back-up camera, no navigation. SOA has been working with me, unfortunately the new units with the updated software won’t be sent to dealerships for about 3 weeks. Grand Prix Subaru has been great, put me in a courtesy car until the problem is fixed. A bit of a headache. I do love the way the car drives and it’s beyond comfortable. Coming from a 2012 Pathfinder this handles like a sports car.
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
No Love
Bob, 02/25/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
20 of 26 people found this review helpful
In my opinion Subaru spends too much time/money on telling why I love my car and not enough time and money on fixing the reasons I don't. Road noise is still an issue with the 2018 however better the the 2017. There are so many annoying squeaks and rattles that I'm already looking to move on. The cabin is always full of exhaust fumes from the vehicle in front of me. I assume road noise if coming in through the same holes. The interior door panels seem like the are going to fall off when used. Door seals all appear to be installed incorrectly of very poorly with not enough material to make a good seal. I'm guilty of believing the advertising hype so shame on me. Subaru needs to pay a lot more attention to detail and button things down inside the cabin and door panels. For the money they are charging I expect a more quiet annoyance free mode of transportation.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
WANT A GREAT CAR? GET AN OUTBACK 3.6R
CARLOS RUEDA, 10/29/2018
updated 11/02/2022
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
I had a 2014 Outback 2.5i Premium with 6 speeds but had to give it away to CarMax since my wife accepted a transfer to a hellhole: Buenos Aires. Its mpg was 20.72149 and it was a great car. I bought a 3.6R Limited online before we got home to VA and I must tell you, this is by far the best car I ever had. It is dark grey with grey seats. Very nice. I paid less than invoice, I changed the oil first at 52 miles (the 2.5i was 33 miles), then at 1020 miles - Subaru paid for it - and then at 4221 miles. it has now 6581 miles and today it is 4 months old. My driving is 50% highway with 10% of that time in a traffic jam; 20% city and 30% suburban. The car is better than new, I wash it at home at least weekly and detail it. Oil changed every 3000 miles and all recommended check-ups. My only complaint so far has been the navigation, since we live in a new place which is on google maps, but Tom Tom (Subaru's maps) is not up to date. The car has a great ride, is extremely comfortable, everything works just fine. The best? I have to say the LED headlights are amazing. I have my lights in automatic and when driving on a black road at night [this part of North VA has terrible roads like DC and its vicinity, no lighting on roads at night] and the high beams are illuminating my way, when it senses another car going or coming, it just switches to fog lights automatically, the car passes and my high beams come back. They have the best illumination of any headlight system. And they steer, a very helpful item in total darkness... the next best thing is EyeSight. It is a blast when you engage the adaptive cruise control, the thing brakes, decelerates, accelerates, starts. I just love it. The rear camera and sensors, as well as the reverse auto brakes, do work indeed. The lane change thing is not my favorite item, but if you signal a lane change the thing will not correct your steering. The CVT works just fine, with the exception that you must treat it like a lady when going from P to R or D, since many times it makes noises. It accelerates very well in every circumstance, no delays. Just lots of power. Much better than my manual 2.5i. On the highway I usually do 80, eats gas, yes, but if you get it on cruise control at 70, its mpg is like 23 when going steady. My overall mpg is today 20.93542. I put a bottle of Techron fuel additive every 1000 miles or so. I inflate my tires when they are under 35 psi. If my CVT has no problem (I have read many dreadful stories) I shall buy another Outback. I wish I could get the 6-speed transmission, but not even 10% of owners bought it. A pity. The other item I miss from my 2014 2.5i is the ability to use the cell phone from the steering wheel, dialling from it, I did not have to look at the display and select the person I was dialling. Now I must do it. If you know how to skip this, please let me know. The space the car is incredible. In the 2.5i we stuck 13 bags when we got from the airport to pick it up, this 3.6R is no different. It loves going to Home Depot or hauling a 50” TV, anything in the big, cavernous space with the back seats folded. On top of it, a great pair of roof rails with cross bars you can use at any time. The money spent