Used 2023 Subaru Outback SUV Consumer Reviews
Used Outback for sale
Exactly what I needed
Mike, 03/01/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
28 of 28 people found this review helpful
This car is exactly what I needed, if not everything I wanted. I am your stereotypical Subaru customer. I love camping, rock climbing, hiking, the great outdoors, you name it. I wanted a car that would be able to competently deal with most trails, I could throw AT tires on for the really rough stuff, and also keep me on the road in the snow. I also have a long commute to work everyday and MPG and normal driving performance is important to me which ruled out the XT models (along with the added price). Pros: Honestly though, there are very few times when I think I would truly have wanted the extra power from the turbo. The engine still has plenty of oomph to get the car going. So far after just over 6,000 miles, I am averaging 30mph which is just what I expected. Steering feeling is not too light, not too heavy, and easy to maneuver in car parks. Brakes have nice feeling to them and can bring the car to a stop very quickly. AWD system is great! Within a month of having the car, the midwest got slammed with snow and -30F wind chills and the car was able to take me up steep snowy, hills lined with cars that couldn't make it, with ease. The massive screen is a great feature especially for using maps and navigation. Audio quality (no Harman system) is perfectly acceptable. Seats are amazing comfortable even after 2+ hour drives. AC works great and can warm up or cool down the car quickly, and the seat heaters are perfect in the winter. Wireless Apple CarPlay connects quickly and painlessly and doesn't drop ongoing calls. Cons: The active cruise control can be a bit funny. I have it set to its most passive mode for acceleration but the second a slower car moves out of the way the car floors it which I find annoying. I have also found that using the active lane centering system tends to have the car gently weaving side to side in the lane so I never turn it on. The car is definitely on the louder side. The engine noise is droning under acceleration from the CVT and at highway speeds there is quite a bit of road and wind noise. For the price though I guess it is okay. The climate control switches are permanently on the main screen which is nice but I would definitely prefer if they were physical buttons. In the rain, there is a pronounced trickling noise in the doors. I know it is not an issue but it is annoying. Overall though I am incredibly pleased with my Outback. Sure there are a few things I would prefer on it and it has its little flaws here and there but they are so significantly outweighed by all the positives. When considering cost, I think it is one of the best cars out there.
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Many improvements over the Gen 5 model
Desert Mountain Biker, 11/26/2022
2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
45 of 46 people found this review helpful
This our 3rd Outback. Previous were Gen 3 and Gen 5, a 2016 3.6R which was a very nice car. Primary differences are that the new version has less body roll, more Euro ride, better acceleration when you want it, nicer appointments and a more adjustable passenger seat. There is no overwhelming reason to trade up but my motivation was related to the unusually high value of the 2016, the upcoming 100000 mi maintenance, and my desire to try a turbo- powered car. The version has a nice ride, decent handling for the size but it is not a sportscar. Acceleration from a stop can be slow or very fast depending on how much throttle one uses. Once the turbo comes up around 2000 rpm, the vehicle can take off like a shot but it will cost fuel economy. My average fuel economy is 25+ mpg with no long trips in 7000+ miles and all in the high air-conditioning environment of the southwest. My driving is a combination of near rural (50-55 mph with lights every 1-2 miles), low congestion city and some freeway at up to 75mph. I typically ease away from traffic lights so more aggressive drivers will probably do worse. I have seen little turbo lag. Power always seems to be available instantly. Many complain about the center stack menus but for my driving style it is set and forget. The key things like a/c fan speed and temperature are easy to set. The seat fans seem to help somewhat in the hot southwest. The center stack lets you adjust anything that is factory set but I have found that the factory settings are generally acceptable. The LED headlights are much brighter and reach farther than the HID headlights. Subaru did cheapen some things like the hood struts and the rocker panel covers. I really liked the faux wood but not the price on the 2022. The fuel economy is likely better with the 2022: 2-3 mpg on my current driving cycle. The fuel algorithm is also improved ~ 3.5% high or about 1 mpg over reality based on more than a dozen fill-ups. I need some long trips to get a better feel for highway economy. There is noticeably less engine braking compared to the 3.6 so I often downshift when slowing from 50 mph. The life of the rear brakes will also be reduced. The fuel gauge isn’t as accurate at 1/4 full as the previous model so I use the 80+/- 10 range estimate to determine when to fill up. As with the previous model, there is a significant inflection point near ½ full and then the gauge reading falls quickly. The info on the space next to the speedometer is much more extensive – it is nice to know the tire pressure which correlates well with manual measurements. The auto-start stop is ok though somewhat rough. I haven’t had any problems others have listed for moving out smartly on left turns from lights. The driving position seems different, perhaps a bit lower than the previous generation and much more bolstered as the previous generation were flatter. The older generation also had better arrangement of controls on the steering wheel but this works ok. Moving the blind spot warning inboard from the mirror and also in the heads-up display is a great improvement. Back seat leg room is also a bit better and the 2 position setting for the “trunk” cover is another improvement. The map lights are better positioned and the passenger light can be used without blinding the driver. Recently downloaded the new Starlink software and the local maps through WiFi. That is a nice feature. So many features that are not covered well or at all in the manuals but one can find videos. I did not set up the facial recognition software so I don’t face the irritation of dealing with that. There are only 2 drivers so we just use the buttons on the door to adjust seats and side view mirrors. The one irritating feature is the “keep your eyes on the road” warning and beeping when I back into the garage. They need to sense that the car is in reverse and obviate that warning. There is resonance in the rear door areas at low speeds on rougher roads but not apparent at highway speed. Will have the dealer check it out.
