Used 2021 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Faulty windshield
Lloyd Pitts, 08/13/2021
2021 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
23 of 23 people found this review helpful
Love the Outback. It drives nice and looks good. However, with less than 5000 miles, I have a cracked windshield. Then, I start reading where Subaru has a problem with windshields. I will have to pay out of pocket for replacement when they already know that they are faulty. I wish I had read about this before purchase. I would have probably chose a different model. Subaru needs to step up and take responsibility for their error. Buyers beware. There is a problem.
First time disappointed with Subaru
former subaru lover, 09/27/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
I've been a loyal Subaru customer since the 1980's. My family and I have had over 20 Subarus in that time. I have always appreciated the reliability, dealer support, and simplicity of the controls. That all ended with this 2021 onyx XT. First, I love he comfortable seats in this model. The leather seats are too firm and give me back pain. The water resistant seats in the onyx XT have more padding and are comfortable over a 5 hour drive. Headlights- unmatched by any others. 2.4 turbo engine smooth and powerful. The current subarus always over estimate mpg on the trip computer by 6-10%. Understand this because the distance to empty is therefore also overestimated. Now the problems. No less than 3 dash rattles, The dealer identified one and ordered a part. They stated they would call me when it came in. That was after my second visit there, and now it's been 4 weeks an I Haven't heard from them . I complained that Eyesight was not functioning as designed. It will emergency brake on a clear road without traffic, and when a car in the right lane next to my lane slows to make a right turn. It never gives a close following distance warning as described in the manual. Rather it brakes when you get less than 10 feet from a vehicle in front no matter how fast you approach the vehicle. I found the out when a car cut me off on the highway then braked suddenly. That center tablet frequently freezes, or reboots making it impossible to change hvac settings at times. My car has turned off when I put it in reverse and released the e brake. very intermittent- 4 times in 9000 miles. The door lock/unlock and hatch release doesn't always work when touched. I have had to release the hatch from the inside several times as that was the only way to open the hatch. I opened a case with SOA. Essentially they said there was nothing they could do. I'm afraid this will be my last Subaru due to lack of dealer and corporate support. This is not the company I've known and supported for 40 years. They have gotten away from reliability and customer satisfaction as the company ideal.
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2021 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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2021 Outback Limited - the good and the bad
Eric S, 12/15/2020
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
82 of 87 people found this review helpful
I had a 2016 Outback Limited for 5 years and traded it in for a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland so I could be cool. I didn't like the Jeep for various reasons (mostly the unbearable road noise) so I traded it in for a 2021 Outback. I test-drove the XT as well but didn't notice enough of a difference to warrant the extra cost and worse gas mileage. I mostly like the Outback but here are my (nit-picky) complaints: you can't put the visor all the way up b/c of the Eyesight Driver Assist thingy blocks it, so it only goes 3/4 of the way up. Subaru didn't think that one through; no cap-less gas tank? Sheesh, Subaru; base engine is underpowered, but that's what you sacrifice to get good gas mileage; the auto-stop start is rough (Jeep's was smooth); too much touch screen and not enough buttons: heated seats and auto stop-start should ALWAYS be a physical button (are you reading this, Subaru?). You have to go into SUB menus for both, which is a pain (especially when it's cold and there is a huge delay when navigating through the screens); rear-camera picture quality is so-so; advertised gas mileage is false: my combined average is about 24 mpg (slightly better than my 2016 Outback) and that's driving like a normal person; there is a slight vibration when the car is idling in drive. I hope that goes away. Here's what I LIKE: overall, the value is good. I got mine basically loaded for about $36k; rear leg room is good and the back seats recline; the cargo space is great; the liftgate is awesome; the safety features are great - you basically can't do anything wrong without the car yelling at you (each of these features can be disabled); the "leather" is nice; if you have kids, get the rear sun shades. I love being able to start the car and adjust the temp from an app on my phone. The AWD is awesome. Overall, it's a good car. My friends make fun of me for driving a wagon, but whatever. It's the overall quality of this car that makes it worth it. The guy who sold me the car told me today that Subaru will have an update in the summer of 2021 for wireless Apple CarPlay, so that's cool. So this car is worth it if you're a "big picture" person who cares about overall quality and function.
Great all-round all-wheel drive
SB, 11/11/2020
updated 11/17/2023
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
75 of 80 people found this review helpful
We have had an Outback since 2014. For winter driving even in really bad conditions, this is an ideal car with class beating symmetrical all-wheel drive. We also use snow tires in the winter which helps greatly with traction and to a small degree with braking too. I have had occasions to drive up deep snow packed and slippery hills with no problem whatsoever. I was a little concerned going from a 6 cylinder to a flat-4, but even driving in fast moving traffic when we go to a big city, I have been able to keep up with lane changes and 70+ mph traffic. The flat-4 Boxer engine has a lower center of gravity which helps in handling. The turbo-charged newer version would be a game changer. Will be updating to a newer model in the next couple of years and will definitely be visiting a Subaru dealer. A world-beating symmetrical all-wheel for this price is great value. The CVT transmission has a slight lag with sudden acceleration, but it's fine once you get used to it.
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Love my new Outback
Linda, 12/29/2020
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
82 of 88 people found this review helpful
I previously owned a Subaru Forester, which I also loved but drove both the Forester and Outback and there was a big difference in how it feels. The Outback was quieter and more comfortable. If you are looking at them, make sure to drive them both as I was prepared to get another Forester and ended up with the Outback!
A BMW for the Fixed Income Set
scatback43, 10/25/2020
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
118 of 128 people found this review helpful
We traded a 2018 3.6R touring. This is a much better car - tighter, quieter, faster and with much, much better seats. I liked the naturally aspirated 3.6, an engine always dismissed as "old" by car magazines enamored of the 66 year-old Chevy small block. The new turbo is more powerful but less civilized. Voice command is still hopeless, but the face scan technology is a wow and will customize the outside mirror settings to the individual driver as you get in the car, a big safety plus. I also like the button that defeats auto stop/start; yes, there is one if you know where to look. The front seat passenger has 8-way power instead of the two-way as in the 3.6R, and Carplay now fills the entire 11" screen. The problem with Edmunds - as with all the major outlets, not to mention Doug Demuro and his spawn - is they never drive the cars at night. Heads up, there, fellas. It's one of the Outback's strengths.