on the 3.6R over the 2.5i Limited is well spent, you get the powerful 6 cylinders engine and more things – my opinion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today I am updating my review, the Outback is 15 months old and 23658 miles old... it is still as good as new, I take extremely good care of it [well, it should last forever] and the only sore point is the navigation provided by Subaru, or whoever. The roads and streets South of my home are not in the system yet - a year later... and at least I got Android Auto, which is great. Waze and google maps, although I always use waze. The car nav was useful in getting through the Blue Ridge mountains in VA, where T Mobile has no coverage. Every day that goes by I am happier with the car. Great engine, great acceleration when passing or the highway. The CVT in my car is very good, both manually and on automatic. The Eyesight is great also. No quarrels there. My mpg varies greatly due to the fact that I always have my AC on or the heater in winter, the car idling. My computer avg. is 20.9 mpg and my Excel avg. is 20.3697 mpg. No mechanical problems so far. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a new update at 32148 miles and 26 months, during the pandemic I have driven only about 2k miles – I saved myself over $400/month in tolls, gasoline and maintenance. My mileage, which includes gas while idling with A/C on, is 21.125 mpg. I take it to the dealer for oil change, wheel alignment, tire rotation, etc. the car has had no problems whatsoever. I am extremely happy with my 3.6R choice, not having waited for the turbo engine. My miles today, 37851.11/01/2021.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
ALMOST PEREFECT
Quyen, 06/14/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
When you are 70's years old and lost your beloved 150,000 miles sedan in the hurricane Harvey 2017 in Houston, nothing matched your needs like an Outback 3.6R. The engine is powerful but thrifty, the vehicle is compact but plenty of room, the comfort is at your finger and the high-tech is elaborated but understandable (after a while). There are a few complaints though: Vibration on and off at the steering wheel when the speed is above 60. Emergency brake is too sudden and late. Outside noise is acceptable and not great. I am not impressed with the Eye-Sight system, the vehicle veered left and right like a drunk, sometimes it forgot to straighten itself and went into the next lane. It took me 3 trips to the dealer to make the Harman Kardon CD system operated as it supposed to be and the Blue Tooth phone system is still unable to hold its favorite list for more than a day. I still have until this September 2018 to have all these defects fixed. The next review might be completely different, [contact information removed]
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Subaru Fan
Randy, 04/29/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is the second Subaru that I have owned. The first was a 2008, and had 105,000 miles on it when I traded it in. Never gave me any problems. The 2018 that I bought used, had 21,000 miles on it, and I am still learning all of the new technology. I am very pleased with it, except for one problem. I have driven it for about 1000 miles and have had it a month and during that time I have experienced a stalling when turning left from a slow speed about five times. It does not always occur and is difficult to duplicate on command. This is a serious safety concern and the dealer has not been able to correct the problem. I filed a complaint with the NHTSA to go on record and in case others may experience the same problem. If I can't get this resolved, I will consider trading it for something else. It is a shame because I otherwise love the car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Fourth Subaru
Cherie, 03/23/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The 2018 Outback is great. My last Outback was 2012 and the improvement in technology is significant. The Bluetooth actually works well and the rear view backup camera has been improved. I have Eyesight in this car and it is challenging to get used to but overall I like the features. The car drives well and is quieter than the 2012. It is bigger than the 2012 and while I don't notice the size difference when driving, I absolutely do when parking, especially in a narrow garage. Also, I use a hitch mounted bike rack and the rear eye sight feature has a hard time with the rack alone and a very hard time when there's is a bike on the rack. The car will slam on the breaks if it thinks I am going to hit something, which is great if there is something there. Other than that I love the car and the price point.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not the Subaru experience I expected!