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2023 Subaru Outback for sale near you
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- Wilderness 4dr SUVMSRP: $33,00012 mi away
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Everything I expected and more!
URM, 11/29/2022
2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
49 of 51 people found this review helpful
Subaru's design philosophy and choices have always jived with my Mechanical Engineering sensibilities. The boxer engine, the wagon-ness, symmetrical awd, safety tech, the turbo, enclosed eyesight cameras, cooled seats and wireless android auto, regular gas, java brown leather seats at this price point are all the main selling points. I factory ordered myself a 2023 Subaru Outback Touring XT in Grey Metallic with the Java brown interiors. After the longest 8 weeks of my life, i finally picked it up around Thanksgiving. Once i picked up the car, i was blown away by the plush seats, the audio system, quiet cabin, and the comfortable yet sure footed ride. Not to mention the highest power to weight ratio for the price. I have no complaints about the 11.6" screen, auto start stop or especially the cvt. Blatant CVT haters are purely wrong to hate on it. And if they understood what goes on inside a transmission, they'd appreciate the amazing innovation that is the CVT. My only gripe is the lack of a massive sunroof. My suggestion to Subaru is that the wilderness should retain the small sun roof because they need the added roof strength. For the touring and touring xt, Subaru really ought to install a humongous sun/moon roof and to assuage any concerns, zero roof rails. The Yokohama Avid GTs from the factory are fine so far, but I'll keep an eye out for winter performance. I can't say enough good things about this car and I'm so glad i finally got one. I've been trying to get a Subaru since 2012, but never was able to for one reason or another. Especially been ogling at the Outback product since 2015. People who know me might heave a sigh of relief hoping I'd stop talking about this car after 7-10 years of me talking about it. But i guess they now get to hear all about it as i fall in love with everything i expected and more!
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keeps getting better
stew, 01/04/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
43 of 45 people found this review helpful
Prior to 2017, I owned a number of Subaru Outback Limiteds. In 2017 I switched over to the Honda CRV Touring. The 2017 Honda CRV power train was much better than the Subbi, as was the look of the exterior, and the quality of the interior appointments (I did outfit the CRV with the Sport Package bumpers and the interior "blue package" which gave the CRV quite a different look). I have been wanting to buy a new family vehicle for the last couple of years (I usually trade every three years or so), but dealer lots have been bare. The 2023 Honda CRVs and Subaru Outbacks are finally showing up. I test drove the 2023 Honda CRV and the CRV hybrid, and both showed improvement in driving comfort over my 2017 CRV. After 5 years, I never had a lick of trouble with the CRV. However, the interior of the new 2023 CRV seemed cheap, with hard plastic everywhere. I was disappointed with the look - my 2017 looked a lot better than the 2023. I recently came across a 2023 Subaru Outback Limited on the show room floor, outfitted just the way I would order one. This Subbi is a step above the new CRVs in most categories. The interior of the Subbi extensively utilizes soft materials, and the dash layout is much better than the CRV. The ride of the Subbi is much more compliant than Outbacks of old and my 2017 CRV, and the handling of the Outback is very responsive. The Outback overall length and whee base is longer than the CRV, The interior of the Outback is also more comfortable. So far, the only area where I judge the CRV to be better is the gas mileage. I was always able to clock > 30 mpg combined on my CRV (34 highway), whereas I have yet to achieve advertised mpg on the Outback. One gripe I had with the 2017 CRV was the small gas tank. The Outback gas tank is about four gallons larger which should give the Outback about 100 miles longer range. I am not a fan of the appearance of the funky wheel well moulding design on the Outback, which was almost a deal breaker for me. But then I saw how they looked when matched with the Magnetite Grey paint. Look at how the wheel moulding looks on a white Outback body paint and compare to the look on the grey paint. The center touch screen on the Outback is well positioned (and easy to use), compared to most other mfg's which have a center screen that sticks up quite a bit, vertically above the dash, dominating the interior. I am wondering what it will be like to wash the Outback in "bug season" - the nose of the Outback is a maze of small geometric shapes with recessed sharp corners to act as the final resting spots for the onslaught of all of those bugs to accumulate and avoid the reach of the wash mitt ...
