Used 2019 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Surprised at how much we love this car
We had a 2016 Forester and we liked it, but didn't love it, so when we were looking to trade in our lease Subaru wasn't really a top contender. Luckily, we were distracted by a move when our lease was coming due, so we had to find a new car fast. We wanted to purchase and Subaru offered 0% financing. As it turned out, we needed a 60 month plan, but that was still offered at 1.9% financing. The car was nice, but it wasn't until we got it home that we realized how wonderful it is. The color is gorgeous- we got a brown cinammon :). But what has blown me away is the intuitiveness of all the features. The headlamps track the road in front of you, making night driving a lot easier. The rear camera is so crystal clear compared to our old Forester. The car play feature is so easy to use and makes driving safer with the huge screen. The car handles beautifully and though formal reviews say the pick up lags, my husband and I don't feel that way at all. The car accelerates smoothly. We also love the storage in the back. I think we will be enjoying this car for years to come. I'm so glad we went with another Subaru. I absolutely love getting in this car as it is a pleasure to drive.
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A best value SUV option
We've owned three Subaru’s - most recently bought our second Outback. Our prior Outback was 4 years old - one key change that is apparent is that the vehicle is substantially quieter, which make the overall experience better, car seems more put together and luxurious. Was told that they add sound deadening into the vehicle and add acoustical front glass - it worked. We test drove Mazda SUVs and Acura RDX before purchasing. Subaru’s felt substantially better that the Mazda's. While the RDX had allot more to offer and was very fast - it was also almost $10k more expensive, so we passed. The touring has all the bells and whistles that come with eye sight/lane keep/adaptive cruise control, rear brake stop/cross traffic alert as well as responsive LED headlamps - and there is a learning curve required to get comfortable with it all, so be patient. Subaru dealer (Serra)was great - they walked us thru everything when we picked up the vehicle and then came to our house a couple weeks later to review the features again and ensure we were comfortable with how they operated. We've owned 6 Acura’s and they have never done that! The engineering that goes into Subaru’s is evident - the boxer engine not only provides improved handling due the low center of gravity, but also aides in front crash protection by preventing cabin intrusion. You can see the roll bar protection engineered into the door and frame that I just don’t see as clearly in other vehicles. The outback is a great value - combining unique styling, flexibility, innovative engineering, high quality and great dealer service. I can see us continuing to buy Subaru’s as long as they keep advancing their products with eth changing technologies. Looking forward to seeing how Subaru embraces electric vehicles and autonomous technologies.
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- 2.5i Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $15,394In-stock online
- 2.5i Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $15,247In-stock online
- 2.5i Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $14,399In-stock online
The Subaru for people who want a Subaru.
I’ll preface this by saying that I’m a twenty-something, recent college graduate and professional. Not exactly a stereotypical Outback owner. The Outback doesn’t appear to be as big as it is, either from the driver’s seat or from the outside. You won’t get a true idea of the size until you park next to what you though was a “big SUV”, only to realize your Outback is longer, or until you open the hatch and marvel at the cavernous cargo area. It feels small when you need it to be small and big when you need it to be big. In typical Subaru fashion, the interior is very unassuming and functional, but doesn’t feel cheap at all. Everything you touch is soft or textured. Switches and buttons feel solid and well made. The seats have adjustable lumbar support and are very soft and comfortable. The black cloth is very dark, which makes dog hair and other particles visible, so go with the gray if that bothers you. The 8.0 inch infotainment screen does an average job. It checks all the boxes (BlueTooth, CarPlay, Android Auto etc.), but the interface can be laggy at times, even while using CarPlay. It also has a few gimmicky features. The sound quality is fantastic. It also features a menu called “car info” which gives you mechanical info on how the AWD system is distributing power, as well as oil temperature, instant MPG and average speed and service reminders. There’s a second large color display in the instrument cluster which displays MPG info, MPH, tire pressures and the Eyesight system’s status. There’s also a settings menu which is difficult to navigate and mostly just repeats vehicle settings from the infotainment screen’s settings menu. The driving controls are simple. The shifter has 5 positions: P, R, N, D and M. The manual mode requires shifting to drive then pulling the selector towards the driver, so you’ll never engage it by accident when selecting drive. There’s no gimmicky sport buttons or drive mode selection knobs. The parking brake is electronically engaged, which saves weight and mechanical complexity on the rear axle. Pull the switch up to engage or push it down to disengage. The brake pedal has a decent amount of travel and is neither touchy nor soft. The throttle response is also much improved over earlier Subaru models, it’s no longer overly touchy at slow speeds. The engine is not underpowered for ordinary driving. If you like to tow a trailer or frequently pass other cars on a two lane road, get the 6 cylinder. The 4 cylinder is smooth and quiet. The CVT is also very good, and that’s coming from someone who used to think they hated CVTs. Under normal acceleration the Outback wafts up to speed at a constant RPM. I never have to push it past 2500RPM in normal driving. If you do give it a little more accelerator, the CVT simulates gearshifts, which gives a sporty feel and eliminates the droning sound of an engine at constant RPM. The torque converter lockup is fairly aggressive and can be felt when accelerating from a stop. On the Crosstrek this was very intrusive, but on the Outback it’s just noticeable, not intrusive. The owner’s manual will state that some transmission noise is to be expected, since Subaru uses a chain type pulley, but in reality there is only a very slight whir that can be heard just before coming to a stop when the windows are down. Outward visibility is exceptionally great. All windows and mirrors are oversized. Blind spot assist is optional and a backup camera is standard, but neither are necessary to drive the Outback. The Eyesight system is also remarkably good. I have experience with a handful of other adaptive cruise control systems and Eyesight is easily the smoothest and most accurate in its class. It even warns you if you fail to react when the car in front of you has moved. The Eyesight features are highly customizable through the instrument cluster menus. Ride and handling are excellent. Large bumps are easily absorbed, but the Outback still feels stable and tight. There is some body roll when cornering, but much less than you would expect for a vehicle of this size. There is a bit of noise on rough surfaces, however I believe that is a result of the factory Bridgestone tires.
