Subaru Outback 5th Generation 2015-2019 Review

The 5th-generation Subaru Outback received a single facelift in its relatively short life and it was applied to the 2018 model, the second-last model year.

The rather fussy grille with all its chrome slats and slots was simplified and cleaned up. The facelift variant has a thinner chrome border and one thick chrome slat running horizontally through its top third - with the Subaru logo in the middle - and two thin slats below it¹. The bumper treatment is more aggressive, with the black fog light slots reaching up higher into the bumper and toward the headlights. Above these slots, the bumper gains crisp L-shaped creases². The headlights are subtly restyled and sharpened up, with the top edge of the headlight now running down to the grille with a pointy edge and no longer a smooth curve³.

The rear received fewer changes, retaining the old sheet metal and rear lights. The bumper is new though, with the black rear valance mirroring the front one, reaching up into the bumper on either side of the tailgate and no longer running evenly along the lower edge of the bumper¹. At the front, these slots contain the fog lights and at the rear they contain the upright rear reflectors².

Besides the obligatory new wheel designs that accompany a facelift, the profile looks the same, save for the revised bumpers with their new lower valances that can also be seen from the side¹.

The interior received a freshening that is subtle but noticeable. The most obvious changes are to the center stack. The top half receives a new infotainment interface with a larger screen and revised buttons¹. The lower half is no longer layered in dark and silver plastic, but is uniformly black and contains a completely redesigned climate control interface, with two large round knobs on either side and buttons between them, whereas the previous silver panel had three smaller round knobs². The entire center control stack is black and now gains a silver border, also applied around the two center air vents, which are now larger³.

The 5th-gen Subaru Outback had the same two engine options for its entire production run. The base engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated FB25 flat-four with 175 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, driving all four wheels via Subaru's symmetrical permanent all-wheel-drive system. The 0-60-mph sprint is dispatched in around 9.1 - 9.6 seconds. The other engine option is a far more potent 3.6-liter naturally aspirated EZ36D flat-six with 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, capable of completing the benchmark sprint in around seven seconds. Both engines are exclusively mated to a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Luckily, the 5th gen Outback was popular in America and there is plenty of user-submitted data. These figures show one thing clearly: that the 2.5-liter engine never achieves its claims in practice and that the 3.6-liter always beats its claims. It seems that owners are driving the underpowered 2.5 hard to make headway, while the six-cylinder is operating well within the ambit of its abilities more of the time.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

The fifth-generation Subaru Outback BS has had a sound reputation for safety from the day it was launched. The NHTSA awarded the 2015 model an overall rating of five stars, made up of five stars for the frontal and side crash tests and four stars for the rollover test. The Outback received these exact same scores for all five model years. The IIHS awarded the 2015 Outback its top score for all its crash tests, as well as the Top Safety Pick+ award - the agency's highest accolade. Again, the Outback retained these scores for all model years, putting it in the top tier of safest cars on US roads.

标准安全设备基础上2015内地includes ABS brakes, stability and traction control, eight airbags, active front headrests, automatic headlights, tire pressure monitoring, and a backup camera. All trims except the base car have access to EyeSight driver-assistance systems, such as pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, sway warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. For 2016, lane-keeping assist was added to the EyeSight suite. The 2016 Limited received standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Automatic high beams and automatic reverse emergency braking are added to the EyeSight suite for 2017, as well as a top Touring trim that gets all the safety features as standard. Adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assist became available for the 2018 model. The final 2019 model year saw the biggest safety upgrade, with the previously optional EyeSight driver-assistance suite becoming standard equipment on all trims, with additional equipment - and auto-dimming interior mirror with HomeLink and a compass - added to Premium and Limited trims.

The fifth-gen Outback trims are relatively straightforward, with Base, Premium, and Limited trims for the 2015 four-cylinder models and the 3.6 only available in Limited. The 2017 model year saw the addition of a top Touring trim, available with either engine, and this is how the lineup remained for the rest of the production run. For all years up to 2018, the Base trim lost out not only due to fewer standard features but also because various extras weren't available on it, notably safety features.

The interior of the Outback is spacious for a wagon and with more than 38 inches or rear legroom, nearly 39 inches of rear headroom, and a full 35.5 cubic feet of cargo space on offer, it offers lots of room for people and things. It's not as roomy as some proper crossovers, but it has more than enough space for a growing family and everything is screwed together tightly. It's not really upmarket, but it's pleasingly solid. Subaru does its best to make the most of what's on offer by providing leather as standard on both top trims; in fact, the Touring has sumptuous Java Brown leather trim, which does quite a lot to lift the interior and drive Subaru's luxury aspirations home. So too do the satin-silver highlights on the dashboard and steering wheel and welcome touches such as the rear-seat ventilation vents.