J Miller Grant, 07/10/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I was fully confident in my purchase decision -- the Outback was exactly the right vehicle for my active lifestyle - mountain biking, kayaking, camping, etc. Everything I have heard about Subarus has been great and I expected to be a member of that club. Not so much as it turns out. First -- be warned - the Subaru "heavy duty hitch" is a one-and-a-quarter inch hitch -- not a standard two inch hitch! And they don't tell you this anywhere -- in fact if you look at the photos they are carefully taken so you cannot get a perspective of the size. Sure - you can add an adapter but by doing so you reduce the tongue weight capacity by 50%. Our (2 inch) heavy duty double bike rack with our mountain bikes on it would be over the tongue weight. Of course we found all of this out after we purchased the hitch and had it installed on the vehicle. Ultimately, we were able to find a hitch that fits and does not decrease the car's clearance (Torklift) and had it installed by Subaru - it probably cost us close to $1,000 all said and done. Six months after owning the car the "infortainment" system went out and had to be replaced. It took six weeks to get the replacement unit - in the meantime we had no navigation, radio, Apple Car Play and rear back up camera. And of course - had a vacation previously scheduled that we had to take without this system. Six months after that and while on a two week vacation, the Eye Sight system has failed meaning many of the techie safety features we paid handsomely for are not operating: adaptive (or any kind of) cruise control, lane departure warning and correction, front crash avoidance etc. Rather than take a day out of our vacation to spend at an out of town Subaru dealership, we will drive it home and take it to our home dealership. At this point I don't know what the problem is or how it will be resolved. What I do know is that I am very disappointed in this car -- the most expensive car I have purchased. I have never had issues like this with any other car I have owned and if I continue to have issues I may not keep the vehicle.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Incredible machine
Jerry, 07/04/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
6 cylinder has much better acceleration. The build quality is exceptional.
- Performance
- Comfort
so good I bought another
homerkc, 11/29/2018
updated 08/17/2022
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My Outback is as comfortable as it is practical. While acceleration is 'adequate', handling is fine and the ride is superb. The seats are all-day comfortable, and we take 900 mi/day trips with no problem. Highway gas mileage is 30-31 mpg, but around town (suburban driving) it is more like 24-25. Still, just about the same as in my VW Passat. The Eyesight suite is just great - the main reason we bought Subarus. Now, after 4 yrs and 52K miles I would still heartily recommend the Outback.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great winter vehicle
Dave Zander, 02/08/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
STARLINK is buggy with apple I phone. The nav is tom tom software. Waze program is better. The outback is quiet, smooth, comfortable. The all wheel drive is as good as the Audi Q 5 I had. Only have 3850 Miles on it so far. only negative is the buggy STARLINK software.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Poor electronics
Jim, 02/13/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Have had my Outback for about 18 months. Head unit (radio, navigation, back up camera etc...) has needed reboot (pull fuse, wait 30 minutes) 5 times due to audio stuck on channel or not working at all. Even when the head unit works, it acts funky, doesn't like apple carplay. Took it to the dealer and had to fill out a 10 page questionnaire on the problem for harman kardon to "capture" the issue. This shows the extent of the issue and how little HK and Subaru know what the cause is if they have a packet of info for you to fill out to help them problem solve. Dealer supposedly installed a software update, but did not fix the need for periodic "reboots". Now head unit is dead. Not completely dead as the head unit control illumination lights flicker about every 45 seconds while driving. Also has an open recall due to gas gauge and low fuel signal not working properly, no fix at this time, Subaru recommend keeping the tank 1/2 full. Recall for rear back up camera as well. My first and probably last Subaru. $40K and they can't even spec in robust electronics. Car drives ok, handles great in the snow (with snow tires, as OE tires sucked). Investigate head unit issues before you buy.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
Generally excellent, but...
