Used 2022 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Outback Premium Good Value
William, 10/25/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
224 of 230 people found this review helpful
We looked at a number of smaller SUVs before settling on the Outback. The main thing pushing to the Outback versus others (CR-V was the other finalist) were a) the superior all wheel drive system and the ability to tow. Most small SUV have essentially no towing capacity, Subarus do.. Also all wheel drive is not created equal and we have a steep sometimes snow covered driveway. Reviewing multiple real world tests showed that Subaru really has superior traction management system to most others. So the Subaru won on these fronts. Also helping was that the interior, even on the lower trims, is very nice. The absolute worst was the RAV, it is of the 'ultra cheap' interior trim school. We initially started to buy the Onyx version with the turbo engine since reports said the base 2.5L was underpowered. However neither my wife or I liked the throttle response of the turbo, it was very non-linear in power delivery. So we tried a "premium" with the base engine and preferred it. While some claim the turbo is quieter we really couldn't see that it was any better, both base and turbo engine make themselves heard under load, but in normal conditions they are silent. As to power, we found the base engine to be adequate. No it doesn't accelerate fast but it has enough power and will cross the Sierra Nevada mountains (7000 foot elevation change) at 70mph without trouble. At freeway speeds I don't hear the engine, it's most audible at lower speed accelerations. As to what's good and what's not so good. As stated the power is fine, the car is quiet, rides nicely, and corners well. Seats are comfortable even without all the extra adjustments that the upper models bring. Storage space is very good. It has great outward visibility, a major failing on many small SUVs. It has lots of features even in the premium trim level. Subaru did go overboard in running so much through the central screen. It is annoying to have to access the screen and go down a level just to do things like turn on the seat heaters. The voice control system is a joke, doesn't work at all don't even bother trying it! Subaru has a feature that allows you to wave a hand in front of the emblem on the tailgate to 'hands free' open the tailgate. This is their version on Ford's wave your foot under the bumper. It doesn't really work that well, it takes a long time to recognize the command so we really don't use the feature. Safety systems take some discussion. The blind spot monitoring is great. The lane guidance is fine IF you turn off the steering assist. As it comes from the factory it always has a level of steering assist that makes the car feel like it won't track in a straight line. Turn it off and it tracks perfectly. The adaptive cruise works very well. However with adaptive cruise comes the option of turning lane centering or active steering. My experience with this is very negative, to the point of being dangerous. If you turn on active lane centering the car ping pongs in the lane. If the road turns it will tend to run wide, ping pong, then leave the lane! At that point the system issues a warning and shuts off as it leaves the lane. I guess it was intended only for straight roads but even on straight roads you feel like you're having a tug of war with the system due to the ping pong behavior. While it sounds like a lot of negatives these aren't big issues. The positives far outweigh the negatives. We love the car, for the price it is hard to find something as comfortable, reliable, and capable. If you stay away from the higher models and options it remains a good deal. Like most Subar
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They Call it an SUV Now
rodi53, 01/23/2022
updated 05/05/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
91 of 97 people found this review helpful
I originally gave this car a 4-star review, but after living with it for seven months, I am changing my rating. Here's why: Mechanically and aesthetically, this is a nice car. However, the electronics spoil it. Just today I had to endure it going "beep beep beep" and flashing "Keep Eyes on the Road" every 3 seconds for 30 minutes until I got home. It was stuck on even though I disabled the Driver Monitoring System (whose menu resides inside other submenus). The large touchscreen is a nightmare. Just doing simple tasks like changing which vents the HVAC air comes from requires navigating multiple menus. Subaru has replaced reliable knobs, dials, and switches with that abominable touch screen. It's slow, full of glitches, and cumbersome to operate. The nav system is essentially useless. It has never once come up with the correct address when I tell it where I want to go. I now use Apple CarPlay and phone nav apps exclusively. I only have 2,800 miles on this car and so far, the screen has locked up three times rendering many systems inoperable. The only "fix" is to pull over, shut off the car, then wait 30 seconds before restarting the car and hoping the screen starts to function again. Unacceptable! And the cruise control??? OMG!!! Every time you press the up or down speed button, it changes by 5mph. Not one. Five. To change it by less than 5mph, you have to hold the button down and stare at the dash display while the numbers increment to your desired setting. Subaru touts its cars as safe, but forcing you to look away from driving to watch menus or displays in order to adjust virtually everything is a recipe for disaster. Then to add insult to injury, when you try to use the screens the car will again start beeping and telling you to keep your eyes on the road. I'd rather experience driver safety by avoiding an accident in the first place rather than having a car that "protects" me in an accident caused by inattention - inattention caused by having to deal with all these screens. I truly dislike this car. I can't wait to get rid of it. It's too bad really, because mechanically it's a decent vehicle and it looks good. Ride, handling, and performance are good for a wagon (yeah, I know - Subaru calls it an SUV now). Unfortunately, when it comes to the electronics, Subaru's engineers apparently have their collective heads located somewhere the sun never shines.
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2022 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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Great ride comfort and space, great with snow/ice
Jim in North Carolina, 07/19/2021
updated 07/26/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
77 of 82 people found this review helpful
I traded a beautiful 2020 Ford Escape Titanium Hybrid for a 2022 Subaru Outback Limited. I needed better seat comfort,quiet smoother ride, and more storage for my wife's travel wheel chair. I am sure I made the right choice. It has an excellent sound system and tech features. I liked the fuel economy of the hybrid but the Subaru is not bad and worth every penny spent to get features I need at this time in my life. I still want to travel and have comfort, room and safety. Jim in North Carolina
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Constant problems with vehicle
Imjim, 06/03/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
74 of 79 people found this review helpful
The first month I lived the car then on an open road, no traffic, sunny day it applied emergency braking. Dealer could not find problem. Has happened twice since but still can't find. GPS has quite working twice. A serious rattle that the dealership can hear but can't find. I am a fairly conservative driver but vehicle uses about 30% more fuel than epa with mixed city / highway of 13L/100km. Radio keeps going off station and volume varies. One year now and on 3rd 12v battery. Why? 7th new car I've ever owned and only one with problems and tons of them and subaru have been unable to repair.
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Transmission issues!!!!
Angie , 03/24/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
57 of 61 people found this review helpful
I picked up a 2022 Subaru Outback on 3/1. By 3/5 it started not shifting into gear right. Roadside cane out and it seemed ok. 7 days later the car had to be towed due to the car not accelerating and the transmission not shifting into gear. Dealership replaced the transmission valve body. They assure me the problem was fixed. I drove it 100 miles after the “fix”, same problems only worse. Had to be towed again with 500 miles total on the car. I was also left stranded in an area with no Uber service because roadside wanted more money to tow it an extra 25 miles to my home city, instead towing it 2 hours from my home. I was not allowed to ride in the tow truck to the dealership either.
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Disappointed
Disappointed , 06/08/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
I bought 2022 Subaru Outback with 13 miles on it. Owned it a year. Was driving on pleasant spring day, 62 degrees outside, overcast ,going approximately 45 mph on 2 lane road. I live in desolate northwest Kansas. No other cars, no trees and sunroof exploded. I almost wrecked from the sound. I am told toe bumper to bumper warranty doesn't cover it. Now I have a huge hole in my roof. Glass just doesn't explode. I am in my 50's, Owned several vehicles. Some with sunroof. Never had this problem. I called Subaru of America. Got no where. Why the warranty if not going to honor it?
