2015+ Subaru Outback

[Herr Kutz]

Anyone here have a 2015+ Subaru Outback? Do you like it?

I test drove a 2.5l last Saturday and while it was certainly adequate and got great mileage on my test route I think I'd pony up for the 3.6r. The dealer didn't have one on the lot so I have to wait until later this month when they get one in or visit another dealer. The only really negative thing that stood out was the cloth seats on the premium were very hard...so much that after the 50 minute test drive I definitely felt some pain. Hopefully the leather seats will be slightly softer. I've read similar complaints about the seats in the Forester but my mom's Forester has leather seats and I've driven that quite a ways with no comfort issues so maybe the Outback will be similar.

P.S. This was the first dealership where the salesman didn't give me any BS or didn't make up obviously false car stats on the fly. The latest gem was when I visited the Chevy dealer to test drive the new Malibu and the salesman told me the 2.0 4 cylinder turbo didn't have the auto shut off feature but it would reduce to 2 cylinders to save gas.

 

[NutBucket]

Wife and I are planning on getting a 3.6R. The 2.5 is just too slow...Prius slow. The only question is are we going to replace our Forester or WRX....

The 3.6 definitely drives nicely. I was able to take one out for a few minutes and there's no way I'd get a 2.5. For comparison we our Forester is a 2.5/CVT and its adequate. I don't think it would be very happy with a full load in the mountains. The 3.6 feels effortless by comparison.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Can't wait to test out the 3.6r then. There are no mountains around me (but it would be excellent on the road trips) and the hp/weight ratio of the 2.5 is slightly better than my versa, but I just really like the idea of the 3.6r. Unfortunately it looks like the soonest I'll be able to test drive one is late March. Subaru must be sending all their outbacks to the NE and NW.

What year and trim is your forester?

 

[NutBucket]

It's a 2015 2.5i Limited. So, same drive train but less weight.

 

[Jumpem]

I had a 2010 2.5i, now I have a 2014 Forester 2.5i. I plan to get a 2016 Outback 2.5i Limited in a couple of months.

I don't want to pay $3K extra for a fuel hungry H6. I wish they would put the 2.0 DIT in the Outback. A four cylinder turbo would provide better power, torque, and fuel economy.

I would get a 2017 FXT, but I need a vehicle prior to the fall.

 

[NutBucket]

As much as I love turbos the 3.6 is just buttery smooth and the Outback definitely has more of a luxury feel than the Forester. I think the H6 is more appropriate.

 

[Herr Kutz]

I had a 2010 2.5i, now I have a 2014 Forester 2.5i. I plan to get a 2016 Outback 2.5i Limited in a couple of months.

I don't want to pay $3K extra for a fuel hungry H6. I wish they would put the 2.0 DIT in the Outback. A four cylinder turbo would provide better power, torque, and fuel economy.

I would get a 2017 FXT, but I need a vehicle prior to the fall.

TBH I wouldn't even entertain the idea of an Outback with a higher powered engine if the higher powered engine was the 2.0t like the Forester. It really doesn't get all that good of mileage and requires premium which basically negates any fuel savings.

20city/27highway for the outback with 3.6r
23city/28highway for the forester with 2.0t

It's not quite an apples to apples comparison and I am aware that the 2.0t is faster 0-60. It's too bad because I think I actually prefer the Forester in many respects.

 

[Jumpem]

TBH I wouldn't even entertain the idea of an Outback with a higher powered engine if the higher powered engine was the 2.0t like the Forester. It really doesn't get all that good of mileage and requires premium which basically negates any fuel savings.

20city/27highway for the outback with 3.6r
23city/28highway for the forester with 2.0t

It's not quite an apples to apples comparison and I am aware that the 2.0t is faster 0-60. It's too bad because I think I actually prefer the Forester in many respects.

For me, the turbo would be 3 MPG better. It is also a bit quicker. I guess you are right that the fuel costs would be about even due to not needing premium in the H6.

 

[Jumpem]

Maybe I need to test drive a 3.6R now. It would cost about 6-7% more, but it also adds HID low beams.

 

[NutBucket]

Definitely try the 3.6R. The 2.5 is just too slow!

Naturally the salesman didn't try to hard to talk me into a 2.5 when I said we already had a 2.5 Fozzy and the OB is heavier Money is money to them

 

[Jumpem]

Definitely try the 3.6R. The 2.5 is just too slow!
Naturally the salesman didn't try to hard to talk me into a 2.5 when I said we already had a 2.5 Fozzy and the OB is heavier Money is money to them

It is, I put 100K miles on one. The Forester 2.5i is noticeably faster just from the two hundred pound lower curb weight.