Alan in NC, 07/25/2021
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I just bought a 2018 Subaru Outback Limited 3.6R with 42k miles in excellent condition. I offer these comments for others, like me, that may be considering a used 2018 outback. I like most everything about the Limited 3.6R from the smooth, relatively quiet ride and the infotainment system, to the safety features, heated leather seats, flexible roof rack, refined 6 cylinder engine, etc. The major downside I've discovered after spending a little more time with it is the darn front seats. They're short and don't provide much thigh support. I'm worried about lack of comfort on long trips. I didn't notice until a day after I bought it while I was making a 20 minute trip. The pressure in my thights from the front edge of the seat drew my attention. As an aside, I'm 5'10" tall and don't have expecially long legs. Fortunately, the driver's seat has a lot of power adjustments that can help mitigate the problem, but I'm just very surprised it never came up in the many professional reviews I had read. Note that the passenger seat has only 4-way adjustments. One other weakness of the 2018 outback is cornering. Not a deal breaker, but something to definitely be aware of when entering tight turns. And I did read about that before purchasing. I'll add that Subaru was aware of the problem when it redesigned the 2020 and later versions. At least the upper tier trims offer a front seat extension and 10-way passenger seat adjustments. Had I been more attentive in test driving the vehicle, or reading all the user comments, I might have opted for a later model, even at the higher price.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My Little Red Wagon
Emily, 01/01/2018
updated 01/04/2021
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This Subaru is well worth the money! It has all the safety bells and whistles anyone could wish for. it is also very comfortable to drive.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Smooth and Safe
Harry R, 01/03/2018
updated 01/03/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Have had our Outback 3.6 Touring for around a year now and are happy with it overall. We love the smooth six cylinder engine and the stability on slippery roads. The Touring is comfortable with many enjoyable features, however, we think a better driver's seat for long journeys could be expected at this level of trim. Our main concern is around the electrics - we have had a replacement entertainment/navigation system as it failed and more recently a recall on software for the fuel gauge. Overall, we enjoy the car and are happy with our choice.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
The Navigation System is Dangerous
scatback, 03/20/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
The Navigation system gives contradictory prompts: the visual prompt on the screen (thick blue line) heads in one direction, the voice prompts tell you to drive in another direction. The position of the car as indicated on the navigation screen will suddenly change - jumping, for example, five miles in one direction or another, and then giving both visual and voice prompts in accordance with that new position rather than where you actually are. The system has commanded left turns where this would be either illegal or impossible. Even when working it's highly inaccurate - perhaps 300 yards or so off, which can make it useless in an urban setting. I called Subaru where the rep tells me there is no current update, and that this is not a service item. In short, the sytem is dangerous and unusable. I realize the car also support Apple CarPlay, but on a smaller and unscaleable screen. We have reverted to Garmin. I urge others who have had similar problems to let Subaru know that we can all get this fixed.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Warning-Head System & electronics unreliable
Jim, 02/14/2019
updated 08/14/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2018 Outback Limited in Oct 2017. Head unit would freeze on a radio station or have no audio at all. Dealer said to "reboot" system by pulling fuse or disconnecting battery until I could bring it to the dealer to be "fixed". Took it to the dealer and had to fill out questionnaire from Harmon Kardon to diagnose the problem. This shows the scope of the issue and the lack of a solution if the dealer has a pre-printed 10 page document for you to fill out to try and figure out what the problem is. Dealer "upgraded" software. Head unit still would freeze. Had to "reboot" unit 5 times after software "upgrade". Head unit finally died, screen went black, no back up camera, navigation, blue tooth phone or audio. "Reboot" fix doesn't reboot it. But it a least flashes the head unit control illumination lights about every 45 seconds just to annoy me and let me know it is still dead. Another great feature is when road hazard flashers are on and you lock the doors, doors can only be unlocked by pulling the key from the fob and manually unlocking the doors. And this sets off the alarm. Dealer originally told me this is a safety feature. What kind of safety feature is to disable the fob and electronic door unlock when hazards are on? So when you are stuck on the side of the road, in the dark, it is safe to only unlock the door by fumbling with the manual key. Had recall for fuel gauge, which stated gauge and "miles to empty" information aren't accurate. No fix available, solution is to not let gas tank go below 1/2 full. For a $40K car, it is a joke. This is my first and last Subaru. Check other reviews, head unit sucks.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
- Value
after 3 years of ownership add on review
Karen, 02/13/2018
updated 08/17/2020
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Owning this vehicle for less than one Year, I am pleased with how the vehicle drives, but very disappointed that Subaru has done little or nothing about the known and acknowledged issue with their electronic system that operates the entire radio, map and cameras .. Do to Subaru procedure upon failure, this issue has cost me several hours of my time and Since Subaru deals with a third party with this component, they have no idea when my part will arrive and they can then schedule installation. I am very extremely disappointed with Subaru completely knowing and acknowledging this problem for over a year now and failing to resolve it causing their customers a big inconvenience. After 3 years of ownership this is not a bad car and handles quite nicely, but there is additional issues a buyer should be aware of : there is a sensor in front bumper that is prone to overheat and has caused me several problems .. I’m not sure why there is not a recall on this item .. Failure of sensor causes all trouble lites to activate and then no air conditioning , no cruise control ect .. another scheduled fix was installing an insulation jacket over sensor .. also air conditioning does not seem to cool down efficiently.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love my Pearl White Outback!