Quality control issues that dealer cannot fix
smokey_mointain, 09/12/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
My 4th Subaru, 2nd Outback. Lost my faith completely in this Japanese brand. Brand new 2022, we owned it for 11 weeks and only drove for 2. Subaru dealer “tries” to fix it first and when cannot - returns saying can no longer reproduce. Issue is with the loud buzzing noise from the roof or pillar that is always there at 65 MPH+. Popping sound in the front suspension, this defect dealer cannot even hear even though when I rode twice with them they heard it both times. Subaru of America can’t care less, they sold every car they made before it is shipped, why worry about quality, just ship what you got. We should stop buying brand new cars and let the manufacturers feel that it is not ok to ship poor quality products.
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Outback Wilderness
Michael, 02/07/2022
updated 05/19/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
Where to start? There are a few things I do not like, and to be fair I traded in a 2021 Forester Touring model, so I was aware of a move down. I had read the reviews complaining of the "cubbies" and lack of storage space, it is true. Also, the radio is not very good. Not sure why Subaru didn't upgrade and put the Harmon Karden system in, but that is not a big deal. Wish it was easier to get in and out of, I am 6'2" and it was very easy to get into the Forester, I bang my knees on the Outback. That being said, I love this car! I do not understand the complaints about MPG - I drove over 500 miles this weekend (picked up the car Friday night) and during the break in period I have driven basically as I always have, and my combined MPG was 27.0 which is within the guidelines that are advertised. The turbo provided ALOT more punch that my Forester. I appreciate the ground clearance, the ride, which is smooth and it takes road imperfections, bump, potholes, etc., like they are not there. The seats are VERY comfortable, much better that the Forester. I was leery of the touch screen, but after being in the car all weekend, it is not an issue. Again, I don't understand the complaints I read about how "slow" it was to respond, I had zero issues with it. While there are things I would change, Subaru is not going to build a car just for me. I am very happy and look forward to many, many miles of enjoyable driving and now I am hoping and praying for a snow storm! UPDATE - 3 1/2 months in and over 13,000 miles and I am still loving this car! Have made a number of long trips and find that using the cruise control (set at 65 - I don't care if people pass me) and adjusted the cruise throttle to "economy" and I was getting 29 mpg. I plan to get new speakers later in the year but that is my only complaint. Solid and reliable - if you are a semi-old geezer like me you won't complain about the info-tainment, is it fast, nope, but I have a ritual now when I get in the car, start the engine (its a turbo and needs a few seconds) turn off the ASS - set the auto-hold, buckle up and head out. This car is worth the wait and I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off!
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Subaru electronics wrecked a great car
socalh2oskier, 10/28/2021
updated 11/22/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
170 of 188 people found this review helpful
This car drives great. It is comfortable. It is quiet. It is roomy. It has great cargo capacity. The interior is upscale. Why, then, such a low rating? One word: electronics. Subaru has wrecked an otherwise great car with its stupid touch screen panel that controls damn near everything. Besides being slow and not intuitive, the screen icons need to be pressed exactly right or they don't work. Thus, you need to really take your eyes off the road to use the damn thing, which makes it downright dangerous, in addition to being a huge annoyance. Most troublesome is the fan speed icons. They should have made the touch screen area bigger for those. I use them all of the time and invariably I miss. A simple toggle switch would be so much better. I traded a 2019 Outback 3.6R for this XT. I loved the way the 3.6R drove and the way the controls were set up. I should have kept that car--it is far superior in ease of use. Oh, one more thing--the NAV system in Subaru is horrible. Don't rely on it for anything. It didn't work well in my 2019 and it doesn't work well in the new one either. About 30 percent of the time it takes you nowhere close to your destination. I use my phone instead. So, in summary, I love the way the new car drives. But I HATE this moronic touch-screen control system. Who is the idiot at Subaru who thought this would be a good thing? Even worse, Subaru took away a lot of great storage space to make space for the giant, annoying, ugly touch screen. Update: So, after driving several hundred miles, I like this car even less. The only thing good about this car is that it drives quiet and smooth. In almost every other way, this car is much worse than the 3.6R it replaced. Storage area in the front used to be great. Now, it is extremely limited--mostly because they took away storage in the console to make space for the annoying touch screen. And storage in the doors used to be useful, but now it is so narrow you will smash your fingers trying to get something in or out of there. And let's talk about gas mileage. Subaru claims 30 mpg highway. But I am averaging far less--only about 25-26 mpg on the highway. I averaged about 27-28 with the 3.6R. I like the firm seats in the 3.6R better. The seats in the 2022 are much softer. One good thing--my wife likes the softer seats in the new car better. And, one of my biggest gripes, and this would have been a deal killer had I known--the new electronics system won't recognize my ipod nano touch (7th generation) that contains over 2,000 songs that I can no longer access anywhere else. My 3.6R connected fine with the ipod nano. Apparently the new unit was purposefully designed to only connect with newer electronics. When my lease was up on the 3.6R, I was trying to decide whether I should buy the 3.6R, get a new Outback Touring XT, or try a Mazda CX-5 Signature. I regret my choice with the new Outback. And this is from someone who has owned a long line of Subarus dating back to the early 90s. Bottom line, Subaru with this generation is getting far away from the simple and reliable cars that developed a cult following. Instead, Subaru appears to be all in for stupid, complicated electronics. Subaru, are you listening? The complicated electronics take away from the car's character and make it less pleasant to drive. Please, please, please dump the annoying and dangerous touch screen and bring back the simplicity of the previous generations, like the old 2.5XT, or the more recent 3.6R. This new car will likely be okay for someone has never owned a previous generation Outback. But for those who, like me, are coming out of the previous generation, this car is a HUGE step down--a GIGANTIC mistake by Subaru. I will be looking to trade this heap at the first reasonable opportunity, probably for a Mazda CX-5 Signature. At least the Mazda doesn't have a touch screen.
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Not a techie
peashooter, 01/16/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
45 of 49 people found this review helpful
I am not a fan of bells and whistles so I turn most off. Too much can and does go wrong. Having worked with electronics for decades I am not fan of having it control everything in a car. I plan on getting 300,000 miles on our Outback. After the warranty runs out I will do my own maintenance. With the way Subaru engines are layed out it will be so much easier to do so. I can reach the most replaced parts. They are easy to get to without too much trouble. Had a 97 legacy wagon with over 300k before it gave up the ghost. Most reliable car we've ever had. Interior has solid looks and feel, appears well made, not cheap. Handles great in curves without too much body lean .Easy to drive 30+ highway/city and lots of room. We can actually get 3 people in the back seat.