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Driving Subaru
Diamond Jim, 12/08/2020
updated 12/10/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
45 of 48 people found this review helpful
So far very pleasant experience. Rides nice, handles nice. Very comfortable vehicle. Power is good. Lots of bells and whistles!!
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I shoulda bought the TURBO!
BJC97, 04/30/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
I have the 2021 touring edition. The pros: Nice looking vehicle, beautiful paint, outstanding interior. The cons: Gas mileage should be better for a 185HP 4 cylinder- I am averaging 21.5MPG. The driver monitoring system sucks and I'm getting an annoying STAY ALERT message every few minutes no matter how many times I re-scan my face. The only recourse is to shut the system off, but this has to be done every time you restart the car. Some of the electronic controls are actually dangerous as you have to take you eyes off the road for too long to do routine things like adjust the A/C and seat heaters. These would be better done with buttons instead of the touch screen. The auto start system is far from seamless with the car restarting with a very annoying lurch. Road and engine noise seems excessive and the car is under powered- the turbo would have been better.The sound system is just meh. Finally, there is a lack of storage in the cabin for incidental items. In summary, the pros are overshadowed by the cons and if I had it to do over, I'd buy something else.
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AGAIN!
Deborah Miller-Gurchak, 08/20/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful
Two months ago we purchased a 2021 Outback with 14 miiles. Aprox. one month in...the car's lights came on...check engine,etc. and started making an odd sound. Off to the dealer we went. We went without this car for over 2 weeks. Then this week(Tuesday the 17th) my husband was planning to visit his family and while going up a little hill...it started jerking and the lights all came on again and died. He was able to get the car going again and headed into a parking lot. There he called for help...got towed and here we are...three days and our NEW car isn't here! I don't trust this car at all. I want a new one...this is ridiculous! We sadly traded in our Subaru that was over 10 years old...that RAN!..What a mess...we now have a lemon...oops...we have it when it runs!
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2021 Subaru Outback nightmare
S ONeal, 04/03/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
82 of 92 people found this review helpful
Purchased brand new Dec. 2020. Within 80 miles TPMS ⚠️ and lights came on. Tire pressure and tires were fine. Around 100 miles a recall on the computer system was told would fix TPMS issue. I have taken it 3 times for this issue. Horrible leak in the front, large puddles of water in floorboard and under mat on passenger side next to gear shift. Was told molding was bad needs to be replaced, but this doesn't explain the water in the floorboard by the center console. Car engine stop's/starts at will without changing any settings, i.e. engine should shut off when stopped at proper setting but does so irregularly. Now all dash lights saying eyesight off, lane assistance and crash avoidance all come on then few miles down the road all warnings disappear. TPMS will stay on for several trips then randomly disappear, then reappear. I have documented with video and pictures. I have less than 1600 miles on a BRAND new, rarely driven 4.5 month old vehicle and is scheduled for 4th trip for service. No accidents, no driving on anything but well paved suburban roads. I HATE this vehicle and Subaru for all the time I have spent in the service department. I am scared to drive it.
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Best Subaru yet
Al, 06/13/2021
updated 06/17/2024
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Traded in a Cadillac for the Touring XT Outback. Drove it across country and back after 3,000 mile break-in. Overall, this is an outstanding vehicle! Powerful, comfortable, loaded with technology, and designed for moving things through challenging environments. The turbo engine can be a little wild in urban traffic, but on the interstates, it’s a beast. The electronics are quirky to get use to - no different than a new smart phone - but once they are familiar, they work well and are easy to dial-up. The level of driver assist and technological feature integration is unmatched at this price point. In my opinion, this is the safest, most comfortable, most spirited, and technologically sophisticated SUV in this price range. An absolutely outstanding value. Three years later: Still the best car I've ever owned. 44,000 miles not one problem. On top of that, there are no rattles and it is still as tight as the day I drove it off the show room floor. Car will go anywhere in any weather - and comfortable.
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Dash lights beserk on highway 2 days after buying
Peter Petrov, 03/25/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
42 of 47 people found this review helpful
Buyer beware. Bought new 2021 Outback from local Subaru dealer. 2 days later all lights on dash suddenly flashing during highway driving. Very unsafe. Subaru could not diagnose problem, but will not return our money or give us new car. Now have case with Subaru of America. We had loaner courtesy car from dealer which S of A told us to keep until local dealer's service dept could diagnose problem with help of S of A. Local dealer came in middle of night to repossess their courtesy car while our new car was still in their shop. Cannot believe this thuggish behavior is associated with Subaru.
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Great all-around vehicle
Ol' Doc, 02/14/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
Traded our 2013 3.6R for a new Limited XT. What a difference 8 years makes! The new Outback drives and rides so much better. It's a lot quieter and the seats are much more supportive and comfortable. The infotainment screen takes a little getting used to but it's okay and looks impressive. The turbo 4 is responsive, though I do miss the right now punch of the old flat 6. Have yet to really compare fuel economy but don't expect a huge improvement. The CVT is a bit of a let down. There's definitely a lag when starting off the line unless you really put your foot in it. And the auto start-stop is not smooth, but you can turn this feature off easily (even while driving) on the big infotainment screen, but it defaults to "on" every time you turn the car off. Backseat is roomier and seems to sit a little higher, which is nice. Plenty of cargo space and nice touches. The Yokohama tires are quiet and ride nice but aren't great in the snow. Overall the new Outback is a big improvement over the last generation, but wish it had a conventional transmission.