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Underrated vehicle
This car is amazing. I traded my 2009 jeep commander for an outback in November and all i can say is that i love this car. I use it for field work as well as a daily driver and the outback is just as capable as the was jeep offroad. I have read a lot of reviews about acceleration and being described as "slow". This is all relative to the reviewer but after test driving everything from the new pickups to passenger cars, would describe the acceleration on the 2.5 as being average to slightly above average. The fuel economy is fantastic, average 30mph on the highway/interstate (80mph) and i'm getting 23mpg in town. I'm 6' tall and this car comfortably fits a car seat in the back without having to move the driver or passenger seat forward. I am also i'm very please with the cargo space in the back, as well as the easy roof rail system is great for hiding the rails to reduce highway noise when my bike is not in the rack. technology and everything being very user friendly is also a huge bonus. Like i said in the title, this car is very underrated and in my opinion kills the domestic competitors when comparing similar vehicles.
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This Is A Surprisingly (for me) Great Family Car.
I purchased the 3.6 Limited. I have a friend in Subaru so it came loaded with everything the Touring has except: Touring roof rack (odd that it is different), chrome doo-dads outside, brown leather interior, heated steering wheel. Engine: The 3.6 is an excellent engine: plenty of power especially on the highway. Quiet. Exterior: Cinnamon Pearl Brown. Very nice. Many compliments on the color. Interior: Warm Ivory Leather. Beautiful. Really goes well with the exterior color. Seats are very comfortable and generously sized. Love the lumbar support. Audio: the Harmon Kardon 12 speaker with subwoofer is probably the best stock audio system I have heard in a car. I suppose there are better ones out there, but I haven't heard them. I'm a bit of an audiophile--this is a GREAT sound system. The instruments are clear and distinct and it handles all ssubstantial power that it comes with--over 500 watts. Great job Subaru Touch Screen/Electronics: Very easy to use once you spend about 15 minutes in park in the driveway familiarizing yourself with it. GPS: Excellent, user friendly, accurate, fast response time. I think it's a TomTom system, similar to google maps, waaay better than Honda's system (more on that later). The INTERIOR of this car can pass for a luxury vehicle--I was so surprised when I got in and closed the doors. Very quiet, beautiful interior lines with fantastic visibility all around. A/C is powerful. Power memory front seat, power passenger seat, heated seats all around. The faux wood trim is so good I had to touch it and examine it closely to see that it wasn't actually wood. DRIVE: Very quiet, smooth, soft--almost a luxurious drive indeed. One might say it is beautifully boat like--it reminds me of a small late '60's Ford Country Squire, only smaller. This is no sports car as you will feel the "roll" on sharp turns but it's not a top heavy roll: the body moves right or left depending on the turn. It's an odd feeling at first, but once you get used to it it is much more comforting than the top heavy lean you get with most SUVs. Steering response is superb, the brakes, however, are not that great. I am disappointed in their ability to quickly slow the car. They're good, but there is certainly room for improvement. Technology/Safety: Once I decided to turn on all the safety devices, I found I actually like them--a lot. Blind side warning lights, lane assist, eyesight driver assist, pre-collision braking system, sway warning, adaptive cruise control, etc. After a while, they are invisible but there and quite useful and comforting. SIZE & COMPARISON: I'll compare this to the Honda CR-V because that is it's chief competition, and that is what I WAS going to buy. I am a Honda/Toyota/Ford guy and never thought I'd look at a Subaru, but like I said, I have a friend in the biz. So I did. Despite the literature and online reviews, the Outback is larger inside than the CR-V and you notice it as soon as you get inside. But I wasn't convinced because everything says otherwise. So I brought my tape measure. It has 3" more room (length) in the back with the seats down, and 1.5 inches more width seat corner to seat corner. With the rear seats up, the back cargo area is still wider and longer than the CR-V. So, here's the thing: The CR-V rates more capacity because of its interior height--but that's kind of bogus because you aren't going to block the rear window while driving--well, at least not completely. So, no question, the Outback is actually larger inside than the CRV. The ride is quieter and smoother, the interior is more modern and plush (the CR-V is showing its age), the GPS and electronics are superior, and the stereo system is hands down much better. Downside? The Outback 3.6 is a gas guzzler, but that's a choice I can live with. It's a naturally aspirated 6 cylinder and I can't do without the power. I would shy away from buying the 2020 outback just yet, because the accompanying turbo is a new engine--a work in progress. FAMILY Considerations: If you have a dog (I have two), a wife (one), kids/passengers, etc., this is great family car. 2700 lbs. towing capacity, a unique and useful roof rack design that will hold a large Thule or some other similar carier, and a suprising amount of comfort and convenience. It's a fun car to drive--OH, I forgot the paddle shifters: they are a blast to play with, but not necessary. I find the 256 HP six is actually better for quick acceleration, but if you like sticks (I do) the paddle shifters are a neat little toy to play with. Subaru AWD system: Haven't had a chance to put this thing in the snow yet, but I have a feeling that with a set of blizzaks this car should be a fair beast in the snow. Around the hills and back dirt roads where I live it is a very comfortable car to drive which has handled whatever I have thrown at it so far.
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2019 Outback
I sold my E350 Mercedes Sport to purchase this 2019 Outback 3.6 Limited. I have not regretted one second. Within the first 4 weeks I drove it 6000 miles! Desert, mountains, freeways and city driving. Wind and rain storm in Texas so bad I could barely see but the constant beeps kept me in the correct lane. I love the safety features especially the blind sight giving me warning , the beep beeps are a little annoying when I am on the open road changing lanes with no traffic. Heated seats! Love keeps me warm in the right spot. Looking toward putting on a hitch to tow a small trailer and read with the 3.6 it will handle 3000 pounds. Just purchased this in September 2018 so time will tell. So far so good.
In LOVE with My Second Subaru
The heated seats and leather were so worth it. The big screen on the limited is a must. The rear cargo gate lift assist is a lifesaver for loading. It is so smooth and quiet. The only thing that takes getting used to is the eyesight controls. Lots of beeping when you beer slightly out of a lane or fail to signal when changing lanes. But I love love love this car and I’m so glad I didn’t get the cross trek.