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Overall great SUV / Wagon
JbDelmar, 11/08/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
Comfortable, well made, quiet, durable, versatile, good looking, handles well, retains its value, affordable, relatively efficient, quick, safe, spacious, reasonable towing. Overall this car is a net positive, significantly, but the rest of my comments are focused on what should be improved. Again, comparatively, this car is an outstanding value. I compared to the little SUVs like CRV, RAV4, Forester, etc. - it's way above these. I also compared to Honda Passport, the Highlander, and Mazda CX9, Volvo wagons and small/mid SUVs. It's a better balance in size, capability, value retention, cost, gas mileage and power than those - in my opinion. Of course, it's a matter of preference. Had the Passport but Elite been $10k less, and had better reviews in Consumer Reports, I may have gone with that - but $10k! The front and back cameras are inexcusably bad (the Forester and Ascent are worlds better. How does this happen within the same car maker?). But, they basically do what they need to do... I don't get the intensity of the complaints about the tech. Ok, the screen can be a bit laggy at times, but it is functional and works. Buttons would be fine, but this is fine, too. I also don't get the intense frustration over the cvt. Generally, it is smooth. Yes, I acknowledge the turbo and the fake gears don't match all that well. There are odd times that the power doesn't seem consistently available, but overall it is a smooth and punchy powertrain. It seems a software update could fix this easily - this is not a hardware issue. It is improving with time; after 500 miles it already feels smoother and the gas mileage is slightly picking up. The gas mileage on the turbo is not what the EPA suggests, particularly locally. But, I traded in a 2020 Forester (which was also very very good) and while its gas mileage was a bit better than the Outback XT, the Forester didn't match the EPA either, especially around town. This is a nice motor though. Quiet, quick and pretty smooth. The seats are really comfortable. I love all the space in the back. The face recognition is more reliable than it was in the Forester. Probably works 80+% of the time. Headlights are bright and effective and the headlight steering seems beneficial. The armrest is much better than the Forester's (Forester's was too far back and too low to even be useful). I don't understand why the Outback gets a regular little sunroof but the Forester had a nice big sunroof. But the little sunroof looks and works fine. The handsfree hatch opener works once you get the hang of it - nice feature. I got the Subaru hitch and wiring; they look clean and it's great having 2" hitch. Oh, and the Harmon Kardon sounds great.
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Looking forward to a long road trip
BobInAZ, 04/12/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
Took delivery in Jan 2022. Wife's car but I'm allowed to help break it in, now at 2000 miles. Not a fan of CVT but it's reality today. The XT is powerful, easily climbs over passes from Phoenix to Flagstaff with passing power. Can be a bit jumpy off the line until you learn to finesse the CVT. Fuel economy can vary a lot with driving style. Big vehicle that looks good without some of the geeky polarizing features found in certain name brands. The Outback isn't cheap with the top trim but it has a quality feel that goes with the price. Lots of good safety tech and effective adaptive cruise control and blind spot warnings, so many features you really need to read the manual and personalize this car to take full advantage of tech that will make your life easier, such as driver recognition and voice commands. Quiet and high-quality interior in the Limited version, and really nice sound system. Agree the touch-screen interface could be easier but it's a common issue with many other car makers. Learn how to use your smartphone interface and voice commands and enjoy.
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2022 outback limited xt
Dale, 06/27/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I have had this 2022 Outback limited XTnow for about 1 1/2 yrs. After I made the 2023 software update to that crazy touch screen, now it is not to bad. But the back up camera is still to low on the display! You must find the firmware/software on the internet and do it! This is to large of an update for WiFi updates! The dealer or Subaru will not tell you about this, but if under warranty it is fee at the dealership. Bereave me get this update! I use this mainly for trips and use my 2021 Crosstrek for town driving. I get on a average about 26 MPG. So not great, but it has good power with the turbo. You must get use to the throttle response. Seats and ride are great. So far have not had any problems other than getting use to the touch screen! Bring back buttons. The voice command is a joke - just about useless. Nav is an outdated TomTom format. If you keep your maps updated it seems to be more accurate than my Garmin, I use both together on trips. Garmin is much easier to use. Yes I would recommend this Outback Limited XT if you have the latest firmware/software for the touch screen.
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Subaru does not stand behind or support their cars
Never again! Don't buy Subaru, 06/20/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
35 of 38 people found this review helpful
I've had problems with my car from day one. Every time I take it to the dealer for the issues they make it sound like I don't know what I'm talking about. It is unsafe to use the safety features on the Outback Touring I bought because the lane keep/assist tries to drive me across the double yellow line and into oncoming traffic. The crash avoidance function frequently jams on the brakes to stop the car when there is nothing in front of the car and no collision to avoid. The car continually tells me to put my hands on the steering wheel, even when going through a turn. My hands are always on the steering wheel The battery has gone dead several times when parked. Everything is off. And the real clincher, I bought this car because it was supposed to get excellent mileage My driving is 95% highway miles at 67 mph. I'm lucky if I get 21 mpg. The dealer has not made any adjustments to remedy this. I'm a conservative driver. Not a lead foot and have the car set for eco. The tailgate doesn't like to open. Hands free worked a few times but even the dealer couldn't get it to work consistently. Using the release on the dash doesn't work. The only way to open the tailgate is to push the button under the light and I have to do this multiple times to get it to open. The GPS is a joke and can't be trusted. I tell it to go somewhere and it says, "calling..." where ever I asked to go. I don't have an accent and everyone who has ridden in my car has tried to get it to go to a destination only to have the car call instead. When I use the TomTom it takes me way out of the way to get to the destination. When I went to register my car, the office was on the right side of the road and the GPS took me 3-miles beyond and had me make a u-turn, return and turn left, across traffic. The electronics are horrible! The control panel frequently blacks out. Subaru needs to do another update to the software because it's beyond buggy! As for the drive, although the interior is comfortable, the CVT frequently "bumps" the car. It is a very jerky drive. I drive highway. This happens at 67 mph. I don't think this would be noticeable if I drove city but who knows. This car is beyond buggy! In the short time I've owned this car it's been at the dealers more than any other car I've had and I bought it new! The dealer hasn't fixed the problems. I contacted corporate and the dealership was supposed to contact me. They never did. My 'Ru's name is now "Trade In" because that's what's going to happen as soon as the car I ordered (definitely NOT a Subaru) is available. I'd always thought Subaru made dependable cars but they really missed the mark with this model/year. The ride is nice but the electronics kill the car and even Subaru doesn't support their car.
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Electronics ruin the car
JC, 12/20/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
72 of 80 people found this review helpful
Constant issues with the electronics on this car, facial recognition system that sets the seat and mirror position fails multiple times per day and moves the seat and mirror to a default position that you cannot adjust. Safety features regularity produce false alerts and fails entirely at least once a week. Main touch screen fails weekly at a minimum while driving. Dealership service department described these problems to me as known behaviour.
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4th Outback, best one yet, update
CVZ, 01/21/2022
updated 07/25/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
We’ve owned 2016, 2018, 2020 outback ltd and now 2022 Outback Ltd Touring - best one yet. We only traded in the 2020 because we got more than we paid for it and still negotiated new price with dealer, with $ help from Subaru USA as it was our 4th one! Touring has all bells and whistles; especially like heated steering wheel, seats and front view camera. Just returned from 3,500 road trip and it drove great using all driving aids. These made trip much less stressful. We’ve owned Volvos, Jeep Grand Cherokees and BMWs. Overall this is out best car! One year later, another long road trip, car worked flawlessly, comfortable for up to a 17 hr day, safety features are all used and appreciated. We think we’ll keep it…
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Not reliable! Stay away!!!
Subaru sucks, 06/12/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
32 of 35 people found this review helpful
I’m not happy with this vehicle and Subaru’s customer service. (Dealership and Subaru America) I have 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness. The vehicle is now at 22000 miles. I have been driving for 6 months. Check engine light was on/ Rab disabled/ Eyesight disabled/Cruise control disabled 3 different times. 3 rd time,every single warning light was on, like a Christmas Tree. No solution so far. Customer service sucks at Subaru America and service department.I will not buy Subaru again.
