Subaru Outback 2005-2009 review

During the increased interest in SUVs in the 90s, Subaru had no SUV in its lineup. Subaru came up with the Outback, which is essentially a modified Subaru Legacy with added ground clearance and more rugged styling. The name "Outback" means Australian backcountry. The 2005-2009 Outback is in its third generation. It comes with standard full-time all-wheel drive and a choice of horizontally opposed 4- or 6-cylinder engines. The 2005-2009 Outback offers an upscale, feature-rich interior, car-like ride with tight turning radius and good crash test scores.

Overview

2005 Subaru Outback. Click for larger photo.

Subaru Outback interior. Click for larger photo See more photos below

Subaru Outback rear seat area. Click for larger photo

The Outback's trunk. Click for larger photo

The Outback's roof rack. Click for larger photo See more Subaru Outback interior photos below.

The 2005-2009 Subaru Outback comes with standard full-time all-wheel drive and horizontally opposed Boxer engine on all models. For 2005, the freshly-redesigned Outback was available as a 5-door wagon or 4-door sedan (only 5-door wagon in Canada). In the US, the Outback sedan didn't sell well and was later discontinued.
Subaru Outback was offered in three basic models: 2.5i, 2.5XT, 3.0R and each model was available with different trim levels.
The Outback 2.5i offered a base 4-cylinder 2.5L SOHC engine with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5XT came with a intercooled turbo-charged 2.5L DOHC engine and a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. The 3.0R came with an advanced 3.0L H6 DOHC engine with variable valve timing and variable valve lift. The 3.0 H6 was only available with a 5-speed automatic.
The Outback uses what Subaru calls Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. See how it works on Subaru website: Subaru Engineering. To distribute the torque between front and rear axles, the Outback models with manual transmission use a viscous-type locking center differential, while the 4-speed automatic models utilize an electronically controlled variable transfer clutch. Models with 5-speed automatic transmission utilize an electronically controlled variable transfer clutch in conjunction with a planetary-type center differential. A limited-slip rear differential is included with each setup.
Although the Outback's AWD system is not designed for heavy off-roading, it should help on snowy roads or in moderate off-roading situations.
The Outback's interior is well designed with excellent fit and finish, and luxury feel. The controls are simple and well laid out. The center stack is tilted toward the driver. The front seats are comfortable, with good support. Large side mirrors and tall windows help with visibility. The fit and finish is very good. Even the base models are well equipped. The split rear seat folds down almost flat, giving the Outback a huge cargo room. On the downside, the rear seat space could be better and the steering telescopic adjustment was only available from 2008. See more Outback interior photos below.
On the road, Subaru Outback handles like a tall wagon. The ride is fairly smooth and quiet. The Outback's long-travel suspension absorbs even the large road bumps well, but as a trade-off, the body roll is pronounced during cornering. Overall, the handling is comfortable, and you can appreciate the tight turning radius during city driving and parking.
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), front, side and side curtain airbags are standard. Vehicle stability control is only available on 3.0R VDC models. The 2005-2009 Subaru Outback received 5 stars out of 5 in the NHTSA front and side impact crash tests. For more details, visit Safercar.gov.

Subaru Outback Engine

Subaru Outback 2.5-liter Turbo engine Click for larger image The Outback features the Subaru's horizontally opposed Boxer engine. Read more about the technology here: Subaru Engineering. The base 2.5-liter non-turbo SOHC engine offers simple design, decent power and reasonable fuel economy. The i-Active Valve Lift System, which was added for 2006, has increased the engine power to 176 hp. The turbo-charged intercooled 2.5-liter DOHC engine is quick, however, as with any car, the turbo adds more stress on the engine. The turbocharged engine is more expensive to maintain and requires premium gasoline. Both 2.5L 4-cylinder engines have a timing belt that must be replaced at recommended intervals. The advanced 3.0L H6 DOHC engine with Active Valve Control System and Active Valve Lift System is great, but the 3.0R Outbacks are rare to find.

