2009 SUBARU Outback

'09 Outback

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 5

The last of the original Outback models, before they got too big. Good handling, decent fuel economy, reasonable comfort, great reliability, good resale. Hard to beat a Subaru.

Surprised by Subaru

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 1 Safety Rating: 4 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 3

Engine quality is terrible in these 2.5 engines. Please read all the reviews before you buy one. Blown head gaskets are the norm and repairs are $2500-3000 or a new engine for $4500. even at 110K the engine is gone. maintained regular and treated the car good but the seals in the engine went out earlier causing bad oil leaks then a cam issue and finished off the fun with a blown head gasket. Would not buy another Subaru ever

Will drive forever

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 5

This car is the most reliable car I have owned. I have not had a single problem with it yet. It plows through snow and accelerates on icy roads without a problem. I have never had a vehicle grab the road like this one. Also, it is perfect for an occasional off road excursion to find a new fishing or hiking spot and holds all of my equipment perfectly. I will never let go of this car.

7 years and counting....

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating: 4

Bought this car at end of model year at a good price with the exact features, trim, and color that I wanted. I have never fallen out of love with this car -- the looks, the handling, the 6 cyl engine, the comfort and seating position, the harmon-kardon sound system, the overall performance, reliability, and integrity. Semi-luxurious car-like transport that can also be your truck when you need to haul lots of stuff in back. Well, regarding reliability, although I only have 36,000 miles on it, the front CV boots failed and the CV joints were worn and needed replacing recently. Seems too early to have a problem like that, but I guess driving the gnarly and pot-holed big city streets can do that to a front end. Glad I never do any real off roading! No other problems with it so far. I thoroughly enjoy this vehicle.

Love it!

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

We loved our Subaru Outback!

Our Subaru

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

Wish they still made this more car-like wagon

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating: 5

Bought the car used with around 60K; it's now at 114K. Drove the newer generation, but found it rode too truck-like, and was kind of noisy, with an unrefined drivetrain. It was also hard to see out of and had particularly uncomfortable front seats. This generation is more car-like and the better for it (haven't driven the latest gen, though). It's an incredibly versatile vehicle - it drives like a sedan (and is fairly luxurious with the heated leather seats and wood trim), but has more cargo room than a similarly sized/equipped SUV. The downside is the drivetrain, which, though not as noticeably as the same-level one in the next generation, still lacks refinement, being a bit noisy and having some vibration. At certain speeds the transmission pauses before engaging, clunking when it finally does. Also the dual climate control doesn't work well, leaving both front seat occupants unhappy. But overall the car is comfortable and efficient both in town or on the highway and is like a Swiss pocket knife in terms of usability, perfect for hauling everything from furniture to dogs to groceries, while still being easy to park and decent on gas, and it has been completely reliable. Build quality is excellent, too, with interior and exterior materials holding up fantastically, even though the car's not garaged. If you're far from a major city, you may have a hard time finding people who understand this relatively rare car and how to work on and properly outfit it with brakes, tires, etc., and service things like the differentials, so keep that in mind.

Backing up/low visability

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 5

It is hard to see out the side windows to back up. The windows are too small.

Continuous costly repairs

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 2 Safety Rating: 3 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 2

This was my first, and last Subaru, I bought. I thought the car would be reliable after reading and researching prior models. This car is the closest thing to a lemon I could think of. After 6 months of ownership the interior of the vehicle was breaking apart. Small holes in the stitching in the doors and the center counsel lid broke. Subaru repaired the lid and it soon broke again. Very cheep. The handling and engine performance became horrible after a couple of years. As of today, the power steering unit is shot - not sure what this will cost yet to replace. I recently had the transmission leak and the thermostat sensor replaced at the dealership ($600.00 plus). Then a month later the valve cover gasket broke causing oil to run into and foul out the plugs. This repair cost over $850.00 once they figured out what was wrong with it. I'll sum it up here, this is a terrible car. Don't buy one, it's no Toyota. It gets horrible gas mileage and over time has no engine power. It just screws you over with repairs.

High number of Repairs

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 1

We have owned 4 different Subarus. We bought the 2009 Outback new. It has had three major repairs since purchase. The most recent was a rebuild of the transfer case which cost $2200. We never had these types of major repairs before. I expect better from Subaru being an owner since 1991. They just aren't as good as in the past.

