Anyone have a 2010 or 2011 Subaru Outback?

[freeway]

I'm thinking of replacing my 07 Santa Fe. It is a good car, but I'm averaging 18-19 mpg and since I have 60K on it, and am not sure about Hyundai's long term reliability, I'm thinking of trading it in while it is still worth something.

I like the size and features of the Outback. The 4 cyl with CVT is supposed to get 22-29 mpg and I have always heard that Subaru's were reliable. I can get a premium with the all weather package for 25K and I should get about $11,500 for the Santa Fe.

Outback owners - what types of real world mpgs are you getting and are you happy with the reliability of the car? Help sway me one way or the other.

 

[desy]

Go to fueleconomy.gov put in all your relevant numbers related to driving.

Figure out your going to save $500 a year in fuel, divide that by the 14000 difference and see it will take 28 years to save enough fuel to cover the cost difference

Just saying fuel economy shouldn't be what's pushing you to a new vehicle

 

[DesiPower]

Go to fueleconomy.gov put in all your relevant numbers related to driving.

Figure out your going to save $500 a year in fuel, divide that by the 14000 difference and see it will take 28 years to save enough fuel to cover the cost difference

Just saying fuel economy shouldn't be what's pushing you to a new vehicle

here's OP's main intention.

I'm thinking of replacing my 07 Santa Fe. It is a good car, but I'm averaging 18-19 mpg and since I have 60K on it, and am not sure about Hyundai's long term reliability, I'm thinking of trading it in while it is still worth something.

*Snip*

 

[desy]

Uhmm his second sentance mentions fuel economy
Then his next two paragraphs have a focus on fuel economy.

Seems fuel economy is a driver? If he wants a new car just say, so but OP is fixating on fuel economy and secondary reliability. The 'I am not sure about reliablity' seems to be the secondary focus.
Which I'd tell him not to worry about esp when 14G pays for a lot of repairs

 

[fbrdphreak]

They are very well reviewed for sure. The NA motors will run forever with regular maintenance. The CVT is a little newer, but IMO Subaru doesn't jump on a tech until they (A) are satisfied with its maturity and (B) its cost effective for them to do so. CVTs have been around long enough you shouldn't have to worry about its long term reliability.

I'll be looking at a 2010+ Outback/Forester for the misses down the road a bit. My 97 Legacy wagon is still doing well at 245K+ miles and I don't have any major complaints about my 06 Legacy GT sedan. I would definitely appreciate the larger interiors of the new models, the old ones are on the small side.

 

[freeway]

thanks for the replies. I understand that better fuel economy is no reason to buy a new car, but i would like to know what people are getting as real world mpgs as one factor to consider. My Santa Fe is a base model with a stick and I would like to get a newer car with some more features (heated seats and such) and hopefully better, at least short term, reliability. I'm going to replace the Santa Fe, but the question is whether to do it now or drive it for a few years. If the Outback is reliable, has features I want (including good real world mpg), I may just wash my hands of the santa fe, get the outback, and hold on to it for several years.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Here are user reports of MPG on fueleconomy.gov:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?action=mpgData&vehicleID=30217&browser=true&details=on

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.do?action=mpgData&vehicleID=28817&browser=true&details=on

Your other best bet is visiting legacygt.com and asking Outback owners there. I think there's also an Outback-specific forum, but I don't know what it is.

FWIW, you could also look at MPG reports on the Legacy. They're all built on the same platform, the Legacy just has a different body and is lower to the ground. It will get a bit better mileage than the Outback/Forester I'd expect, but not a huge difference.

 

[PricklyPete]

buying a new car to get better gas mileage and "save" is rarely a good financial decision. Your Santa Fe has a 10 year 100K powertrain warranty. I'd hold on to it for a few more years. More fuel efficient options are coming out each year...give it some time and take advantage of relatively low mileage car that you already own.

 

[gorcorps]

buying a new car to get better gas mileage and "save" is rarely a good financial decision. Your Santa Fe has a 10 year 100K powertrain warranty. I'd hold on to it for a few more years. More fuel efficient options are coming out each year...give it some time and take advantage of relatively low mileage car that you already own.

I agree with this. You always want to consider efficiency when buying a car, but only if you planned on buying a car anyway. If a small bump in mileage is the REASON you want to buy a car then it doesn't make much sense. The thought process should go: this thing is falling apart, I need a new car > while I'm looking, I should see if I could get something with better mileage

not: hey, that new car gets better mileage > I should buy it

Cars will always be increasing their efficiency. If you keep chasing the higher numbers you'll never be happy.

 

[fbrdphreak]

buying a new car to get better gas mileage and "save" is rarely a good financial decision. Your Santa Fe has a 10 year 100K powertrain warranty. I'd hold on to it for a few more years. More fuel efficient options are coming out each year...give it some time and take advantage of relatively low mileage car that you already own.

I agree with this, but I'd be interested to get an idea of the car's resale value now vs when its out of warranty. The increased value at 60K could be enough to make selling now more appealing. Though, if the warranty is non-transferable then it doesn't matter.

