Used 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Less noise than last year
Scott M., Lees Summit, MO, 08/12/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
I drove the 2017 Outback and really liked it, except for the wind noise and road noise. I read that Subaru was going to make improvements in that department with new glass and insulation in the wheel wells. I'm glad I waited for the 2018. The difference is very noticeable. The new interface for the infotainment system is nice, too. The fit and finish is excellent. I'm very pleased … with this vehicle.
Great Car but Electronic Gremlins
Roger Harrison, Colorado Springs, CO, 10/12/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
We traded our 2015 Legacy on a 2018 3.6R touring and embarked on a 3000 mile tour of the West. The four was best around town; performance, particularly at 6000 ft. where we live, was adequate at best and the engine note was like rattling a coffee can full of rocks. It was an engine you felt sorry for. The 3.6R is an entirely different proposition - a great, quiet, confidence … inducing long distance cruiser with plenty of power from an engine that sounds like it's enjoying itself. We averaged 28MPH with a lot of two-lane driving. Blind spot warning is much better now; a big yellow light nearer the driver that's easy to see. The HD rear view camera is very good, and the cross traffic alert is a life saver (literally) in crowded parking lots. Lane keep departure and assist work like they are supposed to. I think I finally found the right settings on the cruise control, but it takes a while; it brakes later than I would. Perhaps most impressive were the headlights; the auto high beams work so well they can be left on, and I like the diretional function of the headlight very much. But electronic gremlins came early and often: the car locked us out on the first day; the control center/navigation screen has frozen three times - once on a doo wop station that we couldn't turn off, and twice when it was navigating us somewhere. The navigation's voice command is not always syncronized with the onscreen prompts, and I find the Tom Tom navigation ackward to use, with a only a vague idea of where it is. Having to use the touchscreen to adjust the scale on the navigation map is distracting and it won't adjust behind 1/4 mile, at least on mine. Strangely, I find the audio in the 2018 Touring not up to the one in the 2015 Legacy although both are Harmon Karden. The new on is just OK.
Good SUV alternative uncomfortable seats
slm66, Houston, TX, 11/25/2017
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
This is an update to earlier review. Now have owned car, radio head unit died and was replaced under warranty. Thus far new unit appears to be working although volume inconsistent. Sometimes after phone call radio volume comes back far louder than it was set. Road noise much more noticeable than in my former car especially noticeable to other people if using phone. I miss feature on old … car that lowered fan speed on a/c during call and volume adjust for speed on radio. Any driver with back or neck issues should consider an extended test drive. I test drove the outback several times and even took it home for a weekend. I had some tightness in mid back but attributed that to some yard work I had been doing. A The seats are extremely firm and as others have mentioned the lumbar is aggressive and seems a little misplaced for me. I am 5'4". I believe the angle of the seat bottom (angled toward the back) is an issue. There is no way with the power adjustable seat to level out the seat cushion. It leaves your hips postioned at less than a 90 degree angle which is not comfortable for me. Each day I find my back pain increasing to the point that I may need to sell this car at a loss. After a four hour road trip (2 hours driving and 2 as passenger) I was uncomfortable. Positives of this car. It is great for difficult terrain. We climbed a dirt road hill with a significant incline using the xmode and it handled it with ease. Gas mileage is good for a 6 cylinder and size of car is great for around town. The touring edition has all the latest safety features. My windshield has cracked due to a rock. Windshields seems less strong than other cars. BE aware that the eyesight technology requires that any chip or crack in windshield be repaired with a Subaru windshield. Chips can not be filled or it interferes with the eyesight system per Subaru service dept. A windshield and recalibration of eyesight can run upwards of $1500. They do offer a windshield extended warranty type contract. Sales will likely not point this out during your test drive.
Best daily driver ever
SSafran, Furlong, PA, 04/07/2018
2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)
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.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring SUV
What’s new
- Updated front and rear fascias for a more aggressive look
- New infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Updated designs for center console and steering wheel
- Part of the fifth Outback generation introduced for 2015
Pros & Cons
- Pro:A more spacious and comfortable cabin than those of many rivals
- Pro:Roof and cargo-loading heights are lower than those of most SUVs
- Pro:Excellent visibility in all directions
- Pro:Off-road ability is above average
- Con:Acceleration is lackluster, especially with four-cylinder engine
- Con:Gas and brake pedal feel make it hard to drive four-cylinder smoothly
Which Outback does Edmunds recommend?
If you simply need a do-it-all, go-anywhere wagon for not a lot of money, it's hard to beat the Outback 2.5i Premium. It comes with heated front seats and the larger 8-inch display. Subaru's EyeSight bundle of driver assist features is a recommended option.
Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Subaru Outback SUV
Driving
7.0Instrumented performance is not a strong suit for the Subaru Outback. With the four-cylinder, acceleration can only be described as slow. Although its handling numbers aren't fantastic, the Outback shows its capabilities on bumpy back roads. Its off-road ability is better than most.
Comfort
8.0The inside of the Outback is a great place to spend time on the road. The front and rear seats provide all-day comfort, and the soft suspension offers a smooth ride. But the car lets in more road and wind noise than we'd like, and longer-legged drivers will want additional lower thigh support.
Interior
8.5There's a lot going on inside the Outback, but Subaru made sure that the primary controls are all traditional analog systems. Thanks to its high ride height, getting in and out is a breeze. And once you're seated, the power seat and manually adjustable steering wheel have a broad range of adjustability.
Utility
8.0The Outback is just as versatile as other top small crossover SUVs. It has a lot of available cargo space in back and useful small storage areas for your personal items. It has a decent amount of towing capability, too.
Technology
8.0What the Outback gives up in performance it makes up for in technology. Most all digital systems are controlled through the touchscreen. It has a bright, high-contrast display, with large buttons and clear text. Setting up your phone is easy, and there are plenty of ports to charge your devices.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Subaru Outback in Ohio is:
not availableLegal