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Needs refinement
Sid V, 05/28/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
44 of 50 people found this review helpful
I’ve had this six months now and it’s OK, but way down the list in terms of the eight new cars I’ve owned overall. First, what’s right about it. It’s got decent interior room, a comfortable ride on most pavement, good cargo space, nice leather on the seats and dash for the price point and is a very practical vehicle. It’s a comfortable freeway cruiser. There’s good value in the Outback. The mediocre includes the styling inside and out, the drivetrain and the handling. They are all OK and mostly inoffensive, but fail to truly impress. Styling is attractive but a tad dull and basic. Interior trim quality is decent but not exceptional. While the engine has plenty of power and only needs regular gas, it lacks refinement and is somewhat rough. The CVT can get confused and sometimes the car feels slow when it shouldn’t, like if you let off the gas and quickly get back on it. Handling is competent but uninspired. The Harman Kardon stereo is serviceable but nothing more. The standard tires are very pedestrian-I got stuck in the snow week one in the Subaru, something I managed to avoid six straight years in my last car. Or perhaps symmetrical AWD is just inferior to Quattro. The bad is pretty bad, and it is the various electronic safety and convenience features that are the worst thing about the car. Collectively they are a pile of steaming dung: crude, unreliable, driver-unfriendly, distracting and poorly executed. These systems include the distracted driver monitoring system, which checks to see a driver’s eyes are on the road. In addition to being a feature nobody asked for, it went amok beeping every few seconds (despite full road attention in actuality) and had to be disabled. The hyper-annoying, obtuse and over-sensitive departure warning system also had to be deactivated. The auto-start stop should be able to be permanently disabled, but cannot. It is infuriating to have to turn it off over and over again, and the restart of the boxer motor is unflatteringly agrarian. The large touch screen lacks sharpness and is easily washed out. Its menus are poorly conceived and difficult to use for some functions. The climate controls really shouldn’t be onscreen either-it simply does not work well. One of the most frustrating things is that the driver recognition system tied to seat position, mirror settings and other settings simply does not work. I’ve added the profile and re-added it time and time again, but it will seldom recognize me and more recently clearly has given up altogether. Subaru’s arrogance shows through in that they could have easily allowed for manual profile selection as a backup to the automated system, but did not, so the driver profile function is effectively worthless. The Eyesight and backup warning systems started throwing dealer service check errors after only two months. If you have a dog in the back seat, prepare for all sorts of random beeps to annoy and distract. The adaptive cruise control is obtuse and, rather than coasting, will brake if you use the gas to exceed the cruise speed setting temporarily. Who thought this was a good idea?! There is absolutely nothing about this car’s electronics that was done elegantly or inspires confidence. If you like living in a nanny state, this car is for you. Personally I wish they would taken all the money put into the largely worthless safety features and invested that in the interior quality, a proper transmission, engine NVH refinements, better tires and a better stereo, and I can only begrudgingly give it even three stars.
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good not great
Milkman, 01/21/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
32 of 36 people found this review helpful
I'm not a mechanical expert but I'm guessing my concerns are because of it's CVT transmission so if you haven't owned a CVT transmission vehicle make sure you can tolerate it before you buy. I took several test drives and was pleased with the comfortable ride and quiet cabin at highway speeds. During test drives I avoided stop and go driving because I thought it didn't matter. What I didn't notice was the whine and grind of the transmission or engine at low speeds. I don't have a db meter but I bet the Outback is quieter at 70 mph than it is under normal acceleration from a stop sign. My driving is almost all stop and go with speed limits under 55mph. Every time I accelerate from a traffic light or stop sign the engine revs to 4,000 RPM. My previous cars both quietly moved up to about 2500-3000 RPM when I got on it a little to merge into traffic. Either the motor or the transmission makes a noise that's similar to a bicycle with a baseball card stuck in the spokes. (OK I've shown my age) It's a grinding clucking noise that I've never heard before in a well maintained vehicle. The first time my wife was in the Outback for a period of time she thought there was a mechanical problem. You just can't accelerate in Drive with the traffic or into a turning lane in my town and not generate the whine and grind with the high RPM. I've tried using the paddles. They automatically reset to first gear at every stop then it will not respond if you try to quickly upshift to avoid the whine. My first time to use paddles but they are useless when making right or left turns at a stop sign. You can't keep your fingers on the shifters because (surprise) the steering wheel keeps turning. Guess they are nice for the straight of way but not so good in town where you turn the wheel a lot. My guess is the CVT transmission must save somebody some money somewhere and the base engine generates so little torque you can't drive in the low torque range and instead are forced to use horsepower that kicks in at 4-5 thousand rpm. A very poor tradeoff for drivability. It's a shame because it's an unpleasant feature to an otherwise nice vehicle. 20% more torque and a conventional transmission and it would be a great vehicle. Hope the CVT dies a quick death.
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What I expected from Subaru.
Peter Zeff, 08/01/2021
updated 02/24/2025
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I recently retired and moved from CA to an area between Reno and Lake Tahoe, NV. Wanted something good in snow, practical and reliable. Bought an Outback Premium a little over three months and 1200 miles ago. Also considered the Forester but it just didn't have the overall appeal to me. Being a Toyota fan (my last two cars were Lexus LS and GS) so considered the RX and NX but just don't like the new look especially the front end, plus they are getting increasingly expensive to service. My wife drives a 2017 Highlander Limited which in my opinion is still the best 3 row mid size SUV on the market. It was bigger than what I wanted of needed. Test drove the RAV4 Limited both regular and hybrid but they felt kind of tinny to me. The new Venza was my second choice but the visibility wasn't great and I had concerns about a first year vehicle. I am quite impressed with the Outback. Great on the highway, handles reasonably well, is quiet and has a very solid feel to it. Am getting 29-30 mpg combined highway and city according to the display. I like the design inside and out. Seems well put together with lots of nice little features and a terrific base sound system. Not sure what I think of the Information Screen but am starting to like it, all the tech takes getting used to. The only criticism is the lack of power going up the mountains. The turbo versions eliminates that but I didn't want all the extra features and like getting reasonable decent mileage. Overall I am pleased with the Outback and so far would recommend it to anyone looking for a small to midsize wagon/SUV. Edmonds wanted an update. The car is now a little over 9 months old with approximately 3500 miles. One of the reasons I wanted the Outback was it’s reputation in snow. Unfortunately we only had one month of snow but it handled it well. It is still a pleasure to drive, the mileage has dropped to between 28-29 about 50/50 city and highway. I would like more power going uphill but it’s fine most of the time. Still a little confused about the Multimedia Screen but at least it doesn’t stick up high on the dash like lots of cars today. I like the versatility of a wagon provides without being too big. Just a nice mid range vehicle. So would I still recommend it, yes! This is an update. Had the Outback over three years now. Great car/wagon, solid no frill vehicle. Mileage has settled in between 29-30 mpg. Have had two big snow season on our side of the Sierras, the car lived up to my expectations. Subaru handles snow very well even with original tires, only issue is if more ground clearance is needed which is almost never. I’m not thrilled with the information display but accept it. Probably the best bag for the buck in it’s category.