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2019 Outback Premium 2.5i-A Great Choice
The Edmunds review is pretty much spot on. I opted for the Premium with the 2.5i 4 cylinder engine and don't regret it at all. HOWEVER, if you are planning on routinely towing the maximum 2,500 lbs. and/or loading up the Outback front and back with passengers and cargo then you may want to consider the 6 cylinder engine. Throw in some uphill mountain roads and I would say don't even bother with the 4 cylinder and go with the 6-the 4 cylinder WILL do the job, but the 6 would make it much easier. With that said, I don't have those issues to deal with so the 4 cylinder is just fine. Around town you don't even notice a difference and on the highway it does a respectable job as well. The Outback handled 10 inches of wet snow with ease but aware that in my opinion, the OEM tires (Bridgestone Duelers HP Sport AS) will get you moving with the AWD but don't inspire too much confidence when turning in snowy/icy conditions. I think when I replace the OEM tires I'll go with the Goodyear Weatherready. Otherwise, the Outback is a great vehicle with a lot of cargo space for when you need it, has a very nice interior, is easy to enter and exit, drive, and park. For the money the car has a lot of features I thought I would care less about but soon grew to really enjoy. I really enjoy the Outback and would urge anyone looking to purchase an AWD car/SUV to consider the Subaru Outback. I have not owned the vehicle long enough to comment on the reliability but Subaru has a good track record so I'm confident things will go well. Still have the wagon and 2 years later no issues and with a set of Firestone Weather grip tires, it performed exceptionally in the snow (dry and wet 6-12 inches) and was great on icy (as in snow packed unplowed hilly streets which froze over into sheets of ice) roads. Very impressed. I know this next part is unrelated to a review of the vehicle itself, but considering Subaru's recent political involvement, I would not buy another Subaru.
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Crimson Pearl Outback
I only have two minor complaints about my 2019 Subi Limited 3.6. The first thing is the lack of a remote start and the other is that the 2017 CRV that I traded in had a much better LKS system. The Subi has considerably less road noise and plenty of power. Mileage isn't great but not terrible and the car feels like it would run forever. The only reason I traded was concern over the oil dilution issues with the CRV. I asked the service manager at the Honda dealership about it and he just blew it off about three times. I began checking the oil level frequently and one day found it about a quart overfull. I took it to the dealership and they changed the oil again and said it was a service error. After about a week or 10 days, the oil level was well above the full mark again and decided it was time to off the car, as much as I liked the way it drove and handled. I have had the SUBI for about 6 months and have just over 2K miles on it and have become a Subaru fan. The fit and finish of the car and trim is excellent as well as driver comfort and passenger seating. I am 76 years old and believe that this is the last car (barring accidents) that I will have to buy. I am happy with the vehicle other than those two mild annoyances.
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nice all around vehicle
I shopped a 3.6R Touring against a Volvo XC 60, Volvo XC 90 and Mazda CX-5 Signature. Ultimately leased the Subaru because it does everything well, and has a decent price. The Volvos have great interiors. Super class looking. Volvo electronics are weird. And Volvos are pricey. Even with $20k off the MSRP on a Volvo, the Subaru was much less expensive. The Mazda is just plain fun. It is a blast to drive.The steering is great. It handles great. It has a lot of zip. Interior is really good. But in the end, I went with the Outback 3.6R Touring because it simply does everything well. It is quiet. Has a smooth ride. Comfortable seats. The eyesight system is awesome. Good cargo volume. And it holds its value very well, so it leases great. And a bonus I wasn't expecting, I average almost 30 mpg on the highway at about 75 mph, The Subie is a great highway car. Things that Subaru could improve: hp/torque. It is a bit sluggish. Brakes. Front brakes should be better. Handling. It would be nice if they tightened up the handling a bit--I read that the 2020 may address this. Transmission. The CVT sucks. It gets the job done, but in a very boring manner. But overall, this car does almost everything very well, It was a close call between the Mazda and the Subaru, because the Mazda is so much fun, but the practicality bucket goes to the Subaru. I am very happy with this car. Update two years and 29k miles later: I LOVE this car. Super smooth and quiet on the highway. Very comfortable for long trips. So far, only problem has been a gremlin with the screen that controls the NAV and stereo. Good space to haul things. My wife has a BMW X3 but whenever we take a look trip we take the Subie--even she admits that it has a more comfortable ride. My only decision now is whether to buy it when my lease is up in one year or lease a newer model. I highly recommend this car.
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Sturdy and full of features
My new Subaru Outback feels very sturdy while still being nimble. Its easy to do a U-turn or take a narrow corner despite the size. It is incredibly comfortable for all passengers and the driver and is full of fun gadgets and has a great user friendly screen.
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3rd Subaru is the best!
After owning a 2012 Impreza wagon (my youngest daughter had it after), and a 2015 Outback Premium (my oldest daughter and family drive it now), I was ready for a car to accompany me in my retirement. The Touring model is ideal because it has all the safety features standard, including the blind spot detection which is much improved from 2015, a better rear view camera, and the automatic rear stopping (new for me since 2015). The great improvements from 2015 were the higher quality panel, navigation system and phone bluetooth. The acceleration also is better, and when I asked about it, the dealer rep says they lightened the engine, so more pickup. I got to order the color I liked (white) to go with the caramel leather color, so I am very happy with the aesthetics as well as the reliability, economy and comfort. Great value for the money if you want lots of interior room and all wheel drive with good mileage.