Pete, 07/19/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
10 of 13 people found this review helpful
Only driven the car for 200+ miles so far and I love it! Can't wait for the snow to fly this winter so I can test out the symmetrical AWD! I'm 6'4 and I fit in this car (with a sunroof). I know the 4 cylinder engine is the best selling but after test driving it verses the 6 cylinder there's no going back. Get the 6! I added on remote start and a trailer hitch which were professionally done by my local Subaru dealer. The white color with black interior is stellar and looks amazing in the sunlight. Looking forward to some long road trips with the kids soon to test it out. The CVT is buttery smooth and responsive so no issues there. The adaptive cruise control is so freaky good that when I was traveling at 70 mph and got on an off ramp the car did all the braking for me down to 25 mph! This car is a winner and if your on the fence about getting one, just do it!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car but still can't buy a Subaru
Tmac, 08/31/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
40 of 57 people found this review helpful
After many many test drives between the 2017 and the 2018 loaded outbacks in both engine versions we decided to go for something else. Subaru has come a very long way over the years, so much so that we almost bought one. The MAIN reason I was hesitant was the front seats, AGAIN!! They have gotten so much better over the years but aren't quite right for me. Subaru SERIOUSLY needs to take a lesson from Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Acura, Lexus, VW, anyone for that matter in how to make driver and passenger front seats. Lumbar is always excessive and I like good lumbar support but at its lowest setting it's still too much for long trip. I've had two whiplashes on my life so I appreciate good headrest support but come on!! At the furthest back setting and the lowest height I could get comfortable. No clue who could ratchet it forward for petes sake. For those of us who live in a car for their jobs we like a little adjustment versus someone deciding for us how we sit. You get my point. Come on Subaru I've now walked away from three Subaru's over my life because of seats. Only other gripe is please offer ventilated seats on the upper models. Touring didn't even offer it. For a $40000 loaded car heated steering wheel and ventilated seats should be standard on upper models. Especially with the $3000 V6 limited and touring models. Crazy!! That's all the BIG negatives I have and was happy with everything else. 2018 is worth the money over the 2017. Do your research because it's a lot more than a few cosmetic details!!!!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Came Back to Subaru
Sydnor Thompson III, 02/02/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I had only owned my 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0L Ultimate package for 2 and a half years--but I missed my Subaru. The difference between all wheel drive and a four wheel drive that kicks in when needed cannot be overstated. The Hyundai 4 wheel drive was jerky and unpredictable. The ability of the Subaru to navigate adverse road conditions is unparalleled. I couldn't be happier being back in an Outback and love the new eyesight technology!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great quality.
Mike T., 05/16/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
This car has most features of the luxury model features. It drives great but doesn’t have great acceleration. The windshield is vulnerable to rocks and is expensive to replace. The cruise features are very functional.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
The 2018 Outback is an amazing car!!!!