Will Buy Another One!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought my 2K9 Outback on July 5th 2008. It was the first 2K9 on the lot. Got it at the July 4th Sale. I have 168,000+ miles on her. Great reliability and a great daily driver. I used to drive 100+ miles a day for work and it is a whole lot better than my Durango or Tahoe!! I keep my vehicles for a long time and this one is still holding up well. I did have the infamous head gasket leak and got that repaired at my mechanic around 133,000 miles. Just basic maintenance and she is good to go! This is my first Asian car. I am a truck man but this car has converted me. Still have my Tahoe but I let my wife drive it. $40.00 compared to $80.00 for a fillup between the two. Love this car!!!

Love it!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I've wanted to make the jump to a Impreza WRX hatchback for awhile, but I can't justify the insane insurance cost. I went to Carmax looking for a smaller hatchback, but this one had arrived on the lot the day before, and the price was right (the option of extended warranty through 150k miles was a nice touch). I'm loving most everything about this car, and what I don't love, I do like.

Worst car I have ever owned!

Performance: 1 Comfort: 1 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 1 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 2 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 1 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 1

This was my first Subaru and it will be my last. I have owned all types of cars in my lifetime and this has been the worst. I have 94k highway miles on this car and now I have to replace the catalytic converter for $1,400, sensors, recalls, just replaced the muffler guard for $500 and the list keeps going. This car is severly underpowered and uncomfortable to drive and worse for passengers. I bought it because of the reputation but that was a mistake. To top it off the mileage is only 25 MPG on the highway. I have a family of 5 drivers and everyone hates this car. Don't waste your money on a Sabaru!

Well, that was a huge waste of money!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

Only 54,000 miles and the engine hatched. Not only is the car under the factory warranty, but also an extended warranty. Subaru is fighting us tooth and nail. Will have to sue Subaru to get the car fixed under warranty. Will stick with Toyota next time.

Starter motor broken at 40K

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 1

I am from the country that produces worst cars possible and I had 3 cars there but neither of those got its starter motor broken at 40K as my NEW Subaru Outback 2009 I bought less than 3 years ago here in US. I LOVED my Outback but this problem ruined everything. Guys at Subaru Service informed me that starter motor almost dead and I have to wait about 3 weeks for new one! This is my worst auto experience. I wasn't imagine things like that here in US.

Virgin2 Outback

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

After over 25 faithful years to UAW built car, that was it. GM left me hang again. I first bought a 97' Corolla, too small, and bad on the northern Michigan snow. I spotted my 09' Outback, blue with silver on the bottom online, and went for a test drive. I admit,,I had pudding face. It's now late 2011, my used 09' with 24K mi drives better than my Trailblazer did new. I have owned this car all summer, and love driving it. MPG is 28-29 hwy, and I am ready for another road trip. I will buy a brand new Outback as soon as Subaru improves the look over the 2012. Thats one ugly stepchild to the 05-09. Never fear leaving the UAW behind.

Perfect family car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Fills the duties of daily transportation perfectly, fast enough not to get boring and utilitarian enough that I don't feel guilty for enjoying it so much. The only thing I HATE about this car is the danged speakers rattling the door panels. REALLY?? Seriously guys, it's a $30,000 car and you couldn't spend the time in development to make sure the map pockets don't vibrate apart when someone's listening to music? Hell, even NPR throws this car for a loop...if Lakshmi Sing messes your sound system up, you have a problem. So I will spend this weekend stuffing my map pockets full of old towels. Oh, 45,000 miles and no problems. Original tires/brakes. Yeah, much love for Subaru.

Gearing

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I had Subarus in the past and loved them. I just bought a new 2009 30R automatic, a left over from Subaru Dubai Dealer. I love it but I am disappointed by the gearbox. I reckon 4th gear is too long and distant from 3rd. It means that when you need some acceleration and you're in 5th, the system will shift down to 3rd, since 4th and 5th are very close to each other. The result is a jump from 2000 rpm to somewhere around 5000, which is not necessary. I would have it geared with 3rd, 4th and 5th in a more balanced way. I think the [non-permissible content removed] engineers thought this model as a 4 gears plus 5th, as a resting gear. Result is better economy but quite annoying and tiring to go always from 5th to 3rd...

Fabulous!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I've had my SiSE for just over 2 years. Gas mileage is over what I expected - 31 hwy and 27 mixed. Had snow in South GA last winter - I was the only one not sliding all over the road! LOVE this CAR!

Overall performance

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

I enjoyed the car and fun to drive. Waited for while before I write this review. I love stereo system and nav. Dislike: firm seat,not enough storage, engine power ok,not as quiet inside the car, the steering wheel is firm for me - so far I do not have any major issue but rattle in front driver side at higher speed. Brought attention to dealer, cannot resolve the issue.