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Overall a Good Car with a Few Niggles
2019 Outback Limited with all the safety bells and whistles. The Apple Play on this car continues to be terrible, a complaint ever since I bought the car new. The dealer keeps blaming the cord to my phone, which I have replaced twice with an Apple brand cord. Without Navigation, I am dependent on WAZE or Google Maps, which often take miles of driving before they display and the Apple Play connection can suddenly drop when I am driving to an unfamiliar destination. This is in areas of good cellphone reception, not some isolated rural tract. I was having trouble with the battery not holding a charge and the car isn't that old. When I decided to replace it I learned that Subaru installed a smaller capacity battery in the 2019. This was replaced by AAA with a larger battery. False economy, Subaru. Finally, this is a quirky car and the owner's manual is poorly written. Every time the car is jump started the passenger side window cannot be operated from the driver's side. I had to Google the problem as "no help from the owner's manual". It turns out that you have to have the car running, get out and go around to the passenger side, hold down the window button on the passenger side to reset this control. Whenever you turn on the car the radio automatically goes on. Why must I turn it off every time I start the car? The cupholders are poorly designed. No rubber flanges to hold in place drinks of varying diameter. The two front cupholders can only accommodate one cup with a handle, since it fully occupies the slot between the front and rear cupholder. No room for the handle of a second cup. Small radio control knobs and my knuckle is always hitting the screen affecting station selection. What is good: all the safety bells and whistles, especially blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert (helpful at the Costco kamikaze parking lot), adaptive cruise control and pre-collision breaking. I liked the fact that I didn’t have to buy options I didn’t need (such as a sunroof) to get these safety features. On the plus side, visibility is superior to the CRV or RAV4. The gas fill pipe on the right is another deviation from most cars sold in the US, but Audis and other German cars are the same.
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Undiscovered Treasure For the Road!
Our friend who happens to be an auto mechanic has always recommended buying either a Toyota or a Honda for several reasons. First and foremost, they are the most reliable cars in terms of maintenance. Aftermarkets parts are generally available making them on average less costly to repair. Their depreciation rate is better than others so the cars hold their value. The last vehicle my wife had was a PT Cruiser. My wife loved the car primarily because of its utility value. She had been able to haul just about anything she needed to over the years that she had it. Unfortunately, however, the car had many problems that were difficult to fix the worst one of which was a problem with the A/C which resulted in our having to bear the terrible heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic for several summers until finally, another mechanic we knew was able to figure out what was wrong. When the PT Cruiser finally breathed it's last she laid it to rest. Never again! She wanted something similar so heeding the words of our friend, in consideration of the fact that we needed a vehicle just for the two of us, we looked at the Toyota RAV and the Honda CRV. After test driving both of them, she decided upon the Honda CRV. We actually came close to purchasing one but divine providence led us to but the purchase off. God works in mysterious ways. The 2019 Consumer Report issue arrived and my wife started to read the car reviews. She showed me the issue and pointed to the 2019 Subaru Outback which had gotten great reviews by CR. She had owned an Outback hatchback many years previously and liked it back then. So we decided to go take a test drive. Off we went to the local Fitzgerald Dealership and took a test drive of the 3.6 L Ltd. There was nothing to think about. Compared with the Honda CRV and the Toyota RAV you get more for your money as well as the fact that the car is absolutely fabulous. As far as maintenance is concerned, time will tell. Considering the quality and the warranty, my wife has no worries or concerns which is exactly what I hoped for with this purchase.
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Subaruman
Bought a 2017 Outback Limited with 2.5i engine. Traded in my 2006 Toyota Hybrid Highlander. Loved my Outback but missed the acceleration of my Highlander. Drove my 2017 for around 18000 miles here in the mountains of West Virginia and seen an average of 25 mile per gallon. Loved all the features the Limited has. Sound system was not what I hoped for. Sound was terrible. Also did not have auto lock feature. So when my dealer Hometown Subaru contacted me about upgrading to a 2019 and made me a great trade in offer, I jumped on it. I upgraded to the 3.6 engine but still went with the Limited model. I stayed with black with black interior. I have every option available with the exception of heated steering wheel. Subaru has hit the 2019 Outback out of the park with this one. Sound system has been improved and sounds great. Even have auto lock feature now. But the greatest upgrade is the 3.6 engine. Wow it rocks! Not as great of gas mileage. Around 22 mpg but it's worth it. I am proud to be a Subaru owner. And will continue to tell everyone to buy a Subaru.
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My 4th Subaru
This is my fourth Subaru and my second Outback. Like this one, my 2014 Limited has the 2.5L same four cylinder and CVT transmission. I bought this about a month ago, right before Christmas, so my actual time behind the wheel has been for a fairly short time. I will post an update after owning this for a year. Pros: Costco Auto Buying service - made purchasing a vehicle easier for me. Maybe others can negotiate a better deal, but Costco made it hassle-free for me; Beautiful color - the touring level has very limited color choices. We chose Cinnamon Brown Pearl metallic after seeing the car in person. It's a very rich and pretty color; Trim level - the Touring level gets the saddle brown leather interior, heated seats and heated steering wheel (only available on the Touring), and the interior materials are heads and shoulders above my 2014 Limited model; Electronics/navigation/entertainment system - again, much better than my 2014 Limited; Cargo capacity, ground clearance and AWD make this a great winter vehicle; and great fuel economy. Cons: the 2019 Outback and Legacy are holdovers still using the older engines, transmissions, and chassis, while most other models have already been updated. Why would Subaru not make the Outback and Legacy the first models to feature the newer chassis, engine and transmission - they're flagship models? My friend's 2019 Crosstek with the new engine flies compared to my new Outback. I chose the 2.5L partly for fuel economy, price and availability at my dealer. But the Outback's 2.5L combined with the CVT transmission really lags in performance on the highway and Subaru should have addressed that already. Finally, the Eyesight/Lane-Detection system works well but can be a little unnerving at speed on a crowded interstate, especially when a jersey wall is present. The system can be turned off but it's a little difficult to do so.
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I'm happy!
This is my first Subaru. My previous car was a'13 Equinox V6. I was surprised that my Subaru 4 has as much zip as it does. I love the smooth transmission. The only negative is the "lane departure warning", so I turned it off (I don't need beeping when I go around someone riding a bike). This car actually has more cargo space than my "larger" Equinox. My 2019 is the last Outback NOT to have stop/start (which I hate). OK, after 3 years, I'm still happy with this car, Due that, and the fact that the 2022 models have stop/start, a few styling changes I don't care for, and no more "Tungsten" color choice, I plan on keeping my '19 as long as I can. Just passed4 years, and still happy with car and Concordville, PA dealer. It's March 2025 and still happy. Had a few "factory recalls" that Subaru did for free, even though the warranty was up. Do not like the looks of the new Outbacks, so I'm keeping this one.
