2018 Subaru Outback Review

Name: 2018 Subaru Outback Review
Brand: Subaru
Price: 11500 USD

Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring 4dr SUV Exterior

Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV Front Straight

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byCalvin Kim^{Vehicle Test Engineer
Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.}

Pros

A more spacious and comfortable cabin than those of many rivals
Roof and cargo-loading heights are lower than those of most SUVs
Excellent visibility in all directions
Off-road ability is above average

Cons

Acceleration is lackluster, especially with four-cylinder engine
Gas and brake pedal feel make it hard to drive four-cylinder smoothly

What's new

Updated front and rear fascias for a more aggressive look
New infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Updated designs for center console and steering wheel
Part of the fifth Outback generation introduced for 2015

There are a lot of choices in the SUV segment. Read some of our reviews and you'll quickly learn they all have their respective strengths and weaknesses. The 2018 Subaru Outback, though, is strong in just about all areas you'll really care about, including fuel economy, interior volume, off-road capability and standard in-car technology.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$162/mo

$207/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The Outback's standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine gets an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined, which is pretty respectable for a vehicle of this size. It also features a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, plus hill hold and hill descent control, to help get off the beaten path with ease. And with 73.3 cubic feet of interior cargo volume, 60/40-split fold-down rear seats, and standard roof rails, you'll be able to bring all your toys and supplies while you're roaming the countryside. This year's Outback is packed with the latest technology, too. Every 2018 Outback now comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as part of its updated touchscreen display.

But the Outback does have one weakness: performance. While its four-cylinder engine may get good mileage, its 175-horsepower output is down on power compared to its class. (There is a six-cylinder engine available, though.) The Outback is also not particularly crisp or willing to drive with enthusiasm around turns. It's a compromise we wholeheartedly accept, however. If you're looking for a capable crossover SUV that's useful for just about any situation, give the Outback a look.

Notably, we picked the 2018 Subaru Outback as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize SUVs and Best Used SUVs for 2018.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

Don't put Subaru's Outback into the mall-crawler category with its competition. They can't hang when the road falls apart. The Outback shares the powertrain and design with the Subaru Legacy sedan, but its extra ground clearance and wagon body style increase its usefulness dramatically. It's a very practical, go-anywhere vehicle.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited (2.5L flat-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	8.0

Driving

7.0

Instrumented performance is not a strong suit for the Subaru Outback. With the four-cylinder, acceleration can only be described as slow. Although its handling numbers aren't fantastic, the Outback shows its capabilities on bumpy back roads. Its off-road ability is better than most.

Acceleration

5.0

With the 175-hp 2.5-liter engine, acceleration is one of the weakest areas for the Outback. There's a dearth of power, and it takes a sluggish 10.2 seconds to hit 60 mph. Consider getting the six-cylinder engine (the 3.6R trim level) if quick acceleration is desired.

Braking

6.5

The brake pedal modulates well, making it easy to come to lurch-free stops. Because of a spongy pedal feel, the brakes don't seem all that powerful, even though actual braking performance in our testing proved adequate. The Outback has considerable nosedive when you jump on the brakes.

Steering

8.0

There's minor numbness when the steering wheel is centered, but otherwise the steering is precise, and the Outback turns just as you expect it to. The steering effort is moderate to heavy in feel.

Handling

6.0

Overall grip limits are low, and the tires start to squeal if you take turns with any aggression. The soft suspension results in significant body roll. Drive more modestly, though, and the Outback has an easy-to-control handling feel.

Drivability

7.0

The Outback is easy to drive because of its cushy suspension, manageable size, and CVT automatic that doesn't wind the revs out too much. You can also put the gearbox into manual mode to fix your gear for specific off-road or sporty needs. At low speeds, some may find the gas pedal too responsive.

Off-road

8.0

The Outback is one of the more rugged crossovers in the segment, and its well-tuned all-wheel-drive system boosts driver confidence in light off-roading. Ground clearance is good, with 8.7 inches at its lowest point. Traction control works well to quell wheelspin when driving on loose surfaces.

Comfort

8.0

The inside of the Outback is a great place to spend time on the road. The front and rear seats provide all-day comfort, and the soft suspension offers a smooth ride. But the car lets in more road and wind noise than we'd like, and longer-legged drivers will want additional lower thigh support.

Seat comfort

8.5

The front seats are fantastically plush. They have supple leather, generously wide cushions and decent lateral bolstering. The door and center armrests are well-padded, and the driver's seat has power lumbar. The reclining rear seats are also comfy; the seat bottoms could be longer for more thigh support.

