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.
This is my second Outback 3.6R
FRED, 11/18/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
104 of 115 people found this review helpful
this is my 2nd Outback. I had 2014 Outback 3.6R — bought it new and from day 1, I had this weird vibration problem with the car, attempt to fix the issue several times, no success. After 3 years, I sold the vehicle and I bought another Outback. Yes, I bought another one because I loved the car except for the vibration. Since I've suffered with the vibration issue, I test drove the vehicle very carefully on the surface street and I did not feel any vibration — I was wrong... After purchasing the vehicle, on the way home, I got on the freeway and... it shakes... it shakes above 75 mph and get worse as the speed increase. I took it to the one of the best local tire shop near my house to check the tires. I was hoping it was just a tire balance issue. This shop has road force balance machine — $25 per wheel — end up paying $100 for the rebalancing tires. During the process, the owner of the place pulled me next to the machine and told me that my front left wheel (rim) is bent. I was like, what do you mean... I just got the car yesterday... oh crap. I bought a brand new car with a bent wheel... Anyways, I made an appointment with the dealer and took it back next week, told them exactly what I was told. I dropped off the car and got the loaner, 2018 Outback 3.6 — so this became direct comparison for me because this one was smooth as butter. I noticed many other difference. I didn't get any road feedback vibration on the steering wheel — mine has this weird vibration through the steering. No weird body shake, no vibration on the seats, etc... 3 days later I went to pick up the car, and they told me that they DIDN'T feel the vibration but they found out the front left tire was out of round so they replaced it. What? it's not the tire, it is the rim itself. Oh crap. I need to come back again... Anyways on the way home, nothing changed. In fact, as soon as I drove off the lot from the dealer, I immediately noticed the vibration — it was not just high speed vibration, it vibrates ALL THE TIME!!! Since I've just got off the buttery driving Outback, I could feel the vibration even beyond I could have before. I'm taking it back next week again. No matter what you do, test drive it on the highway if you don't want to stress out like me overtime you step into the car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Very poor infotainment system
Tomm, 12/01/2018
updated 12/03/2020
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I love my 2018 Outback except for the infotainment/GPS/backup camera/telephone connection/ voice commands. Yes, all of these things stopped working when the car was about 6 months old. I brought the car in for service on these things and was told that the software was already the current up to date software. The dealer said they would order a new radio for the car. After waiting 2 weeks to hear back about the radio I called them and was told it usually takes about FIVE WEEKS for them to get in a rebuilt radio. I have demanded a new radio to replace the defective new radio. Why should I accept a rebuilt radio system in my brand new car ?? Now I’m waiting to see what they say about that. Update 12-03-2020. Since I bought the car new in April 2018 it has had two separate infotainment systems installed because they kept failing. The infotainment system not only controls the radio but the GPS etc. Finally on the third system it has been working for the past 9 months. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2018 Subaru Outback for sale near you
3 of 69 listings
- 3.6R Touring 4dr SUVMSRP: $18,998In-stock online
- 3.6R Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $17,734In-stock online
- 2.5i Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $17,557In-stock online
See all 69 listings
Almost 2 years of happy ownership
SuefromVa, 12/24/2017
updated 06/27/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
As 66 year olds who drive cars until they die, newly moved back to the Midwest, we wanted comfort, reliability, safety features and comfort again. We’re short so accessibility was Important. This car was head and shoulders above its small suv peers that we test drove...Toyota, Honda and Mazda. We added a few additional items to the top of the line touring including the specialized heated rear view mirrors. Features important to us that differentiated the Outback...dual temperature control, vents to back seat, heated seats in rear, heated steering wheel, tracking headlights, blind side indicator positioning, heated exterior mirror...mountains, remote start, comfortable passenger seat, rubberized cover over back bumper to protect it from scratches..and of course all the safety features. Whether for running errands or a long trip...we did a 2,500 mile trip recently, mountains desert, prairie. It was comfortable and handled well.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback
L. Lawrence, 06/22/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
39 of 43 people found this review helpful
I have had the most difficult time with this car. I have taken my 2018 Subaru Outback in for violently swaying side to side when driving at 65 mph and hitting bumps in the road. It hops and skips into the adjoining lane. I have been at the dealership 4 times on this condition and each time have been told this is the way a vehicle is supposed to drive or they can't duplicate the problem therefore they can't fix it. When we went on a test drive they only took me on nicely paved roads. So finally I had to call the 800-subaru3 number and spoke with Richard Ambrose, only to have him tell me that because they can't duplicate the problem that it does not qualify for the lemon law. I asked to speak to his supervisor and he would not let me. He said he did not have a supervisor. I went to other professional alignment companies that drove my car and told me they can feel the swaying as. But Subaru can't find it???? I am afraid to drive this vehicle. I am a single woman with children who travels to Chicago and I am afraid to drive this vehicle. These people do not care at all, they sold their car and that is the end of it. There are many other people online who are saying the same thing about these cars swaying back and forth. I showed the dealership these online complaints. They didn't care. I had problems with the seat belt retracting. They said as long as the seatbelt is in the down position for shorter people that it catches on the seat and doesn't retract. What????
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
If only the car was comfortable!
