➖ Build quality
➖ Fuel consumption
➖ Noise isolation
➖ Music
pros
➕ Dynamics
➕ Passage
➕ High ground clearance
➕ Comfortable salon
➕ Roomy trunk
Advantages and disadvantages of the 2018-2019 Subaru Outback in a new body revealed based on reviews real owners... More detailed pros and cons Subaru outback 2.5 and 3.6 with a variator and 4x4 all-wheel drive can be found in the stories below:
Owner reviews
Bought new Subaru Outback 5 in February, in winter, convinced of all the delights of a constant all-wheel drive, the car does not go into a skid, the descent on the ice, the ascent takes without problems.
On the highway, when overtaking, acceleration goes quickly. The car is truly universal, I drive on any roads, the pit suspension works well, it does not break into the salon.
It is quiet and spacious inside, the finish is made of high-quality materials, for a family you will not find another option, so that everything is combined best qualities car at the same time.
Peter Egorov, review of the Subaru Outback 2.5 CVT 2019
Video review
I bought a new car in April 2015 in a showroom in Riga. Now the mileage is 13,000 km. Before that there were Impreza, Legacy and Forester. The new Outback V is a completely different car.
We have improved the finishing materials and the quality of finishing - nowhere squeaks. Handling and cross-country ability at the highest level. Large trunk.
Sit comfortably. Lots of options. Of the shortcomings, I would note an overly stiff suspension and a high cost of spare parts. The quality and reliability of the car fully corresponds to the price.
Anatoly Stepanov, drives Subaru Outback 2.0D (150 HP) CVT 2015
I bought this car in 2015. I liked it: good cross-country ability, stability at high speeds, good finish quality. At the same time, it is a little harsh after the Mercedes E211.
I also like the high ground clearance, good handling, Harmon Cadron music and a large trunk.
Among the shortcomings, I note a small 59-liter tank, no parking sensors, expensive maintenance from an authorized dealer, sometimes annoying CVT sounds appear.
The owner drives a Subaru Outback 2.5 (175 hp) on a 2015 CVT.
Comfort in everything! After Santa Fe with a huge interior space, I feel the difference only in width (here it is already 5 cm), but surprisingly there is no space above your head!
The dynamics and maximum speed of the engine are enough, although, in garlic, it did not accelerate above 170 km / h - enough for the eyes and this! Perceptibly faster than Santa, and consumption is 3-4 liters less!
The cost of maintenance and consumables was pleasantly surprised for a car of this class! But, if you take consumables in a store, and not at a service, then you will save 2-2.5 times on them!
Of the minuses, I note a weak frontal (the first two pebbles and chips ...) quickly progressed into cracks - you need to change, and the original is 50,000 - 60,000, and there is no point in putting it, the resistance to chips is the same! I will put bor glass for 12-15 tr with work.
A 12 volt socket in the trunk would be helpful (for a car refrigerator). The automatic opening / closing of the trunk is a little annoying - sometimes you really want to clap your hands quickly! Oh-oh-very original dimension of disks-tires. Winter wheels (Italy) picked up only with spacers!
Dmitry Zanozin drives a 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5 (175 hp) CVT
As usual, you can say about the car only after a month or two of operation, and no test drives give such an idea. For myself, I noted the following advantages: versatility, large interior, ease of landing, high ground clearance (217 mm), visibility, Japanese (I hope so stated) assembly, proven naturally aspirated engine 2.5, as well as sane fuel consumption - in the summer the city is 11-11.5 liters, in the winter - 14-14.5 liters.
As for the shortcomings, if the materiel can be called Japanese, then the interior is made by drunken Chinese in the catacombs. Where is the control of what comes out of the assembly line ?!
No noise isolation! Took it from the salon on 01/31/2017. It was sold in the salon at the stock summer Bridge. As soon as I drove onto the asphalt (overboard -22), I was pleasantly dumbfounded. Well, in the new winter Dunlop winter Srort 18 ″ in the cabin there was a hum, as when an airplane took off. The noise dies down when you go out on the packed snow, or you are not moving on bare asphalt. In the summer, I have no complaints about Shumka.
Also worth noting is the clumsily stitched and tailored rear seat upholstery, and in all instances. There is no heated steering wheel. Why do I need to adjust the trunk opening in Siberia if I have to sit with gloves on while driving ?!
If speak about driving performance, then everything is quite expected. Not a rocket, but enough for the city and the highway. It quickly picks up speed up to 50-60 km / h, but up to hundreds - only in 10 seconds. The suspension is good at speed, but on 18 rollers, the shallow potholes and pits are not fun.