 

[NutBucket]

Yep. When I told my wife the 2.5 is as fast as a Prius she had no qualms about the extra cost LOL

For reference, her current DD is a WRX

 

[Herr Kutz]

It is, I put 100K miles on one. The Forester 2.5i is noticeably faster just from the two hundred pound lower curb weight.

Oh yeah, that's another thing. If I end up with an outback I'll probably be adding a nice amount of sound insulation to make the ride even quieter. The extra weight would make the 2.5i seem like even more of a dog.

 

[drnickriviera]

We just got a 2016 2.5 Premium with eyesight. Get the eyesight, adaptive cruise is very nice. Lane keeping can be annoying in some spots, but kinda surprises you how many times you get too close to the lines. We have no rush hour commute, but I hear it is awesome for that.

I really don't notice a lack of power. I tend to keep it at 70 and below for fuel economy. Seems to tank at 75. If I were in the mountains or tried to tow at it's rated 2700-3000lbs, then i'd want the 3.6. Maybe i'm getting old, but I really dont care about having a fast cuv. If I want to have fun i'll get on the motorcycle. It has enough power to cruise on the interstate, good enough for me.

I don't find the seats hard. Been on a couple 400mile trips with no problems. I usually leave the seat heaters on low. Seems to help. I know the 2015's had some issues with wind noise around the little windows by the side mirrors, but they seem to have fixed it. I consider it to be a very quite car.

If you want more negotiating power, there is a dealer in colorado springs that has some killer prices through one of the internet salesmen. Mine was MSRP 29940, invoice 28024, they gave a price of 27729 shipped to my door in TX. or pick it up in CO for 700 less

 

[Yuriman]

I've pretty much outgrown having high powered people-haulers as well. I own a fun car, but it's not what I drive everyday because, when I'm driving to work, I usually just want to go with traffic and listen to my music or audiobook.

I'd go for the 2.5 for the money it'll save, both up front and at the pump. Gas is cheap right now, but it won't always be.

 

[Kaido]

I test-drove the 2.5, felt the same way - it needs the 3.6. Unfortunately, my dealer pretty much never gets them in (or the Forester Turbo! bah).

fwiw, I thought the cloth was more comfortable than the leather in the Outback, but didn't really care for either of the seats.

 

[NutBucket]

Funny, we find the OB seats much better than the Fozzy seats. As far as availability, it's up to the dealer to decide what they want to order.

 

[SNC]

I have a 15 OB 2.5i, and LOVE IT. I'm pushing 300# and the seats to me a lot more comfortable then the fozzy seats. As for mileage I have a combined 26.8MPG over 9680 miles so far in mixed driving. The 07 versa I gave to my son had a 25.6 MPG over 125,254 miles.

 

[Nyati13]

I have a 2015 2.5i. The 4 cyl is a bit slow sometimes but I usually don't notice it in daily driving. Eyesight is a must, that system is fantastic at cruising even in traffic.

 

[Herr Kutz]

Ugh, just found out that the pushbutton start and pin code access isn't standard on limited. For some reason I thought they were. The 3.6r price just gets crazy insane if I have to add the eyesight package.

 

[JMapleton]

Why did Subuaru have to make all their cars so BIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGG?

The Outback is like a bus!

The Legacy is basically now a Cadillac Deville.

Two great cars, ruined.

 

[Jumpem]

Why did Subuaru have to make all their cars so BIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGG?

The Outback is like a bus!

The Legacy is basically now a Cadillac Deville.

Two great cars, ruined.

Most cars models have been getting larger for decades. Subaru is just part of the trend. The size of the Outback is nice for kids.

 

[Jumpem]

Ugh, just found out that the pushbutton start and pin code access isn't standard on limited. For some reason I thought they were. The 3.6r price just gets crazy insane if I have to add the eyesight package.

I consider EyeSight a must have. I would get a 2.5i Premium with it before a Limited without.

 

[Herr Kutz]

I consider EyeSight a must have. I would get a 2.5i Premium with it before a Limited without.

That was my feeling at first, but I've come to the conclusion that I would rather spend that money towards a smoother, more powerful engine rather than eyesight. When we have truly autonomous cars then I would say it will definitely be something I cannot pass up.

 

[NutBucket]

Why did Subuaru have to make all their cars so BIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGG?

The Outback is like a bus!

The Legacy is basically now a Cadillac Deville.

Two great cars, ruined.

Really, back to this junk?

2005 Legacy:

186L x 68W x 56H

2016 Legacy:

189L x 72W x 59H

2000 Outback:

187L x 69W x 63H

2016 Outback:

190L x x72W x66H

Seriously, these cars aren't huge by any means but man has the interior space improved. I think commercial airliners have more rear seat room than my 2005 Legacy did.