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Don't Regret Giving Up Volvo for Subaru
I have always been a Volvo driver, but I was not impressed with the Volvo 2019 SUV and decided to test drive Subaru and Honda. Subaru won hands down. I love my 2019 Outback Limited 2.5i. This car is so comfortable to drive, good gas mileage, and looks great. I like that advanced features are standard for Subaru. The handling is great. I haven't gotten to drive on a long trip yet, but I'm pretty sure I won't be disappointed. I don't regret this change one bit!! Updated Review: one yer later: I still love my Subaru! Fuel mileage is super, she handles well, especially in the mountains. I can put my jet ski in and out of the lake with no issues (When I use my husband’s Silverado truck to pull the jet ski out I scratch gravel). She is very roomy, we bought a roof carrier and can pack for 2 weeks vacation, including beach umbrellas and beach wagon. Long trips are comfortable. I can’t say enough positive comments to sum up how great this car is. Most importantly, she is solid and I feel safe driving her!
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LOVE
When I was car shopping I knew had to find something with a certain "ruggedness" since my last vehicle was a Jeep. I do not regret getting this car for a second. For reference, I am a mere 5'1" so an SUV type vehicle that isn't too tall was important. The seats are comfortable and supportive, it's easy to get in and out, the controls are set up in a logical manner, the storage space is amazing..I could go on forever. In regards to safety, no other car beats the safety features. Unfortunately our Outback was hit 5 months after I bought it, but it does certainly take a hit well (other car was totalled while ours was far from it). Also thought I would regret getting the 4-cylinder versus the 6-cylinder, but I'm quite pleased with my 2.5i Premium. Let's face it, no one buys an Outback to be a race car driver anyways.
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Really loves the Subaru Outback 2.5 Limited
Bought the Outback to replace a 2006 B9 Tribeca. Surprised that the small engine does not fell sluggish at all during the day to day commute. Really enjoyed the safety features and technologies. Submitted a price quote on Edmunds. All three local dealers Edmunds included for the quote responded to me with actual pricing in an hour. The prices were very close to each other, all below the invoicing with the Subaru end of Feb promo. End up buying the car from the dealer I bought my previous Subaru at the exact price quoted in email. Best buying experience ever!
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Really Love Our Outback
I never thought I would purchase a Subaru. We were looking at Volvo XC60 and Lexus RX350. Being senior citizens we wanted vehicles that are easy to get in and out off and found these cars are not. The vehicle we purchase needed to be great in the snow the Subaru is. When looking at the Outback the dealer gave us one to test drive for the weekend. We were immediately impressed with the Outback. It had snowed and it just went, no problems. The interior is good and it is easy to get in and out off. Appreciate the safety features and fuel economy. Thinking about replacing my 211 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring with only 32,000 miles with a 2020 Outback when they are released. Really LOVE my wife's 2019 it sure beats her 2013 Honda CRV. Drove the 2020 Outback and considering replacing my 2011 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring in April. Really impressed with 2020 Subaru and love our 2019.
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Best value for a midsize SUV.
This is our second Outback Our first was a 2013 2.5 Premium which we drove 87K and never had any problems. We liked the updated interior of the 2019 2.5 Limited and the added safety features which resulted in the insurance being less than the 2013. The 4 cylinder is no hot rod but it is perfect for everyday use and returns on average 25 MPG around town and about 30 MPG highway. I personally love the CVT transmission as we live in Tennessee and you don't have that annoying hunting for a gear downshifting and upshifting going thru the mountains. Subaru has been perfecting their flat four cylinder engines since 1963, and they invented AWD which I need on my very steep driveway. There were some older problems with oil usage and head gaskets that were attributed to bad parts suppliers that have all been rectified. Another important aspect for me is that I am 6'4" tall and weigh 330Lbs and have plenty of room with the seat back. After almost 9K miles the only thing I'm not a fan of is the built in fake shifts that you can't disable. I bought the CVT because of the seamless smooth ride but for some reason they have programed in more pronounced fake shifts than my old 2013. We still love the car but wish we had an option to disable the fake shifts. I'm a 70 years old car guy from the 60's and also own a 392 Challenger with a six speed manual which I love to shift gears but I don't want this fake sensation in the Subaru.
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We kinda like it
We generally like the Subaru but it has one scary feature that I find down-right dangerous. I use cruise constantly and also the feature that sets car length ahead. More times than I want to say the SUV - on cruise - will accelerate to the car ahead - I've looked down and found myself going 85 miles an hour. Of course I've reported this to the dealer who poo-hoo's me - telling me that's impossible. It's possible. Also, the SUV over-corrects - you really really really need two hands on the wheel tightly at all times as the car can easily be thrown in another lane if your not holding onto the steering wheel tight. I will be reporting this to the Safety board when I get a chance as I've been blown off by Subaru too often
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Our best car ever!
Thanks for Edmunds review.....I will adjust my driving. Not as much acceleration as our 2007 Chrysler 300 AWD. Need to turn off A/C if passing. Have 6000 miles now - just got back from 3000 mile road trip/camping. So comfortable for all day driving. And in snow country, less shoveling = more driving.
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My first Subaru!
First off, the legendary aura that surrounds Subaru for its handling of Winter weather and bad roads is completely real. This car is second to none in snow and can take 90% of bad / off road conditions that a truck can. The quality of the interior also meets or exceeds most luxury brands. The final major thing that the car has going for it is safety & tech features. However, on the downside, I find the seats very uncomfortable with a lack of thigh support and padding that’s harder than it needs to be. It also does surprisingly poorly in the area of NVH. Road noise & ride quality are much worse than expected. I’ve also picked up quite a few different creeks & rattles.
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The subie love is real
Ten years ago, if you were to ask me if I’d buy another Subaru the answer would have been a resounding “no”. I had so many issues with my first two I swore up and down I’d never buy another. In late 2016, I was in a bad wreck and totaled my Jeep. We then took a look at a crosstrek, loved it, bought it. Three years and a new baby later, we needed to upgrade so we purchased a Subaru Outback. We love it. So much room. Very slick even for the 2.5i Base model. Only things I would change are better acceleration, cloth seats are interesting, and gas mileage in the city. Other than that, no complaints!