Review of Subaru Outback 2.5 (175 HP) on a 2017 CVT
By chance, I have the opportunity to drive this car. Pluses in the form of controllability, larger salon, I will not enumerate all-wheel drive, since they are fully described in "independent" reviews and on the official website, and there is a complete silence about the significant shortcomings for me, which actually prompted me to throw my 5 kopecks. Forewarned is forearmed…
Terrible insulation (or rather the complete absence of it) make daily travel unbearable. Consumption is less than 10.2 l / 100 km in a circle does not fall, the city - 17 liters or more, according to the computer.
The music from Harman & Kardon is puzzling, however, as is the Tetris-style multimedia installation of the 90s. Also frustrating is the lack of organizers and additional places for storing small things in the luggage compartment.
Review of Subaru Outback 2.5 (175 HP) CVT 2018
For me personally, Subaru is one of the most mysterious brands in general and on Russian market in particular. Much of what kept the Japanese brand's image and, as a result, the love of fans and sales of car dealerships, remained in the past. And with the onset of the crisis, a further reduction in the dealer network was added and lineup but the small engineering company Subaru, surprisingly, remains afloat. Moreover, it shows sales growth: + 4.1% in 2016! And that's, in fact, with just two similar models - Forester and Outback. And what do they represent in direct comparison and is there any point in overpaying for the latter? We answer all questions.
Many fans of the brand will immediately ask themselves: why are we talking about only two models? Indeed, in the Subaru lineup there is at least the XV crossover and the sports-image model WRX STI. The latter, alas, having gone far beyond 3 million rubles at a cost, does not affect the sales of the brand at all: the reputation of a people's sports car for such money has become irrelevant. But the popular XV crossover has undergone an internal audit - due to a surge in popularity in other markets, Russian quotas were redirected, as a result of which orders for the car are currently suspended. It turns out that dealers are selling only two all-wheel drive station wagons - Forester and Outback. Moreover, it is Lesnik who makes the cash register: in 2016, 1703 Outbacks were sold for 4024 Foresters.
An unspoken witness to our test is the Peugeot 508 sedan, which is underestimated in Russia. By the way, the "Frenchman" has a direct competitor to Outback - a station wagon off-road Peugeot 508 RXH. Alas, due to the considerable cost of the hybrid station wagon, even in Europe, these versions were not even planned to be delivered to us.
From the point of view of consumer qualities, the difference between the cars is minimal: both cars are similar in size, technical filling, weight, speed characteristics, and most importantly - for the price. With the same engines, the Outback is less than 10% more expensive than the Forester, which is almost a conditional difference with the price of both for 2 million rubles. Why, then, is the Lesnik much more popular? The answer is simple: in its modifications, unlike the Outback, there is a basic 2-liter engine, which significantly reduces the cost. When choosing a 150-horsepower unit, the difference with the nominally older model fluctuates around 400 thousand rubles. And this is already a reason to think seriously: is there any point in overpaying so much?
So Forester. The car, which began its journey as the master's all-terrain station wagon, has gradually grown to a mid-size crossover. The simple look, in which the designers worked mainly on the front part, did not change the essence: the appearance reflects the main task of "Forester" - economic and utilitarian. Stylistically, the crossover is not aggressive, does not try to show off, is not spoiled by various decorations - only a slight bend of the thresholds and now fashionable ribbons of lights running light... The voluminous rectangular body immediately makes it clear: this is a car for business and convenience, so that more luggage can fit in, and the passengers are accommodated more freely. That is why, behind the wheel of the Forester, you can often see respectable aged men who clearly have conservative preferences in the matter of choosing a car.
Outback is another matter. The potential clientele of the model is definitely younger, moreover, representatives of the fair half of humanity are regularly found in the driver's seat. It is possible that the whole thing is precisely in the appearance - the more impetuous station wagon is executed more intricately: here you have a deliberate off-road body kit, and powerful roof rails, and silver-chrome decorations. Not to say that it is essential, but the Outback image is perceived more expensive. There is also a nuance that may push some buyers away. The Subaru Outback is 20 cm longer and 6 cm lower than the Forester with almost the same ground clearance, which visually makes it an all-rounder, and not a high crossover - lovers of massiveness and solidity may not like it.
The legendary Symmetrical AWD badge, present on both cars, alas, is not relevant for Subaru today. The fact is that the same symmetrical all-wheel drive, which distributes the moment along the axes strictly in a ratio of 50 to 50, remained with the brand only on modifications with mechanical box gear. On the rest, it was replaced by a traditional clutch located in the same crankcase with a variator and transferring traction depending on wheel slip from 95: 5 to 60:40 in favor of the front axle - as on most modern crossovers. It's easier and cheaper this way. Why write: Symmetrical? It's all about the corporate ideology: the brand has already lost enough of its traditions - from those old-school fan cars of the "Constellation of the Pleiades" to this day, perhaps boxer engines... So, through the efforts of the marketing department, "symmetric" is now called not the essence of the all-wheel drive Subaru, but its design - it is mirrored relative to the center line in terms of layout and weight. Fans need to believe in something ...