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Great promise but poor delivery
Former Sub Fan, 03/29/2022
updated 09/30/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
46 of 51 people found this review helpful
I leased a 2022 Subaru Outback Premium here in Canada. This is my fourth Outback and my second brand new model (and my 6th Subaru). For the price of this vehicle and its promises made in its commercials and marketing material, it does not deliver on any of Subaru's promises. When I picked up my new Outback, it had two dents in it which the dealer promised to fix but I had to fix myself in the end (I was eventually refunded for the repair), I added a Subaru trailer hitch for my bicycle rack but it is not pleasant to use as the rear sensor trigger constantly when I am in reverse when the bike rack is on the hitch. The facial recognition system works only 2 out of 3 times at best and the seats and mirrors only adjust automatically inconsistently when it does work. The bluetooth function only works 60-70% of the time and the sound just drops, every now and then, for no reason when it does work. Apple CarPlay only works if you connect the iPhone with a cable to one of 2 USB ports in the dash area so you have wires hanging out near your gear shift (wireless CarPlay has been around for years now but Subaru has not kept up with technology at all). The CarPlay feature, however, sometimes just will not work at all. Sometimes the car will not play any sound at all from any source (radio, Sirius, Media, bluetooth, phone, etc.) and the volume control looks like it is adjusting the volume when you turn it and mute on/off appears to work but zero sound regardless. The car developed a loud rattling noise underneath which comes and goes - no obvious reason why. Connecting the car to WiFi is hit and miss and the car seems to forget any settings you enable or apply. Do not try to change the vehicle's bluetooth name - it does say in the manual that you can do this and it will let you do it but the car, again, seems to only recognize its original name and not the new name that appears in its menu system. this car has "Napa Leather" on the interior, however, this is only on the seating surface - the backs of the seats are vinyl and the vinyl on the front passenger seat was damaged in my new Outback (it was torn at a stitch and you can see the bright white underside of the vinyl. - I had to have the seat replaced). The electronics in this vehicle are not reliable, it seems, at least in my vehicle; the touch screen controls lag in their repose so I often find myself needing to press screen controls multiple times to activate things like the controls for climate control and then the button presses are sometimes queued and then all of them are executed. The gas-saving auto-engine stop feature causes the entire car to lurch when the engine restarts itself while idling at a stop sign or light. My car has less than 200Km on it and these are the issues that I am already experiencing. Subaru Canada was zero help and instead steered me back to my dealership but the dealership did not build this vehicle so they cannot fix fundamental design flaws.
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Major issues with the car:
Sarah M. , 03/04/2022
updated 09/20/2024
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
82 of 93 people found this review helpful
I have never had a Subaru before. I do not understand how this car can be so popular. Problems I have had: Sometimes, the car will continue to play my music while I have picked up a call or made a call. I have to shutdown the audio- Apple Music or Amazon music in order to stop music from playing while I’m calling or taking a call. It is random. The automatic rear door entry works intermittently. The car handle unlock works intermittently. The car app remote start will say the car is started, and it isn’t. And yes, I know it turns off if you don’t get there in 10 minutes. Sometimes, the remote start fails completely. It gives an error message. I have two phones attached to my Outback Bluetooth. Mine is set as primary. Yet, it ALWAYS links to my daughter’s phone when she is in the car. I did sit down with a Subaru tech support rep. She explained that if you plug a phone into the ports under the screen, it will override your preferences. So, we no longer use the front charging ports at all, and yet, it STILL prioritizes my daughter’s phone. I have to manually override it to get it to use accept my phone as primary- EVERY SINGLE TIME. The remote start and stop does not work consistently. And yes, I know that there’s some wild metrics- like it won’t turn off if you have a defroster on, but it SO random that it can’t possibly be working right. Like, I’ll be in the line for Starbucks, it turns off and then immediately changes its mind and turns back on- even though, I didn’t remove my foot or even barely move my foot from the break. The heating/cooling system isn’t on at all, and I hadn’t adjusted ANYTHING on the car. I can’t figure out the heating and cooling system to save my life. Again, the Subaru tech felt that I needed to change it to “full auto” and my system would run fine. But yesterday it was 65 outside, I set my indoor temp for 80, and it was blowing insanely cold air. I had to set it for 84 before it started putting out heat. On the other hand, when it was 20 degrees outside, I had the temp set to max hot. Then, it got to be too hot, and I kept turning it down—it didn’t begin to cool down to a tempid temperature until I set it for 64. I used the lane assist on the car when using cruise control. It kept trying to steer me into other lanes. I was literally arm wrestling the car for three hours. My arm hurt because anytime I let go of the steering wheel, it took me HALF WAY into the other lane of traffic before self correcting back into the right lane. That is dangerous. The Subaru tech person told me that she felt the pull initially, but that the car locks onto the car in front of you to keep the car centered, so if that car sways, your car will sway. That seems like a horrible design flaw is that’s the case. I think it’s just screwed up. The obstacle detected will flash on intermittently. There won’t be ANYTHING in front of me and flashes on- there aren’t any cars. There isn’t any debris and flashes the red hazard detector. It’s crazy. And yet, I intentionally TRIED to get it to work by not slowing down with a car in front of me, and it didn’t go off. I find it working as an obstacle detected when I’m in a drive thru more often than anywhere else. If you are backing up at the same time as another car (like at a grocery store), the alert sensors don’t work. This has happened multiple times. These are just SOME of the things happening with the car… Things work so randomly that it is impossible to know why they work at all. I would give this car negative stars. It isn’t worth $500 let alone $40,000. That’s not a joke, but now I’m stuck with it unless other people read this and say, huh maybe it shouldn’t do this, but mine does it too. Seriously- does your Subaru do this?!?! Update: NEVER EVER buy a Subaru. The only thing worse than the car is the service. The HVAC- two settings- incinerate or Freeze. Alerts go off for no reason- constantly. Lane centering improved with eyesight recalibration but still pulls randomly into other lanes of traffic. Others have reported the same issue. This is not normal. A properly operating one you can drive hands free..though you shouldn’t. I’ve had pieces falling off the car over and over again. Once the bumper to bumper is over, they won’t fix it even though it’s the same pieces that fell off before. USB ports keep falling out. Have had Starlink module failures- replacing it fixed the push start failures. I have the car thinking it’s on- notice on display when it’s turned off. I have to turn the car back on and then off again to have it recognize the car is off. I’ve had seatbelt sensor errors. It was the trunk struts failing that caused the trunk hatch to freeze randomly open. The only thing Subaru says: no error codes- no problems. The car is working normally. My car will end back into the used car ring and when that happens, I feel so sorry for the person who gets it. Never ever buy a Subaru.
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Good SUV with some drawbacks
1st Time Subaru Buyer, 11/16/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
28 of 31 people found this review helpful
Bought it new in June 2021 - Currently, about 3800 miles. The GOOD list: 1. SUV drives like a car. Good ride quality and comfortable seats. 2. Able to handle off road trips (but not like Jeep Wrangler Rubicon). 3. Reasonably priced for a good car with some compromises. 4. Should be able to handle well in snow with all terrain tires and X-mode. 5. Great amount of space in the trunk. 6. Seats and interior areas are easy to clean. The BAD list: 1. Touch screen, GPS, electronics are not great - as many of reviewers have already noticed. I personally like to use Apple Car Play for GPS navigation. 2. Fuel economy can be better (but, I rather have the powerful turbo engine). 3. The location of screen is to low (a safety issue) - I prefer touch screen/GSP to be at the eye level like Honda Accord or BMW. 4. Lack of front storage compartment - Wireless charger compartment is too narrow (If you drop a quarter in there, good luck of getting it out). 5. Safety system is too sensitive. Car beeps constantly and can be annoying. 6. No memory seat for a $41k car. The driving dynamic improved greatly after some reprogramming by the dealer.