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Love my 2021 Outback Limited XT
RichS, 03/20/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
I traded in my Mercedes Benz CLS for this car and could not be happier. Yeah, loved the MB but can’t haul a kayak, 2 dogs and dirt roads in Vermont with the Benz. The Subaru does it all and, no kidding, compares favorably with the Benz on options and tech. You simply get a LOT of car for the $ here. I had a Sub Legacy in the 90s and brand has come long way on build quality and finish while still having the safety and reliability I want. The ride in my Outback is very smooth and handling responsive. I strongly recommend the XT turbo as I found the straight 4 under-powered and noisy. The inside finish is very good quality, roomy and the seats rival my MB in comfort. I love the driver seat extension-you can extend the seat a few inches for more thigh support on long drives. The list of options you get in the Limited package is impressive, covers just about anything you want/need. The Eyesight tech, blind spot and lane departure are welcome features at this price point. Little thing like the hidden roof rack is a great example of Subaru ingenuity, saves $500 on Thule cross bars. I have read the critiques of the 11” touchscreen and accessibility complaints and my experience has been positive and I am a “button guy”. No lag time and minimal times you need to hit multiple screens for anything. I find the dashboard layout to be highly intuitive and well laid out. As good as any car I have owned. Cons? I am nitpicking here. The fact you need to manually activate the automatic vehicle hold every time you start car is an inconvenience. The seat belt beeping when a belt is not engaged is annoying and can’t be deactivated. And could probably use little more storage in front. If you are in the market for a safe, reliable and well built SUV that drives great in all weather conditions and in my opinion is one of the best values in the industry, buy an Outback.
Everything I was hoping for
Dire_Straits, 12/15/2020
updated 12/17/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 25 people found this review helpful
I love my Outback! I bought the Limited model and it has everything I wanted and more. I won't be without AWD in Michigan winters and the Outback exceeds in all respects. Comfort, safety, technology, convenience features, fuel efficiency. There's little I don't like about the Outback. This is my sixth Subaru and I wouldn't have any other brand. I've had difficulty with the android auto disconnecting and it seems to be a common issue on outbacks with the cable/phone/head unit interface that's very annoying. Also, I'd like to see a wireless interface with the android auto and full-screen view of google maps. The "my Subaru" remote start app is slow and could be improved. The OEM navigation is not live and must be updated and has no ability to warn of speed traps and traffic problems. Voice navigation is poor compared to google maps so google maps through android auto is what I use. Other than those few minor issues, I wouldn't change much of anything.
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Laptop on wheels!
LKenn, 03/21/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
Great car and my 4th Subaru Outback. The 2021 Outback Limited is a MAJOR upgrade from my 2011 Outback Limited. This one has lots of bells and whistles. There is car homework - must read the manual. Many features! Options exist to turn off some of the digital features - and I appreciate that - not all of the are need for a one owner/driver. Eye-sight takes a bit of getting used to but I can tell it is a great addition. 2021 with 18 inch wheels delivers a heavier, sturdier, smoother ride. Road noise much improved. Interior redesign is wonderful. Feels/looks like a car the next class up. So far I'm very pleased. Dealer I purchased from offers a "re-delivery" two weeks post purchase to meet with digital tech to answer any questions and go over all the features one more time. My appointment is next week and that should be very helpful! I'm hoping the 2021 becomes what my 2011was - my most favorite of all the Outbacks I've owned. I'm sure it will. I think the Subaru Outback is the best car on the road in this price point and category. 4 cylinder delivers plenty of power. Buy one - you will never regret it!
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Grandma is the Copilot
KJR, 01/11/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
34 of 40 people found this review helpful
Nag. Nag. Nag. You get the feeling your grumpiest grandma is riding with you saying things like, "Keep your eyes on the road." "Both hands on the steering wheel." "You're tailgating, you're too close." You get the impression that if this car could reach out and slap you on the wrist it sure would. The active lane assist makes no accommodations for Northwest PA pot holes and makes every effort to keep you in the lane and hitting those holes. It also doesn't see when passing cars are too close to the center line, or even over the center line. The blind spot indicators, however, are very appreciated. The cabin temperature controls are no longer controlled by knobs but by a touch screen, making it difficult to adjust temperature without taking your eyes off the road. Also, it takes a long time for the car to begin putting out heat on a cold day. The cabin is very spacious and very comfortable. There is also a huge amount of cargo space; I can easily fit a massage table into the back without needing to put down the rear seat. Speaking of the rear seat, our 85 pound dog in the dog sling in the back seat set off the seat belt warning bell. I had to park the car, buckle the rear seat belts under the sling to stop the annoying warning ding. This is not a performance car. Acceleration is tepid, and accompanied by a whining sound of the CVT. However, give it time and it will reach cruising speed. Several times I found myself going 60 mph in a 45 speed limit zone. The cruise control is confusing. There seem to be two settings, an active setting in which it adjusts speed if you're catching up to the car ahead of you and which automatically uses that lane assist, even if the lane assist has been turned off. Every click of the acceleration switch increases or decreases speed in 5 mph increments. Going 70 mph? One click and it's set at 75 mph. If there's a way to adjust the setting to change in 1 mph increments it's buried in the settings and I couldn't find it. Overall, I'll stick with my 2018 Subaru Outback. Better yet, bring back a standard transmission and let driving be fun again.