Not drinkin' the cool-aid

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 2

Initially we loved it. Two radio replacements later along with faulty a/c controls, expensive x-mission repair, leaking sun roof (all covered by warranty) have left us questioning keeping this vehicle for 10+ years like we planned. So far $5k worth repairs on a 1.5 yr. Old vehicle does not bode well for Post warranty ownership. Will trade for a Ford fusion. We expected much more from a $30k vehicle. Will have a bad taste in my mouth for Subaru for a while. Gillman San Antonio could have done better also.

2009 Outback Constantly Rattles

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought a 2009 Outback last year and was so happy to have another Subaru. Several months after purchase I noticed a loud rattle in the front, took it to the dealership who told me there were issues with the 2008/2009 Heat Shields - and they replaced mine. The rattle problem seemed to be resolved, however 2 months later - it is rattling again. This time the dealership showed me Memo's of consumer complaints of the rattle - and stated it would probably continue because these Heat Shields are just 'clipped' together instead of being 'bolted' together. AND - be prepared for it to be much worse in the winter time. I wish I knew this in advance - very disappointed! : (

Great Value and Premium Feel

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

We bought our Outback Limited to be the only family car, trading in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Volvo V70. The interior is every bit as nice as the V70 (and then some with the oversized sunroof and great speaker system). We've enjoyed the AWD in the rain and ice and it handles like it's on rails around corners. The only disappointment is the engine's acceleration at lower speeds. Whenever we pull into traffic and engage the "sport mode" to gain acceleration, my husband says, "Go hamsters!" It's also a tight fit for our family on road trips, but the addition of a cargo box on top of the car helps to create more interior space without killing fuel economy (still getting about 22-24 hwy).

Not for me

Performance: 2 Comfort: 2 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought the Outback after my 99' 4Runner with only 92,000 miles through a rod. This was not my first choice of car, but made sense economically at the time and now I regret buying it. The ride is very rough, especially for a car chassis. The engine is very underpowered, especially when loaded for road trips and the mileage is crap. I get 22-23 commuting and on road trips with bikes on top, I get 18. The vehicle is also very small for road trips, etc. for a camping/biking road trip, you can only take one other person and gear. I will be taking a look at a new 4Runner or Tacoma since I can get the same gas mileage and have a lot more power and room.

Nice but needs improvements

Performance: 1 Comfort: 2 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 5

So far I would say that this car is good but not great. The boxer engine lacks torque. Going up hills requires lots of down shifting. My other cars have way more power and they have similar or smaller engines. The AWD is excellent and is the main reason I bought it. The OEM tires are not that good. They lasted about 18,000 miles before needing replacement. The gas mileage is not good. I get around 23 mph and for an engine that lacks power it adds injury to insult. The build quality is very good. No problems so far and seems tight. I like the way it handles. Very responsive and the steering feels tight. I think many of my issues have been addressed by the 2010 model.

A car for the mountains

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This car is so tight on the mountain roads that it's almost a sin not go looking for bad weather to drive in. I was actually snow plowed in up to the windows and this car drove out like it was going over a speed bump. Highly recommend this vehicle.

Love my "Roo"

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Had this car for a year now, it is my 3rd Subie and second Outback. Put 200,000 miles on my 1998 and loved it, almost broke down when I sold it. We bought this one in California; and after two road trips to SF and Tahoe, shipped it to Germany and have driven to Prague, Berlin, and Amsterdam. She slides along nicely on the Autobahn at 100 mph with ease, the 2.5i at under 4K rpm! Very comfortable with me and mom in the front and the two kids in the back.

Couldn't ask for more

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

The XT Turbo is plain fun to drive. The front seat is roomy, the cockpit layout and lighting are fantastic, the turbocharged engine does anything you could ask for, and the all wheel drive provides sure footing in any weather. This is my third Subie (after a Mazda, Honda, and 2 Toyotas), and I wouldn't trade it for any other make or model. Rear cabin storage is great. My only wish is would be for better city gas mileage, but it's a fun, fantastic car to drive.

No regrets whatsoever

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I have a 5 speed MT Special Edition. I have gone from VW products to Audi and I have no regrets at all. The build is great, the AWD is extremely capable and I have never gotten it stuck (and I have tried as I take it down trails through mud and snow and over rocks to go biking), the comfort and visibility is fantastic, the power is not earth moving but good enough, the mileage is very good considering its a big 4 cylinder and just 5 speeds. The only real downside is that the leg room in the rear seat is very very tight.