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Amazing deal for tech and ability!
We bought the 2019 Subaru Outback 3.6 Touring! We were looking at the Mercedes GLK and the Toyota RAV4, this vehicle won because it had all the tech the Mercedes had but for 20k less and was as capable of not more than that RAV4 which felt smaller inside. We love the acceleration and the space! We had a challenger before this so we know about acceleration lol. The only downside is this model does not h e cooled seats.
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Beware windshield crack
Be aware that Subaru Outback is having cracked windshield problems. Google it it appears to be a design flaw, if you ask them they will say that they aren’t aware of it but they are lying. Just look up Subaru class action suits . And you will find a host of suits. By the way when you show the service advisor the suits his reply is always l didn’t know that
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Love my new Subaru Outback 3.6
This car has everything that is essential. Doesn't have all the frilly extras, but what is mainly needed, is there. Love the bigger engine which gives the extra pep that you'd like.
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A/C has never worked.
AC has not worked since new. Went to dealer and they said high pressure hose was leaking. Got car back and AC did not work again. Brought it back and they said a seal at condenser was leaking. Two weeks later got the car back and AC doesn't work. Now dealership is not returning calls. So disappointed in decision to buy this car. Want my money back!!!
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Nice car hurt by weak engine and gas mileage
My dealer gave a a brand new (12 miles on the odometer) 2.5 Premium while servicing my Ford F-150. I’ve driven it for over a week and several hundred miles. The car is comfortable enough. Fit,, finish, and materials are fine given the price point. The car I am using has both available packages. This is a very well equipped car. Sunroof, power rear hatch, blind spot warnings, three stage heated seats and lots more to like. I like the auto high beams, and the cruise control compensates for traffic in front of you. Stereo sounds okay but not great. Seat was comfortable enough during one day with eight hours of driving. So, why wouldn’t I buy one? It’s slow, and it feels even slower than it actually is. Engine is very noisy under load. If you floor it, engine makes a lot of noise, but doesn’t seem to accelerate any faster. Handling is just adaquate on turns and exit ramps. Even though it’s not particularly tall, it handles like a tall vehicle. Also, on a 400 mile trip, 95% of which was highway driving, I got only 25.5 mpg. Not even close to the 28/32 mpg claimed on the window sticker. I would recommend the car only if you are willing to accept barely adequate power and acceleration with only fair gas mileage. The Edmunds review was spot on in its description of engine performance.
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Pretty good... except the battery issues...
Overall I like my outback.... but.... there are some big buts to that statement. Nice features, drives well, warms up fast which is nice on cold days. Loses major points for the finicky 'smart' eyesight system that can't be overridden if for some reason it isn't working (had a calibration issue after a windshield replacement - no way to use cruise control, etc if it's not calibrated). Also loses points for multiple battery drain issues, including ones that make this adventure vehicle at risk for leaving you stranded with a dead battery in the middle of nowhere. On top of the $43,000 car not be smart enough to realize it's draining its own battery and go into a dominant mode, it also has a parasitic draw which has killed 2 batteries in 5 years to the point where they literally wouldn't take a charge anymore. I've installed no aftermarket stereos, etc that they can blame, this us a factory issue. Subaru got sued in a class action lawsuit over the battery issues but their settlement and response was disappointing mediocre and they still don't have an actual fix for the issue. Between the battery and the factory recall on the starter that went out, this car has left me stranded at least 5 times in 5 years. In the mountains of Colorado, that's downright dangerous. I can't even self-rescue with a battery jump pack because it drains the battery so completely it doesn't even recognize the battery as a battery (ie it is 100% dead). Most recently this happened after the car sat for 4 days. Yes. 4. So while this car has a lot of nice features, etc... it's pretty much trumped by the fact that it's totally unreliable.
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Happy Wanderer
Solid automobile, terrific safety features, handles well, smooth acceleration, good, but not great luggage space. Have over 20K and no servie needed except oil changes ever 6000 miles.
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Go for the Touring. I t worth the money.
3.6 R engine is flying. It's like airplane takes off. And no engine noise. Very quiet interior, almost no noise, premium java leather. Steering is very easy. Limited and lower editions look ugly compare to this. Exceptional handling the road. All bells and whistles possible. I can tow my boat with it. A lot of safety additions. I'm happy with it so far
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It's an OK car that needs some option refinement
This is the first Subaru I have ever owned. In fairness, my last vehicle was a 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, so this is a lower end car than that. I wasn't trying to compare it to that vehicle, just providing feedback on the vehicle for what it is. Noise level is OK for this car. It seems considerably quieter than the Forester was. Engine noise is definitely there during acceleration. Road noise definitely increases with speed. It could be better but it's overall a 3.5 for noise level. Acceleration on this car is definitely not good. That's not why I got the vehicle though. The fuel economy on the vehicle is decent for the size. You compromise fuel economy with more powerful engines and I would rather err on the side of fuel economy. That said, the vehicle still goes 80+MPH without any trouble if necessary. It takes a while to get there, but I've never felt unsafe trying to merge onto a highway or pass someone. I average around 29-30MPG at about 5000 miles on the vehicle. If I drive it hard it will drop down to around 26. If I baby it I can get around 31-32. Acceleration gets a 2 and fuel economy gets a 4. Ride comfort on the vehicle is pretty good. It seems to do OK with bumps and rough roads. You feel it but again, it is a much better ride than the Forester. Having the symmetric 4WD in the winter will be very nice. The rest of the year it doesn't matter much. The ride I would give a 4 for the size of the vehicle. Fit and finish on the vehicle is pretty good. The only issue we have had is the trim piece coming off the passenger visor when it was rotated to the side window. Viewability from in the vehicle is outstanding, with very small blindspots. Options and accessories in the vehicle seem to be pretty good. There seem to be ample cupholders, etc. Controls are pretty simple to use and in a decent location. The radio (I got the Premium Outback, so it is an upgraded radio) is OK. I'm not an audiophile, but it certainly is nothing special, but not terrible either. It does have Android Auto which is good to sync the phone for maps, etc. Seat comfort is also pretty good. Again, not outstanding, but pretty good. There is ample room in the seats and good support. The farthest I have gone is 5 hours in the vehicle and I was ready to be done then. The interior has a decent amount of space behind the back seats and still has decent legroom. Laying down the back seats is easily