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Pearl
Janet from Pa, 01/14/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
25 of 29 people found this review helpful
I love my outback but just a few comments on my 2021 from my 2019. I'm very disappointed that my outback doesn't have a CD player for what I paid for this car. I loved on the 2019 that I could keep my lane assist on the 2021 only comes on if you have the cruise on. I don't like the way you turn the heat sitters on. Your eyes are off the road to long. And I don't like the front grill. I have to get a brush to get in and clean the road dirt out. I live in Pa. so we have a lot of it. And for the cost of the car I also wish the back hatch opened with your foot. The hand under it does nothing for me. This is the first comment I have ever wrote about my Outback and this is the 4th one I have owned. Still love it and will buy another in two years.
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Who doesn’t love a Subie? Me!
AngieC, 09/21/2022
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have had lots of problems with my center console tech. It stops working, freezes, goes black, and sometimes just has a mind of its own. I have had it in the shop twice, the first time they told me it was an iPhone compatibly issue, which was not true the second time the guy was honest and said it was a known issue and they would order a new one but it was back ordered. It has been months, I called and they never ordered it! Still having issues, it operates literally everything! AC, radio, Navi, even some of the safety features shut down when it stops working. I also had an AC problem that they just “recharged” not fixed. It has less than 26000 miles and I cannot wait to get rid of it! It auto brakes for no reason, but they “couldn’t find and problem”. Buyer beware. Subaru knows it put out crap but they aren’t owning it. Oh!! And the windshield randomly cracked over night while parked in my driveway. TWICE!
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Horrible electronics!!
Rob, 06/28/2022
2021 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Note: Me & the family have owned SEVEN Subarus dating back to 2007… Purchased a 2021 touring. As many have stated, love the ride and quieter cab, however, the electronics are HORRIBLE. I repeat, HORRIBLE!! Unpredictable nuisances since I’ve owned the car. Screen has completely shut down several times, losing power for up to 10 minutes. (ALL controls). Radio has whacked out on three occasions BLARING an unbelievable crackle that could pierce your eardrums. Navigation is useless and unintuitive. Screen is hypersensitive and seldom makes the desired selection. WHO AT SUBARU validated and approved this control center design and supplier?!?!? THEY MUST GO!!!!!!! I’m REALLY disappointed that such a great car is supported by such an AWFUL electronic control system :(
Buyer Beware! Battery issues!!
Diane, 02/18/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
69 of 83 people found this review helpful
Had my 2021 Subaru XT for less than 5 days and the battery died. Thinking I may have left something on, we jumped it and called it a day. 5 days later, leaving work, dead battery. OK this time, it's not me. Super careful about the condition I leave the car in after the first dead battery. Did some investigation on-line and found tons of complaints about Outback batteries. Class action lawsuit going on over it. Check it out for yourself. Dead battery when it's late at night and you want to go home after a long day at work, is not acceptable! So angry, I want to ditch the car. Buyer beware!!!
Love my Outback
Phrilly, 12/14/2020
2021 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
41 of 49 people found this review helpful
You will not be disappointed. What a smooth ride, less road noise due to better insulation that allows the car to cool quicker in summer and heat quicker in the winter. Steering wheel w/controls at your fingertips and love the larger menu screen.
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Subaru seems to have lost its edge and its desire
Gene, 10/23/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
We have a recently purchased 2021 Outback. It is our third Outback (2014 and 2016, both great!) and we also have or have had a 2018 Crosstrek (also great!) and 2003 Legacy (good) so we expected a lot better vehicle than our 2021 Outback has turned out to be. The biggest problem has been the battery which has started dying every 2-3 days. The local dealer says there is nothing wrong with the battery or the charging system. When we could get no help from the local Subaru dealer, we contacted Subaru Headquarters and were to told that to keep our battery "healthy": we must drive or leave our Subaru running for at least 30 minutes between shutdowns, at least every second or third day. In what world do people have time, let alone money, to run their car that long when they have no other need to do so? Our second biggest problem (so far) are the rattles and vibrations under the hood and/or in the dashboard whenever we are driving up hills at low speed or accelerating at most any speed. Our local dealer says these are "normal" (get used to them!). To us, this is not a satisfactory answer. Thankfully, our third problem really is more of a comment on the design of the car: our first Outback (2014) had a huge amount of storage in various wells and pockets, etc. Our 2016 Outback had a good deal less but it still had adequate "miscellaneous" storage for a SUV. Our current 2021 Outback has no more "miscellaneous " storage than do most passenger cars (and a good deal less than some). The 2021 Outback does not come close to living up to expectations built on previous Subarus that we have owned and the seeming lack of care of dealers and the headquarters itself does not bode well for future Subarus.
Electronics nightmare!
Flyer 50, 01/05/2022
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have purchased new cars for 40 years, this 2021 Outback the WORST car I have ever bought. Our 2018 Outback was a solid car that was unfortunately damaged earlier last year. The electronic screen hides nearly everything, is distracting and slow to respond. Everything takes a 2-4 second delay. Eyesight keeps hitting the brakes, seeing obstructions that are not there- I'm afraid it will send me through the windshield! Brought in in for service- dealer could not duplicate eyesight problems so the lemon remains the same. Voice recognition has NEVER worked well and the driver recognition "system" is just plain annoying, constantly beeping, deactivating, and asking questions when entering/exciting car.