Jason B., 01/20/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I can't say enough how much I love my new Outback!!! I've never felt safer on the road!!! Love the ease of getting in and out, the beautiful interior, and the technology is leagues ahead of most. The Eyesight technology is fantastic!!!! Get it!!! You won't regret it!!! This car is the best bang for the buck, looks great, and drives wonderfully!!!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love our second Subaru
J E Favre, 05/28/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Order the protective molding on the doors and the plastic protection on the door edges. Helps to avoid parking lot door dings.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
God Custom Made This Car For Me
neilz@verizon.net, 06/03/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I am 400 lbs. I have problems getting into SUV's because I have to climb up into them. Plus I have bad knees and a bad back. This Outback is unreal. I just slide in and the steering wheel is not fully extended so it doesn't rest on my stomach. The room inside is fantastic, the ride is smooth. It is very quiet and the technology is off the charts. I am so glad I bought this Outback.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
New and improved and dressed for all occasions
John, 09/26/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
The 3.6R Subaru Outback Touring is an outstanding vehicle when evaluating safety, technology, driving dynamics, comfort, fuel economy, value, vehicle size/functionality and price. This vehicle is dressed for all practical and creature comfort needs including hauling stuff and/or people in town or on the highway. The Outback always had the rugged ability to feel sure footed off road or in inclement weather and now truly has become a well rounded vehicle. The safety features and functions on the 3.6R are practical and easy to activate such as lane sway, blind spot detection, front and real collision all of are included in the Eyesight Package. The Outback's driving dynamics are excellent for a vehicle at this price point. Merging on highways, passing at speed, and cornering can be maneuvered with confidence with moderate body roll. The acceleration pedal is a bit too touchy off the line and the brake pedal can be be touchy as well. The CVT paired with the 6 cylinder engine is smooth and sporty. Subaru has improved convenience (adaptive cruise control, heated front and rear seats, heated side view mirrors, heated steering wheel, added USB ports) and comfort in all the models over the years and the 2018 Outback is no exception. The seats are the weak point inside the visually appealing cabin with needed added bolstering and more adjustable passenger side seat. The cabin is well planned and executed with controls and dials and soft touch materials where your elbows rest but not your where your knee rests on the inside of the center stack where there is still hard plastics. The side view drivers mirror can also use a bit more adjustability for taller drivers with the seat back in a highway cruise position. Fuel economy is pretty spot on with 20-27 mpg expected. The Outback has the driving dynamics of a sedan with a smaller turning radius then most SUV's, and good steering wheel feedback. Storage space and second row legroom are on par with most mid sized SUV's. Offering a 40/20/40 second row split would only add to the practicality and functionality of the Outback allowing for longer items to be stored. At the price point listed for the 3.6R Touring, a panoramic sunroof and second row adjustable sun blinds should be included. The Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring also has enough style and looks to be respected pulling up to a 5 star hotel and the practicality and toughness to travel in the mountains or in inclement weather with confidence. The Subaru Outback is dressed for all occasions, and with a few upgrades with convenience and interior comfort the 42K listed price point will be well worth it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
iS THIS SUBARU A LEMOM ?
Lucke, 12/03/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
the head unit is garbage !!!!!!!! it was ok for 6 months then nothing works. no - am, fm, xm radio, backup cam.clock ,blue tooth navagation. It is all dead ! Took to closest dealer 60 miles from my home they said head unit needed to be replaced. afer an hour the service manager said the head must be replaced. does the dealership have the units in stock. NO ! when will they in ? there starting to trickle in. that told me NOTHING !! question do have $40,000 lemon on my hands?will Subaru get this fixed fast and compensate me for my time & value, well we shall see. in the mean tine do not buy a Subaru!