Renee, 07/16/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
29 of 32 people found this review helpful
The Subaru Outback is a beautiful car, inside and out. All of the safety features are great. The car handles really well and has great visibility. The cargo space is perfect. The back seat area is very nice. The exterior is gorgeous. I want so much to love it. However, the driver's seat is incredibly uncomfortable. The lumbar support digs into my pelvis, even when I have turned it all the way off. The bottom seat doesn't offer enough length to support the legs. I've tried every possible adjustment to make the driver's seat comfortable. However, within 10-15 minutes by lower back is screaming at me. Don't get me wrong, I have back issues, but I can usually stay comfortable in a car for at least an hour. I drove my Volkswagon Passat Wagon for over 10 years with minimal problems and the problems only occurred after several hours in that car. I can ride in my husband's 2002 Audi S4 without any pain for hours. However, I would not recommend the Subaru Outback for anyone with the slightest lower back issues. The passenger seat is even worse than the driver's seat! You can't adjust the passanger seat up and down at all so you feel like you are sitting on a bus seat on the ground. I really want to be comfortable in this car since I love all it's features, but after a month of owning it I'm looking at cutting my losses and trading it in for a different car. I should have taken it for a longer test drive. I've learned my lesson with this car. I'll never go for a short test drive again. After 2 months of owning the vehicle I'm back in the market for a new car. Every car I've purchased I've owned until it completely died. I can't believe I'm ready to trade in a brand new car, but that is how horrible the comfort level is. I can't imagine another month sitting in this car. Everything about this car is what I want, but all the features cannot compensate for a painful driving experience. Anyone with the slightest back issues considering this car should take a very long test drive in both the driver's seat and passenger seat. I'm 5'4" and 130 pounds. Purhaps this vehicle would work for a large person. My husband doesn't have the same discomfort in the driver's seat as I do and he's much taller and heavier. However, the passenger seat is a bad experience for him since he can't adjust the seats up and down.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great car and way above the rest that are more
Kevin, 11/26/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
24 of 27 people found this review helpful
Well what can I say, we love this car. I bought this car for my wife because we live in the country and our driveway is 1\2 mile long and our house sits on top of the tallest hill for miles. I'm really surprised of all the features that this car has for the price point that it is. Great entertainment system, amazing saftey features, and it will climb hills that most mountain goats would turn around and head the other way. We test drove just about every other car that was in it's class, even the subaru Forester, but the outback was far and away the best. I can safely say that if you don't like this car, it's you and not the car turning you off. You would be hard-pressed to find a better car at it's price.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best daily driver ever
SSafran, 04/07/2018
updated 10/12/2021
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
This is the best daily driver I've ever owned. Comfortable, easy to leave with, great driving position, logical controls, safety features are all excellent but what really makes this car great is how smooth, refined and competent on the road it is. Balanced and nimble, fun to drive, smooth and quiet and just fantastic in bad weather it is really a pleasure to drive every day. Previous cars include Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Jeep, Suburban etc. but this car is just the best all around vehicle I've owned. Love it. Plenty of room for passengers and cargo, GREAT driving position, fantastic visibility make this easy to use on a daily basis. Get about 25 mpg average with 6 cylinder engine. I was concerned about a CVT but the one in this car works just great.....no droning or buzzing. Engine is very smooth and has a nice growl. Car is very nimble and tossable for what it is. My wife's GLC 300 handles a bit tighter but this is the better all around vehicle in my opinion. Note: Update....after 4 years and 50K miles I've had no problems with this vehicle.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Nice Car But One Obvious Improvement(s) Needed
Midwest Hoosier, 01/26/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
In nearly all regards the Outback is a nice car. I rent it often. A couple of call-outs on improvements that can be made: 1) Most needed is a Voice Recognition system that WORKS. It's the worse of all the car makes that I rent. As an example: Just try and get it to call "Home." Not matter how many times I say the word "Home" the recognition system takes me to someone else. Say it slowly ... H....O....M....E and it doesn't work. Say it quickly, it doesn't work. Emphasize the HO...me and it doesn't work. It's simply ... pathetic. 2) Also, Subaru please upgrade the seat comfort, especially on Limited or at the very least, Touring. Look at Volvo and others as a model.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Great vehicle e
Anthony J. Rao, 11/03/2018
updated 11/05/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
In year one I had big problems with the navigation system. Subaru replaced it and since then (1 year later) I've had no problems whatsoever. Works beautifully. Otherwise I love the vehicle especially because it has the 3.6 6-cylinder engine. Rides very smoothly, has great acceleration, lots of room for passengers, very roomy for groceries and luggage in trunk area. Quality of materials is on par with luxury brands and are very attractive. I would surely purchase another when the time comes.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love my Outback
Jay, 08/22/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
28 of 32 people found this review helpful
After researching for several months and test driving the 2018 Honda CRV ( noisy, loud , no acceleration, 2017 Mazda CX5(no acceleration noisy, too cramped), 2018 Acura RDX( too expensive), we decided to go with the 2018 Subaru outback. It drives very smooth, acceleration is great for a 4 cylinder, very spacious 2nd row and trunk space. The safety features are awesome , my favorite being the rear cross traffic alert system where the car automatically breaks when reversing if it detects a object. ( great feature for parking lot in a mall where people are in a hurry ). Apple CAR PLAY works great.I can send text messages using voice commands.The EYE SIGHT safety system is awesome. Downhill assist, X mode, the list goes on. You get a lot of bang for the buck for sure.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort