My grandparents have a 2011 Outback Limited and I love it! While they were in the hospitals I drove it 1,500 miles in one week driving back and forth to visit them and make sure everything was going ok. I'm 19 and drive a VR6 Jetta and even I didn't think the power was too bad. It is definitely adequate for highway/freeway driving, merges, and passing. The padded dashboard isn't a big deal to me, how often are you going to sit there and feel your dashboard? Seriously.
Why didn't the reviewer demonstrate or talk about the manual shift mode with the CVT?
He talks about the CVT holding the revs high and the "gutteral sound of the flat-four" but mentions nothing of the flaps on the steering wheel, which you can see in many of the shots while he's driving.
I'll tell you, there's an Outback in every corner of Vermont. On every street in every city, town or village of the state there's an Outback lurking in it as well.
I rented a 2012 Outback wagon with 1200 miles over the weekend. First night I got it, drove home, seemed fine, but I had never driven a CVT tranny car before. Then we went on a 350 mile trip, most all highway. Coming back when in town areas from a stop, seems like it would shift at 20 mph, sometimes it seemed it didnt want to get the RPMs up, then it would kinda vibrate. Then when taking my grandmother home, turned up her drive, it was like it didnt want to engage to more power. :(
Try the Honda Accord Crosstour. Gorgeous fit and finish inside, padded dash, luxurious leather, sleek styling, awesome back seat room, sleek exterior design - for a change. Super quiet and smooth ride. It has everything the Subaru has and looks better doing it. Just sayin'. The Crosstour looks 10X better in person than any picture you can find even in the Crosstour brochure.
Actually, their is no other competition for a Subaru other than another Subaru such as the Forester as he mentioned. Subaru's Symmetric All-Wheel Drive technology is one of the best if not the best I have every seen. The other vehicles are limited in their capabilities because their AWD systems are simply useless in real world situations. I believe "stuck" would be the best word to describe them. Only a dead battery, an empty fuel tank, or a boxer engine without oil will stop a Subaru.
@consumerreports Please tell Subaru to change those headlights and taillights, and maybe the front fascia, and the interior material quality really needs an upgrade. For 30k I want a padded dashboard, and less hard plastics. If they can do this, I will buy one. I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way about the styling.
I do not doubt their engines, safety, build quality and awd system but my god in the last few years they have become ass ugly. the Tribeca and the new minivanesque thing. god dam.
You are telling me this is the best person Consumer Reports can get? Does this clown realize he is testing a Subaru Outback and not a Porsche Cayenne Turbo? No one buys a Subaru Outback 2.5i to take down the 1/4 mile, so who really rips on a 10 second 0-60. And how is 24 MPG average just a GOOD rating? This guy needs to get a clue and stop having his boyfriend tell him what to say.
@agent0295 I agree with you on this one. My dash board is soft in my vehicle and for some reason, I have never had a desire to sit or lay on it for comfort.
@agent0295 I agree with you on this one. My dash board is soft and for some reason, I have never had a desire to sit or lay on it. It just might be an issue for those who like taking off their shoes and using it as a foot rest. Personally, I have never had that desire either.
I like the inside of the car..its light with lots of space, which is what you want in a Family wagon.....there is just a few things that i dont like about it...First its that Styling....its hideous, i mean look at the shape of those head lights?!!...and the overall shape of the car looks Bloated, and swollen....with the smooth edges and the curvy front, its not as sharply designed as the XC70..i think that the inside is better than the old one....but the old one certainly looks a lot better. :)
@iaincro92 It's cramped inside, feels narrow, seat cushions are short, offer not enough support. The dash is too easy to scratch, and visibility outward is awful!
@wengil494 Yes, this is awful! That actually happened to me on a highway when one of the wheels hit a puddle at 120. I went swirling sideways!!! Scary!
@treridings MT named it utility car of the year for its UTILITY, not DRIVABILITY! My drawer, if compared to the Outback, will win the utility contest :-)
As to "not all that pleasing" rumble, the author is actually right. The engine seems underpowered and suffocates when pushed just a bit. CVT tranny keeps the revs high and everything higher than 2000 rpm and Subaru boxers scream like a lawn mower! Terrible!!!
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Sorgic 5 days ago
Wow, this is a pretty thorough review.
dahgutone 6 days ago
My grandparents have a 2011 Outback Limited and I love it! While they were in the hospitals I drove it 1,500 miles in one week driving back and forth to visit them and make sure everything was going ok. I'm 19 and drive a VR6 Jetta and even I didn't think the power was too bad. It is definitely adequate for highway/freeway driving, merges, and passing. The padded dashboard isn't a big deal to me, how often are you going to sit there and feel your dashboard? Seriously.
parsley0120 1 week ago
Why didn't the reviewer demonstrate or talk about the manual shift mode with the CVT?
He talks about the CVT holding the revs high and the "gutteral sound of the flat-four" but mentions nothing of the flaps on the steering wheel, which you can see in many of the shots while he's driving.
