The Outback is a crossover with a dedicated fan base. Critics and motorists alike often speak highly of the , and it’s also known to be a fun vehicle for off-road driving. Subaru even offers one that makes the Outback even more of an off-road machine.
What features do drivers love most about the Outback, though? JD Power interviewed Outback owners and the results are somewhat surprising.
reviewed the 2023 Subaru Outback and also polled Outback owners to get their thoughts on the crossover SUV. This study discusses the demographics of Subaru Outback owners and asks owners how they feel about 10 different things about the Outback.
Since JD Power also conducts these studies for other vehicles, this study also compares the Subaru Outback against other vehicles in the midsize SUV segment.
The survey categories covered 10 general aspects of the car and covered everything from the car’s exterior styling to its powertrain. When combined, the list includes most of the major things an average driver would consider about their vehicle.
As part of the study, Outback drivers were asked to rank 10 categories from best to worst based on their experiences with the crossover SUV. While some of the results were expected, other categories ranked unexpectedly.
Ups and downs of the Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback owners ranked the SUV’s ride feel as the best overall vehicle aspect among 10 categories. This isn’t entirely surprising, as the JD Power reviewer noted how well the Outback handled on both city streets and in off-road driving.
Having different finishes, like the , would probably make the ride even better.
The secure feel category ranked second in the survey, and this is another aspect of the Outback that is surprisingly strong. Subaru is known for its safety, and the company’s advanced driver assistance systems called EyeSight have already received positive reviews.
With EyeSight, base Outback models have features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. However, JD Power notes that the base coat lacks some common features like blind spot warning.
Meanwhile, the two categories that scored lowest in the JD Power survey were fuel economy and infotainment. Subaru’s infotainment system is known as Starlink, and JD Power’s reviewer agrees that the Starlink system is a weakness of the Outback.
Drivers can connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but without connecting a mobile device to the system, Starlink is less responsive to voice commands.
The driver’s thoughts on the Outback’s powertrain are muddled
The third lowest category in the JD Power survey was the Subaru Outback powertrain, and this might seem confusing at first. If drivers universally loved the ride feel of the , then how could they not like the crossover’s powertrain?
The easiest way to explain this confusion is that the Outback isn’t a fast SUV, but it’s comfortable. Base Outback models are equipped with a 2.5-liter, 182-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. In JD Power’s review of the Outback, the reviewer noted that the vehicle was slow, meaning the powertrain was probably as mediocre as respondents said.
However, not everyone is looking for a fast car, and Outback owners who don’t expect a fast vehicle are likely satisfied with how its drive feels. With all-wheel drive and generous ground clearance, the Outback can tackle tough terrain and also handles well on the road. Thanks to these advantages, it is still pleasant to drive, even if the powertrain is missing.
