10 Things You Didn't Know about the Subaru Outback (5th Generation)

Here's an overview on 10 unique features and facts of the 5th Generation Subaru Outback (2015-2019 model years) that you may not have known about. I think the Subaru Outback is one of the best sport utility vehicles on the market, with excellent safety ratings, above average reliability, excellent ride quality and road/wind noise isolation, responsive and reliable technology, and smart packaging and engineering that make it very easy to live with on a daily basis. My one major complaint about the Subaru Outback, it's relatively slow acceleration with the 2.5L NA base engine, is resolved with the up-level 6-cylinder engine, and with the 6th generation (2020+ model year), the new direct injection NA and turbo engines. However, if you don't mind leisurely acceleration while getting excellent fuel economy, then the Subaru Outback 2.5i might be the perfect car for you. Please place any questions or comments related to the video in the section below. I hope you enjoy the video!

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I've owned a 2014 Outback 2.5, 2016 Outback 3.6, and now a 2018 Outback 3.6 Touring (same beautiful color as this video) and one thing I have done to every one of my Outbacks (as well as a 2017 Forester XT) that makes it drive 100% better is putting on a 19mm rear sway bar. Especially if you live in an area with multiple roundabouts, that "floaty" feeling the rear end has goes away completely and it corners practically flat -- with, in my opinion, no change in ride quality on rough roads. For about $100, it's an upgrade you won't regret.

[ussweeneyd]

Thank you for an excellent and comprehensive review of this model. We just purchased our 2019 touring and continue to be impressed with the improvements. This is our third Outback following a 1997 four, and a later H6. By far this one exceeds the comfort and features of the previous ones. I look forward to a more powerful model, maybe a Turbo with some more towing toque. Thanks again.

[MW-xbrz]

I like this video because I also bought this model and color Outback.
I know. I know. They sold thousands like it but when you see one like your vehicle, you are compelled to remark.

[nikaward]

Wow I learnt a lot, thank you. lol I didn’t know most of what you said but I’m happy to learn this

[jparker]

Pretty good video. We've had the 18 OB since new. It's a great car after 55k. I just bought our first replacement battery, will double check the windows since I think the Premium only does auto up on the front windows. Like you said, the Touring has auto up on all four. I hope our second car, a 23 OB is as reliable.

[Scootersnmore]

Thank you very informed now just going to pick up my used 2017 Subaru Outback limited Can’t wait traded my 2018 WRX but it’s the best !

[jimsmith]

Burns 3/4 quart of oil over 3000 miles for my 2015. Changing sparkplugs makes tuneups very expensive.

[sanderkan]

If you buy a second hand Outback gen5 check the exhaust manifold. Mine has a cracked exhaust manifold after 150.000km. A new one would have cost me a lot, (2600€ ex) and had to come from Japan with a very long waiting time. I have had it repaired (welded) by a trusted master car repairer a know. Further more it drives awesomely.

[SubieandFriends]

Actually if I’m not mistaken, the reason it’s now considered a crossover/suv has to do with the American car market and apparently wagons are not really desired by Americans, that’s why there’s only like 2 or 3 different wagons sold here (the rest of the world loves wagons) so Subaru decided to market it as a crossover/suv since that’s all Americans want to buy these days and so that’s the reason I hear on car magazines and “expert” car review tests…having a 6 cylinder boxer engine has nothing to do with it since it’s been available on the outback since like 2005(it displaced 3.0 litters back then, 3.6 litters after 2011 I think) anyways the new outback(2020+) don’t offer a 6cylnder and instead they offer the new crazy fast 2.4 turbo and yet it’s still classified as a crossover/wagon….at the end, who cares!!! To me an outback will always be a wagon!! Long live the wagon!!!!

[Bluesnowman]

Hi, I put a dep on a 2018 Outback today, said “Premium”. Is that rear radar sensing you mentioned, standard on all models? And does it also have that in the front? Or is that only if you buy the “Eyesight” upgrade?

[DIYtryer]

Btw amazing Interior color, haven’t seen any like it!

[DIYtryer]

Awesome! I hope to get one of these used and don’t know much about them, I though thag Subaru logo on the side mirror was just for looks not a light!

[kytutr]

Subaru Outback MY2018 (European version) is my second Outback and I like a lot all these useful features you presented. And one more useful thing (at least at my trim level) is a camera in right mirror - helps a lot in not getting wheel rims scratched :-)

[stuarthunter]

My driverside window on my '17 touring will automatically go down about 3/4 of the way after reaching the top when I roll it up with the auto up feature.. will resetting the windows solve this issue?

[doyrayburn]

And that midnight blue is not easy to find. Are the stinking headlamp bulbs any easier to change now?

[catherinevalli]

the one thing i didn't know before i bought my outback is that the windows are ALWAYS fogging up. they even fog when the sun is out and it's 72 degrees outside, and i have the windows open ...like today. there is NO EXCUSE for this. it's gotten so bad i'm looking to get rid of it. after several months of driving my new outback i did a little research and it's clear this is a longstanding problem that has not been addressed. i really love everything else about the car (well, the engine leaves much to be desired) but what is up with the fogging??

[QueenFairy]

i just bought a 2017 before the refrsh. im upset now

[catherineholzwarth]

Great info … I’m commenting on the headlight change you mentioned made around 9/2017. I owned an ‘18 Outback Limited purchased early 9/2017. There was an issue (not going to mention this issue) and my dealership traded me in late 10/2017 to another ‘18 Outback Limited - no questions asked. My comment is, I kept telling them the headlights on the first ‘18 were way too low (I used the phrase ‘not deer head height ’) they kept saying they couldn’t raise them. But when I got the second ‘18 in October the headlights were perfect. That’s kinda always bugged me. I now own a ‘20 Outback Limited (I trade every two years) and I love this Outback Limited.

[bwrscott]

Err, my 1 gen 1996 was the OG of crossover's.

[cherobinson]

10; things we did know. Paints thin. Seats are so so. Smells like it’s melting if u do mountain climbs on a hot day an park it. What is that? All ne Subarus my two Crosstreks same smells like melting rubber! Is the transmissions melt on these? Hah