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Third One Worst One
David P, 06/18/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
Our first two Subarus were perfectly fine. The only issues were normal wear and wear parts that needed to be replaced Our third Subaru has got to be a lemon. We bought an XT Touring mode loaded out with options. We loved the car because it had many luxury features and we didn’t have to spend an extra 10k for a Lexus to get the same stuff. So far, we owned the car a year and put 20k miles on it with a host of problems. 1) the mysterious cracked windshield. 2) both fans in the ventilated seats make a vibrating/grinding noise, 3) the touch screen will go black from time to time 4) the lower exterior door trim came loose and is peeling off. 5) when driving we quite often get a message that says RAB and eyesight disabled. Like the electronics are going haywire driving navigational. 6) The CVT transmission is not smooth. We have to use 93 octane for the car to run smoother and for a small improvement in CVT performance. 7) the air conditioner has a mind of its own. It often keeps switching from max AC to auto air on its own. 8) the key fobs have raised buttons. When the fob is in my pocket I occasionally unlock or lock the doors. 9) the auto start is only available through an app which takes more time to start your vehicle. 10) we’ve had the doors stay locked on two occasions even after pressing the unlock button. We pressed the button, the vehicle lights went off but the doors remained locked. We had to get the other key fob to get the doors unlocked. 11) at times, the vehicle recognizes a different driver when the same driver has been operating the vehicle that day. 12) the leather on the passenger side seat has already started to tear at the threads 13) when the auto cruise control is engaged the car will pull into the right lane without warning 14) the auto start doesn’t work most of the time. When it does work, the car often starts right back up as soon as it’s shut off. Subarus have always been good to us and everyone else we know. But not this one. We’ve got a lemon.
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Best Outback ever!
Otto P Beagle, 12/27/2021
updated 07/22/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
44 of 50 people found this review helpful
8,500 miles & 7 months into our new 2022 Outback Limited, base engine and better by far than our 2000, 2005 and 2013 Outbacks.MPG has been a pleasant surprise as speed limit driving has resulted in 33 to 35 highway MPG and city driving is above 26 MPG estimated by EPA. Spirited driving is fun and very quick but will adversely impact MPG. This is the safest Outback ever as the well designed safety features compliment a great platform and make my wife and I better drivers! In a very tough vehicle supply year our Kalamazoo Subaru dealer provided a very fair price and buying experience. As a non-techie the touch screen and steering wheel controls are user friendly including voice command and Android/Apple auto navigation systems. This is the quietest , smoothest Outback ever as the base engine and CVT work well in both city and freeway driving. Turbo is not needed as the tranny mimics 8 auto speeds and quickly accelerates for merges or keeps RPM low around town. The premier AWD system provides great traction and control in all weather - paddle shifters are much appreciated in icy or snowy conditions, however I recommend Blizzaks during the winter instead of the the OEM all weather tires . Concerning distractions, I recommend taking care of presets before driving and learning the safety systems and audible/visual prompts to become a better driver. I can attest that we have already avoided low speed collisions due to eyesight and rear braking systems! In addition, auto start/stop and vehicle hold are well designed and easily tolerated. Compared to previous models and competitors, the 2022 Outback Limited is luxurious and a great value with leather heated front and rear seats, Harman Kardon sound, standard roof racks and towing capability - highly recommended!
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I'm done with Subaru after driving them for 20 yrs
DLBumper, 04/29/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
26 of 29 people found this review helpful
Others have noted the electronics. I have to concur and add my warnings. I owned Forresters for over 20 years. My last was the XT Touring fully loaded. When Subaru stopped making the turbo, my only choice was an Outback if I wanted to stay with the brand. It was a VERY expensive mistake. I owned it for all of 8 months before selling it at a loss. I bought an Outback touring XT with just about every option. And I did take it on long test drives in August (that's important). First off, the auto on/off ignition is not only annoying, it's dangerous. On more than one occasion, I would slow to a stop at a yield in urban high speed situations only to have the ignition shut off and then take unnecessary time to turn on coupled with the turbo lag and I was almost hit on several occasions. In August when I test drove the car, the on/off never kicked in because I had the air conditioner on high. Now to the interface....I thought I could get used to it...no. It's just plain dangerous insofar as having to hit the buttons just right. And 3 touches on finiky buttons to turn off a seat warmer? No. At least the software update located the on/off ignition button on the first screen. But still. And I can verify what other reviewers have said about the driver recognition only being right 50% of the time. Finally and most dangerous: I got locked in the car. I was running errands and pulled into my final stop. I turned off the car and went to open the door and couldn't . The handle didn't work. I then tried the manual locks and the electric locks and the door didn't open. I tried turning on the car and opening the door (nope) and then shutting off the car and using handle (nope). I finally had to roll down the window and pull the exterior door handle to open the door. It happened again before I sold the car. I reported all these problems to the dealer and have them do a complete check up before I sold the car........and of course they couldn't replicate any of the issues. I even brought along a friend who had been in the car when the door issue happened and who also witnessed the driver recognition system issues. That was my last Subaru....period.
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Solid crossover alternative
SnowinMN, 12/09/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
This car has been far and away a more refined driving experience than the 2009 Forester I'm trading it for. That was a good car but the new Outback has more space, a smoother engine and better gas mileage. Since we will be using it as our retirement vehicle for road trips and camping over the next 10-15 years I am happy with the interior comfort as well, I find these seats to be much more forgiving than the hard leather ones in the '09 Forester. The infotainment screen takes some adapting as far as climate controls and the size of the 11.6 inches of area but it is surprisingly intuitive for a person to learn and get the hang of. I do appreciate still having buttons for volume and temperature controls, I still think buttons are better than a touch screen. The safety is unmatched in this thing and with winters and bad drivers I think this gives us some added security. The 2.5 Boxer engine is perfectly adequate for the driving we do, but I can certainly see why some people would want the extra pep of the turbo. The CVT keeps the engine in its power band so it feels peppier than the 2.5 w/ 4-speed we had in the Forester (I don't care what Subaru says though, I will be changing the fluid every 36k miles). The 4-speed was fine but it liked to lug the engine too much. Overall a good wagon with a good balance of tech, comfort, pricing, and MPG. Looking forward to the next 200,000 miles!
Great ride!
Sharon B, 06/29/2021
2022 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 21 people found this review helpful
This is actually a 2022 Outback. Its command center—basically a tablet in the car—is phenomenal. I’m still learning the ropes. My favorite right now is how it shows the weather for your destination and along your route.
They won’t respond to a repeat problem
Bill Kurtz , 08/03/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
June 2022 due to a rock I had to replace the windshield, January 23, windshield cracked, no reason detected, dealer agreed it was probably defective and replaced it at no charge, March 23, same issue, pull out of the garage and the windshield is cracked, nothing hit it to cause the crack. Went back to the dealer, they would not look at the windshield, flat out refused. I called Subaru’s US customer support, they took a report, said they had to talk to the dealer. They have refused to this day, August, 23, to return my call or acknowledge there is a problem with their windshields. This is my 3rd Subaru, it will be my last. Their refusal to even talk to me about a problem is just unreal.
