| Compared to the Camry | |
| Reliability & durability |
Better
Worse
|
These wagons have a reputation for being durable. Do they deserve it? Although some complain they are actually not super reliable (average at best), it may be wise to keep in mind their average reliability is impressive considering what many go through, given what they can do. They are used for carry heavier than average loads, moving, camping and many spend some time offroad. With the benefits of AWD you get more moving parts, and more stuff to repair. That's inevitable. Probably any Honda or Toyota is more reliable, but then again a Corolla can't do what the Outback does. If you don't ever need to go offroad or drive on snow, maybe it's wiser to get another car. I live in the Pacific Northwest and I spend a ton of time outdoors, so I actually use the AWD. With 220,000 Km and at 16 years old, my Outback doesn't feel tired or loose in terms of driving dynamics (there are dashboard rattles, of course). I do have new shocks, but overall the car feels impressively tight. In that sense, it certainly feels impressively durable.
| Handling |
Better
Worse
|
Handling is surprisingly good on the road. The previous owner installed a thicker 22mm rear sway bar, and the car has very little lean in turns. It's almost sporty. There is a bit of a hop over bumps that otherwise would only affect one wheel, so beefier bars do have disadvantages. Handling offroad (e.g. gravel) is of course awesome. If you get in trouble, hit the gas, and power your way around the turn with the AWD. Do I feel the AWD on road? Probably not, except that there's no wheel spin, even on steep uphill wet roads. I am yet to try it on the snow , but I hear it's as good as it gets. I got brand new quality shocks when I got the wagon, and it makes it handle very well at speed. Impressive for a tall wagon, better than my old low 1999 Civic that I thought was very steady. Steering is pretty good, not too firm, not too loose. Good steering feel, although I am sometimes surprised I get so much feedback, it almost seems too much. My 2002 Camry was awful! There is some bump steer. I had it looked at, and apparently that's the way these Outbacks are.
| Ride smoothness |
Better
Worse
|
The springs are harder than expected, as it's a tall wagon, and they have longer travel than a sedan's. Maybe I have aftermarket uprated springs. The ride is a little bumpy over rough roads, but never jarring. I enjoy it. If the road is rough you feel like you are driving a capable SUV, but if it's smooth, it drives like a (good) sedan. An awesome compromise that makes me think I will eventually replace it with another Outback. Too bad newer ones (post 2010) are more like SUVs, which I somewhat dislike.
| Driving position & visibility |
Better
Worse
|
Seat adjustability works quite well for me, with good leg support. This has been an issue before as I'm just over 6'2'' and feel cramped in many older and newer cars. I manage to be more comfortable than I was in my 2002 Camry, which had an overly wide seat. There's not a ton of leg room, but the driving position feels somewhat sporty. The seat doesn't have fat enough bolsters, so I brace myself with my leg against the door, which works well because the car is not very wide. I wish I had more headroom. It's easier to park a wagon than most if not all sedans. Visibility is good with large side mirrors.
| Cargo capacity |
Better
Worse
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When I put the rear seats down, I have the option of lowering just the seat backs, or putting up the seat bottom and then lowering the seat backs to a perfectly flat position. This is great to carry cargo or even sleep in the back. I do a lot of camping, and this is very useful. On road trips, I can sleep at rest stops.
