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

[@default7950]

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.

[@lukas______]

Do you have a link or brand name/modeo for the sway bar? Thanks in advance!

[@default7950]

@@lukas______ It's just a Subaru part. For the older Outbacks (I don't know about any of the newer ones) the only one available for a while was for the Forester, which was exactly the same as the Outback, but just search Google for "Subaru Outback Rear 19MM Sway Bar Kit". There's a few dealers that package the sway bar and new bushings (with a 19mm hole) for a bit over $100.

[@KreepyKaren]

Can I ask why you’ve had 3 different outbacks? What issues did you experience with the 2014 2.5 outback?

[@default7950]

@@KreepyKaren I like driving new cars, and that's what leasing is for. It's also a try-before-you-buy method of finding what works best for you. The 2014 had the special appearance package which, at the time, was just the most awesome look, inside and out. I got the 2.5 for the fuel economy, but there was one stretch of combative highway driving on a long uphill run that it just struggled with. So I got a 2016 with a 3.6 but there was no brown interior option so that was a bit annoying. For a car-guy since the 70's, the 3.6 is just a phenomenal naturally aspirated engine. For the power produced (more than a Corvette I had in the 90's) the fuel economy is amazing, especially for an all wheel drive vehicle. So when the warranty was up I wanted to order the last of the 3.6's and got a 2018 Touring. It has real roof rails, was the first year with LED headlights, and finally got the steering wheel heater. There's lot's more, but I still love it. The only downside now is that my wife's Solterra is so, so, so much nicer to drive and I'm working diligently to get rid of everything in our lives that burns fuel.

[@mantiqtair]

​@default7950 you got a link for that sway bar?

[@MW-xb4rz]

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.

[@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.

[@johnadams247]

Very good in-depth content.

[@nikaward6048]

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

[@piperlani]

Great review! 👍🏼

[@jparker1823]

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.

[@jparker1823]

Yep, I have my passenger window working from the driver's controls now. Thanks!

[@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 !

[@jimsmith8324]

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

[@sanderkan3796]

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!!!!

[@hemiguthrie1752]

Absolutely agree! Long Live the Wagon!

[@DocDarnell]

Agree. It'll always be a wagon for me, and I'm okay with it

[@trowerz]

Americans are so taken in by marketing 🤦‍♂️ ✌️🇺🇸💪

[@Jason-hv4eu]

Great video! Thanks!

[@Bluesnowman101]

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]

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!

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Don't do it, find a used Mazda CX5 with the 2.5L engine, they're made in Japan. My wife has one, zero problems since 2017. I bought a Subaru Outback 2022, the auto monitoring system is junk. Driver Monitoring System (DMS) dings all the time. The "Pre-Collision" auto braking system brakes randomly on narrow roads or passing white trucks. The car has several rattles inside. Uggg...

[@stuarthunter3631]

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?

[@talyegranja4574]

Yes! I had the same problem, and this fixed mine.

[@doyrayburn2668]

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

[@heymikeyhelikesit8673]

Yes. No tools required and it's done from the top side of the engine compartment.

[@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 :-)

[@DIYtryer]

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

[@catherinevalli6830]

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??

[@QueenFairy420]

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

[@jackjstrange]

Thank you!

[@traceyembrey8239]

Great to know

[@catherineholzwarth1926]

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.

[@bwrscott1]

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

[@jondrivas2480]

get rid of the garbage in your car

[@cherobinson6371]

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

[@Mike-vd2qt]

The DMS and Pre-Collision Braking system are both junk. Subaru needs to recall and push out a firmware update on the Outback! PLUS, the phone volume set at 38 (highest setting) cannot even hear the phone, no point in connecting the phone.

[@Herbeez]

How do you adjust the phone volume? Mine is low also.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

@@Herbeez I adjusted it by disconnecting the phone from my Outback, I gave up. :-) The DMS system, I placed a piece of tape over the camera pointing at driver.

[@veecee6786]

@@Herbeez turn up the volume on the side of the phone while playing music or in a call