Liken It !!!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

It has been a cold and snowy winter so far here in Minnesota,the all wheel drive and heated seats have been a real blessing. The HK sound system is wonderful and the 28 to 30 mpg on the interstate is very easy to take. I am still getting use to the cruse controls on the steering wheel,the one button control on my Toyota Highlander is much more user friendly. The 2010 Outback is bigger and as won some acclaim this year but I think the 08-09s still win the beauty prize,It's a good lookin little wagon!!! Am looking forward to many miles of happy motoring in our "Suby"

Excellent car, some minor issues

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Traded down from an Acura MDX to save some $ and obtain better fuel economy. Our driving is mostly in suburban areas with some highway driving. The car suits our needs very well providing space for the occasional hauling of large items with much better gas mileage than the MDX so overall we are very happy with the car. Somewhat underpowered but we knew that before we bought and still find the car fun to drive with excellent handling.

blown engine and transmission

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

this is my second subaru. My last one was a 95' legacy wagon, 215,000 miles. Never even had to replace the clutch, it was as tight as it was the day I got it. 09 outback 8 months, 16000 miles, blown engine and trans. I am sure this is a rare event. I do love the car, just an extreme pain and a hassle.

A great SUV alternative

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I was looking for a car big enough to carry our whole family (me, wife, baby, and 2 dogs), and being a physician I needed something that would get me to work under any conditions. This car fits the bill beautifully. Fit and finish are amazing for this price point, ride quality is smooth and comfortable, and reliability so far has been great. The built-in nav system is quite detailed, and my only wish would be for a live traffic option. This is easily the most sure-footed car I've ever driven in the snow, and isn't top- heavy like most SUVs. My only real gripes are the lack of power from the 2.5i and limited back seat room when using a rear-facing car seat.

Clunk is what makes a Subaru, a Subaru

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4

I was very happy about our new vehicle purchase (Jul'09) until we hit a bump in the road...an uneven bump. Rack and Pinion is designed to clunk every time wheels are turned and hit an uneven pavement (fact). Happens on driveways and while turning on an imperfect road. Took 3 service trips to find out at over 75% of Outbacks suffer from this issue. Done 3 trips to get front vibrations (tires?) taken care of, still in progress. Front rotors already machined (2K miles). Driver door handle cable is loose, haven't addressed yet. If I was a Die-hard Subaru fan, I may have ignored these imperfections since no other vehicle fits my lifestyle that well, but I am having a hard time coping with it yet.

Best car for the money out there

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Have had 6 Subaru's before this one and this is the best of the lot. My first 6 cylinder and it doesn't disappoint. It's a sports car, take it to the supermarket, it will do anything you want. It's well built, so far trouble free and handsome. The engine purrs like a kitten and the exhaust has a sound like a Jaguar. I guess you can tell I love this car. We are keeping it over a new 2010. Did I say it's fun to drive!

Garbage Garbage Garbage!

Performance: 1 Comfort: 1 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 1 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 1 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 4

OMG! What a piece of garbage...Car rattles and is unusually loud...couldn't fit my infant son's carseat behind driver without being "Jacked Up" to the dashboard! If you are a tall or heavy-set person (I am not) than forget it! Plastic garbage.

BIG Sub

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Love the car, have 12,000 miles, gas mileage has been better than expected. Would like a bit more power. Just finished a vacation traveling from Pittsburgh to Maine, 2500 miles averaged 28 MPG carrying quite a bit of camping equipment. The car always looks clean, shines beautifully, even with dust on it.

Blown engine at 2600

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

Love the car, that's why having this motor issue is so painful. Driving down the freeway and I hear tapping that gets progressively worse. With no associated lights car just shuts down. Dealer says I have blown motor, come to find out that they are having problems with turbos doing so. Funny thing is everyone at Subaru acts like it hasn't happened at all. Getting new motor, but not feeling good about car. Read up, the turbo's are lemons.

Love It So Far

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Recently purchased, 7/25/09. First Subaru and AWD vehicle. Wanted an Outback due to New England weathers and having cargo room for my 2 Labs. Really grips the road. No snow yet obviously but it does great in heavy rain. Stereo is supposedly premium: speakers seem to rattle a little if you really turn it up.