done from the back hatch which is nice. Overall for the interior I would give it a 4. This vehicle has several "safety"/driveability features such as eye-sight, blindspot monitoring, lane keep assist, collision avioidance, adaptive cruise and others. The car beeps quite often if you get close to a side line (indicating lane deviation) and beeps every time the cruise is on and someone comes into the lane in front of you or leaves the lane. It also seems to beep if the lane next to you widens, such as for a road coming up to the right or an exit to the right and the line on the right expands to another lane. It beeps an awful lot. Plus, there are avoidable beeps, such as changing lanes without using your indicators. I've noticed that if you turn on your indicator and then change lanes quickly, it will still beep. The adaptive cruise (first time I have had it) is really nice in traffic jams where the traffic slows down considerably. It works really, really well in that situation. On the highway, if you get behind someone going slower, I find myself going 65 when I had the cruise set for 70. That's what it's supposed to do so it's working, and in fairness, one of the 35 beeps that just happened in the last 3 minutes was one that the cruise detected a vehicle in front of me. I'm learning to pay more attention to that. Thankfully I haven't needed the collision avoidance yet and hopefully I never will so I can't say how well that works. The lane-keep assist is really a very, very bad implementation that needs a lot of work. If you decided to use it in front of a police officer, you would probably be pulled over for impaired driving. It does an edge to edge seek on the lines, going from the right side to the left side to the right side to the left side, rather than just keeping you centered in the lane. I guess overall it keeps you from deviating from the lane, but is not an "auto-pilot" driving enhancement. Even worse, I was driving on the interstate with it on and there were some cracks patched in the road which seemed to confuse the lane-keep assist and I had to fight with the system to keep it in my lane. That was a dangerous situation. For the driveability options, just because of the lane-keep assist issues I would give it a 1.5. Overall, this is a decent vehicle. When it's time to replace it, I probably won't get another one though. There are a lot of things I like about it but too many things that I wish were better that I didn't realize until after getting it.
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Quality All The Way
I traded a 2018 Subaru 2.5 Legacy Limited for my 2019 Subaru 2.5 Outback Limited to get back into a SUV. I really like my Legacy, especially the mileage, but I missed the versatility of a SUV. I feared that I was giving up a premium ride, but I found my new Outback rode even better than my Legacy did. It is very quiet and offers all of the electronic safety features I had on my Legacy. Prior to purchase, I compared the Honda CRV and found the Outback to be roomier and offered many amenities at a lesser cost than the Honda. In the end, it was a no brainer. One of the criticisms I often hear about the Outback 2.5 is that it lacks power and acceleration. I have found that not to be true. It has plenty of get up and go. I now have 2500 miles on my Outback, and I have no regrets whatsoever. The 2019 Subaru 2.5 Outback Limited is an excellent car.
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Awesome vehicle with lots of safety features
The vehicle is comfortable, has great acceleration and a ton of safety features. The rear backup camera in conjunction with the automatic braking if something comes in to its path makes this vehicle a real winner for me. Take one out for your self and see how it fits your needs
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Great start but now won’t start
Don’t let the hatch go up because it continues to drain the battery while up. I have accidentally opened the hatch 3 times this past winter before going to bed and found the battery dead in the morning. I bought a battery charger for my garage. Also, the Subaru dealer I go to has told me that you shouldn’t be surprised if the battery goes dead if you don’t run it every couple of days.
Great car
In my opinion, Subaru and Porsche make the only true all wheel drive cars on the road today. I did go with the six cylinder engine and have never regretted it. I really like the true all wheel drive and the boxer engine. The car drives and handles great. In addition it has all the safety features you can imagine. The adaptive cruise control works great on highway and even around town. The only thing disappointingdisappointing Is that the cargo is limited but this is somewhat offset by the roof rack. The roof rack works great.
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Overrated!
Purchased a 2019 Outback LImited not quite 2 months ago. Drove the vehicle from Chicago to Phoenix. The ride is comfortable but the acceleration is really poor. Passing slow vehicles is tough since the vehicle doesn't really accelerate fast. We also turned off the lane assist as it got to be annoying. The same week we paid our first car payment I went out to our driveway and noticed the windshield cracked. It was facing the garage. The crack appeared to have begun on the left side of the windshield. No evidence of a stone or rock. Had the windshield cracked while driving I would have understood. According to the dealer Subaru denied the claim. After researching I found that Subaru had lost a class action law suit regarding the windshields cracking on older models. So I decided to go back to Subaru America instead of using my insurance. After talking to customer service they are now paying for the replacement sindshield and calibration of the eye. Since we just moved to a new state we use the gps alot. I would say about 50% of the time the gps either takes its time loading or just freezes. Its to the point where we use our phone. Spent over $40,000 for the vehicle and I would never ever recommend it. Sad.
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Only excitement is when Infotainment blacks out
Yes, yes…stable, reliable, competent vehicle that hauls a lot of people or cargo in relative safety. I bought my Outback new in 2019, a car that did everything ‘okay’ nothing great. I felt safe until I’m in rush-hour traffic in the center of an unfamiliar city, when the navigation, StarLink, CarPlay and radio all black out. Then they come back on, thank God! Then black out, then back on again, then off. This goes on for about a half-hour until I stop trying and continue on my way through rush hour unassisted. The next morning I started the car and everything booted up as if no issue existed. I called a Subaru dealer in the area I was visiting. They said they had no appointments available the next day but I could bring it by, but if the navigation and CarPlay were working now they couldn’t help. A couple days later it happened again. A few days after that, CarPlay would not respond and nav screen froze. Each time it happens, if I leave the car off for an extended period (overnight for example) the system reboots with no issue. Two other Subaru dealers also gave me the “bring it by when it’s happening we’ll take a look”. Although they acknowledge it is a frequent problem, they can’t replace the system until the problem is confirmed. The head units are on a six-month back order, and that was before COVID, but I guess it’s not a common problem, huh. Subaru Customer Service repeatedly told me to take it to a dealer, yet the dealers couldn’t help if the problem wasn’t happening at that moment. After repeated drop-outs of the entire system and no help from Subaru of America, I decided to trade before it burned out completely. For a company which prides itself on safety, just how safe is losing all navigation and hands-free iPhone/Android functionality when traveling?
