The 2008 Outback is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 7 trims, ranging from the Basic to the 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition.
Upon introduction, the Basic is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, H4, 170-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, H6, 245-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
The 2008 Outback is reskinned for 2008.
Read our editor review of the 2008 Subaru Outback HERE.
Photos of the Subaru Outback posted in the photo gallery.
Year / Model Reviewed: 2008 Subaru O/B Limited W/VDC
Summary: Overall a good car. Nice styling inside and out. Very quiet highway ride. Love the huge sunroof, leather, leather wrapped wheel. SRS WOW on stereo greatly improves sound quality - just make sure you turn it on.
Strengths: Quiet ride. 17 inch wheels looks so much better than the 16s of previous models.
Weaknesses: Way too many ticks and rattles coming from various places. The sunroof rattles on and off and there's been a tick/rattle coming from the rear cargo area that drives me crazy. Too many rattles for such a new car. They all started almost from day one. This is ruining an otherwise good car.
Similar Products Used: Owned three other Subarus and have loved them. My favorite was the Impreza RS. What a fun car with the 5 speed trans.
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Rating Reviewed by: dd(Unregistered User)
Review Date June 2, 2007
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 4.15 of 5,
20.00 votes
Review 2 of 129
Price Paid:
$28000.00
from northtown
Year / Model Reviewed: 2007 Subaru Outback L L Bean 3.0 Sedan
Summary: I bought the Subaru Outback LL Bean 3.0 edition after driving every possible AWD sports sedan on the market. I traded in my 3 season luxury vehicle (2005 Cadillac CTS) for a 4 season AWD Subaru that is a safe fun practical luxurious sedan. The Caddy was absolutely terrible in the snow--Drove the AWD BMW...did nothing for me...drove the Audi...liked the A6 but price was a factor plus reliablility questions...almost bought the Infiniti G35X--but did not like how adjustable dash reflected in glass, too low, hood bulge distracting, but this was the next best thing but it was 12000 more--try the Subaru LL Bean-- has all the right features with an engine that is silky smooth--it's the best.
Summary: We live in the Santa Cruz Mtns. (Hills) and, overall, love the car. Acceleration is v. good at all speeds. So glad we talked ea. other into the "sport Shift" option, as the auto shift alone is tuned for fairly high performance--with the Sport Shift, you can opt to be more gas-economical. MPG is far more effected by the turbo and such, so it's no big sacrifice on the economy side.
We've a "Mtn. road" drive to get almost anywhere--I counted the switchbacks once and there are over 100! So, it took a couple trips to get used to the understeer compared to out Benz Hatchback. But that's like saying a hand-saw is quieter than a chain saw--DUH! Once we got a feel for where the 3.0 could accelerate in the turn, the Outback became a... sawsall... whatever, it was no longer a factor.
Seats are more comfortable and supportive than the Benz, interior cleans easily, A/C doesn't take effect as quick as the Benz, but still v. good, Exterior looks FANTASTIC--we don't tire of the compliments. (Atlantic Blue also looks v. good--classy buy fuctional. )Cruise control works better than Benz, AW tires c/b better on dusty roads with switchbacks, but are great in rain.
Strengths: "Sport Shift," quick off the line, great fm receiver, very "user friendly," interior capacity is big & well-configured,
Weaknesses: Low mpg, no heat to rear seat, small radius corners of t-gate window make it v. hard to clean, I'm not used to paying for in warranty tuneups, but I guess that's the standard these days, no i-pod port...
Similar Products Used: 2002 Benz Kompressor hatchback
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Summary: Great car! I have had many cars / trucks and this one is the best. All of the Fords that I have had were duds, the Nissan truck was good but underpowered. This is my first Subaru and I have put over 11000 miles on it so far with no problems at all. Great MPG for an AWD, and the power from the turbo boxer engine is great, it will beat just about any Audi, BMW or Volvo station wagon off the line. No problems at all, and Consummer Reports gave the car great revews as well. Also, this car got the highest crash test scores possible. Some of the past revews mention headgasgets going at 130000, well that does not sound that bad. As far as customer support I have had no problems getting then when I had a question about the car. I think that some people write multiple negative reviews because the used Subaru they bought with over 100K did not run perfect. Many of my friends have Subaru's and love them. I can not say enough about this car, test drive one and you will forget that you are driving a station wagon, it feels more like a high performance sport car.
Strengths: Fast!, AWD, Fit and Finish, Heated Seats, functional roof rack, Manual shifter is vey smooth and tight
Weaknesses: Back seat a little tight, steering wheel does not teliscope (not really a problem)
Similar Products Used: Audi A4, BMW Wagon (both way to expensive) Volvo XC70(Ford no way)
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Summary: Just a coment on the bad rap Subaru Customer Service is getting. October 2004, I leased a new 2005 Outback 2.5i. Several months later while on a snowboarding vacation in Vermont, I lost control of the car on black ice and got tossed into a ditch and boulders. That car saved me and 2 of my friends lives! Now, insurance say the car is not a total loss, so they start fixing it. Anyway, it took 3 months to get the car back and it didn't feel right or look right. I consulted with Subaru Customer Service abiout the difficulties I was having and what had happened to me. Well, in the end Subaru Corporate Headquaters reinbursed me my downpayment money so that i could trade the fixed car in a get another brand new one. Downpayment was $3500!!! Now that my friends is excellent and far beyond what I expected from them. They were friendly, kind and comforting. The dealer ship was wonderfull as well. They (both the dealer and Subaru Headquaters)fully understood my fustrations and saddness I felt since the car was only 3 months old and the entire left side of the vehicle was destroyed! Now that I am in another brand new Outback, all I can say is that, I am happy. 10000 miles allready and not a sigle thing wrong with the car! Loving it. As for everyone who had bad things to say about Subaru Customer Service is dead wrong. Maybe you were rude to them. All I know is they treated me with the most respect and dilligence in resolveing the matter. Once I said I wanted the offer they gave me, I had a check in mail box for $3500 4 days later! Now that is customer service for ya!
Strengths: AWD, Storage space, comfortable ride, lots of ground clearance to plow through high snow drifts or plowed up banks.
Weaknesses: not a thing as of yet..
Similar Products Used: 2002 Subaru Outback Sport, I had leased prior to my 05 Outback
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