Ride comfort

8.5

The Outback has a soft, comfortable ride thanks to plentiful suspension travel. Small ripples are soaked up with ease, and parking-lot speed bumps barely register. But strangely, certain big impacts at higher speeds make their way into the cabin.

Noise & vibration

6.5

The Outback is a fairly quiet car, but with the low thrum of the flat-four engine, you're always aware that you're in a car. There is a moderate amount of wind noise and some tire noise over surface changes. The engine gets loud at high rpm, but the CVT automatic rarely lets it get up that high.

Climate control

9.0

The analog controls are clearly labeled and easy to operate. The system cools effectively, and the fan speed settles down quickly for a quiet cabin. The seat heaters are controlled by clearly visible buttons.

Interior

8.5

There's a lot going on inside the Outback, but Subaru made sure that the primary controls are all traditional analog systems. Thanks to its high ride height, getting in and out is a breeze. And once you're seated, the power seat and manually adjustable steering wheel have a broad range of adjustability.

Ease of use

8.5

While the infotainment system is all touchscreen-based, the controls related to vehicle operation are simple, and the analog controls are within easy reach. The LCD digital clock and outside temp readouts are tiny and blend in with the climate control display.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

The front doors are large and open wide, making entry a snap. But the tall ride height and wide rocker panels make it harder to step out. The rear doors don't open wide, but it's still easy to get in and out thanks to near-perfect step-in height.

Driving position

8.0

It's easy for the driver to find a comfortable position thanks to a wide seat with mild bolstering and a broad range of seat adjustability. The manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel has a good range of adjustability, and the rim is a good width for all hand sizes.

Roominess

8.5

The front seats boast excellent headroom and plenty of elbow room. In back, adults will find a suitable amount of headroom and legroom. Foot space under front seats can be a bit scrunched, especially if the driver's seat is lowered all the way down.

Visibility

9.0

The slim roof pillars all around make it easy to see out, as do the big rear windows. We also like the large side mirrors.

Quality

8.5

The interior has plenty of soft-touch materials in the interior, with nice-looking trim textures, too. The build quality is solid, and we experienced no squeaks or rattles with our test car, even when driving off-road.

Utility

8.0

The Outback is just as versatile as other top small crossover SUVs. It has a lot of available cargo space in back and useful small storage areas for your personal items. It has a decent amount of towing capability, too.

Small-item storage

7.5

The two front cupholders don't have anti-tip tabs, so drinks may rattle around a little. We found the large compartment in front of the shifter useful for holding phones. The center console box is large enough to hold a DSLR camera. But the door pockets are narrow and short.

Cargo space

9.0

The Outback's rear cargo area provides 35.5 cubic feet of space. There's a fold-down grocery bag hook, as well as cargo hooks at each corner. You can fold down the 60/40-split rear seats from the side or by using the rear release levers. The max 73.3 cubic feet of cargo volume is impressive.

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

Three upper LATCH anchors are located on the rear seatback and are not covered for easy access. There are four lower anchors, two per outboard seats, that are easily accessed behind labeled covers made of seat material.

Towing

8.0

The Outback is rated to tow 2,700 pounds with the four-cylinder engine or 3,000 pounds with the six-cylinder. Those are better numbers than that of most other small crossover SUVs. But given the four-cylinder's lack of power, we'd only recommend towing if you've got the more powerful 3.6-liter engine.

Technology

8.0

What the Outback gives up in performance it makes up for in technology. Most all digital systems are controlled through the touchscreen. It has a bright, high-contrast display, with large buttons and clear text. Setting up your phone is easy, and there are plenty of ports to charge your devices.

Audio & navigation

7.0

Our Limited test car had the 12-speaker, 576-watt Harman Kardon system. We found the midranges to be light, though audio quality was clear. Only the Touring model comes with standard navigation, but standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto let you use Apple Maps or Google Maps to handle nav duty.

Smartphone integration

8.5

Your devices can be connected to the car via an auxiliary-in jack, Bluetooth and USB connection. Pairing is easy, and there are additional USB jacks for charging in both front and rear seats. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on every Outback. There are also three 12-volt power sockets.

Driver aids

8.0

Subaru's EyeSight provides adaptive cruise control, front collision mitigation and lane departure warning. The Outback also comes with blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise works to a full stop, but it may vary by 1 or 2 mph from the set speed.

Voice control

9.0

The Starlink voice recognition system handles commands for audio, telephone and, optionally, navigation. It recognizes most commands on the first try as long as you speak in the system's preferred format. Even the climate control system can be controlled via voice.