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Outback Limited XT
John, 12/20/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have had 3 other Outback and the 2022 Outback Limited XT is definitely the best car I have owned. My previous Outback’s have all lacked power, but the turbo on the XT model makes the car much nicer to drive when climbing mountain passes or accelerating onto a freeway. The gas mileage is still better than my previous 2007 2.5i Outback. Some reviewers complain about the electronics, but I believe software updates have fixed the majority of issues. I find the center console responsive and easy to use. However with so many features you do need to read the manual. I am not a fan of the auto-start feature, but that is easily turned off. I find the engine starts when I ease off on the brake pressure even though the car is still stationary. The iSight system works well and I haven’t changed any of the defaults. The lane departure warnings on narrow roads can be a bit annoying but overall I think the system makes the car safer to drive. The steering is very light compared to my other car, a Honda Accord Sport, and occasionally seems to have little feedback from the road. But I have gotten used to it and only notice for the first few minutes of driving. So after 1500 miles I don’t really have any major complaints. The car is very well designed in my mind.
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Owned 3 months, been to dealership for repairs twi
Disappointment , 07/21/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Car drives ok, I have the onyx. But it seems to be built cheaper in 2022. I have numerous issues; from electronics faulting in Starlink, roof rack getting loose, rattling from front cameras in windshield. All within 2k mileage.
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Fabulous (but I liked my Crosstrek better)
Roy F, 11/26/2021
2022 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
For reference, I am 70 year old male / married. A lot of this will be comparison to the 2018 Crosstrek Premium we traded in for the 2022 Outback Base model. For my/our needs our 2018 Crosstrek was perfect, we don't need a more spacious back seat, nor a bigger cargo area. I had one unreconcilable complaint about the Crosstrek the driver's seat, it was okay around town but a three hour drive left me in agony. (fit my smaller wife perfectly) When it was time to trade, the made in Indiana Outback was a better choice than a made in Japan supply line issues Crosstrek or Forester. I would still (Nov 21) be waiting for a '22 Crosstrek. FYI Forester tends to have a lot higher depreciation than Crosstrek and Outback. Dealer made me a trade in offer for the Crosstrek that I could not refuse. (another reason to buy Subaru) The Outback feels BIG (bigger than I need / bigger than I want) It is serene, comfortable, luxurious. I don't care for all the electronic driver's aids. I use the eyesight lane keeping warning function, but the active steering felt like a bobsled bounding off the sides of the down hill track, made my wife nauseous. All of that information is entertaining, to play with, but it is not essential and becomes distracting. I can't image why you need to spend thousands more for a more premium model. Do love the eyesight auto dimming headlights, LED headlights and fog lights are SO much better than HID. Outback has an advantage that I could put a full size spare tire in it, could not do that in the Crosstrek. I lost about 5 MPG, Outback is bigger and a lot heavier. 39 MPG highway / 27 MPG city for the Crosstrek, 34 MPG highway / 23 MPG city for the Outback. My idea of necessary speed is being able to move out to pass someone on 2 lane road, Crosstrek just flat out went, Outback is a lot more leisurely. Subaru quality is legendary and justified, You can feel that REAL all wheel drive reaching out and getting you there in bad weather, I won't even look at an another brand any more. FYI I hate Yokohama tires, you buy a Subaru for it's all weather capability and they put on tires with marginal wet weather and poor winter weather traction, Also the ones on the Outback have an annoying side-to side shimmy on some road surfaces. Also they (both cares) lose about 5 PSI a month.
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Jerky Transmission
Not Happy, 01/03/2022
updated 01/06/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 25 people found this review helpful
Transmission is very jerky shifts while riding at steady speed. Leak in air conditioner with a brand new car. Dealer refilled. Now have to go back as it all leaked out. No Happy with purchase. Air was tied but transmission still has jerk .
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The electronics are the worst.
Dog Mom, 10/04/2021
updated 04/07/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
79 of 94 people found this review helpful
3rd update: After a total computer system melt down during a road trip out of state, the dealership had the car for over 8 weeks waiting on a "fix" from Subaru. The car is currently in storage and we have purchased a different vehicle as we work through our next move. 2nd update: Subaru has this down to a science. I bring the car to the dealer when all the electronics malfunction so they can witness all the problems. By the time I show up for my service appointment, the vehicle is working perfectly, they can't find any error codes, and that means they can't/won't fix it. You can add to the growing list of electronic issues all of the door locks. The doors do not always unlock. Not when I grasp the handle, not when I use the key fob. When the vehicle is feeling especially frisky, it may take 7-8 tried to get a door to open. At this point, the car is a lovely driveway ornament for local trips only, because I don't trust it from a reliability standpoint. Update: I have grown to hate this car. The radio cuts out and refuses to go back on on an almost daily basis. When the radio goes down, it sometimes takes the safety features with it (based on the number of lights that suddenly appear on the speedometer display). When I brought the car to the dealer with the electronics screen locked up and none of the buttons on the steering wheel functioning, they ordered... a new screen - which did not solve the problem. I have so many problems with the car I am on a first name basis with the service staff. This car has spent more time in service than any car I've previously owned. Many of the car's electronics problems can be solved by pulling over and disconnecting the battery, like rebooting an old PC. In addition to a stand alone nav unit, I now have a stand alone radio option. The dealer is apparently incapable of fixing the problems with the electronics. Gawd I miss my 2013 Outback. Auto start/stop is ridiculous, the first time the car rumbled to a halt at a stop light I thought it had engine trouble. The restart is not smooth and I have to turn this nonsense off every time I get in the car. The navigation system is the worst. Last road trip it suggested a detour that would add 5 hours to my drive home, I ignored it, muted the navigation blather and for 51 miles, every time there was a wide spot in the road to turn around, the navigation system tried to take me off a highway and onto a narrow canyon road into a National Park. Three road trips and three times I've quickly muted Subaru and switched to a freestanding Garmin for navigation. The Subaru system is basically unusable and totally untrustworthy. Don't even attempt to use it to navigate numbered forrest service roads. Garmin, GAIA and Google will all navigate on these roads, but the OFFROAD Subaru can't. Eyesight braking brakes all the time, even when there is no good reason to brake. Getting a coffee for the road, be prepared for your car to emergency brake nearly every time you inch forward in the drive thru or scooch up in your driveway to park. Neighbor parked his new motorhome on the corner of our street and as I turned onto the street the car's brakes panic stopped all by themselves as I turned the corner. I've had the car for five months and the automatic braking has almost caused two accidents. Whoever designed the interior should be fired. My 2013 Outback had ton of storage cubby holes. The 2022 Wilderness has none. What used to fit in the 2013's cubby holes, now takes up the entire footwell of both rear passenger seats. The doors won't fit a standard 24 ounce water bottle or much of anything else and the opening is so narrow I have no idea how I'm going to wipe that area out, no vacuum I own will fit. I guess it will just collect dust and pet hair. The slide-in phone charger only works if you don't have a protective case on your phone. If you have any case, the phone is too thick to fit in the opening. After turning off as many of the car's automatic "safety" features as possible, I typically turn off the entire unit. I really, really, really wish I could get the 2013 Outback 6-cylinder back that I traded in for this mess. I loved that car. I do not love the Outback Wilderness.