 

[pm]

I have a 2011 Outback - it's my wife's car. We have the premium model with the CVT and get about 30mpg highway, about 23 city. It's about a year old and we've not had any issues with it. We like it - we have the 4 cylinder and it's a bit sluggish in the mountains but it's good enough around town and on the freeway. When we bought it, it seemed like we got a good price, it's not given us any trouble, good mileage, good road noise. It's been a good purchase so far. About the only negative is that my wife liked the feel of the older Outbacks - which were more car-like - and she doesn't like the almost-SUV driving feel of the newer Outback.

Our previous Outback was a '99 and it was absolutely trouble-free until the head gasket blew in 2009. That bill came out to $3000 but I called Subaru and complained and they paid 80% of the cost of the repair leaving me with just a couple of hundred to pay and I was pleased enough since the car was out of warranty (>10 years old) and they could have told me to get lost. But aside from the head gasket, we had no problems at all with anything other and just had the usual maintanance (tires, battery, filters, fluid changes, etc).

 

[soulcougher73]

I have a 09 Forrester and my average mpg reads 23.1 right now. Id say im about 60highway/40town driving. Its gone down a bit since its winter.

 

[Pocatello]

I have a 09 Forrester and my average mpg reads 23.1 right now. Id say im about 60highway/40town driving. Its gone down a bit since its winter.

Is it a 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual? The Subaru Outback has a CVT which helps to improve the gas mileage a little bit. My 4-speed auto Forester usually gets around 20-24 MPG.

 

[jlee]

I was able to get 23.7 out of my 04 XT (5sp) staying out of boost..it's usually a bit lower than that.

 

[Jumpem]

I have a 2010 Outback 2.5i Premium with the CVT. I get 30 (31 on occassion) in the summer. During the winter with the winter blend fuel and snow tires I get 25-26mpg.

Not too bad for a 3500 pound AWD vehicle. I only gave up about 6mpg coming from a Fit.

 

[snarl]

2009 Forester, 5 Spd manual, 2.5L 4 Cyl I get 29 Avg on Hwy, maybe 21 in town, 24 Avg overall.

Love the Car, awesome traction in the Winter (Canada)

 

[freeway]

Thanks for all the advice and comments. I ended up trading the Santa Fe and getting a sky blue Outback limited with the CVT. What finally helped me make up my mind was not so much the fuel economy and reliability of the Santa Fe, but instead the extra room in the back for my baby seats and going from the 5 speed, base Santa Fe to the Outback with leather, heated seats, bluetooth etc. Ended up paying $28,500. While the Santa Fe was a good car and I still will recommend it, the Outback is better fit for me now.

 

[Kelvrick]

Thanks for all the advice and comments. I ended up trading the Santa Fe and getting a sky blue Outback limited with the CVT. What finally helped me make up my mind was not so much the fuel economy and reliability of the Santa Fe, but instead the extra room in the back for my baby seats and going from the 5 speed, base Santa Fe to the Outback with leather, heated seats, bluetooth etc. Ended up paying $28,500. While the Santa Fe was a good car and I still will recommend it, the Outback is better fit for me now.

I always thought subarus were a little expensive. You get awd, but for 28k, I wouldn't be happy with 170hp.

Granted, I only have 175 in my 06 legacy.

Congrats on the purchase, hope you're happy with it. I had a rental once while I was in portland and it seemed so much larger and spacious than my previous gen legacy. Definitely didn't like the push button brakes.

 

[Nyati13]

I average 23-24 mpg in my 2010 3.6R. About half city/half freeway. On a nice long country road trip I was getting about 28 mpg @90mph

 

[Capt Caveman]

I average 23-24 mpg in my 2010 3.6R. About half city/half freeway. On a nice long country road trip I was getting about 28 mpg @90mph

Good to hear. I found the 2.5i engine noise to be very annoying and would probably go with the 3.6R if I decide to go Outback.

 

[Nyati13]

Good to hear. I found the 2.5i engine noise to be very annoying and would probably go with the 3.6R if I decide to go Outback.

I love mine.

 

[bigi]

I have a 09 Forrester and my average mpg reads 23.1 right now. Id say im about 60highway/40town driving. Its gone down a bit since its winter.

I'd say this is pretty terrible MPG for four banger. I am surprised actually as I was looking to get this car eventually.:'(

 

[exar333]

I'd say this is pretty terrible MPG for four banger. I am surprised actually as I was looking to get this car eventually.:'(

Don't go with Subarus for the MPGs...that is probably their weakest element IMHO.

 

[soulcougher73]

Is it a 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual? The Subaru Outback has a CVT which helps to improve the gas mileage a little bit. My 4-speed auto Forester usually gets around 20-24 MPG.

It's a 4-speed auto.

 

[Jumpem]

Don't go with Subarus for the MPGs...that is probably their weakest element IMHO.

My Outback gets 30. Better than anything comparable.