Used 2023 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Luxury car fit, finish and comfort. Poor mpg.
genegenre, 01/03/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
I have about 20,000 miles on my '23 Outback and love the seat comfort, firm but compliant ride quality and generally upscale interior. The roof rails are so easy to swing 90 degrees into kayak trip mode. It is an incredibly capable off road vehicle allowing me to pass a dead stopped freeway in a snow and ice storm by driving in the shoulder dodging 6" of half frozen (iced) snow. The lane keep assist works brilliantly! I had a 22 sienna which worked well but this Subaru manages to stay activated around more curves when I'm on highways and freeways at speed. It centers well and you can cheat by adding a 1 lb velcro wrist weight at 9:00 or 3:00 on the steering wheel which will fool the system into thinking you are providing a counter steer to the lane centering function and have your hand on the wheel when in fact you are relaxing it a few inches away on your lap! I have driven 20 plus miles this way with no steering inputs. In fact, it functions with significant snow on the ground to where I personally can't really see where the lines are. It will go off in heavy rain or fog though and this will cause the Cruise control function to also not work. So if it's raining, no cruise control for you! I change the oil myself and love not having to raise the car, simply sliding under to drain and easily unscrewing the filter from the top. The engine bay is way oversized for the small four cylinder and so working on the car would purport to be an easier task. The not-so great... I don't like the synthesized gear shifting as you accelerate. It has a CVT. Linear acceleration, if a bit numb, is much preferred to clunky, shifting that, knowing how a normal geared automatic should feel, feels like you are having transmission problems as shifting is sometimes erratic and slow although acceleration continues regardless. The whole point of the CVT is that the transmission can be in peak torque at all times maximizing power and fuel economy when you need it. Recreating gear changes detracts from this. You have to slam the tailgate shut to get it to latch fully. I mean, really keep your hand on the outside of it and follow through with a three to four mile per hour shut speed! The fuel economy is poor considering it's rated at 32 hwy. I deliver small auto parts 500 miles a day. My route is roughly 5% town/city, 25% slower principle highways (think 45-55mph with occasional stop lights), and 70% freeway. I drive 72-79mph on the freeway portions and 5 over otherwise. I get about 28-29mpg on my route or about 10% under what the car is rated. I have never had a tank rated at 32. I am calculating based on the trip btw, not the dash read out, although it is very accurate. My last vehicle for this route was a 2022 Sienna (hybrid) rated at 36 hwy and I averaged 33-35. Hybrids usually fall under there rating on the hwy. Before that, 2017 Pacifica rated at 28hwy and getting 28-30. 2016 Civic manual trans rated at 40mpg actual 42. And for fun, I drove a 2012 natural gas powered Civic rated at 38. Actual was low 50's... regularly!!! Highest ever was 63 round trip Pittsburgh to Detroit. Accurately measured at pump with similar pressure readings. The point is, every non-hybrid I have had on this route (there are dozens if you include rentals), have averaged at or above their rating. This is the only car that falls under. I had a similarly shaped Honda CRV rated at 28 that averaged 28... I don't know why it is this far under with such a small engine. My Pacifica minivan got the same or slightly better and it has a 3.5 liter V6 with 287 hp versus this with a 2.5 four banger and 182hp. And the Pacifica was 700 pounds heavier. Had double the cargo capacity... Longer, taller, wider. I guess aerodynamic factors. High ground clearance. Overly chunky design. Just something to note. If mpg matters, this may not be your solution. Overall it is a good vehicle though.
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Car has a mind of it's own
Tom, 05/18/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
47 of 59 people found this review helpful
Driver monitoring system, disarms when you wear sunglasses or hat. backup alarm only works from the side not if something right in back of you. Radio keeps changing screens from stations to cell phone, Can not shut off engine stop and go. memory seat works if passenger gets in car first. Can only program what it's wants you to. GOOD LUCK WITH THIS VEHICLE! will drive you nuts.
2023 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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- Limited XT 4dr SUVMSRP: $27,980In-stock online
- Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $20,495In-stock online
- Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $23,742In-stock online
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2023 Touring XT
Paul, 04/28/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
33 of 41 people found this review helpful
Car has had issue after issue with all of the electronics and the MPG is about 20% lower than advertised and that is while driving conservative. Has been in the shop twice with 10k miles and now is having major electrical issues. Worst decision I have ever made, I will be giving this back to Subaru this week.
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I Prefer the 2017 3.6
Dick G, 07/29/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
We purchased a fully loaded Outback, and its very disappointing. The ease of use that our 2017 had are gone and replaced a confusing mess of screen options and features that are of limited value. The screen is not something that you should try to negotiate while driving. The storage capacity is about the same as the 2017, but the center console is a joke. It's now clogged with the CD player and a power outlet (old cigarette lighter style) and will hold hardly anything, useless. The glove box, well that also is really lacking, especially if you carry the owner's manual which is larger than a large bible. If I could go back to my 2017, I would, I'm sorry that I "upgraded".
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Great Ride
Joe W., 01/28/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Bought a new 2023 Outback Limited XT and loving it. The turbo provides amazing acceleration and sportiness to the driving experience. Overall, it’s ride is quite, comfortably and so fun to drive. The sound system is outstanding and the safety technology makes this an amazing car.
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