Mikeyb88122 2 weeks ago
This car is sweet in the winter! Nothing compares to Subaru's AWD. Side note: watching this on 3G blows. =]
im1greatman 1 month ago
the engine on the 2009-present Subaru Outback
Engine
2.0 L DOHC turbodiesel 148 hp (110 kW) H4
2.5 L SOHC i-AVLS 170 hp (130 kW) H4
3.6 L DOHC DAVCS 256 hp (191 kW) H6
Annihilator1111 1 month ago
The more I read and see about the 2010 Outback, the better I feel about going with the 2009.
The CVT was one of my biggest concerns and I've been seeing reports that it's not that good.
I do know you can get a 2010 with the old transmission and that would be a better choice, I do wish my 09 had the added room in the back though.
KentuckyRangerPro 1 month ago
Shame about the head gaskets and the "mission slip".
Jackthesmilingblack 1 month ago
very helpful review. i thought i knew a lot about this car, but i didn't know about the unique roof rack. thank you.
beautyinmetal 2 months ago
how the hell is the gutteral flat 4 sound displeasing?!?!
shekshishekki 2 months ago 3
@shekshishekki a lot of people always mistake the boxer rev with engine knock. It does sound "gutteral" but that's not a bad thing!
kzero70 2 months ago
Hey the ability for the tail to slide out like that just makes it more fun :)
Lexolo999 2 months ago
@WingedUnicornOne the crosstour is ugglier than the outback and not as good off road. the outback is way better balanced
andrewerdna100 3 months ago
I'll tell you, there's an Outback in every corner of Vermont. On every street in every city, town or village of the state there's an Outback lurking in it as well.
IdentifiableUser 3 months ago
I love this car... but the CVT works like a slow/wet fart if you are flexing on it.
GrandMasterKolbasa 3 months ago
I'm sorry, but it's hideous compared to its predecessors. It's probably a great car though.
HFLanciaStratos 3 months ago
we did get very good MPG though, averaged 30.0 MPG, even going over mountain terrain.
Toni7859 3 months ago
I rented a 2012 Outback wagon with 1200 miles over the weekend. First night I got it, drove home, seemed fine, but I had never driven a CVT tranny car before. Then we went on a 350 mile trip, most all highway. Coming back when in town areas from a stop, seems like it would shift at 20 mph, sometimes it seemed it didnt want to get the RPMs up, then it would kinda vibrate. Then when taking my grandmother home, turned up her drive, it was like it didnt want to engage to more power. :(
Toni7859 3 months ago
is this the 6cylinder or 4 cylinder??
0207yna 4 months ago
@0207yna put your glasses on as theres a banner along the bottom of the screen at 0:43 answering your question.
mahatmacoatmahandbag 4 months ago
Who cares if the dash is padded? And having the tail come out is fun not scary.
ParaTroopa506 4 months ago
finally consumer reports does a proper review with numbers and all! why didn't they do this with all their other reviews???
TheBadBuffalo 5 months ago
Try the Honda Accord Crosstour. Gorgeous fit and finish inside, padded dash, luxurious leather, sleek styling, awesome back seat room, sleek exterior design - for a change. Super quiet and smooth ride. It has everything the Subaru has and looks better doing it. Just sayin'. The Crosstour looks 10X better in person than any picture you can find even in the Crosstour brochure.
WingedUnicornOne 5 months ago
Take those seat headrests and bend the posts to a normal driving position ...ps save the safty sermon
EricDavidFloyd 5 months ago
@consumerreports Please start making all of your videos like this! They're more informative and a little entertaining!
hehh543 7 months ago
I've taken Consumer Reports advice in the past and they weren't always right.
charger19691 10 months ago 3
Man as much as I want to be positive to this reviewer there is something fundamentally irritating with him. I can't stand his reviews to the end.
Fussinated 11 months ago
simple, accurate rating system. nice.
BrantFortunate 1 year ago 3
I have seen the faux wood trim in person and it is so glossy its awful
2004SiennaAWD 1 year ago
CVT = Fail, New Front end = Fail, Interior Quality = Fail, this fellows half grown beard is Fail! *Feints*
Kingsoupturbo 1 year ago
Love this guy.
skinnysponge 1 year ago
Dude sounds like Kip from Napolean Dynamite.
theMidnightGoggles 1 year ago
Watch at about 2:20 and on the motherfucker damn near flipped the car over going thru the cones is this car really that much a POS
JDHoffa 1 year ago
@JDHoffa You can expect that kind of a scare in just about any top heavy suv/crossover type vehicle. Hardly limited to the Outback.
Bireno 1 year ago
I love how he says "THAT'S SLOW"
hehh543 1 year ago 3
Actually, their is no other competition for a Subaru other than another Subaru such as the Forester as he mentioned. Subaru's Symmetric All-Wheel Drive technology is one of the best if not the best I have every seen. The other vehicles are limited in their capabilities because their AWD systems are simply useless in real world situations. I believe "stuck" would be the best word to describe them. Only a dead battery, an empty fuel tank, or a boxer engine without oil will stop a Subaru.