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Interim review
1stTimer, 08/04/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I'm OK with the most things about the car (my 1st Subaru) and purchased as my "practical" car. Was able to find a loaded model with cloth seats, which I prefer. Is quite comfortable. Do agree with some of the comments about the controls and the hassle of having to turn off the auto-start every trip and having so many controls on the screen. However, my biggest problem has been the complete failure of the electronic system twice since new (<2 months/4500mi). Turn the car off and get out and do the 'auto-lock' thing by touching the handle and find the car is all ready locked up with the head&tail lights on. Won't respond to either the key-fob commands or the the MySubaru wireless commands to do anything. First time this happened the car "reset" itself after about 45min. Second time it put out a loud 'wailing' sound and did not respond until the battery went flat after several hours (don't know how many as I went to bed). The next morning it was dead and dealer had to retrieve. 3rd times a lemon here in NJ (thankfully - can't imagine having to deal with this on a long-term basis).
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Great car!
D Wright, 04/20/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Great car, just not enough color options. This is my third and would buy another.
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First impressions
Tina GL, 06/09/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I was very pleased with the car after a 15 minute test drive. I had previously owned a 2012 Outback so naturally I would compare them. The 2021 handles very well and has plenty of power (although I am not certain whether it was a Turbo that I drove). The seats are very comfortable. The thing that bothered me the most with my previous Outback was the blind spot created by the outside rear view mirrors. The 2021 model has immensely improved visibility due to better placement of the mirrors and less blocking of the front corners of the window glass. The new model's dashboard and gauges are mostly well designed and very elegant looking and easy to read. The infotainment screen was the only part of the car I didn't totally love. Sunlight hitting it makes it a little hard to see clearly, so I would recommend doing a test drive and checking that component out especially if you have any vision issues or drive a lot where it is sunny. I ended up ordering the 2021 Outback Touring so that I could get the color I wanted as there were none of that color available when I was shopping.
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Do not buy if you plan not to use it every day
Brian, 02/04/2022
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Parasitic battery drain problem has not been addressed. On the third battery in 1 year and even on trickle charger most of time and no reason to believe will not continue. They say you need to drive it every day and that is ridiculous. Nice ride when it starts but has stranded me several times and must sell because cannot trust this faulted design. Have 2021 xt . The battery died first weekend I had it. See class action lawsuits regarding this. CVT not great.
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2021 Outback Touring XT
Sad, 09/11/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
I live Subarus. I have a 2019 Outback and 3021 Outback. Both Touring package loaded. Having trouble with the 2021. 10 months old just hit 3000 miles. Having computer issues. Doesn’t alway recognize me or my husband so seats are left as the last driver. Bluetooth does always show I am registered therefore not working. Now today it was peeping not stop for 19 minutes keep your eyes on the road warning. Flashing dashboard and screaming signal. The only was I got it to start was to shut off the car. Car has been in for service 4 times. They see what it does but not a clue why. They called headquarters and no clue. The car will run rough just before it does the beeping. Sometimes its the lane departure. Other times I backup into my driveway to the garage and the brakes just keeping slamming on, stopping me from continuing. It’s as if two different people are driving the car at the same time. Help. Not getting anywhere in fixing it.
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Floored at Lack of Windshield Comments
DWW332, 11/27/2020
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
78 of 105 people found this review helpful
I have been investigating the Outback XT and think it is a beautiful that drives very well in a test drive. However, I just happened upon some Internet comments and then the NHTSA website that has dozens of complaints about windshield cracking on the 2020 models and now one in the last week on the 2021 model. Some people are on their 3rd or 4th windshield replacement.
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Technology Issues
Howard L, 12/08/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I've owned my 2021 Outback Limited for just over 13 months and am generally very happy with the car so far, however if I had it to do over, I would definitely go for the XT (turbo). I feel that the car is somewhat underpowered with the base 4 cyl engine. Great handling, comfortable seats, good gas mileage and awesome safety features. I've taken a few trips from New Jersey to Florida and have enjoyed a very comfortable ride, even when driving for 10 hours straight. One of my favorite features is the adaptive cruise control which on a long trip is so helpful and works flawlessly. My issue with this car is the navigation / infotainment system. First of all, the voice recognition for navigation is very hit or miss, usually a miss. For example, I clearly enunciate "navigate to 123 Main St, Asbury Park, NJ". Navigation "okay navigate to Oshkosh, Wisconsin". What?? This happens about half the time I attempt to use the voice recognition for navigation. I usually just end up having to type in the address manually. The other serious issue that I've been experiencing is that while driving the entire system goes black. Everything shuts down, navigation, cruise control, eyesight and radio. On a recent trip through Virginia and Maryland this happened 10 times. At one point I was exiting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel in Virginia and had no idea where I was going. It took several minutes for the system to reboot and then I had to reenter my destination while driving on a highway. The last time the system went black on this same trip everything I had stored, favorite addresses, last destinations, phone book, iPhone pairing, etc. were lost. I have a service appointment coming up for this issue and will update my review once that is completed.
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Infotainment System nightmare
J Hart, 07/20/2022
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Steer clear of this car. The infotainment system is known to be faulty, it shuts down while driving and takes all the electronic safety features with it. We’ve been fighting with Subaru for six months and have had to hire a lawyer to deal with them. An absolute nightmare!
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great buy
koba Shvelidze , 05/09/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I was nicely surprised; I didn't expect Subaru outback would be such a great car. I am very pleased with my purchase. it drives nicely, visibility is incredible, and looks very classy too.
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Out of the box ... a DUD
NotYetDefeated, 08/10/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased a '21 Subaru Outback. By the time I reached 700 miles, I had jumped the car 6 times to start it. Fortunately I still have my 2010 Forester to drive, because time after time, the Outback battery was dead whenever I tried to use it. Interior lights, warning signals ... no, there was no indication lights were on overnight, and I checked the car in the dark for anything that was "On". The dealer offered no explanation other than the battery was dead when I took it in. They replaced the battery today. The service tech would not say it was an upgrade, only that the price was over $400. The corporate Subaru gave me a $350 coupon for a battery replacement AT THE DEALERSHIP! Next step if I still have a problem ... call Parts and order an upgraded battery.