More than Worth It, The XT is the one!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Purchased a 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5XT in Diamond Grey w/Quartz Silver with slightly off Black Interior. In general this is the perfect vehicle to buy, especially in this trim if you want a sporty SUV alternative. It sits up like a small SUV, handles like sports sedan, accelerates like a small turbo coupe, and brakes like a champion. I'm still in the break in period but I have a feeling once this time passes this car will truly shine. Car rides very smooth and balanced, and when bumps are transferred to the cabin they are controlled. Interior is pretty quiet with windows up and wind is buffeting noticeable with windows down. Engine is powerful in all ranges especially with boost up.

Wind noise

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Love the car, hate the wind noise on both the passenger side- whistle and the driver side continual. Also problems with the windshield wipers. Have had it to Dealership to resolve the wind noise problem(s) and is still not resolved to my satisfaction. We like the car I don't like the excessive wind noise. If I has noticed this in my test drive would not have purchased this vehicle- unfortunate because other than that it seems to be a great car.

Awesome car, BUT

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Not happy with fog lights - they shine directly down to the ground even after dealer adjustment. Does not improve visibility at all. Inside of windshield has a scratch near top that can be felt with a finger nail. Other than that the car is great and the gas mileage ranges from 27-31 after 7000 miles.

Great car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have it for 2 months and very happy. Great feeling in S-sharp mode, only using Intelligent mode in city driving. Manual transmission is great (forget about automatic if you like to drive). I love the interior design and the HK sound system. Can't wait to drive it on snow but I drove it in very heavy rain and the feeling of stability is awesome. Best performance and better mileage than the Volvo XC70 at a more affordable price.

Happy Subi Owner

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I love this car! It shines as a well thought out vehicle. The Annapolis dealer provided the best car buying and accessories purchase I have ever experienced. I was able to get it out the door at 24k, I went in at the end of the month and as we all know the 2010's are coming soon. I wanted a 2009 as I'm not comfortable buying a first year remodel of anything. This is to be a long term car for me and from the positive experiences my family and friends have had with Subaru's this can easily be a 150-200k car (or more). The engine and transmission are quite capable and powerful for my city and highway driving. I get 32hwy and 28city... great mpg's for an AWD.

My 3k mile trip

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I purchased my 2009 Outback 4/30/2009. I traded my 1999 Outback. I bought the new Outback because I got a great deal and I didn't look forward to 3k miles in the very uncomfortable '99 Outback driver seat. I have only one complaint about my new Outback. The cruise control is anemic! The cruise control in my '99, the car raced up hills regardless of incline or elevation. In this car, it acts like "the little engine who couldn't". Climb performance is affected by incline and/or elevation. On descent, it has trouble holding assigned speed. The cruise control is hit or miss in the mountains and on medium to steep inclines. Otherwise, the car is great and all I'd hoped it would be... so far.

I love Subaru Outback

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I just purchase this vehicle for couple months and made 2000 miles on this car with a trip to Tahoe. Kind of lack of power when up the hill on the Tahoe but that's 4cyl car design. The only thing I don't like and realized after the trip is the armrest too low, I have no place to rest my arm. So far this is the first Subaru car I bought and it's fun to drive.

Good - should be better

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 5

Came to this vehicle from 2003 base forester. 2009 forester felt too minivan and flimsy. Outback is a solid feeling vehicle, handles very well, is quiet and relaxing on the road. Exterior of 2009 model has a sharp mature look. HK stereo is a plus. Gas mileage OK... poor in city, good on freeway. Package of good high end options. At the price I paid other cars feel like plastic in comparison. If this vehicle were one foot shorter it would be fun to drive and also be a much better urban vehicle.

Great but not enough storage

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I love this car. The smooth ride, styling, sunroof, equipment, cargo space, tinted rear windows and gas mileage. My last car only used premium and got 13 mpg. I haul tools, ladders, dogs and people. With plenty of room. However, the glove box is small and the center armrest doesn't hold much stuff. It could definitely use more storage cubby's for little objects. I have no place to store my CD's. My last Subaru had over 100K with no problem!

Finally bought the Outback

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Very pleased with my purchase, and happy I opted to go for the extras on the SE model. I find the engine to be quite capable and powerful for both city and highway driving. The car feels well grounded and handles well. Nicely designed inside and out, it returns quite a bang for the buck in regards to all the features, in my opinion.

