Bought a 2013 OB Limited back in August and now have 7,500 miles on it. This is my first Subaru. Background - this is a family car used mostly for short trips like getting groceries and taking kids to school. 21 years driving experience in many different cars.
The good:
1. Utility. Big enough for a 4 person family but not too big like an SUV. The backseat has enough legroom to put a rear-facing infant car seat behind the driver's seat. In most cars this is impossible. Lots of space in the rear cargo area, enough to put a stroller in lengthwise (two wheels touching the back of the rear seat and two wheels touching the rear hatch).
2. Navigation / back up camera. I'm in the minority in thinking that a hardwired nav system is better than a portable unit. No wires, modern maps, and a large screen make this MUCH better than a portable unit. Because of the large screen the back up camera screen is wonderful. This is something you never knew you needed until you use it.
3. EyeSight. The adaptive cruise control is awesome. I bought it for the pre-collision braking system. But since you never hope to need it, you never (hopefully) use it. But the ACC is beautiful. Never knew I needed it. The lane change warning is useful on long trips where you need an audible warning upon going over the lane lines when you get sleepy.
Neutral:
1. Dual zone climate control. The AC kept the car plenty cold in the summer. The controls are confusing. To change which vents the air blows out of you have to keep pressing a single button. Old fashioned levers and switches work better.
2. Leather seats. Leather is the minority here. It's mostly vinyl. OK by me since this is a family car where I think I actually prefer vinyl to cloth. But the rampant use of vinyl does make the car stink when new (still does).
The bad:
1. Stereo. I was looking forward to the upgraded Harmon Kardon stereo. It's not good. I like bass but this stereo is extremely bass heavy. I have it set to its lowest setting and it's still too much. Otherwise the sound is too cold and sterile. My portable single speaker radio I use inside the house is better.
2. General audio. When scanning through radio stations and changing from one menu item to another, there is a horrible "BEEEEEEEEP!" My old VW had a pleasant "poooooong." This is an easy fix. My suspicion here is that Subaru is targeting an older demographic (40-60?) that it suspects is hard of hearing (I'm serious).
3. Steering. I've never had to pay so much attention to steering. Many inputs to go in a straight line. Dealer says alignment is "in spec." Maybe, but I doubt it's ideal.
4. Inadequate engine on the highway. With cruise control at 70 mph, the slightest incline would prompt the CVT to jump from 1,8000 rpm to 2,500. Often it would require 3,000 rpm to maintain speed. Occasionally it would hit 4,000 to maintain 70 mph. How I miss my VW GTI where, in 6th gear, it could handle ANY incline and never slow down.
The ugly:
1. Stiff, busy ride. I get that this helps cornering and some aspects of stability, but this is too much. Fine for around town but it gets tiring on long trips.
2. Fuel economy. At 6,500 miles, I took this on a 800 mile trip for Thanksgiving. Got 25.5 mpg and 27 mpg on 100% highway w/ cruise control set to 70 mph. I suspect that the CVT constantly going into 2,000+ (and even 3,000+) rpm had a lot to do with this. But still, the EPA numbers should reflect real world driving conditions, not 60 mph on completely flat ground (who drives 60 mph on the interstate?)
I bought this car to a safe, family-friendly grocery getter for the wife and for long trips to grandma's. And also for its traction in the snow (haven't tested the AWD yet). So many of these things in the bad and ugly column don't concern me too much. In this sense I'm satisfied. BUT, if you're not buying this to be a safe family hauler I'd have my reservations about this 2013 Outback.
The good:
1. Utility. Big enough for a 4 person family but not too big like an SUV. The backseat has enough legroom to put a rear-facing infant car seat behind the driver's seat. In most cars this is impossible. Lots of space in the rear cargo area, enough to put a stroller in lengthwise (two wheels touching the back of the rear seat and two wheels touching the rear hatch).
2. Navigation / back up camera. I'm in the minority in thinking that a hardwired nav system is better than a portable unit. No wires, modern maps, and a large screen make this MUCH better than a portable unit. Because of the large screen the back up camera screen is wonderful. This is something you never knew you needed until you use it.
3. EyeSight. The adaptive cruise control is awesome. I bought it for the pre-collision braking system. But since you never hope to need it, you never (hopefully) use it. But the ACC is beautiful. Never knew I needed it. The lane change warning is useful on long trips where you need an audible warning upon going over the lane lines when you get sleepy.
Neutral:
1. Dual zone climate control. The AC kept the car plenty cold in the summer. The controls are confusing. To change which vents the air blows out of you have to keep pressing a single button. Old fashioned levers and switches work better.
2. Leather seats. Leather is the minority here. It's mostly vinyl. OK by me since this is a family car where I think I actually prefer vinyl to cloth. But the rampant use of vinyl does make the car stink when new (still does).
The bad:
1. Stereo. I was looking forward to the upgraded Harmon Kardon stereo. It's not good. I like bass but this stereo is extremely bass heavy. I have it set to its lowest setting and it's still too much. Otherwise the sound is too cold and sterile. My portable single speaker radio I use inside the house is better.
2. General audio. When scanning through radio stations and changing from one menu item to another, there is a horrible "BEEEEEEEEP!" My old VW had a pleasant "poooooong." This is an easy fix. My suspicion here is that Subaru is targeting an older demographic (40-60?) that it suspects is hard of hearing (I'm serious).
3. Steering. I've never had to pay so much attention to steering. Many inputs to go in a straight line. Dealer says alignment is "in spec." Maybe, but I doubt it's ideal.
4. Inadequate engine on the highway. With cruise control at 70 mph, the slightest incline would prompt the CVT to jump from 1,8000 rpm to 2,500. Often it would require 3,000 rpm to maintain speed. Occasionally it would hit 4,000 to maintain 70 mph. How I miss my VW GTI where, in 6th gear, it could handle ANY incline and never slow down.
The ugly:
1. Stiff, busy ride. I get that this helps cornering and some aspects of stability, but this is too much. Fine for around town but it gets tiring on long trips.
2. Fuel economy. At 6,500 miles, I took this on a 800 mile trip for Thanksgiving. Got 25.5 mpg and 27 mpg on 100% highway w/ cruise control set to 70 mph. I suspect that the CVT constantly going into 2,000+ (and even 3,000+) rpm had a lot to do with this. But still, the EPA numbers should reflect real world driving conditions, not 60 mph on completely flat ground (who drives 60 mph on the interstate?)
I bought this car to a safe, family-friendly grocery getter for the wife and for long trips to grandma's. And also for its traction in the snow (haven't tested the AWD yet). So many of these things in the bad and ugly column don't concern me too much. In this sense I'm satisfied. BUT, if you're not buying this to be a safe family hauler I'd have my reservations about this 2013 Outback.