Great car
Gavin, 01/07/2021
updated 01/10/2023
2021 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
16 of 22 people found this review helpful
I love the space to carry gear and pets and I like the way it handles. I got the Onyx version and appreciate the extra grunt in the engine. I have owned the car for 2 years and have put on almost 45,000 miles. The car is fantastic and would recommend it to anyone.
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Owner
Len, 03/15/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
13 of 18 people found this review helpful
Navigation works terribly after "UPGRADE" in January, 2021. Subaru unable to fix and refuses to put older software that worked well back into my Outback. Dealership/service claims it has become a problem and Subaru does not have a "fix/upgrade" to eliminate the software bugs. Now I know why their reputation has deteriorated so badly. Gas mileage also dreadful on Outback turbo. I no longer recommend this auto!
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2021 subaru outback onyx edition xt
Todd A, 05/05/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
wow. worth every penny and more. get this car. it'll take you places, make you feel amazing. I love it like I love nothing else in this world.
Great car, infotainment is its Achilles heel
GME, 06/07/2023
2021 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my Outback new in 2021. Extremely comfortable car and the turbo is fantastic (though the break-in period was pretty awful as the power wasn't consistent - this fixed itself around 1500ish miles). Lots of space and the sound system is great. That being said, I'm going to be getting rid of the car due to the infotainment system. Just about everything from the radio to the climate is controlled via the infotainment. It is very laggy and poorly laid out. It frequently crashes and restarts. I can't fathom the infotainment system lasting more than five or so years before needing to be replaced. If this is the way Subaru is going with all of their vehicles I will never buy another Subaru again.
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Disappointed
Jim, 04/09/2023
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I’ve had this 2021 Outback for almost two years. Nearly 20,000 miles. The good: cannot beat this car in bad weather, snow, ice and mud. The all wheel drive is a confidence booster in those situations. The base engine is peppy and adequate for most. The road handling qualities are a lil stiff, but also create a fun driving experience. The all wheel drive corners on rails. Seats are comfortable on road trips. No problems yet with the windshield…. Now the bad: Brakes are beginning to feel grindy at 20k, gonna have to check that out. Auto start feature is annoying; but can be turned off. Anecdotally, the gas money saved pales in comparison to the cost of replacing the starter when it fails. Not if, when. Eye-sight does work, however you had better turn it off if you are driving winding mountain roads..it will think you are running into the mountain and give you a heart attack when it brakes. If you like farting in and out of traffic…it will not let you. The driver monitoring system is dumb and cannot deal with sunglasses. It will pester you until you turn it off. The worst thing, though, is the touch screen. 1-2 second delay on anything you do. That’s either a programming choice by the factory or poor hardware. ( my wife’s Lexus does not have a delay…maybe Subaru got the B team programmers?) Frustrating when parked; dangerous when moving. As with all touch screens, you have to tap the correct spot. With the laggy response, you are required to pay attention to where you are tapping and are not rewarded quickly enough with the correct response. This causes frustration and attention away from the road. The climate control “buttons” are minuscule and require you to focus on what you are tapping, especially the fan controls. VERY dangerous. Old school vehicles had knobs and levers that require minimal attention and could be operated by feel. Not so here. The navigation is hopelessly clunky to use. Partially due to the lag time in using the “buttons”. The lift gate has handy push button operation, however when using the dash button, it will not operate unless the drivers door is open. From a programming standpoint, the interlock could be set to only operate when in park… The proximity switch setting for the lift gate is handy, when it works, but the button that turns that feature on/off has no indicator telling you which position it is in. Trial and error is required. Recommendations for Subaru: bring back knobs, buttons and levers for the climate control. Add an LED to the lift gate proximity switch. Touchscreens are cool… only if they work and do not add to the workload of the driver. ( Aviation cockpit designers have learned that lesson via accidents and death..) As a programmer, I know that phone apps have delays intentionally written in so as to tickle our brains into reward cycles. This is not preferred in an auto. Reprogram or figure out how to get rid of the touchscreen input lag.
No, it's not perfect...but, it's a great car.
Sam L., 05/17/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Having owned a 2018 3.6R Touring with it's fair share of issues, the 2021 Touring XT is a much improved vehicle. It's not perfect, but you get a safe, well-powered vehicle, with basically every option you could want in a car. Yes, the CVT and the infotainment screen are not the highlights of this vehicle, but the ride, interior refinement, comfort and roominess are some of the items that make the Outback stand out. We have had the car for about 5 months with about 8k on the vehicle, which included a long road trip with 2 adults, 2 teenagers, a large dog and luggage for a week...I can reassure you that no one complained about the ride or space. It's just an easy car to drive and own. Go take a test drive, you will be pleasantly surprised.
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AWFUL Quality, Service and Support - Don’t LOVE IT
Gordo, 12/15/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Outback model seems to have a particular issue with water leaking through the doors. You could find some detailed information in the internet by simply searching “Outback water leaks”. Subaru won’t stand behind their product and the Customer Support is terrible. Not even a simple water leak can be fixed by the dealer or their Field Service Engineer.
