How's the guts on them, especially, say, on an uphill entrance ramp? With and w/o the AC on? Trying to decide between that and the 3.6R. We don't pull trailers or anything. Thanks.

I purchased a 2017 with the 2.5L 4-Cyl and have not noticed any issues with uphill entrance ramps. It has plenty of go when merging. No difference noticed between AC and no AC.

We normally drive with two adults with luggage for two in the back. No issues.

When driving with five adults in the car, it was noticeable. During that short trip, I felt the extra weight, but it was only 10 miles. Did not have to do any merging or highway entrances during that short trip. Still feel it would "go" pretty good if I needed it.

We've done some longer trips totaling about 5,000 miles, including one 2,800 road trip over a six day period. No issues concerning acceleration. A lot of my driving is local, and I'm averaging 27.5 MPG, with a high of 29.2 MPG.

I did install a hitch myself and will end up towing a small flatbed trailer occasionally, but I have not yet done so. I don't expect any issues towing small stuff around.

No problem in a 2012-4cyl ....only engine difference is last year for a timing belt

Have a 2016 and haven't noticed any issue in the situation you describe. I have noticed that it really runs out of steam north of 85 MPH.
Probably less of an issue for you in the Midwest but we routinely have 80 MPH limits out West and it can come into play climbing hills at those speeds.

We own a 2011 3.6R, love it, and we've NEVER thought, gee, we should have bought the 2.5 instead... YMMV...

We have a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek 4 cylinder, I assume its a similar engine. It has the CVT transmission. We have 51,000 miles.

Once or twice a month , we have to make a ~15 mile climb that starts at 1200 feet and climbs to ~ 4500. We drive that grade with A/C on and in cruise control at 65 mph ( slower on the curves).....not a problem at all....plenty of power to pass slower vehicles.

My wife is on her 3rd Outback with the larger engine. They have made many long trips on the Interstate out West as well as off road here on the ranch. We test drove the smaller engines but they didn't have enough guts. In my opinion the smaller engine is OK for city driving but not for the way we use it and I certainly wouldn't want to do a lot of driving in tall country with the small engine

I have the 3.6 in my OB and my buddy has the 2.5 in his Legacy.

For a road trip car that's loaded with people and their crap, the bigger engine makes a difference at speed and when climbing around hills and mountains. It's a land yacht of sorts.

For around town and bombing down the freeway, the 2.5 is more than sufficient and the mileage increase is a boost.

I'm getting around 19 around town, 23 combined and 26.5 on the highway. My buddy is getting around 23 around town, 26 combined and 32+ plus on the freeway.

The OB isn't a light car and it takes a lot of gas to move it around town but considering that it weighs around 3.4k lbs and is AWD, the mileage is pretty remarkable.

Thanks, all, for your observations. The final decision will be seat of the pants, but I have a better idea what to expect and how to test drive.

I just got a 2017 Outback Limited a couple months ago. When I am merging onto the highway, I put it in "manual mode" and use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to get much better speed and pick up. Once I am on the highway, depending on traffic, I switch back to auto mode.

I upgraded from a 2015 Forester and I love the Outback! Much more room and comfort.

I really like the outback but Subaru can't make a 4 cylinder to save themselves. The older ones were notorious for head gasket leaks. The newer ones consume a quart of oil every 1000 to 1500 miles. Subaru claims it's normal which is their typical MO; deny there's a problem to the end.

I'd go for the 6. The 4 is a deal breaker for me.

Love our Outback

quote:

Originally posted by pessimist:
I really like the outback but Subaru can't make a 4 cylinder to save themselves. The older ones were notorious for head gasket leaks. The newer ones consume a quart of oil every 1000 to 1500 miles. Subaru claims it's normal which is their typical MO; deny there's a problem to the end.

I'd go for the 6. The 4 is a deal breaker for me.

Head gasket was an issue in the 2000-2005 OB. Don't generalize all recent 4cyl over a few cases. My 2000 OB has 325k miles WITH 2 head gasket changes. My 2009 Forrester needs the original HG changed at 220k miles. We also have the 2012 OB. Will buy another when the time comes.

DIL has an Outback with the 2.5. Uses better that a quart of oil between oil changes and Subaru states that is normal consumption.

I went with the 4 when I bought last fall.

less $ up front
better millage
oil filter on top, I use oil extraction

I have had no concerns when interstate merging.
Yes it was to rev high but it gets you there

AC on or off wont matter, the 4 cyl outbacks (i dont know about the 6) dont use a clutch driven AC, its a variable load system and when you get into the peddle it will reduce the AC compressor load.

When looking I was told if you live in the mountains or tow a lot pick the 6.

I have a 2012 Outback and the wife has a 2014 Forrester, both with the 2.5 four. Neither car has oil consumption issues. I just broke 100k miles and did all the major maintenance. The CVT with paddle shifters makes up for the smaller motor when you need to step on it and I like getting 30+ on the highway.

we celebrate our 2015 Legacy 2.5 4-banger. Same running gear as Outback; power is very adequate in all conditions in our geezer-tours with or without A/C.

If 'keeping up with traffic' is the goal, the 4 cylinder already is more than adequate.

If the driver prefers more acceleration, use of the paddle-shifter is easy and immediate.

Thanks, again, all! I use the paddle shifters in my Crosstrek to good advantage which really helps that very marginal 2.0L.

I have 115k miles on my 2012 Outback with the 2.5i. No oil consumption and the CVT makes the engine work less hard. It just picks a gear ratio, and then it just goes... doesn't hunt for gears, even fully loaded on an uphill.

A quart of oil between changes is not "normal," it's just not out of spec enough for them to fix it as a warranty issue. Every vehicle has a spec limit for oil consumption, and it's usually around a quart between oil changes.