2012 Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Wagon Reviews & Ratings
Part 1: Expert Review, Specs & Colors
Expert Rating: 
Rate this Model:Expert Review for Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Wagon
On the scene since the Mid Nineteen Nineties the Series One Subaru Outback was launched in the US as the interest and demand for sports utility vehicles was reaching a peak. Subaru, from day one, hit the nail on the head with the Outback, unveiling a well designed and thought out all-wheel-drive (AWD) based crossover. The original outback took a lot of its basic design format from Subaru's Legacy.
Series Ones took a while to establish an international identity, being called the Leg... click here for the full review
Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Wagon Ratings
| Performance | Reliability | ||
| Appearance | Comfort |
User Reviews for Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Wagon
Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Wagon Review
More Subaru SUV reviews / All Subaru CarsOn the scene since the Mid Nineteen Nineties the Series One Subaru Outback was launched in the US as the interest and demand for sports utility vehicles was reaching a peak. Subaru, from day one, hit the nail on the head with the Outback, unveiling a well designed and thought out all-wheel-drive (AWD) based crossover. The original outback took a lot of its basic design format from Subaru's Legacy.
Series Ones took a while to establish an international identity, being called the Legacy Grand and for a while the Legacy Lancaster. However, after the SUV was branded the Outback at the request of Subaru's Australian dealers, the name and the image seemed to blend together very nicely and for series two onward, this was the name that stuck throughout the World.
Whatever its title, it was obvious that Subaru had a very popular and fast selling crossover SUV on their hands, gaining and maintaining a steady and constant demand for the vehicle over the almost twenty years that it has been on the market. Trade reviews have more than 800,000 Outbacks being sold with tremendous client loyalty being commonplace.
The consistent demand for the Outback crossover over the years has been attributed, according to most trade reviews, by the vehicle's ability to take up the dual role as an off the road vehicle, while acting as a comfortable family station wagon with remarkable cargo carrying abilities.
In these fuel economy conscious times, the series four Outlook 3.6R SUV Crossover is among the leaders in the SUV category, with figures of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway being bandied about, using low emission regular fuel from its 18.5-gallon fuel tank. Fuel economy is also aided by the Outlook 3.6R Limited's relative light weight of around 3500 pounds, when compared with principal rival the Toyota Venza's relative bulky 4000 pounds.
The Subaru Outback 3.6R Crossover comes into its own off the road with reviews providing only praise of the all-wheel-drive's ability to cope with ease on the toughest surfaces and steepest of inclines. Subaru have fitted their series four with a sturdy 256-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, aided and abetted by their five-speed automatic transmission that leaves nothing to be desired.
Subaru have opted for the side placed boxer engine layout for the series four Outback3.6R SUV Crossover. This design, popular among the main European car makers, makes for horizontally opposed piston layouts, allowing the Outback engine considerably increased torque levels. This make for tremendous road handling and acceleration levels that the Outbacks rivals such as the Nissan X Trail and BMW X3 are still incapable of.
Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Wagon Pros and Cons
With the Series Four Outback 3.6R SUV Crossover, Subaru addressed the problem of wind noise on the roof rack, which comes as standard equipment on the vehicle. When the roof rack is not in use, its crossbars can readily be folded into the side rails. That means totally reducing all those annoying whistling sounds that haunted owners of previous models.
The Series Four Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Crossover now comes with a standard rear tonneau cover. When not needed, the cover can be pulled from it's rear mounting point and stowed completely away under the rear floor.
Previous problems with noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) that was also typical of previous versions of the Subaru Outback 3.6R SUV Crossover have been largely done away with the Series Four. This has been largely put down to Subaru adding framed glass to the Series Four as well as improved door sealing.
While NVH has been considerably reduced, many reviews did point out that it still exists, meaning that the Series Four Subaru Outlook is still more noisy than it current rivals.
Reviews show some difficulties in adjusting brightness levels in the Satellite Navigation System.
Reviews show that when the Outback is in motion neither the drive nor the front seat passenger overhead lights can be turned on, although rear seat passengers can turn on theirs.
The adjustable driver's seat has no memory facility according to reviews.
Reviewers enjoy the handling for the most part, but are mixed on the steering.
The Outback's heating system, according to a few reviews, fails to distribute hot air evenly.