1st Subaru

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

In December I went about replacing my 2007 VW Passat wagon. I had a love-hate relationship with that car. Since it was winter, I was starting to get sick of not making it up my hill to my house. So I looked at the Outback. It had no trouble driving through ~10 inches of snow during my test dive. So I got one. It has been good, not great. It's not really fast, it handles pretty well and gets reasonable fuel economy for an AWD vehicle. AWD is great in the snow and the back holds lots of baby things. The HK stereo is pretty good, wish the audio controls on the steering wheel would control presets, and wish there was a sub control. Now that it is getting warmer, I am enjoying the large sunroof.

Fun to drive Practical Car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

My wife has a Forester and I've had other Subarus in the past. My son still drives my old 94 Legacy. My new 09 Outback is the best car I've ever owned. I waited until Subaru's spring event with $2K rebate + 2.9% to buy. The Outback seems quieter and more powerful than my wife's 07 Forester, although both have the same 2.5 engine. The handling is very secure, and it's fun to drive with its tight steering. This car inspires confidence on the road. Varying my speed during the break-in period, I have managed to get 28.3 calculated mpg on my first two tanks. It will probably be better when I am not varying speed & I think that is very good fuel economy for an AWD vehicle.

Perfect for dogs and overall utility

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I love driving this car. The ride is smooth yet still sporty. Subaru was clever with some really small stuff, like leaving a space for your ipod cable to exit the armrest storage. A simple clip to hold up the rear floor cover which accesses the "secret space" under the cargo area. I have three dogs and with the 1 of the rear seats down they can move around and get comfortable. (I purchased a very cool cargo cover from Canvasback of Idaho which makes clean up after taking the dogs to the lake much easier.) I love the big 17" tires and two tone exterior. I have the Newport Blue Pearl which is only 1 of 2 models with the silver cladding at the bottom. The sunroof is humongous.

2 Lemons

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

My first 09 Outback was delivered to me with a broken heater. The next morning it took 7 tries to get it started. The car was replaced with another one. The second car was miss firing from the time of purchase and had a check engine light 6 days after purchase. Subaru HQ claims the miss firing is part of break in and they will not repair the vehicle.

Our New Outback

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

We researched numerous cars and had focused on the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV-4. We then hear about the Subaru Forester and test drove that great vehicle. But the Outback jumped into our possibilities and offered the best overall vehicle flexibility. The expressway ride and cool features/appearance sold us. The HK sound system is great and our iPod came to life like never before. After we brought this home, we discovered how many friends have owned Outbacks for years and will never switch to another vehicle. We are now part of the family of happy Outback owners. It is the perfect vehicle for us.

If You're Deaf This Car's for You

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 1

I reluctantly traded in my beloved Audi Allroad because it was at the end of it's life. I was shopping for a manual transmission sports wagon and someone suggested the OutBack Turbo. I drove the car and was mildly impressed with the acceleration and ride so I decided to buy it. I never expected to be in the situation I'm in now. The tailgate rattles to the point that nobody wants to be in the car. I can't turn the radio up loud enough to mask it. It's been repaired 3 times and each time it rattles on the way out of the dealership. Subaru has no suggestions. Before you buy this car check out internet blogs about Outback rattles. There's literally dozens of them. This isn't uncommon!

My last car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

When we got so much ice in December of 2008 I got tired of not being able to get my truck out of the parking lot so I went to Walker's Subaru and got an Outback Legacy Wagon. Best purchase I ever made. I love the ride, the lines and the AWD. Cargo area is great. I wish I had bought the Subaru 4 cars ago. I am not really into cars, just want to get where I am going and so far this car does it for me.

Nice Car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Standard 2.5i better than what I read. Very comfortable to drive. Harmon Kardon stereo so-so. Mileage seems better than I would think.

An Outstanding Vehicle

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought the 2009 Outback SE recently and took my wife on a road trip during some very heavy rain. The car handled extremely well on Interstate "heavy rain," rough roads with heavy rain, and incomplete roads. Never had any traction problems. Interior is very comfortable, easy to use (no extra stuff to figure out - simple and straight forward), and the cargo area is very useful. We are expecting our first child soon, and the child seat latch system seems very straight forward.

Eleven Subarus and counting

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Yep this is number eleven. First one was an 82. We think they are the best car for the money bar none, especially when you live in cold, snowy or wet climates. At one time had three all Outbacks.