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Overzealous safety systems mar a great car
vexxler, 10/21/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Personally I read these reviews more to find what if anything there is about a car that I might not like, so although I think the Outback is a very good car, I’m going to write the review I wish I had been able to read before I made my purchase. I got the Touring with the base engine. There are many things I love about the car including the look, comfort, quality of the materials, 4wd with great gas mileage, integrated cross bars and how safe you feel in the car when driving in bad weather. As far as the car itself, I love it. On a service appointment however, they gave me an XT with the turbo as a loaner and it was so much more fun to drive them the base engine in my car that I have some severe buyer’s remorse not getting the turbo. So what else is not to like? For me it’s a bunch of little things, most related to how the safety systems were implemented. I’m all for the addition of these safety systems, but they should work quietly in the background and these don’t, boy they really don’t. No matter what you do, the car is always beeping at you for something. The car will beep if you cross a lane marker inadvertently. This sounds great but in practice happens so often in normal driving, that I opted to permanently turn off the feature. My only complaint here is that when you turn off a safety feature, you are shown a warning light forever on your dash. When you are stopped at a light and the car ahead of you moves and you are slow to follow, you will get beeped. I’ve found no way to turn this off. If you take your eyes off the road for more than a second or two, you will get beeped with a stern warning. Again, a good feature in concept, but in reality goes off way too much during normal safe driving. I’ve found no way to turn this off. Let’s say you have the cruise control set to 65. The car will beep at you if it has to slow down below 65 to accommodate a slower moving car in front of you and then again will beep at you when it can resume 65 mph again. If there is even a little bit of traffic around you when you use cruise control, the beeping it generates is frequent enough to make you simply want to turn off cruise control just so you don’t have to hear the beeps. Many times on long drives there will be members of the family in the car trying to sleep and there is no way to use cruise control without the beeping. While all the beeping is annoying, there is a safety feature that might actually be dangerous. I’ve owned my car for about 9 months and have put about 18,000 miles on it. During that time the emergency breaking system has gone off at least a dozen times, none of them warranted. The main problem is that if the car detects another car directly in front of you, the system will sometimes deploy even if the vehicle is not in the same lane as you. Let me provide a couple of examples where emergency breaking was deployed. I’ll list them from the most serious, to the simply annoying. I am driving in the left lane of a 2 lane road and the road is banking sharply to the left. Because of the sharp bank, a car ahead of me in the right lane is directly in front of me which I would hit if I continued straight, but since my lane is also banking sharply left, it’s just a normal driving situation with no danger. I’ve had 3 instances of this type where the emergency breaking was deployed. Luckily each time it happened there was no one closely following behind me, but if there was, I can easily see how that scenario could have led to an accident. I was exiting a parkway and the exit ramp (like most do) banked sharply to the right. Directly ahead of me, but off the road was a disabled vehicle. If I were to continue straight I would hit this car, but of course because the exit ramp banks right and the car was off the road, there was no real danger, yet the braking was deployed. I am in the right lane traveling on a 2 lane road where the speed limit is 55 mph. A car in front of me is turning right. I do not need to slow down because the car will complete the turn before there is any danger, but the car deploys the emergency breaking anyway. This has happened twice. My garage is on an L so when I exit, I have to back straight out as far as I can go and then make a 90 degree turn to the left to exit to the street. At the edge of my driveway when I back out are some shrubs. If I back out too quickly and get close to the shrubbery, the car will deploy the emergency breaking. You have to realize that when the car deploys the emergency breaking it makes a very loud grating sound and jerks you violently to a stop. It feels the same as if you backed up quickly into a brick wall. The first time it happened I was sure I had hit something badly. Although this scenario has never happened to me yet, there may be occasions on a parkway where you may want to accelerate aggressively into a car in front of you in order to execute a lane change to pass a car in a small window of opportunity. Although it’s an aggressive move for sure, you see people do it all the time. I would not feel comfortable attempting such a move in this car for fear the emergency breaking would deploy at precisely the worst moment during such a maneuver. Eventually I opted reluctantly to turn off the emergency breaking feature. It takes about 7 key presses on the screen to do so and then you get to see a new warning light constantly. I could live with that, but to my dismay, this particular setting does not stick when you turn the car off. So unless you are willing to manually turn it off every time you get into the car, you’re stuck with it. This would have been a show stopper issue had I known about it before I purchased the car. So to sum up, I love the car itself but would not recommend it as it is. I would however buy it again in a second if they rectify the issues I mentioned. At a minimum all they would have to do is add some settings to be able to permanently turn off some of these features. Here’s hoping.
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Touchscreen and Audio Issues
Susan, 01/24/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
I've had my new 2021 Outback for less than a month and already have an appointment for service. I turned on the car and there is no audio. It's as if someone pressed a mute button. (There is no mute button.) Areas of the touchscreen are lagging or nonresponsive. I still have my 2005 Forester - the best car I've ever owned. This very early problem with the new Outback is disconcerting. This is not the quality I expect from Subaru.
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Downgraded!!
Katherine, 04/20/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 12 people found this review helpful
This is my 5th Subaru. I love these cars but my new 21 is a letdown in some respects. In order for the manufacturer to save money, they have made some disappointing changes. There is no longer a pull switch for the gas tank inside the car. That makes easy access for someone to steal your gas. The lift lever for the hood is now a chincy stick of metal that is very hard to pull out of the clip. What happened to the nice automatic hydralic lift switch?? There are no longer safe blue lights by the door locks so you can see where they are. It is impossible to find the locks in the dark. Come on. I love the blue color and the eye sight when it works. Please, no more money saving changes.
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asset cruncher
Dissapointed buyer, 12/17/2020
updated 12/21/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
24 of 43 people found this review helpful
nice car. good value. one glaring deficiency and that is the driver seat. thigh support mechanism in Touring XT very intrusive. feels like sitting on two golf balls. Very poor design. Can't drive it for any distance without severe pain to posterior. If I had known before hand that this was an issue I would not have purchased the vehicle. Cannot recommend. Subaru acknowledged that there is a lump issue with seats.Lumps remain after tech worked on the seats at 3 separate times to cure problem. Failed to correct. If you want to use this car for long distance travel be forewarned. Other than seat a competent car.
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Love it
Adam Pohlman , 05/05/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The technology is awesome and is worth the cost. We went with the limited trim for the leather interior, rear air vents and rear heated seats. But that is only scratching the surface for what terrific features that come in this trim and even in the premium. Couple the features with how the car drives and it is hands down a top winner.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Dream car
John, 05/06/2021
2021 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
For us it is the petfect car. We moved from owning several Lexus RX 350'S TO THE suburu Outback and love it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value