The Outback's engines are generally durable and it seems that the days of the EJ engines with their gasket issues and cambelt replacements are gone for good. The FB and EZ engines have chain drives for the valvegear and the gaskets hold up, so no problems there. However, they tend to leak oil as they age and the six-cylinder engine does experience the occasional issue with its cam-chain and serpentine-belt tensioners, while the four-cylinder may have an unhealthy appetite for oil if you drew the short end of the straw. However, Subaru has a reputation for troublesome transmissions, especially the CVT, which is the only one available on all fifth-generation Outbacks. The 2015 models are best avoided, but Subaru did extend the warranty on models with problematic CVTs and most of the issues should have been addressed by now. The CVT should not jerk, shudder, or hesitate.

A lubrication service where the engine oil and filter are replaced and the tires rotated is due every 6,000 miles. The cabin's air filter should be replaced every 12,000 miles, the engine's air filter and the brake fluid every 30,000 miles, the spark plugs every 60,000 miles, and the fuel filter every 72,000 miles. Subaru does not prescribe an interval for the replacement of the CVT's oil and stipulates that it should only be inspected every 30,000 miles. It prescribes transmission oil changes only for severe use, such as towing. There is no dipstick to check the oil level for yourself. Fastidious owners prefer to replace the oil from time to time and every 60,000 miles is a good call. Be sure to use a professional that uses the correct oil and knows how to do the job - or have it done by a Subaru dealership.

Technical Service Bulletins according to the NHTSA. Check service book for:

内地通常是持久的,但早期的简历Ts proved troublesome, although most of these are covered by an extended warranty. Nothing major goes wrong with the engines, but about four to seven percent of FB25 engines exhibit excessive oil consumption, which is around one in 20. It's more an irritant than a problem and does not affect the performance or normal operation of the engine, but it can spell trouble if it's excessive and the oil level runs dangerously low, which can lead to engine failure. The EZ36D does not seem to suffer from this malady, but a faulty cam-chain tensioner can rear its head and should be attended to before the chain becomes damaged or before it fails completely and causes engine damage. Other than that, it's only really the EZ36D's auxiliary belt drive (again the tensioner) that can cause trouble. If it fails, the alternator stops working, forcing you to stop. This is just as well, because the water pump stops as well and the engine would overheat if you continued driving.

Besides these and a few other more common problems, there are also a few minor problems that do crop up from time to time and do not warrant their own sections in this review; we list them here:

• Some 2016 and 2017 Subaru Outback problems include a seemingly faulty ignition switch, leading to the key becoming stuck so that it cannot be removed from the ignition. Apparently, the steering column must be replaced in such a case, to the tune of around $470.
• It's unclear whether an alignment issue is at the root of it, but there was an uptick in Outbacks pulling to the one side while driving and it only really seems to affect the 2018 Outback.
• Some 2015 and 2016 Subaru Outbacks seem to have a problem with their lifetime fuel-consumption monitor not working properly. This does not seem to be very commonplace and it's not very serious either.
• While the frequency with which 2015, 2016, and 2017 Subaru Outback driver window problems are mentioned warrants a closer look, it usually does not seem to be serious and usually requires little more than resetting the power-window controller.
• 2015 and 2016 Subaru Outback wheel bearing problems crop up now and again. Some Outback owners reported the premature failure of wheel bearings at around 35,000 to 50,000 miles, requiring replacement at around $650 a shot.
• 似乎有几个2015年和2016年斯巴鲁Outback power liftgate problems, often after a dead battery and the failures appear to be temperature-related too. In many cases, Outbacks experiencing sub-zero temperatures seem to be more prone to the problem of the power liftgate failing to open or only opening partly before closing again.

