2016 Subaru Outback | CarGurus Test Drive Review

[@oddities-whatnot]

I got a 2016 model in the UK a month ago. Best car I've ever had. Hoping to keep it many years. Its astonishing what its capable of.

[@jacobreed47]

Just bought a 2016 Outback 2.5Limited trim that's just above the one shown here. gotta say the black leather seats are more comfortable than my 2015 Chrysler 300S. And the Outback is our family car and a great one at that. 33-34 mpg on the hwy cruise ctrl at 65 mph. and awd is great for our backwoods trails and beaches.

[@osdahi]

i have a 2015 outback. it's really excellent. for the eyesight, it's a really nice system, but in addition to sunlight, if there's very heavy snow or dust or something similar, it can shut down then as well.

[@ddav]

just bought one. . I like the style over cx5, crv, rav4, rouge

[@howImetyourfather]

Thank you. I test drove a Subaru Outback yesterday and was surprised at how much I liked it. The only thing I knew about Subaru is that people who live in the mountains drive them--so your video helped me quite a bit.

[@sehan622]

I own the Outback 2.5i basic trim with cloth seats. No bells and wistles, no sun roof. I owned several cars, this being by far the best one. I prefer the cloth seats, because they tend warmer to sit in during winter, they are not to bad to clean. Paddle shifters are extremely useful IMO, use them regularly. My kids once said: Dad, this car rides like a luxury taxi...... Nice comment, ecpecially given the fact that here in Norway many taxi owners now actually drives the Outback, where they before drove the MERC 124 and giving up on the 210. Guess they found a substitute :D:D

[@TheReTurnersFlips]

I like the paddle shifters. They do get in the way of hand placement in the wheel, but it gives me control over the car and engine breaking. And I have noticed that while using them my average mpg goes up by about 1.5-2 extra mpg and with gas prices in the rise that's a mega plus!

[@jimquantic]

I have not used mine, but not surprised to hear that. No matter how sophisticated an auto, I just believe in a man or woman's ability to know when to shift--up or down and seems it always beats a machine.

[@MatthewMendez099]

Just a heads up. The eye sight is the added safety feature. Cars now get the top safety pick + by the IIHS if the cars pass the small overlap crash test. That's what the + means in that. The eyesight system is just an added safety feature which receives the full safety value by the IIHS. Other manufactures don't really come close.

[@dblairw]

CarGurus - A big thanks for this review ! ! Easily the most objective evaluation on the Net for the 2016 Outback. I was really glad to see you call out Subaru's choice of the Ivory color interior - - we don't have kids, but I laid down the law = NO for the Ivory interior because we'll never be able to keep it clean. Hey Subaru Product Planning - - your competition has GRAY as the primary alternative to Jet Black for interior colors . . . JUST DO IT ! Also -- did you catch this reviewers' hint about adding a TURBO to the 2.5L Boxer4 engine ? ? 175 HP for a vehicle this size, weight and the AWD capabilities does NOT cut it - - TURBO 4 Standard for the Outback . . . JUST DO IT ! !

[@tackyman2011]

Don't knock the Legacy wagon. My 1990 went 380k miles, and I took it camping A LOT. Broke down ONCE, when the fuel pump died.

[@bextar6365]

You are not a fan of the styling, that's your opinion we get it, keep it to yourself ! Outback is styled to the taste of there average buyer, mature people.What makes you such a styling expert ? The car is not flashy, but cleanly styled.Just speak about the features an mechanicals of the car. Just what is your choice for the best wagon or Suv for under $30k. Most people don't need all the BS $$$$ making extras that will cause problems as they age. I purchased a new 2016 Prem. model with one option pkg. for $26,500 not many other vehicles can match it, an keep high resale value like the Outback. As for the ivory interior, we luv it. Buy black or leather if you're concerned about dirt. I always Scotch Gard seats in every car I have owned. The 2.5 prob. has a 85 or 90% take rate, because it is just right for most people and gets great gas mileage to boot. Paddle shifters work fine for the CVT trans.

[@guineverependragon9804]

Thanks Chris; buying used, 28K and ecstatic!

[@bill7481]

Chris, you tested this engine late last year. I would like to see you test the 3.6R Limited.

[@NOC1TIME]

I am brand new to the crossover market. After decades of Chevy Silverados. I just bought an Outback. I find it odd he mentions the vehicles eye appeal. Over decades of seeing these vehicles on the road. Is they all have the same overall look unless you get into high end Europeans. I do not find the Outback lacking in appearance. As compared to other crossovers. In a sea of crossovers at drive time. Lol. Btw. This 2016 Outback I now have. Among the best vehicles I have owned.

[@Drogos79]

paddle shifters useless??? One of the best system in any car I have driven. Zero lag and extremely useful especially in the mountains. Snow, slippery conditions??? Engine braking with paddle shifters is extremely useful.....but we would need driving enthusiast to acknowledge that....not someone who spends half of the review talking about infotainment system.

[@jeebus022]

Yeah this review kinda sucked. Plus he was obsessed with how it would handle kids. Most of the soccer moms are going for the compact crossover SUVs, not a subaru.

