2009 Subaru Outback User Reviews

Pros

best AWD I've driven, good mileage, telescoping tilt wheel, pretty luxurious, easy controls

Cons

Seats still a bit narrow for my backside, a bit sluggish on the takeoff, carpet

Purchased As New

We're "Blue Oval" people through and through. A year ago I'd have called you un-American and laughed in your face if you said I'd ever own a Subaru (or any import for that matter). Then, last January I picked up a '99 Outback Limited showing 120K at a sheriff's auction for a grand. (Long story) Anyway, over the rest of the winter my wife and I found ourselves competing for driving privileges in it. Turned out it was a pretty decent car and the first small car (and I've driven just about everything) that didn't FEEL like a small car that performed in north Idaho's snow better than anything else we've owned. We have several Lincolns, one of which has 560K (not a typo) on it's original un-rebuilt still running drivetrain, and 3 Ford 4X4 trucks, along with an E150. By this summer the Lincolns were on the sales block and we just purchased a fully loaded '09 Outback Limited, graphite gray over silver, dark gray interior. What an awesome car! Although it could use a bit more low speed power, it's very respectable and we are averaging about 23 mpg around town. The only real beef is the seats have that turn-up on the edges and so don't fit my backside as well as I would like them too (we're used to Lincoln seats), so I guess it's time for a diet. The carpet seems a bit thin to me, but I'm used to Lincolns. Also, I have to admit some of the ratings are ambiguous as most of the zeros are still on the left side of the numbers. But we absolutely love it! We are actually considering another new one so we don't have to fight over who gets to drive this one!
At first I found it odd that people made such a big deal over some items. like heated seats, etc. as we have had them with our cars for years. But then I realized we're talking about unusual luxury in a car around $30,000!