- Technology
- Performance
- Reliability
Subaru Outback Harmon Kardon Infotainment issue
E, 12/27/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
One word of advice for those who have the Subaru Outback/ Legacy Infotainment issue on backorder because of the malfunction. I had to wait a month before the dealer replaced the part. Report it to the Subaru Customer Service Center in NJ and complain that you should not be required to pay the monthly payment on the vehicle since the vehicle is not operating at 100% due to the infotainment malfunction. Subaru customer service did the right thing and reimbursed my payment for the month my infotainment system did not work. Still, a malfunctioning unit on a $38,000 vehicle is unacceptable.
Loving the 3.6 Touring
gsctht1, 03/05/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
This car has the most and best features you could find in an Audi and at a much lower price. Its a nice comfortable solid car and love the 3.6. When it gets replaced with the turbo dont know what I will buy next, Maybe just old fashioned but I dont care for turbo's I love the quick, quiet, smoothness of a 6 cyl. Do wish it had a regular transmission but I have no problems or real complaints with the CVT it does great. I have a 15 3.6 limited also and it has been flawless except a replacement of the nav screen under warranty for developing lines.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Over-hyped AWD
GSN, 01/21/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 20 people found this review helpful
My 3 year old Outback with 24K miles was in the shop for 6 days because the service could not figure out why the check engine, brake and cruise indicators were flashing. They loaned me a fully loaded Outback and here is my feedback driving it in dry and snowy roads. Compared to my 2014 model, there are few things to like about the car: 1. Looks and feels more spacious 2. Infotainment system, Navigation was easy to use but seems to lack some latest features. 3. Smooth ride 4. Heated rear seats 5. Bridgestone tires drive better in snow than the lousy Continentals that came with my car 6. Lane departure warning Now the things that I did not like in this car: 1. Side mirrors - I do not like the position of the mirrors. You need to turn your head more to see the mirrors. This could be an issue for short drivers. I am 5'10" and I do not sit close to the steering wheel. My wife is 5'1", I can see this being an issue for her. 2. Digital clock - Why did they move the clock below the touchscreen? You need to move your head down, take your eyes off the road to see the time. 3. The eyesight system disabled on its own two different times and it re-enabled after a mile or so. 4. I live in a place where we get enough snow and very low temperatures. I would definitely get snow tires for this car. Like I mentioned above, the Bridgestone felt better than the tires on my car. However, I had trouble stopping the car on a slope close to a intersection. I was driving at around 8 mph. ABS kicked in, was able to eventually stop but was scary, felt like it would not. I drove my FWD with snow tires on the same slope at the same speed and had no issues stopping the car nicely. 5. The AWD system of the Outback is over-hyped. I do have snow tires on my 2014 Outback. My wife drives it to work and I drive it mostly during off hours and on weekends. I don't feel confident driving it without snow tires even in slightest slippery conditions. 6. I found the thick (D?) pillar blocked my view. I always turn my head when changing lanes, it is challenging to get a good view in this car. The blind-spot monitoring helps but I would not rely on it 100%. 7. Sound of the servo motor after the engine is stopped and opening the door. I here that faint sound in my car but it is twice louder in this new car, very annoying. If you live in a region where you get lot of snow and sub-zero temperature, get a good set of snow-tires. My daily driver has always been a FWD, I have snow tires in winter. I don't miss the AWD. The only place where I find the AWD to help is when you are at a stop on snowy/icy roads, the power to rear wheels will help propel the car forward. Back in 2014, we bought the Outback to replace our 2000 Xterra. It was a huge downgrade for us as far as 4WD/AWD is concerned. The AWD on the Outback pales miserably compared to the On-Demand 4WD. In 14 years, we never had snow tires, never felt insecure and was not planning one buying them for the Outback. We took delivery of Outback on a snowy day and then temps dropped so low, the roads were bad for a week. The Continental tires on the new car were so bad, we drove only 3 times in the 1st week, it was very difficult to keep the car straight and stop. After we got the snow tires installed, absolutely no problems and no complaints. I would not buy another Subaru for the below two reasons and the first two things that I did not like: 1. I bought a 2012 certified used Outback in 2014, I had to return it in couple of hours since it had a major issue. 2. Since I already did my research and my wife insisted on AWD, I ended up buying a new 2014 Outback a week later. Three weeks ago, my car started stalling in the middle of the road putting my family at risk. Each time I was able to start. Eventually, the check engine, brake and cruise light came on and car died requiring a jump start. It took Subaru service 6 days to identify the issue, they told me there were no errors or warnings.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Engineered to Irritate