Pros

- Capable AWD system
- Well laid-out controls
- Upscale interior
- Smooth ride
- Tight turning radius
- High crash-test scores
- Good visibility
- Decent ground clearance, low center of gravity
- Standard integrated roof rails

Cons

- No telescopic adjustment on the steering column on early models
- Fuel economy could be better
- Rear seat space
- Body roll during cornering
- Handling when fully loaded

Overall

Subaru Outback wagon is a tall, SUV-like 5-door vehicle with an increased ground clearance and standard advanced all-wheel drive system. The Outback has a well equipped upscale interior, good crash test scores and car-like handling with tight turning radius. The Outback wagon's roof rails can be outfitted with one of the accessory mounts to carry your bike, canoe or skis. The Outback offers a high level of standard and optional equipment including even a windshield wiped de-icer.
I recommend the 2.5i models with a non-turbo engine, as it's easier to maintain, it has enough power for daily driving, and the 2.5L non-turbo engine can run on a regular gasoline. The turbocharged engine is OK when it's new, but in a used car, it could be expensive to keep. If you need more power, look for the 3.0LR Outback; they are rare, but the H6 is a great engine.
Subaru Outback is a full-time AWD vehicle, so it won't be cheap on gas. Inside, the Outback is a practical vehicle, with plenty of cargo room, but the rear seat space is limited. The Subaru cars have a lot of specifics and not every garage can handle the repairs. Also, the NHTSA website contains notable amount of complaints about the rear suspension-related handling issues on icy or rough roads with full load.
Still, overall, the Outback is solidly built vehicle and has above-average reliability. For this review, I test drove the 6-years old Outback with 106000 km (66K miles) and it was in a very decent shape, with no mechanical issues.

What to look for buying a used Subaru Outback

Research Outback's common problems before shopping, as there is a lot of specifics. Here is a good forum to start: Subaruoutback.org. When you find a vehicle you are interested in, run its VIN number to check history records. Read here: how to check used car history. Unevenly worn tires may indicate a problem with the wheel alignment. Very low oil level may indicate that the engine consumes oil. For models with manual transmission, check the clutch operation. During a test drive, if you feel that the wheels are "binding" during turns, there is a problem with a 4WD system. Check if the timing belt has been replaced on a 4-cylinder engine. A humming or growling noise coming from one of the wheels could indicate a bad wheel bearing. If you notice a blue smoke from the exhaust at startup, avoid a car. Watch for the "check engine" or any other warning light coming on after the engine is started; this indicates a problem. Learn more tips what to look for when buying a used car. Before making a final desicion, have the car inspected by a Subaru-experienced mechanic. Read our step-by-step used car buying guide. Check the insurance quotes before buying a car.

Maintenance tips

Subaru cars are very reliable in general, but you need to maintain your Subaru well to avoid problems. To keep your motor in a good shape, have your oil changed regularly. A turbocharged engine is more sensitive to the oil quality, use only a good-quality oil. Regularly check the tire pressure. Read more: how to keep your car running longer. The Outback's handling is sensitive to the problems with the wheel alignment, so it may be a good idea to have the four-wheel alignment done once in a while. Avoid overheating the engine; it may cause serious damage; check the coolant level periodically; keep it topped up. The 2008 Subaru Outback's owner's manual recommends to use genuine Subaru coolant. It says: Use of improper coolants may result in corrosion in the cooling system. On the 2.5L engine, the drive belt tension needs to be checked periodically and adjusted if needed. If any of the belts is loose, it will produce a whistling noise at a start-up or when turning the steering wheel to the limit. For repairs take your Subaru to a dealer or a mechanic closely familiar with Subaru products; there are many specifics. Read more car maintenance tips. For vehicle care tips, owner's manual and more visit Subaru of America, follow menu For Owners(registration may be required for some resources).

2009 Subaru Outback Specifications

Subaru Outback Photos

2005 Subaru Outback 2005 Subaru Outback 2005 Subaru Outback 2005 Outback. The steering telescopic adjustment was only available from 2008 2005 Subaru Outback gauges Center stack Center stack Fit and finish is good Glove box Rear view Subaru Outback roof rack

2005 Subaru Outback

by Vlad Samarin