Inside, Forester is fully consistent with the external image. The simple interior, without design "show off", captivates with one hundred percent clarity and good ergonomics. However, visuals, creative and emotional people, such decoration will plunge into depression: there is absolutely nothing to catch the eye in the Forester salon.
In general, one gets the feeling that the Japanese from Subaru made all the finishing touches to the interior by force: they say, our car drives well, why these updates ?! Obvious progress - only in the quality of the materials used, which is why the Forester salon has ceased to be frankly "oaky". However, the screens do not differ in modernity and quality of graphics, although they are very informative, and multimedia supports modern technologies like CarPlay. The instrument cluster is as simple as three kopecks. Handles, buttons, levers and adjustments on Japanese cars traditionally live for decades. Moreover, the creators specifically added the auto-mode of power windows to only one more glass - on the next generation of the car, apparently, they will add the third, and after a generation - the fourth. In general, everything is subordinated to the priority of practicality and sound minimalism.
Landing in Forester is high, off-road. The seat itself is not perfect, mainly due to the weak profile of the seat and the convex backrest. But the car is spacious and light, and in both rows of seats. Passengers are entitled to backrest adjustment, an armrest with cup holders and even a heated sofa.
In the Subaru Outback, you are transplanted into a car of the next class and generation: there is almost nothing left of the solid simplicity of its “brother”, except for individual stylistic and unified details. The high cost of the salon, of course, is given by cream leather, as well as inserts with a texture like lacquered and natural wood. There are more options, the materials are even better, moreover, they are neatly decorated with metal details. The multimedia station looks noticeably more advanced, allowing you to control the functionality with the simplicity and speed of a tablet.
The climate control unit is clearer and more modern, and, most importantly, the landing has become noticeably more convenient and comfortable: although after a high crossover you have to bend down, the Outback chairs are softer and more prominent than the Forest ones. The back row in the Subaru Outback is again more comfortable due to a slightly wider width and a better profile of the sofa, which allows you to get comfortable. The list of additional benefits is the same as on Forester. One caveat: it will be more convenient for two, since the central tunnel in the Outback is larger, and the roof over your head is lower.
The luggage racks of both Subaru are almost the same: 527 liters for the Outback versus 505 for the Forester. The only difference is that one has a wider and deeper "hold", while the other has a higher but shorter one. The Forester has a small organizer and a reduced-sized spare wheel under the raised floor, while the Outback has a full-size wheel and an electric door drive as a nice bonus.
For Subaru forester three engines are available in Russia, of which the lion's share of demand falls on the base 2-liter opposed engine with a capacity of 150 hp. with. Some buyers choose the more powerful 2.5-liter unit, which is the basis of the base Outback. But the oldest, 241-horsepower turbo engine of the XT version was not seen even in dealerships Subaru: the price of this Forester goes for 2.6 million.
One way or another, the 150-strong "Forik" is driving sanely. Subarovtsy, having nothing else in their arsenal, brought the interconnection of their boxer motors with Lineartronic CVTs almost to perfection, fine-tuning the accelerator sensitivity. Immediate reactions and linear recoil at the start, with increasing speed, transform into a uniformly calm movement. There are no CVT "jokes" when the gearbox instantly throws revs at peak traction, and the car then catches up with them in speed under the howl of the engine, on the Forester. But the possibilities power unit are not endless - after 100-120 km / h "Lesnik" fizzles out, especially with a couple of passengers on board, so you have to go to overtake with a margin.
I was pleasantly pleased with the sound insulation of both cars. If in Forester after 100 km / h the noise of tires still starts to be heard, then Outback is absolutely silent even on studded tires. An excellent indicator for those who like to travel.
But the 2.5-liter Subaru Outback has a much higher efficiency margin - under the hood, an updated engine of the FB25 series, which received 175 hp. with. and 235 Nm of torque. On paper, the figures are not much higher, but in real life the return of the station wagon is felt right away - the Outback takes acceleration more energetically, does not sour in the middle and keeps the acceleration dynamics longer, allowing you to maneuver more boldly at high track speeds. At the same time, the operation of the variator seems even more comfortable - the gearbox on the Outback perfectly imitates the operation of a conventional "machine".