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Simply A Pleasure To Drive
Bought a 2019 Subaru Outback Touring Edition for my wife in February 2019. This vehicle is comfortable, we are senior citizens and can get in and out easily. The safety features and technology are exceptional. Gets wonderful gas mileage and even with the smaller engine performs well. Fit and finish are outstanding. We bought a gray one ( seems to be the color right now) with black leather and am really impressed. Only have 5,000 miles but no problems. Have Apple CarPlay and enjoy this.
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Love my Subaru
So far my experience has been great no issues my vehicle rides Beautiful, feels solid and dependable let’s not mention the resale value.
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Windshield Cracked!
Windshield cracked after only 4 months! It happened on its own in our driveway and it was a major crack. Read up on older Outbacks and there have been thousands of problems with windshields on the Outback. We are beyond disappointed and will be getting rid of this car. It will be very expensive to fix. Subaru let us down!
Caution defective windshields
I was driving down the highway and my windshield cracked on the bottom left or drivers side. There was no impact on the windshield of any kind. No traffic and smooth highway. Temp was around 30 degrees. Started out as a 5 inch crack from the bottom up and had a very small divot. Then spread to a 15 inch crack very quickly. I brought the car to the dealership with in 24 hours and they filed a claim with Subaru. Within 4 hours the dealership called and said claim was denied. They said crack was caused by outside force due to the tiny divot. They say the only way for a divot is impact with a outside force. That is not a true statement. A small divot can occur from a stress crack of from spontaneously cracking. The dealership quoted me just under $700. Not being happy with that I called Subaru customer service and they very quickly threw $500 at me to help with the repair. Which does not cover the entire cost of the repair. These windshields seem to have a recurring problem with spontaneously cracking and Subaru is brushing it off. The eyesight technology does not work with any other windshield, you must buy the factory windshield. I do not feel safe driving my car with a subpar windshield. Please help in this very serious safety issue being Ignored by Subaru. I have zero confidence in the new windshield. This needs to be addressed.
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Seats not comfortable for long distances
Other than our dissatisfaction with the seats (both driver and passenger) we absolutely love this vehicle. The seats are simply too short. They need to be longer for better thigh support and I am a short legged person! My husband is exactly 6 feet tall and cannot find any adjustment that will eliminate the short seat length. We took it on our first trip of 700 miles (only 842 on the car) and are seriously considering replacing the vehicle or looking for replacement seats (if that's even possible) We came out of a 2001 Volvo V70 Turbo wagon and it stuns me that the seats in that 18 year old car are above and beyond in comfort compared to the Subaru. Otherwise, we love the feel and look and options that the car offers. We bought the touring model with the bigger engine and I would expect that TOURING would mean comfort while touring! Big miss on this one Subaru.
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2nd Subaru
Wife and I love the Outback. Perfect height for getting in/out of the car. Do not have to climb to get in or climb to get out. First new car with CVT tranny, this one is far better than most. Love the safety tech (Lane departure warning, blind side warning and directional headlights that turn when you do!) Good gas mileage for a vehicle with all wheel drive. Very stable on streets, roads and highways. Adaptive cruise control is great! Visibility is good as well. We love it!
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Subaru Outback - Not What People Say About Them
Own a 2019 Outback Touring 2.5i. 27000 miles on the car and it needs new front axles!! Really? Car is under powered, battery is too small has died already. Stereo has issues. Car has horrid mileage and is well underpowered. Handling in snow is worse than poor. I can do better with a front wheel drive car. I don't feel the love Should have stayed with Honda or Toyota
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Tiring to drive
I rented a brand new Outback for a week's trip. We were the first to rent it, only 5 miles on the odometer. I thought, great, this will be nice. The size is nice and it's roomy. The interior is OK. So everything is fine until you actually drive it. First is that it doesn't have much power so merging is sometimes hair raising. Then I noticed the car refuses to track properly, it just wanders around the lane. After a couple hours on the freeway I was tired just from having to constantly correct the car. I've driven and owned a lot of cars and this was bad. I thought maybe it had a low tire, so I checked, nope they were at specification. It just steers badly. Then there's the road noise. It just isn't quiet. Maybe I shouldn't expect much on a cheap car like this. However I had a Ford Fusion lease car for three years and it was by far quieter. In the end the only thing the Outback had going for it was the four wheel drive, other than that its a pretty second rate effort.
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Disappointing MPG Dominates My "Just OK" Opinion
Overall handling and acceleration are good, not great. The CVT and power-steering leave you disconnected from the road. Disappointed there was no settable "drive mode" (sport, comfort), although the steering does seem to self-adjust: light in parking lot, firmer at high-speed. Comfort and new safety and infotainment features are good although touchscreen has glare issues on sunny days due to its reclined position and lack of "hooding". Internal storage compartments (none in the back cargo) are too few and stingy in size. Some hard plastic materials on doors and wimpy hardware I expect to wear out prematurely. Wheel arch molding is not standard on the Limited and stock tires are pure "passenger", not "light-truck", in terms of width, tread, and wet/frozen precip. traction. The MPG: I am coming from a 2005 4-Runner and I miss the simplicity, solidity, and quality of that vehicle. I didn't buy another 4-Runner, primarily because 2019 models had lost 2 MPG and I had always thought I was paying for "more truck" than I needed for my MTB hauling. With the Outback, I thought I'd be getting 3+ MPG more with the advertised 20 MPG city but in fact I'm getting almost exactly the same "actual" mileage (16.2 - 16.5) that I got with my 2005 V6 235 HP 4-Runner with similar acceleration. I might do a little better than the 4Runner on long highway trips, but at this point I wish I'd been able to wait for the 2020 4Runners (unfortunately I had leaky head-gasket pushing me to buy now).