Subaru Outback Review

What the reviewers like:
Testers say the Subaru Outback station wagon is a real off-roader, and they find it easier to pilot around town than a bulky SUV. The Outback is comfortable, reliable and handles well, with plenty of room for a family and all of its stuff, reviewers say. It comes loaded with standard safety features, including curtain airbags, and gets excellent crash-test ratings. Overall, the Outback is deemed the top-rated sport wagon.

What the reviewers don't like:
Some say the 2008 Subaru Outback's backseat is cramped for adults. Acceleration on the base model is just so-so, say critics. More powerful engines are available as options, but they impact fuel economy.

EPA fuel economy estimate: 17 to 20 mpg city, 24 to 26 mpg highway, depending on engine and transmission

Subaru Outback review highlights

Reviewers call the 2008 Subaru Outback station wagon a more fuel-efficient alternative to an SUV, and the best sport wagon. All-wheel-drive is standard – a rarity on non-luxury wagons – and fuel economy is 22 mpg on the base engine, comparable to non-all-wheel-drive midpriced competitors such as the Dodge Magnum (*est. $23,420 to $37,905), Volvo V50 (*est. $26,815 to $31,565) and Audi A3 (*est. $25,930 to $34,915). Acceleration is just so-so on the Subaru's base engine, critics say, and if you opt for one of the more powerful optional engines, efficiency drops further. By comparison, the competing Dodge Magnum packs drag-race power without losing fuel economy. The Dodge Magnum wagon also offers a bit more cargo volume than the Subaru Outback station wagon, but reviewers say the Subaru Outback still has plenty of space. The Subaru Outback bests the Dodge Magnum and Volvo V50 in the reliability department; experts give it very good reliability ratings.

The Subaru Outback makes "Best Wagon" lists based on comparison tests at KBB.com, BusinessWeek and IntelliChoice.com. Consumer Reports thoroughly road-tests the Subaru Outback station wagon, ranking it against other wagons. CarCritic.com calls the Subaru Outback an "excellent choice" in a concise, non-comparative review. At MotherProof.com, a mom tests the Subaru Outback with kids in tow, reporting which features the family found most – and least – helpful.

Also see full report: Station Wagons

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. KBB.com
2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i Basic
Editors of KBB.com

KBB.com names the Subaru Outback to its "Recommended Shopping List" based on its 2007 review of the car, which is largely unchanged for 2008. The Subaru Outback station wagon is a good all-wheel-drive alternative for people who find SUVs too gas-guzzling, KBB.com says. This review praises the Subaru Outback's safety features and comfortable ride.

2. Business Week
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Best Wagons: Best Off-Road
Editors of BusinessWeek
Jul-07

The Subaru Outback is the best station wagon for off-road driving, according to BusinessWeek's "Best Wagons" list. Standard all-wheel-drive is usually limited to luxury wagons, the review points out, but Subaru has built its reputation offering it on midpriced cars like the Outback. This brief description includes pricing and fuel consumption data.

3. IntelliChoice.com
2008 Subaru Outback Review
Editors of IntelliChoice.com

IntelliChoice.com names the 2008 Subaru Outback the Best Overall Value of the Year in the midsize/large wagon category, as it did in 2007 as well. This brief review includes pricing and cost of ownership information along with standard features.

4. Consumer Reports
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2008 Subaru Outback Review
Editors of Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports ranks the Subaru Outback alongside other station wagons and hatchbacks, based on road-testing. The review includes detailed specifications and measurements, pricing information and Consumer Reports' reliability prediction and owner satisfaction survey results, but you must be a subscriber to read this report.

5. CarCritic.com
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2008 Subaru Outback Review
Don Vorderman

The one-page write-ups at CarCritic.com focus on salient details about each car, with heavy weighting of reliability. Reviewer Don Vorderman calls the 2008 Subaru Outback an "excellent choice."

6. MotherProof.com
2007 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited Wagon
Colette Fischer
Oct. 23-31, 2006

MotherProof.com's "mom-testers" don't rank station wagons against each other, but families will find kid-centric information here they probably won't find anywhere else. In her test-drive with kids, reviewer Colette Fischer singles out the Subaru Outback's removable plastic cargo insert for special praise – it collects the mud, water and gravel that usually drip from a stroller's wheels. MotherProof.com is affiliated with Cars.com.

Also see full report: Station Wagons