Oddly enough, we did not find a fundamental difference in the operation of the transmission in Sport mode: it is turned on, by the way, with a button on the steering wheel - it is convenient. The Outback also has a "manual" mode with the ability to use petals, and the Forester instead has an imitation of a downshift, L mode, which locks the variator at the conditional first stage when driving on unsteady soils.
Of course, having taken a Subaru, we first of all waited for an early departure out of town. There are legends about how these Japanese cars can drive on broken dirt roads: the absolute omnivorous suspension at almost any speed! It is because of this quality that many drivers become “subarists”.
Expectations were fully justified! The ride smoothness of both cars is phenomenal, with the Forester running more resiliently and the Outback hovering over the road. In addition to the tuning features, the difference in the installed tires also affects. But even without a fly in the ointment, which was hidden in the nuances of management, it cannot do. No matter how the Japanese modified the Outback, reducing weight, increasing rigidity and reducing ratio steering mechanism, it did not get rid of the "cottoniness". In extreme modes and with an increase in speed, direct connection with the car is lost due to the too light steering wheel, which also works on a long arc, and the Forester is also prone to a slight buildup. In general, you can drive in the village, but it's better in a straight line - these Subaru are not suitable for a rally track: they are too tuned in to comfort.
Both cars are equipped with a proprietary all-wheel drive transmission, which distributes traction depending on slip. The auxiliary proprietary X-Mode should transfer the insurance electronics, engine, gearbox and all-wheel drive settings into off-road mode. In fact, the main help from him is in the forced blocking of the clutch and in activating the descent system on the Forester (on the Outback it is turned on with a separate button).
Then the procedure is known - we turn off traction control system(ESP does not turn off completely) and prematurely under the gas. In such a situation, the Forester turns out to be more off-road: the ground clearance is 7 mm higher, the geometry is better, moreover, the L mode on the variator helps, which freezes at low speed at the peak of traction. "Outback", in a word, follows - you just need to be a little more careful with the bumpers on it, and the safety electronics for some reason on the station wagon is stricter - it strangles the engine earlier and stronger.
What's the bottom line?
One of those cases, when after the test of very similar, and in our case related, cars, everything turned out to be sorted out on the shelves with unambiguous conclusions. If you are considering buying a Subaru Forester with a 2.5 engine, then we definitely advise you to pay extra for the Outback. Whichever parameter you take, the senior in the Subaru hierarchy turns out to be better and more interesting: the separation of two similar models is by no means a game of marketers. The difference of 200-250 thousand rubles fully pays for the clear advantage in the class, the feeling of comfort, high cost and optional composition of the flagship station wagon.
But "Outback" will hardly be able to recapture half a million rubles of the difference when choosing Forester 2.0! It is clear that to the above advantages is added an excellent engine in terms of capabilities, which will greatly increase driving comfort, but we honestly admit that for more than 2.5 million rubles in our market there are a considerable number of worthy rivals.
The editorial board of the Dvizhok magazine expresses its gratitude to the Piskarevsky Center company, official dealer Subaru in St. Petersburg, as well as the official Subaru dealership in Russia for the cars provided.
The interior of the Subaru Outback surrounds the driver and passengers with unrivaled comfort. Every interior element is thought out to the smallest detail, everything is at hand and serves the sole purpose of ensuring maximum pleasure during the trip. Enjoy a premium driving experience with high-quality materials, stylish seat stitching and expressive high-gloss accents that enhance the Subaru Outback's executive look.
Excellent visibility
Subaru engineers have designed the body to minimize blind spots for the driver when looking forward and to the sides: now obstacles, pedestrians and cars on the road will not surprise you while driving - the interior design and side mirrors transferred to the doors will allow you to fully control the space around you when movement and maneuvering.
Multimedia with voice control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation system and 8 ”color touch screen *
Use the most popular apps with Apple CarPlay® and Android® Auto *. Voice recognition features allow speakerphone to be used to ensure additional security without distracting you from the road. The navigation system is updated free of charge for three years.
* Available in some configurations.
Keyless entry and engine start system using the Start / Stop button
When the key fob is nearby, for example in a pocket, the keyless entry system allows you to open the front doors, as well as the tailgate, simply by grasping the door handle. The engine is started with a button.
Individual style
Choose from ten options for the instrument cluster ring illumination.
Roomy trunk with electric tailgate
Large trunk volume - 1801 liters *, flat floor, door luggage compartment with electric drive and position memory function will help you to quickly load your car, making optimal use of the entire space.
* With folded backs of the second row of seats.
Rear view camera, front and side view cameras
The rear view, forward view and front side view camera will make your movement on the Subaru Outback as easy as possible and assist when parking.
Heated front and rear seats
Passengers in both the front and rear rows of the Outback can enjoy comfort on the road thanks to the adjustable seat heating.