[@sargehill67rudnick38]

Just bought 2016 3.6 limited it definitely better than our mitibushi mirage G4 it drives and rides better than our 2017 mitibushi mirage G4 has more get up and go better suspension and steering I love ❤️ our Subaru Outback suv I wouldn’t want another vechile

[@erosthespacesoldier1712]

does this guy own another shirt?

[@jamestruden2853]

Upgrade to the limited and you’ll get leather seats and your passenger seat will be fully electric. If price is an issue, consider buying a couple years old and get a better deal.

[@scottfirman]

I totally disagree with this review on the engine output. Being biased because its not turbo bothered me. We got the leather interior and love it. Also, the seats do elevate. This guy must have gotten a cheaper version of this car. How expencive is a can of scotchguard? I did that to EVERY cloth seat car I ever owned, especially with kids. I know this is an old review but this guy is harsh on his reviews and hope his was a lease so he got the better version of the outback afterwards. My 2016 outback is a much better design and love it. I see tons of these cars on the road.

[@SubieandFriends]

Me too I disagree on many things this guy said especially on the power....I feel like the power is plenty enough to do everything onroad or offroad, it's not race car fast but that's ok cuz that's not what people are looking for in this car....I've been able to get my 2018 outback with the same 2.5 4 cylinder to 116mph and it got there pretty darn quick, it could have gone faster if I wasnt so scared of getting pulled over. Sure 0-60 in 9 seconds ain't that fast but its quick enough for what the car is intended for. You could always get the 6 cylinder if you want to be 2 seconds quicker but at the expense of lower fuel economy and surprisingly the max towing weight capacity is the same for both engines at 2700lbs....

[@bryanstearns9739]

Good review, how's the reliability

[@Drogos79]

thank you for reminding us that ALL outbacks are AWD because these days even gardener's dog knows that ALL SUBARUS are and have been for many years AWD standard. Plus for calling them out on no vents for rear seats and minus for not acknowledging that vents ARE STANDARD on limited trims. Idiotic way of depriving "premium" model of what has been a standard in most if not all other brands. Subaru marketing people don't have kids I suppose.

[@orestes720]

Styling: I like the Outback's styling just fine. It's not a Lamborghini and it's not meant to be. It's Subaru's other offerings that are dorky-looking.

[@Hallowsaw]

I love the legacy, forester and outback looks. Everything else styling I'm not a huge fan.

[@Jeffco2]

Great review! Thanks!

[@MrBobbyBrown2006]

Great review!

[@Yoromo77]

Best review ever. Thank you.

[@ianalexander2017]

Looks good

[@chrisfoote9784]

I'm gonna be 16 in a few months and I really want this car, the problem is I live in Utah and Utah in the winter and be really difficult to drive in so does this car drive well in the snow and other bad weather conditions?

[@jaykae3952]

Subarus awd system is one if the best in the snow, at least thats what I hear from family and friends because we barely get any snow in Tennessee

[@p9r4ex8dyk]

enjoyed the review of this wagonoid

[@sergevivier956]

We road tested the Outback and the seats are quite small and uncomfortable . The 2.5 engine should be turbo charge.

[@jacobreed47]

N.America needs the turbo diesel boxer 4 they use in Europe and Japan.everywhere else gets diesel except America. also the world has pzev as an option. N.America is all we get. we have to buy them, not opt out for it.

[@jaykae3952]

More people should buy diesels

[@717dash_cam]

I wish they would bring back a sedan version of the Outback.

[@Sophos1964]

The Legacy is the sedan version of the Outback.

[@nicktaffa1458]

why is it called outback?

[@arcticparatrooper11b2p]

Named after the rugged western part of Australia; The Outback.

[@jcjcjcjcjcjcful]

so true about the seats

[@kynixie]

Comparing this car to an SUV is such a disservice, SUVs are nothing in comparison

[@bestpilot98]

great review, as always! gotta say, however, i can't believe people actually buy this car that appears to be 20 years old right off the assembly line. BARF!

[@jacobreed47]

20 years old haha!! dude, this is awarded for best selling, highest resale value in any crossover, small suv in N.America and everywhere else it sells. plus they don't break and last forever. basically there is nothing bad about Subarus.

[@jacobreed47]

***** This comment was for Bestpilot. Not you.

[@junikilla13]

This guy sounds like a Toyota guy! It is way too obvious you do not like the Subaru's. Subaru offers covers and etc. plus it's 175hp and you expect it to take off like a 250+ hp. Get out of here you scammer. I bet it's better on gas than any other SUV out there non-hybrid.

[@TheSinasho]

my sister just bought this car and ohh my this is such an ugly car especially in Dubai and not for a fail thing purpose. wish i could turn back time and stop her from buying it :(

[@jeebus022]

dubai is a shit hole

[@DIYtryer]

If she’s happy with it so should you, it’s more utility than styling, but this year it looks way better since the early to mid 2000s or so I think.

[@NexDim.]

😂

[@hotspur666]

Mais le Subaru Outback 3.6, c'est le meilleur de tous! Acheté en 2016, c'est toujours comme neuf, rien a l'air de s'user! Rien pour battre ça! Le moteur est le même que ceux des avions, six cylindres a plat.