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Good car, EyeSight & safety tech need work
Alex, 06/09/2023
updated 09/06/2023
2023 Subaru Outback Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
We are mostly loving our Outback. We wanted lots of passenger and cargo space without having an oversized behemoth. Options for wagons are limited, but the Outback fits the bill extremely well thankfully considering it's really the only wagonish competitor in this price bracket. I'd actually like it even more if it was just a little bit more wagon and less SUV! Comfort: A top priority for us was a car that is comfortable and the Outback is VERY comfortable. It's especially great for long road trips. The roomy back seat allows the car to fit my family of 4 very comfortably and I'd even say it can handle a 5th fairly well when needed. Even taller adults find there to be plenty of room in the back. The ride is also very smooth without feeling numb. It glides over potholes and rough road with ease. We're also very impressed with the visibility. Tech: The large screen isn't very well used by Subaru's native software, BUT if you use Apple Carplay or Android Auto just about full time like my wife and I do, it's amazing to have so much real estate for that. Wireless connectivity for both of those makes it even better because you barely have to think about it, it just connects when you get in and you rarely even need to engage the Subaru interface. They also make it fairly easy to switch driver profiles, great for a 1-car household like us. The pop up HVAC control panel is still kind of a cluster, but they improved the basic controls for the '23 model year and that's what you use 90% of the time. Ours came with the wireless charger which was great but it's poorly ventilated and we've found our phones overheat if they're in there longer than 30-40 minutes, so that's annoying. Driver Assistance and Safety Tech: This is one of my biggest gripes about this car and what keeps me from giving it 5 stars. First, there are constant safety warnings beeping and dinging at you. You can turn some of them off but then you get the orange light on the dash that makes it look like something is wrong. The seat belt alarm is VERY annoying. If you unbuckle while in drive it keeps going until you re-buckle or turn off the car. Even putting it in park doesn't turn it off! I am really not a fan of the EyeSight system. We had a Honda Civic prior to this car and found Honda Sensing to be really good. It did its thing without being obtrusive and was helpful in bad weather. Subaru EyeSight is much more fickle. The steering assist is aggressive and it often feels like you have to fight with it, especially when passing on the highway. In bad weather, EyeSight will frequently turn itself off (allegedly due to the cameras being blocked by rain or snow) and is very slow to come back on. I came out of a rain storm and it was several minutes before I could engage the cruise control again. (Honda Sensing rarely disabled even in very poor visibility which was very helpful in keeping distance with cars ahead of you.) I also had a bad experience with the low-speed follow. It follows too closely and accelerates too aggressively, so that definitely should be addressed. Maybe it wouldn't bother me as much if I hadn't had another make of car that executed them so much better. But I know how useful they can be, so Subaru's execution is disappointing. Performance: Honestly, it's perfectly good for the majority of people. Some reviews complain about the base 2.5L engine being too slow. I do not find that to be the case at all. You're not wining any races, but it accelerates onto the highway well and passing on the highway is adequate. Yes the engine will wind pretty tight, but it does the job. A little more pep would be nice, but as a middle aged dad it's not a priority for me. (If you want adrenaline, shell out for the turbo.) I have found highway fuel economy to be lower than the EPA rating. It's rated for 32 MPG but the best I've gotten is 30 and it's often closer to 28. Overall: A very comfortable car with lots of space and a very nice ride. In that regard we are extremely happy with our Outback. The driver assistance/safety tech needs work and we hope they make improvements in the next generation by the time our lease is up. If that's important to you, you should definitely try it out in a thorough test drive before committing. Otherwise, we recommend the Outback to anyone seeking a family-friendly hauler who doesn't want a bloated SUV.
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