2018 Subaru Outback models

The 2018 Subaru Outback is a five-passenger wagon that comes in six trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 3.6R Limited and 3.6R Touring. The base model covers the essentials (roof rails, Bluetooth), while Premium and Limited trims include conveniences such as heated seats, leather and satellite radio. Touring trims are fully loaded, and 3.6R models have similar equipment but include a more powerful six-cylinder engine.

Outback 2.5i

The base 2.5i starts with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (175 hp, 174 lb-ft) and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that feeds power to all four wheels. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, hill descent control, hill holding assist, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, roof rails (with integrated crossbars), air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth connectivity, Subaru's Starlink 6.5-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB interface.

Outback 2.5i Premium

The 2.5i Premium adds rear privacy glass, heated exterior mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (with two-way lumbar adjustment), heated front seats, a cargo cover, a bigger 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, three additional USB ports (one front and two rear) and six speakers for the sound system. The Power Moonroof package adds the obvious plus an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A power liftgate with memory height is also optional.

The 2.5i Limited bundles the Premium options plus 18-inch wheels, a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, a front bumper underguard, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a four-way power passenger seat, rear air vents, heated rear seats and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Xenon headlights are optional on the 2.5i Limited.

Outback 3.6R Limited

The 3.6R Limited gets the xenon headlights as standard equipment and a more powerful engine, but it is otherwise the same as the 2.5i Limited.

The Premium and Limited trims can be upgraded with Subaru's EyeSight system (adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights and upgraded gauges). Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are included in the Premium version of EyeSight, and navigation can be bundled with this package. The Outback Limited's version includes navigation, automatic braking for rear collisions and steering-responsive LED headlights. Note that Subaru bundles these items into one big package, so you can't order them individually.

Outback 2.5i Touring and 3.6R Touring

The 2.5i Touring and 3.6R Touring trims include the standard features and options from the Premium and Limited trims, as well as the Driver Assist Technology package. Touring models also have different 18-inch wheels, dark exterior trim, fixed low-profile roof rails without crossbars, premium leather upholstery, wood grain interior trim, and a heated steering wheel.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#10 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Subaru Outback from 2008-2022.}

$516/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.5%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Subaru Outback.

5 (53%)

4 (19%)

3 (13%)

2 (7%)

1 (8%)

4.0

208 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Less noise than last year

Scott M., 08/12/2017

2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)

I drove the 2017 Outback and really liked it, except for the wind noise and road noise. I read that Subaru was going to make improvements in that department with new glass and insulation in the wheel wells. I'm glad I waited for the 2018. The difference is very noticeable. The new interface for the infotainment system is nice, too. The fit and finish is excellent. I'm very pleased …

Great Car but Electronic Gremlins

Roger Harrison, 10/12/2017

2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)

We traded our 2015 Legacy on a 2018 3.6R touring and embarked on a 3000 mile tour of the West. The four was best around town; performance, particularly at 6000 ft. where we live, was adequate at best and the engine note was like rattling a coffee can full of rocks. It was an engine you felt sorry for. The 3.6R is an entirely different proposition - a great, quiet, confidence …

Electronic nightmare!

Barbara J., 11/19/2018

2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

My 2018 Outback's multi-media system went to black 7 months after I bought the car - no GPS, Bluetooth, radio, CD, phone functions. I was also having a problem with my brakes seizing on my driveway because apparently the safety sensors thought there was an obstacle (but there wasn't.) When I went into the service department, I was informed that they couldn't repair the multi-media …

For what it is, great. Some updates needed

Pj smith, 12/21/2017

2018 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT)

Moving from a 528 to this, so my expectations are moderate, but have been exceeded. Great safety features with the eyesight package. Decent power with the 6 cylinder (the 2.5 felt anemic to me). Not great gas mileage, but the car has s normally aspirated, so no need for premium fuels, which helps. About the only true beef I have is that the infotainment system is a known week spot. It’s …

See all 208 reviews of the Subaru Outback

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2018 Outback Highlights

Trim:

2.5i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$25,895
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$162/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	35.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Outback models:

EyeSight Driver Assist Technology: Scans the road ahead to enable adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and automatic foglights.
Blind-Spot Detection/Lane Change Assist: Uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in blind spot and shows visual indicator in side mirror. Indicator also warns of unsafe lane change.
Starlink Safety and Security Plus: Notifies first responders if an airbag deploys. Can also connect to emergency or roadside assistance services.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover17.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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