Mixedbreed3 1 year ago
I like the new OB styling...it's the Venza that looks like Homer Simpson dreamed up.
....BUT WHAT ABOUT THE STEERING SHAKES??? C'mon Suburu...address the issue! It's keeping folks from buying the otherwise great OB!
BandB1111111 1 year ago
@consumerreports Please tell Subaru to change those headlights and taillights, and maybe the front fascia, and the interior material quality really needs an upgrade. For 30k I want a padded dashboard, and less hard plastics. If they can do this, I will buy one. I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way about the styling.
Zinizzle 1 year ago 19
@Zinizzle I hate plastics! Learn from the Europeans -- leather all over!
ss19800 1 year ago
@Zinizzle haha, Subaru's vehicle designs have always been odd and quirky. It always takes me a few years to grow onto them and appreciate it.
kzero70 2 months ago
I do not doubt their engines, safety, build quality and awd system but my god in the last few years they have become ass ugly. the Tribeca and the new minivanesque thing. god dam.
scruffynerfherder90 1 year ago
You are telling me this is the best person Consumer Reports can get? Does this clown realize he is testing a Subaru Outback and not a Porsche Cayenne Turbo? No one buys a Subaru Outback 2.5i to take down the 1/4 mile, so who really rips on a 10 second 0-60. And how is 24 MPG average just a GOOD rating? This guy needs to get a clue and stop having his boyfriend tell him what to say.
AssParade6969 1 year ago
Very Very good review!
way better than KBB
OfficerSheepDog 1 year ago
why is every one obsess with the dash board been soft do you ever even touch that
agent0295 1 year ago
@agent0295 I agree with you on this one. My dash board is soft in my vehicle and for some reason, I have never had a desire to sit or lay on it for comfort.
Mixedbreed3 1 year ago
@agent0295 I agree with you on this one. My dash board is soft and for some reason, I have never had a desire to sit or lay on it. It just might be an issue for those who like taking off their shoes and using it as a foot rest. Personally, I have never had that desire either.
Mixedbreed3 1 year ago
@agent0295 It's important because it rattles with time and, due to change in temperatures, materials shrink or expand, which causes rattles.
ss19800 1 year ago
I like the inside of the car..its light with lots of space, which is what you want in a Family wagon.....there is just a few things that i dont like about it...First its that Styling....its hideous, i mean look at the shape of those head lights?!!...and the overall shape of the car looks Bloated, and swollen....with the smooth edges and the curvy front, its not as sharply designed as the XC70..i think that the inside is better than the old one....but the old one certainly looks a lot better. :)
iaincro92 1 year ago
@iaincro92 The Subaru design team should be fired! The interior is nice, but the outside is indeed hideous.
WC3POchannel10A 1 year ago
@iaincro92 It's cramped inside, feels narrow, seat cushions are short, offer not enough support. The dash is too easy to scratch, and visibility outward is awful!
ss19800 1 year ago
is the VDC really switch on??
wengil494 1 year ago
I just can't believe what I've seen in 2:26 ... this is the evidence of what is going tio happen in 2012 D:
wengil494 1 year ago 2
@wengil494 Yes, this is awful! That actually happened to me on a highway when one of the wheels hit a puddle at 120. I went swirling sideways!!! Scary!
ss19800 1 year ago
I really like how complete this review is. I wish we could see more :)
*****
justnewme 1 year ago 27
@justnewme too heavy, underpowered, ugly rear, bad handling
Dowdproductions 11 months ago
consumer reports - your reviews are getting much much better!
ironchopsticks 1 year ago
too big, and significantly less attractive than the previous gen.
bajabusta 1 year ago
WOW... we actually get to comment now. I like this review... much better then the ones before... Again thanks for letting us comment.
OneOfaKind949 1 year ago
I like this review
It gives alot more info than other consumer report reviews.
TCB1468 1 year ago
Over-all a good review....there's a reason why it's MT's SUV of the year...
However, the legendary Subaru boxer rumble 'not all that pleasing'...??
treridings 1 year ago 3
@treridings MT named it utility car of the year for its UTILITY, not DRIVABILITY! My drawer, if compared to the Outback, will win the utility contest :-)
As to "not all that pleasing" rumble, the author is actually right. The engine seems underpowered and suffocates when pushed just a bit. CVT tranny keeps the revs high and everything higher than 2000 rpm and Subaru boxers scream like a lawn mower! Terrible!!!
ss19800 1 year ago
1. ugly car
2. horrible quality
3. buy a better car for 30,000 like an audi
4. subaru should be goin out of business
5. they suck
TheSmartdude11 1 year ago
the flat 4 not pleasing ?!
your not pleasing
crammage 1 year ago
why is this presenter talking so awfully slow?. It's like he's doing his best to make this as boring as possible.
excersizer 1 year ago
now that is a consumer advice video. 1 thing they never talk about is styling and most Subaru's are ugly XD.
MrCondoriano 1 year ago