Junkorama

Performance: 1 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

Purchased the car in November 2008, in Colorado. Violent bucking forced us to a dealer in New Mexico who told us that we could only use one brand of gasoline. Returned to the Colorado dealer who told us New Mexico dealer didn't know what it was doing, kept the car for awhile and replaced a camshaft sensor; assured us car was OK. It wasn't, so took it to yet another dealer, who replaced the turbocharger and some other parts; assured us car was OK. Observed gas mileage appears poor. We'll see if further observations confirm poor mileage. If they do, we're on the way to the court house! If not, we may sell it anyway. Word to the wise-- think twice before buying a Subaru.

Good Alternative

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I had done the usual research of the reviews here and want to provide some additional info for potential buyers. The build quality and tightness of assembly is very good. Materials & design are competitive with more upmarket brands. Overall the Subie is a great vehicle for those who are looking for versatility, durability and resale value. Gas mileage is around 21-22 mixed & 27 mpg hwy. Overall good value vs. Audi, VW, Mazda et al.

Repeat purchase made perfect sense

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

We love this car. Size, ride, features, quality, performance, and price/value are all outstanding. If you live in an area or have a lifestyle that warrants AWD then a Subaru is all you need and more. ENJOY!

A lot of car for the money!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I live in Colorado where snow is an issue, so I needed a car with AWD. This car has excellent build quality. I previously owned a 3-series BMW and this car is comparable in many ways. The transmission is as good as the BMW, as is the ride quality. Though nothing handles like a BMW IMO, this comes close. You won't win many drag races with the 2.5, but it is adequate and fun. If I hadn't gotten so many tickets in college and therefore cost so much to insure, I would've gotten the turbo, I think. Overall this is a lot of car for the money. The seats are softer than my BMW, but not as soft as the Volvo I test drove. I prefer softer seats when given the choice.

Good Family Car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I've had this vehicle only a few weeks and already love it. I traded a Toyota RAV4 2007 for the Outback. The Outback is a lot quieter. I have an 8 year old and a 3 month old and swear the back seat is wider. I love the space in the back.

Good performance

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

The driving is perfect. I only feel that the interior design need to be improved to create more space. I hardly can operate the windows with a door handle just 3 inches away.

Value/Sensible/Utility/Perfect

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Our 9 year old Jeep Cherokee was involved in a collision that totaled the vehicle. We originally intended to replace it with another similar SUV but decided to give the Outback 2.5i SE a try thanks to $4 gas. The Outback has been fantastic ever since, good power, acceptable gas mileage, nice handling, good utility, beautiful interior, just an overall solid package with the SE trim (very much worth it over base). This is a lot of car for the money, totally recommended.

Liking it so far

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

With a new baby, we had to ditch the pony car for this one, and we are not disappointed. We liked the interior/exterior, acceleration, comfort, etc, which is why we bought it. We are very happy with the car thus far, and can't wait to take it camping, skiing, and on the road. Wind noise is noticeable, but coming from a convertible, this is not a problem. Stereo is great, as is the 6 disc option and steering wheel controls.

2nd Subaru

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I just sold my 7 year old 2002 Legacy Wagon L,with 215,000 miles. It was very hard to part with,since it never let me down and will give the new owner many more thousands of miles. I upgraded to the Special Edition 5 speed Outback on 11/01/08. The test drive sold me. I drive extensively in both city and highway. This is a non-pretentious car that is as good looking at the campground as it is pulling up to a top Manhattan restaurant. I expect the same reliability and longevity. I also expect greater mpg than listed, since I did experience the same on my prior Subaru Wagon. Also,annual maintenance is relatively inexpensive and resale value is high.

Poor start

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 1

I have not seen other reviews for the 2009 3.0R, so here it is. The car is great to drive and both the stereo and nav are fun to use once you get past the complexity of the user interface. Mileage is as advertised; should not expect better with this power and AWD. Now the down side. After 5 days and 500km, the check engine light came on with flashing cruise and shift control lights. The dealer had difficulty trouble shooting, but claimed to find the root cause after 2 days in the shop, replacing a solenoid that is used for control of one of the cams. One day after I got the car back I am staring at the same failure. This is not the reliability that I expected from a Subaru!

Fast but quiet Turbo Wagon

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Very happy with the turbo compared to the 2005. Also, this car is much quieter than the 2005 and has much better acceleration. Very comfortable seats for long distances. Harmon Kardon stereo is an improvement but there are rattles from the front doors probably from things in the storage areas. Prefer the multifunction display to be under the storage area instead of under the speedometer/tach. Also like the feature to adjust the throttle response and turbo to either sport for stronger acceleration or intelligent for better gas mileage. I just leave it on intelligent unless I want to pass and it really "shoots" around when you punch the gas.

