LONG TERM Subaru Outback review: 3 month update - Aussie road trip

We’re testing a Subaru Outback for 10,000km and half a year. See how we’re going with the wagon.
MORE OUTBACK COPNTENT

Our long-term Subaru Outback has hit the three-month mark in service at Chasing Cars. We’ve road-tripped this family wagon from Sydney to Adelaide to see whether its 138kW (185 hp) 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine is up to the job.

The Outback we run as a long-termer is in 2.5 AWD Touring form. Soon, a new turbo engine option will be introduced to the range. The Subaru Outback competes with the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo V60 Cross Country and other wagons like the Skoda Octavia and Superb, plus the Mazda 6 wagon.

As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest review of the Subaru Outback.

Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

[frankcosgrove]

Just returned from a month long, 9500k lap of QLD, solo. Great acceleration from 90+ to deal with caravans and road trains. 7.4l/100k, over 1000k of dirt, abt a dozen river crossings, very comfortable on all day stints. The soft suspension made it a bit loose on some of the badly deformed bitumen stretches with a bit of speed up but fantastic all rounder I recon.

[MrHariniz]

I own the previous model. Pros : The outback is super comfy bcoz of its long wheel base + very good safety features like subaru eyesight.. value for money . Cons : under power.. doesnt help overtaking or sudden launch, Subaru service is very high - as the dealer will come up with reasons to charge you for some extra part sale when you gove it for service. Also when you give it for service make sure you do the walk around check WITH the dealer and then hand over the keys for service. Subaru Bundoora Service gave me back my car after Service with a deep dent and told me it was there before. my bad i did the walk around check by my self before I gave then the key.. I was 100% sure that the dent wasnt there as I did the check before i gave the key for service :( never going back to Subaru or subaru Bundoora again. they lost my respect. My friends wont be going there as well as they are charged with so many parts during service.

[tonycoz]

Looking forward to the 2.4Lt Turbo on the way.

[jasonlewis]

When the 2.4 Turbo jumps into this car in the next version, it'll be Subaru's biggest seller for a while

[amrdiab]

Thw soft suspension tune is the best thing in the outbacks in general
One is tired from stiff suspension that all manufacturers put in those family cars
I wish the old days of the Lincoln town car are back

[leedaq]

Aussie market deserves wilderness versions

[BKJ-]

Been driving one of these for about 2 months now. It’s not exciting to drive but it ticks so many other boxes that the price is justified for my use case. I drive it to the surf and back and some weekend drives on some pretty bad roads and mud and it soaks it up fine. I don’t think I would bother trading it in and getting the turbo the price increase and fuel economy hit wouldn’t be worth it for me, I don’t tow anything and find the current engine is good for what I put it through. It’s great that that option is coming though for those that need/want it.

[DukeBen]

They way you cut this video from around 3:45 onwards, makes it sound like Tom is saying the "5 litre turbo that's available in the States has significantly more power". I assume he actually said "2.5 Litre turbo" and the 2 was just cut out.

[pertang]

I love the form factor of their wagons (and we had a Forrester years ago), but 2 things turn me off buying another Subi.
1. Engine power. Like he said in this video, you have to plan your overtaking moves. Same with our Forrester. I don't need a sports car engine, but just something useful.
2. CVT. Our Forrester was a 4 speed Auto, which didn't help the power, and I've heard from others that the CVT makes it a bit better, but I just don't really like them.

[Hindsight___]

Owner of a 2008 Impreza looking to trade up to a turbo Outback in 2023. Not looking forward to an automatic at all. I guess it is more cost effective to limit the transmission options but I wish the bean counters would actually drive the different transmissions and have a chat with the owners before making these decisions 😞

[andrewd]

What? You found “a” pothole in Victoria? Obviously you weren’t trying too bloody hard!😖😡🤣👍🏼

[williamdrijver]

I prefer SUVs but it's a great looking and versatile what-you-see-is-what-you-get wagon!

[germie]

Couldn't agree more about the power being only just adequate, after a lengthy test drive back in February. The turbo might have got it over the line for a sale but as it's not coming until next year, went the Mazda CX8 diesel instead and it was wonderful on a trip we did to Adelaide too. Heaps of poke, great handling and heaps of room.

[kippywylie]

Help! I just finished my first 5 hour drive in my new 2024 Outback Limited and the seats are painfully hard and uncomfortable compared to my older cloth seat 2015 Premium. Might search for a seat cover with memory foam

[jashugg]

I did a similar trip from Hobart to Adelaide via southern NSW recently in a manual Impreza and return in a manual diesel Outback. Both were very enjoyable. Having to do such a long trip in an auto, let alone a CVT, really does not appeal, especially on the twisty bits! So when it’s time to trade up, Subaru have sadly lost my business, unless they introduce a detuned version of the manual WRX.

[TheIcool]

Does it have wireless charging port for your mobile phones ? I'm not talking about usb and cable bits

[paranormalchef]

Yeah agree with below . If they had the new xv in 6 sp manual guise would of bought one. I couldn't live with a 2 litre/ CVT combo .

[simonstewart]

Anyone know of a suspension and lift upgrade for the outback (in Aust) cheers

[nchia]

Was the cabin quiet at highway speeds?

[mga]

Did he say the 5 litre turbo available in the states?