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From Luxury to Subi
Dr Evil, 01/21/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
25 of 29 people found this review helpful
I love our Outback Wilderness. Very cool color scheme, comfortable non-leather seats, rugged bed liner for the puppies, plenty of power. Ok, so my other car is a Porsche Taycan Turbo and I have owned all matter of ultra-luxury, exotics, many BMWs, etc, but I have also owned 4 or 5 subis and they have all been great cars. Luxury car money is frivolous when you can get this subi for $40K. It has most of the same features. Ok it is slightly noisier, handling is basic, but the tech works just fine (my porsche computer interface takes time to warm up just like the subi touch screen). The 9.5" ground clearance is great for Colorado, also the skid plate and drive modes. Only thing I would (will) change is ditching the A/T tires for summer/winter switchouts. A/T makes no sense unless you actually drive on all-terrains. All said it is a crazy good deal, does eveything, has more space than a luxury SUV, its easy for grandma to get into, more utility than out small pickup, and I like eyesight and the adaptive cruise.
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Far less than expected quality
Disappointed owner, 05/10/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
A re-occurring water leak in the front floorboard passenger side has resulted in a foul odor. So far dealership has been unable to resolve the issue. X-mode for winter driving is very dangerous, it causes over braking and put us into a side skid on a snowy road almost sending us over a 100' embankment. Safety braking overreacts putting the brakes on when perceived obstacles alongside the road are falsely seen as being in the roadway on very curvy roadways. Lane-keep will not allow driver override to avoid debris in the roadway which could cause accidents and death at worst and severe vehicle damage at best if the debris is large such as rocks or crash debris. The only redeeming qualities are the quiet smooth ride and very good gas milage from the 2.5 boxer in-line 4-cylinder.
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Too many Nannies!!!
ProDriver555, 06/03/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Mechanically this car is fine.It drives well, gets good MPG, and has tons of room and features. And that's where some of the problems lie. The steering assist/lane keeping features are intrusive. The car wiggles down straight highway with the steering assist ON - a strange feeling. The lane keeping system CAN NOT be turned off, and constanty whines about the double yellow line on winding roads. After a while I realized it was dinging so much that I was being unconsciously trained to ignore this distraction system. The car literally is looking at you in an Orwellian Big Brother fashion. If you glace at a passenger or the dashboard it admonishes you to "keep your eyes on the road". Maybe that helps keep distracted teenagers on the road, but it is an overbearing distraction for experienced drivers. The car also has facial recognition, which if you do not set up, will berrate you to do so every single time you start the engine. BTW the engine shuts off at stop signs, paralysing the steering wheel and allowing the cabin to warm up by killing the A/C. Why? Oh, why? Worlds silliest feature: Automatic open/close rear hatch. Too sensitive of any obstruction, takes forever to open/close, requiring the driver to stand around and monitor progress of failure. Then the car does other overbearing things like telling driver to check the rear seat when the car is switched off. Too much overbearing behavior Subaru. Let us be adults and handle our own lives. I would have liked to write a review telling you that I have driven Subarus since 2002, raced them on tracks, and rally courses, and have enjoyed their products for decades. But like other manufacturers they have offered us things that we don't want, don't need, and Subaru has not given us the option to turn off so much of this nonsense. Maybe Subaru and others will hear these complaints and offer us a more basic model without all the computer-generated interuptions? Lets hope so.
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Garbage!!
Used to like subaru, 07/12/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
24 of 28 people found this review helpful
Subaru ruined this car with all their "special electronic safety features". Bought it new and I hate it!! Can't wait for the car market to settle down so I can dump this off. Will never buy another new Subaru again, instead of a fun car to drive, I am annoyed everything.
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Some positive, lots of negatives
Don B, 10/14/2021
updated 04/24/2023
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
41 of 49 people found this review helpful
PRO: smooth ride, very comfortable seats, good handling, nice interior. CON: loud, coarse, rough engine (mine has the 2.4 turbo), jerky cvt transmission (the worst I've ever driven), awful electronics. The voice-activated navigation might as well not exist - cannot recognize virtually any address. Display screen excruciatingly slow to react, fan speed button almost doesn't work. Sad to say, I regret the purchase. UPDATE: after a few months, nothing has gotten better and some new things have popped up. Everything electronic on this car is a mess - the hands-free liftgate works about 30% of the time; the driver-recognition unrecognizes drivers within a few days; warnings turn themselves back on after being disabled. UPDATE 2: I see that the 2023 model has a better touchscreen interface - larger fan speed buttons, seat heater buttons on the front where they should be. I got in touch with Subaru to ask if mine could be updated to the new screen - it's all software, after all. The answer is "no." I asked "why?" No reply. Regarding the "transmission:" I asked the dealer if there is an update, since the engine is constantly fighting the CVT, which always wants to be in the highest gear. Yes, there's an update. No, it didn't make any difference. Truly, the mucky electronics/interface and the misdesigned CVT make this an unpleasant car.
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17.5 MPG average?
Long time Subie owner, 09/16/2021
updated 09/20/2024
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
19 of 22 people found this review helpful
We purchased a 2022 Outback Limited 2.5 to replace our 2017 Forester XT that had engine issues at 28K. Okay, so the car only has 95 miles on it so far, but I was surprised that the fuel economy is averaging 17.5 MPG! I'm hoping that it will go up substantially after it gets broken in. Otherwise the car rides nicely, is better built than the '17 Forester except for the small paint defects I found here and there. The car was built in the US and Subaru quality has improved since our previous Forester. The car was our 9th Subaru we've owned since the '80's and only time will tell as to the reliability and economy of the "Global Platform" car. If it fails to meet our expectations we will be looking at other brands next time, mostly because the things that drew us to Subaru vehicles were their simplicity, quality build, and fuel economy. What I'm noticing is that they are moving away from these very things and becoming more complicated and mainstream. UPDATE 2024- After a few recalls, a torn seam in the leather front seat and the AC failing two times we traded the car in. It only had 13k miles on it, and was in pristine condition. The seat seam tore right where it was sewed. We are not way overweight, nor do we use this vehicle like a truck. The AC first lost its Freon but the dealer not find the leak. It quit working again and this time it was the expansion valve which was on nationwide back order with no predicted date of availability. It was still sitting in service when we traded it for a 25 Forester which was built in Japan. I’m hoping it will be a better built car this time.
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So disappointing, I sold it after 3 months.
Wilderness Free, 10/28/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
The CVT was never good but with slower Subarus it was a good match for the weak engine. The Wilderness, with its powerful engine (and 21 mpg avg. if you’re lucky) are big casualties of the CVT, which is confused most of the time and make every trip feels jumpy. In other words, if you go 40 mph and floor the paddle , the car will never behave the same. Might jump forward like a Tesla and might take 5 seconds to barely respond. This makes a dangerous experience at times if you need to pass. In addition, maybe due to ride height (the Wilderness sits higher) , micro corrections are constantly needed to keep the car going straight. Not a relaxing ride. Steering is too loose and doesn’t get much better at high speeds. Very unpleasant for a vehicle capable of sub 6 seconds from 0-60. I had other Subarus before but this model includes so many ideas (taller wagon that was made even taller, more rugged off road we, sports car speed) that it ends up compromising almost everything good about a Subaru. The multimedia system is misleading: it looks great, but confusing, lazy, and behind most manufacturers. Not to mention the horrible GPS. Lastly, built quality was the lowest I’ve seen in Subaru with multiple plastic panels not attached properly or designed poorly and/or just feel like econo car.