Dependable

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

We own a bmw 7 series and Mercedes E Class and I have to say I am impressed with the quality of the interior. I think it's on par with the Benz. Harmon Kardon radio is excellent. Leather seats are nice. I'm not tall, I'm 5,7 so I have no complaints sitting anywhere in the wagon. We needed a car that would serve as our daily commuter to work from the suburbs to Manhattan. This is our 3rd Subaru for this purpose. If you're looking for a car that will protect your family and keep you on the roads no matter the road/ weather conditions, then this is it. We are extremely happy with this car. IMO, this is a good alternative to those large SUVs because it's easier to navigate and park in the city.

So far, so good

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I've had my Outback for a month now and put on 1200 miles. It has exceeded my expectations so far. I'm just out of a 2005 Nissan Murano and I expected that it would be a step down in almost all regards except gas mileage. While it isn't quite as comfortable a ride and the quality of interior isn't quite as good, I've been pleasantly surprised at how well the car drives. Except for pedal-to-the-metal acceleration, it honestly feels like a 6 cylinder not a 4. Good torque and power delivery. The handling is better than the Muranos, no doubt due to the considerably lower center of gravity. Gas mileage so far is consistently 24.6 mpg through each of 3+ tankfuls.

More fun than expected

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This thing handles like a sports car, rides very nice and has quiet interior. I get 26-27 avg mpg using 87 reg. There's plenty of room to haul camping and fishing gear.

A fun car to drive

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Having recently purchased an Outback, I was pleasantly surprised with how much fun this car is - sporty handling, nice balance, very good 5-speed shifter. It has much sportier character than one would expect from a wagon. Recently, I had spent some time driving on semi-paved country roads, and was impressed with the suspension that made driving over the potholes and washed- out portions of the road bearable. Although I do not get good mileage in the city, barely 20 mpg, it probably has more to do with my driving style. On the highway, I am consistently in the 26-28 mpg range.

A WRX trapped inside a Volvo's body!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

We have a baby now so we needed something more versatile than our previous car ('02 BMW 325i) but just as sporty and fun to drive. The Subaru Outback delivers in every way. It's a great looking wagon inside and out, the build quality is solid and in 2.5 XT form, it's more powerful than our old BMW. I couldn't ask for more. The Outback is smooth and powerful and feels like a much more expensive car. It's very quiet and low-revving, I barely go over 4,000 RPM. There's plenty of room in the rear for a baby-stroller, groceries, luggage, golf clubs, etc. In our old sedan that was a major issue. The 5 speed manual is responsive and crisp. The 2.5 XT Limited is the best Outback available, period.

1st time Subaru owner

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

As a first time Subaru owner I did not know what to expect. It is the first car that I have owned that does not have a frame around the door's windows. Maybe I do not drive the way the others do but my mileage has been less than expected. My last car was a Toyota Highlander and did really well in the snow and not bad on mileage, so this new car has a lot to live up to. I have owned others, Acura, Nissan, Audi and Toyota and, in my opinion, all had better initial quality. I am looking forward to the snow because I have heard great things.

My First Subaru

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I was disabled back in 06 and I need a car I know is going to last. After months of research the choice was obvious, I just wanted to wait till the 09s were out because they come standard with VDC which was well worth the wait after driving it. If you have any common sense you'll find it almost impossible to throw this car out of control. There's a store in the neighborhood that just sprayed their lot with sealant, very slick when wet. It rained yesterday morning so off I went. Around and around, I couldn't get this thing to spin out! Finally I just went in circles until the car went beyond what the tires could handle and I slid sideways. 20 Stars!!

Update...

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This is an update on my Soobie. Man I have to say that this is one great car. I have no complaints after 5400+ miles. No problems, great ride and the gas mileage is going up just like everyone said it would. My best to date was 33.7 MPG. I change my own oil and will do my others as well when the time comes. It is easy to work on this car if you are slightly mechanically inclined. Everything is reachable. This is going to be my 10 years car! Sorry Subaru but I am keeping this one for a long time. It is obvious it will last!!

Outback 2.5i New

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Well, this is my first Subaru. I am very happy with this purchase. The only thing is I drove off the lot with a tapping in one of my tires. Turns out a screw came loose and stuck in my tire. It was from the Tire Pressure Monitor. Strange. Still waiting on a special "screw" for this part. It's been 3 days. Otherwise the car is great. The dealer replaced the tire for free. I drive 100 miles a day and it get's better gas mileage as it breaks in. This will be a long term keeper for me.