2010 Subaru Outback 2.5
Summary:
In summary, quite a useful general purpose car without being too shouty
Faults:
Rear wheel bearings noisy, both changed.
Front CV joints starting to chatter on full lock.
Interior HVAC electric air distribution motor starting to fail.
Paintwork is very thin and easily chipped or scratched.
Front leather seats not too comfortable on longer trips over an hour in duration.
There’s a nagging sense of ‘flimsiness’ and that the car has been stamped out and built down to a price in some areas to compensate for the costly AWD system.
General Comments:
Spacious inside without being a typically bulky SUV. Good headroom even with the sunroof fitted (driver 6ft 2in). Quite a large car feel, which doesn't seem to shrink with use and can be awkward to place as the front corners aren’t visible.
The 2.5 litre engine is more than adequate for most drivers and routinely delivers 10 litres/100km (23.5mpg US, 28.2mpg Imp) around town and 8l/100km (29.5mpg US, 35.3mpg Imp) on the open road.
The Subaru is sometimes used to tow a single axle 8ft x 4ft trailer, which when loaded totaling about 750KG, it pulls with relative ease.
The CVT transmission operates fine and hasn’t been any problem.
Not a particularly quiet car to travel in but that’s possibly due to the Bridgestone 235/55-17’s currently fitted and the chipseal road surfaces common in this country.
Paddle gear shifters on the steering wheel are rarely used and they sometimes get in the way when turning the wheel: the gap between them and the back of the wheel needs to be increased a little.
The vehicle can collect its fair share of supermarket dings in the door panels, as there are no protection strips to prevent damage from other drivers opening their doors into the sheet metal.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 19th April, 2019
5th Feb 2013, 05:57
I have the same car here in the UK, a 2011 model. I agree the car is very well engineered.
With regard to the paddles on the steering wheel, everyone says oh you must love that - I always say I didn't spend all this money on an automatic to change the gears myself, so consequently I never use them. But I guess that's my choice.
Fantastic car.