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Oh the place I'll go in my Outback
Chip, 11/15/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
The Subaru Outback (Premium Trim with side mirror sensing technology and moonroof) is a very comfortable car. For a car its size it handles quite nicely. It has good acceleration and excellent breaking. The engine is quiet while driving and very quiet while idling, but it can be a little throaty when you accelerate. Until recently I had a Honda CRV which also has its good points. On balance, I like my Outback a little better. I think it is a little more comfortable. I like the Computer setup a little better overall as well. On the other hand, the mileage so far seems a bit on the lower side than advertised. So far, I am very pleased with my purchase. On the other hand, Subaru keeps bombarding me with Subaru propaganda. I'm not interested in love-I just want to go places.
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Impressed
Glenn H, 11/21/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I wanted a car to handle the Ohio winters. Though my BMW SUV was nice it let me down last winter. Friends that own a Subaru have all said its AWD Symmetrical system was superior to other manufacturers. I was concerned I would not like the CVT but the turbo engine (I bought) simulates the shifting similar to the automatics I enjoy.
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Great for the outdoors and family
Johnathan, 10/07/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for 2 months now and I've been a Jeep owner for many years. The car feels secure, quiet and responsive. We've taken the car on 2 long trips already and love how much room we have. I drive through rough roads on a daily basis and the clearance makes it super easy. Jeeps do keep their value I would say. But after 40k miles, I started getting problems with my jeep. Anyways, before I considered the Subaru, I talked with several people who own them, and many of them had over 200k miles without any issues. I'm excited to drive this for the next 10 years.
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Wheelchair user review
Monica Michelle, 03/18/2024
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I got this because I use a wheelchair. The storage fits nicely and the wider opening doors was a huge plus. I will aslo NEVER buy or lease Subaru again. Looking for a 30k check up and the dealers in my area are at 800-1,700 The utter lie of the mpg is frustrating The insane issue if the center display turning in it's brightness on and off randomly is frustrating and dangerous when trying to follow directions.
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2022 XT Not the Subaru that it used to be
Smoky Mountains, 08/08/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Quality control issues galore on brand new 2022 XT, very loud buzzing B-pilar, popping sounds when turning. Dealer has tried to solve them for 3 weeks, returned the car and it is still the same loud noises. 2 of my previous Outbacks were very quiet, no rattles and noises and certainly no suspension popping
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Nice Turbo
C D Woods, 03/15/2023
updated 09/30/2024
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I had driven my Daughter's Subaru Outback Limited from San Antonio Texas to Big Bend National Park and enjoyed the experience very much. 4 months later I needed to purchase another car and after thinking about that drive, I settled my sights on a Subaru Outback Limited XT. I purchased the car in George Town Texas and drove 2 hours to get home. The car was great and the Turbo Charger added something extra to the experience. This car has every convenience I could ever hope for and the ride was amazing. The car has everything I could want with lots of room and power if needed, but it still gets much better gas mileage than my Jeep Wrangler. This car surprised me and I'm very happy with my choice. UPDATE - 22K miles later, I'm still extremely happy with this car. I use it a lot for traveling and it's a fantastic car to travel with. My next car will be a Subaru also.
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Transmission Leak at 10,000 miles
Ron, 07/12/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
From the start I noticed sometimes when having to speed up to merge on highway the transmission will race up but not speed up. I have to let off the gas completely for the transmission to get back in gear. The dealer says this is normal for this model because the transmission is set for "off road" tork. I know this is BS. There is obviously a big issue with the setup of the transmission. It must be recalled asap before all these transmissions completely burn out. As of 10,000 miles this week the transmission is leaking! Setup appointment at dealer. Thankfully I bought full coverage warranty. Will reply with results later. Second issue is that the radio touch screen is horrible! Very slow to startup. As of late sometimes the touch screen will start up but there is no sound, even after multiple starts. Also air buttons are poorly placed and too small.
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Selling it back to the Dealer
lls, 11/01/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
We bought the 2022 Outback in September of 2021. The computer & electrical systems are defective yet Subaru has not recalled the vehicles for repair. Subaru Roadside Assistance told us he had calls on these models throughout the day. The car had under 7,000 miles on it & the battery had been replaced twice
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loud clunk noise
SILVER, 12/03/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
31 of 38 people found this review helpful
brand new 2022 subaru outback wilderness , loud clunk noise going over speed bump, dealer could not find the problem, so they try another subaru outback wilderness did the same thing, loud clunk noise.I spent over 40.000 dollars beware this should not happen on any new vehicle
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I think I'm going to like this
BG Mckay, 09/04/2021
2022 Subaru Outback Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
15 of 18 people found this review helpful
A little background first. I have been a BMW fan for years and have owned just about every model and in particular their 3 series station wagon. When BMW decided not to import the wagon in 2018 I switched over to a Porsche Panamara Grand Touismo station wagon and kinda had buyers remorse. Fast forward, after reviewing all the different makes for wagons and visiting show rooms I decided to give Subaru a look based primarily on the outstanding owner reviews and reputation it received throughout the car world. So far I am not disappointed. With little milage on it I cannot go into detail about it's pluses or minuses except to say I might have chosen the Outback Touring XT with the turbo four cyclnder engine for a little more umph.
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So much going for it very Disappointed
Disappointed in gas mileage, 07/02/2022
updated 10/13/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
18 of 22 people found this review helpful
Comfort and utility is great, good acceleration, and has many positives. BUT not sure I can live with some of the downsides. First handling is not the best, and be downright scary at times. Everyone is right the info system is very slow to react and can be dangerous as you try to make changes while driving. But the worst thing is after 5300 miles and one 1200 road trip I could only muster 18.2 MPG on the highway and am getting about 13 to 14 in town. On the road trip I stayed within 5 to 7 of the speed limits using the cruise when possible. There were two adults and a dog and cargo inside. I did have the roof basket, but it was empty and did not have strong winds either way. I was expecting to get a few miles back of the rating because of the load and roof rack, but in every car i have owned in the past 20 years I average no less than a few below, but most the time get at or above. So, driving style was not the problem. The horrible CVT does not communicate and work with the Turbo engine. You never know what will happen when you give it the gas. It may barely accelerate or take off like it is on fire. Even with even throttle it surges and searches for the speed to accelerate making it very rough to drive. It is at the dealer now. If it cannot be remedied, I will ask for a buy back. The dealer already said they will work with me. I hope it does not come to that because I have been shopping for a while. I will update the review once I have more info after dealer visit. Well update. It is already back at the dealership this time they have no clue when the part will be in. As soon as it is this bucket of bolts is gone. The dealer told me the Turbo does not get anywhere close to the EPA rating in most cases. They agreed the CVT with the turbo does not work. Hmmm Salesman didn't tell me that. I have filed a complaint with Subaru, and they still have not contacted me back. Do yourself a favor DO NOT BUY A SUBARU.
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2022 Subaru Wilderness is an excellent vehicle
Josh , 09/22/2022
2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
So far I have absolutely nothing but great things to say about my purchase. I am coming from a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and love everything about my Subaru. The handling, ground clearance, and turbo are great. I love the waterproof seats and the rugged feel to the vehicle. I’ve gone camping with a roof top tent which I absolutely love. I’ve also taken the Outback on multiple road trips and the vehicle has preformed amazing. I’ve gone on numerous trails that I’ve taken my Jeep on and it can do everything I’ve ever done in my Jeep… it also makes it more comfortable. In the future I would love to see the wilderness get even more off-road capable.
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