Benito Mooz, 07/24/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
First, the 2018 Subaru Outback is a fundamentally sound auto. Mostly it is very good, if AWD is OK with you. But, right away you will be struck by how it's got some features that must have looked great on the drawing board, but are poor in reality. All of these could be fixed at minimal cost, even in recalls. The least is that the Premium passenger's seat is uncomfortable. It needs another layer of cushioning to have the passenger sit higher, have good under knees support and not be "hard" on the backs of legs at the front edge. So many people have noticed this the auto cushion sales sites have reviews mentioning the Outback. There is a cushion that does the job, but it should be under the upholstery, not above it. The absence of any electric controls on the passenger seat is just cheap! Remember when you turned a radio or television off by rotating the volume knob counter clockwise until the volume went to zero and the knob clicked off? Turning on again was the opposite, at which point you would have to again find your preferred volume level. Brilliantly simple idea was to have on/off just be a push of the knob. Your preferred volume setting was preserved during off/on and you didn't have to rotate the know. Well, some mental dwarf at Subaru decided we all want the audio to be on as soon as we start the car, regardless whether it was on or off when the car was stopped. The closest you can come to having the audio "off" when starting the car is turning the volume to zero. You want audio, you are back to the days of finding your preferred volume each time. Neither owner nor dealer can change this glue headed wonder. Some will want audio always on at start, and that's cool, but many find this feature alone a huge source of buyer's regret. There's gotta be an easy hardware/software fix. Get it done, Subaru. Finally, if you get the Eyesight safety system be prepared some an excess of features and audible alerts. "Ping" "Ping, Ping, Ping" "Ping"...... You'll need to drive a while and study the manuals seriously before you know what you want and what you don't want and what you want but want to kill the audible alerts. So, Subaru dealers will probably encourage you to come back for a free "second deliver" so they can help customize your car. The manuals are enough, if you want to work that hard, and you should get to know how to fiddle with the system. Something could need resetting when you are no where near a dealer. Know there are three ways "to customize" the features, the rectangle of on/off buttons on the lower left of the dash, the customizing control located like a paddle shift behind the steering wheel with "i/set" on the middle lever, and the "Settings" icon on the dash screen. Why aren't all these in one place? Ask the Subaru engineers..... Good car, but be ready to undergo a long break in period for the driver.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Something Old Something New
A Happy Baby Boomer, 01/11/2018
updated 05/13/2024
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Traded in my 2008 Camry for a 2018 Outback. Was pleasantly surprised to see it had a CD player. It also has Bluetooth and Sirius radio. Love the safety features in this vehicle and the heated front seats. The ride has a slightly more sporty feel than the Camry on cushy tires and is pretty quiet. Took the new car home in a snowstorm and she handled great in four inches of snow. I love this car! Update: 2.5 years later and I just love love love this car. It has carried tons of wood, grandkids, me everywhere we wanted to go. The ride is stellar and way more comfortable than anything else I have ridden in lately. She's reliable, no problems and is a wonderful car. Can I say 6 stars? How about 7? Had this baby for over 7 years now and she still rides well and looks new. Update: Can I say 7 stars? This car is the absolute best. Absolutely no problems. She always runs well in any conditions. The heated seats are like a Godsend on cold winter days. Nothing like the remote feature for starting - gets the car in a nice warm mode. All I have to do is climb in and snuggle up to that warm seat and away we go. The dogs love it too. Plenty of room in the back for them. Love this SUV
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value