Here are all the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback recalls:

• Denso fuel pump recall.More than 364,000 Subarus of various models were recalled for a Denso low-pressure fuel pump that may fail, causing the engine to stall and potentially causing a crash. The 2018 and 2019 Outbacks were affected. Dealers replace the fuel pump.
• 燃油量表召回。The 2018 Subaru Outback gas gauge problems are well-known and there was a recall for them. In nearly 230,000 2018 Subarus, an incorrect fuel-level display may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly run out of fuel without warning and the Outback was affected too. Dealers reprogram the combination meter software to fix the problem.
• Backup camera recall.In more than 71,000 Subarus, the backup camera image may fail to display when selecting Reverse, possibly leading to a crash. The 2018 Outback was also affected. Dealers reprogram the audio system's display software to solve the problem in an ongoing effort to iron out the Starlink infotainment system's software bugs.
• Steering failure recall.A total of 48,819 2015-2017 Subaru Legacy and Outback models were recalled for an improperly machined steering column that may separate completely, leading to a total loss of steering and potentially causing a crash. Subaru replaces the entire steering column.
• ESC recall.Subaru recalled 766 Legacy and Outback models from 2015 for an electronic stability control (ESC) system that may not perform adequately due to moisture in the brake fluid, leading to a loss of vehicle control and potentially a crash. Dealers flush the brake system and replace the brake fluid.
• Transmission oil leak recall.有回忆的斯巴鲁内地传播problems for fluid leaking out of them. A total of 2,893 2015 and 2016 Legacys and Outbacks were recalled for a propeller shaft yoke with a deformed seal cap that may cause transmission fluid to leak onto the hot exhaust, potentially causing a fire. Dealers replace affected propeller shafts.
• Inoperative EyeSight collision mitigation braking recall.In another 2015 recall, nearly 72,000 Subarus across five model ranges including the Outback were recalled for a switch that activates the brake lights that might fail, thereby disabling the front pre-collision automatic emergency braking function. Dealers reprogram the EyeSight driver-assistance system to ensure the system always activates when needed.
• Recall for incorrectly torqued trailer hitch assembly.In yet another 2015 recall, 56 Outbacks were recalled for the nuts of their trailer hitch assemblies having been overtightened during assembly, potentially causing a failure of the hitch mounting studs. Dealers replace all eight hitch mounting nuts.
• Recall for an airbag control module incompatible with the airbag.Only 46 2016 and 2017 Outbacks were affected by a replacement passenger airbag control module that might have been installed and that is incompatible with the passenger airbag module, causing the airbag to deploy improperly. Dealers replace the airbag module.
• Recall for the driveshaft that may detach from the differential.Subaru recalled 3,251 2016 Legacys and Outbacks for a driveshaft that may detach from the rear differential, potentially striking the gas tank and rupturing it.
• Recall for loose bolts affecting braking and handling.No more than 99 2017 Outbacks were recalled for bolts in the left-hand and right-hand-side brake calipers, wheel hubs, and right-hand-side stabilizer clamp that may not have been properly tightened. If these bolts were to loosen and the affected components become detached, it could lead to vehicle instability and reduced braking performance. Dealers inspect all the bolts for torque and replace the affected ones.
• Recall for improperly applied spot welds.Subaru recalled 2,107 2019 Legacy and Outback models for spot welds on the duct below the lower cowl that may have been applied improperly, leading to reduced strength of the vehicle's body and an increased risk of injury in a crash. Dealers repaired the vehicles or offered to buy them back and then repair them. Either way, they should be perfectly safe if the recall work has been performed.

The 2015 Subaru Outback was by far the worst in terms of problems and although many of these should have been fixed under warranty or recall, we'd avoid it because the first year of a new model is usually the most problematic anyway and production quality improves on later years. Also, keep in mind that pre-facelift models never had Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and were sometimes criticized for their stiff ride quality. In terms of the trims, we'd avoid the four-cylinder engine altogether. It is underpowered and in the real world, this means that its fuel-economy advantage is watered down because it has to be driven hard to deliver its best. We'd also avoid the base trim, which is not only worse equipped but has access to fewer upgrades and options as well.

如果预算紧张,到目前为止,我们去足总celift 2018+ Outback with its improved appearance and suspension. The 2019 model with its standard EyeSight driver-assistance suite is best, but this was optional on 2018 models, so a 2018 model so equipped is just as safe. We wouldn't hesitate to go for the six-cylinder either, because, in the real world, its fuel economy is better than the EPA claims and not that far off the four-cylinder's. Yet, it offers a lot more power, as well as a nicer sound and better refinement. The facelift Outback also has smartphone integration as standard.

With a few persistent issues and too many recalls, the fifth-generation Outback is not the last word in Subaru reliability but if you avoid the 2015 model and opt for a car with a full service history and all its warranty and recall work done, you'll have a solid wagon that can go many places cars cannot, without it handling like a truck. It really does offer an excellent compromise and should last a long time if properly taken care of - just don't skimp on the maintenance and remember that engine work is often expensive because of the inaccessibility of the horizontally opposed engine.