Used 2018 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
Mostly great after 3 months and 2K miles, (UPDATE)
Pete R., 05/14/2018
updated 09/04/2019
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
On the plus side, this Outback is very quiet and comfortable, which were among my primary requirements. It gives a nice smooth ride, much better than the X3 I considered buying. I'm getting 30MPG in mixed driving, higher than the combined 28 indicated by the EPA, which is outstanding for a vehicle this size. But, despite the great combined MPG, when primarily doing highway driving, I struggle to get close to the 32 highway EPA number. The adaptive headlights work great and provide outstanding visibility. I'm happy with my Outback but I wouldn't say that I'm loving it. Yesterday, I ran out of gas when the trip computer indicated I still had 30 miles remaining! That was an unpleasant surprise. I understand the computer provides only an estimate, but my Toyotas never let me run out of gas. A few other complaints: I can't see the clock when I have my hands on the steering wheel because my right arm blocks the view of the clock, which is low on the dash. My preference is to have the clock high on the dashboard, so it can be easily viewed by all passengers. The Harmon Kardon sound system is good, but not as rich as I would expect in a car with a $38K sticker. Even with the bass at full level, it just doesn't give that full, rich sound I expected. Also, the radio can't be turned off. The volume can be turned down to "0", but there's no power button, which seems like an odd design. Unlocking the power rear gate does not unlock all the doors, which seems odd as well. Sometimes, the rear gate release on the dashboard doesn't work, but I haven't figured out under what circumstances that happens. If a passenger unbuckles their seat belt before I stop and put the car in park, the seat belt warning will sound and it doesn't stop even after I put the car in park. Again, an odd design choice. Lastly, the EyeSight safety suite can be overly aggressive. I often veer left or right to avoid hitting a pothole, which sometimes causes the LKAS to move the wheel against my wishes because it detects me crossing either the left or right lane line. Not a big deal, but a little annoying. So, in conclusion, I'm happy with my Outback, but not in love with it. 9/3/19 UPDATE: Well, after a year and a half, and 12K miles with my Outback, I still didn't love it, so I traded it in for a 2016 Lincoln MKX, which I'm loving! I got a good trade-in amount for the Outback, because, if nothing else, Subarus are a great investment and hold their value. The Outback was very comfortable, and my gas mileage increased from the earlier review to 31 MPG in mixed driving, which is outstanding. But, there were little things that bothered me about the car, most of which are outlined above, and I decided I wanted something with more luxury features, specifically, a better sound system, air conditioned seats (which I understand are now available on the redesigned 2020 Outback) and ambient lighting. So, someone will be getting a very nice Outback with only 12K miles on it. I hope it goes to a good home. It just wasn't the right car for me at this time in my life.
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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.
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2018 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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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.
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Problems with the 2018 Subaru Outback
L. Lawrence, 06/22/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
40 of 44 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????
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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.
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