2011 Subaru Outback Review

Detailed Review

The Subaru Outback has been in production for six generations since 1994. The first generation known as the BG was in production from 1994 to 1998. The second generation known as the BH was in production from 1998 to 2003. The third generation known as the BP was in production from 2004 to 2009. The fourth generation known as the BR was in production from 2010 to 2014 and the fifth generation known as the BS was in production from 2015 to 2019. The sixth generation has been in production from 2020 to present.

The 2011 Subaru Outback is available with two engine options, these are the 2.5L EJ25 Engine and the 3.6L EZ36 Engine.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces 170 horsepower, which may not be the best in its class but is sufficient for satisfactory performance. The best fuel economy can be achieved by equipping this engine with a CVT automatic transmission, but the six-speed manual transmission is the better choice for performance. If fuel economy is not a top concern, the best option for the Outback is the six-cylinder engine, which provides significantly better acceleration and passing power than the four-cylinder, albeit at the expense of slightly lower fuel economy.

Engine	Horsepower	Torque
2.5L	170@5600rpm	170Ib @ 4000rpm
3.6L	256@6000rpm	247@4400rpm

The 2011 Subaru Outback is available in 9 color options these are; Satin white pearl, steel silver metallic, ruby red pearl, crystal Black Silica, azurite blue pearl, sky blue metallic, caramel bronze metallic, graphite gray metallic and cypress green pearl.

2011 Subaru Outback Grades

1. 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i –This is the base package that comes with the 2.5L EJ25 engine 16Inch alloy rims, SI Drive, keyless, dual climate control, non-xenon headlights, cloth trim and manual seats
2. 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium–This trim add some good features including, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights,  rear privacy glass, eight-way power driver seat (with power lumbar) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
3. 2011 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited –This grade adds the All-Weather package, Harman Kardon stereo, CVT, a four-way power passenger seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and leather upholstery.
4. 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R –This comes with all the features of the S Package plus the 3.6L EZ36 Engine
5. 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R Premium–This is top of the line Outback that comes with all the features of the 3.6R plus SI Cruise. The SI Cruise is an advanced form of cruise control that monitors vehicles ahead and automatically adjusts speed to maintain a safe distance.

2011 Subaru Outback Interior
Legroom & Space

The 2011 Subaru Outback has a more spacious interior than its predecessors. In the first row, both the driver and passenger are afforded good legroom and the seats recline far back enough to accommodate the tallest of persons while higher trims include power driver’s side lumbar support and leather seating surfaces. In the second row, the space has been increased by four inches of legroom and three inches in headroom.

Cabin Storage
Cabin storage is essential for storing items such as smartphones, beverages, goggles, handbags etc. For the 1st row the 2011 Outback has 2 cup holders, door panel storage, a storage shelf below the dashboard, a glovebox and the center-box. For the second row, the storage is on the front seat jacket pockets and door side pockets.

2011 Subaru Outback Boot Space

The 2011 Outback has a large boot that can carry sizeable luggage. It can comfortably accommodate luggage for a family of five. The rear seats can also be folded down to create extra space when required.

Other Extras: Infotainment, Navigation(Optional), Smart Start and USB charging.

2011 Subaru Outback Safety Features: SRS Airbags, Side Airbags, Curtain airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, Traction Control, Child Door Locks, Child Seat Anchors, Stability Control, ESC, 3 Point ELR seatbelt and Eyesight

2011 Subaru Outback Exterior

The 2011 Subaru Outback was redesigned and given what the Subaru calls “SUV details”. It now has exaggerated wheel arches, a thicker rear roof pillar, and chunkier rear side windows. The 2011 Outback is nearly three inches taller and two-inches wider than the previous models, but it remains nearly an inch shorter. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, it outperforms its competitors such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Frameless windows used in the previous models have been replaced by fully-framed glass, which improves body rigidity and reduces wind noise. Subaru widened the rear door for easier entry and exit, and the roof rack has folding cross rails that can be tucked away to reduce wind noise and drag.

2011 Subaru Outback Consumption
2011 Subaru Outback 2.5L Fuel Consumption: 11.3 km/L (On Average)
2011 Subaru Outback 3.6L Fuel Consumption: 10.2 km/L (On Average)

2011 Subaru Outback Acceleration 
2011 Subaru Outback 2.5L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 10.2 sec.
2011 Subaru Outback 3.6L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 sec.

2011 Subaru Outback Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 Litres

2011 Subaru Outback Ground Clearance

The 2011 Subaru Outback has a ground clearance of 8.7 Inches (221mm). This is an excellent ground clearance that is actually better than most of the so-called crossovers such as the X-trail. The Outback is suitable for all driving conditions in Kenya be it on-road or off-road.

2011 Subaru Outback Stability and Handling

With its raised suspension, the 2011 Subaru Outback is very stable on the road. The ride quality is better than ever when sopping up bumps in a sophisticated manner that provides comfort without complete isolation.  The self-leveling rear shocks do a great job at keeping the car on the road around sharp bends. The brakes are precise and do a good job at controlling the car under hard braking.

The base 2.5-liter engine delivers punchy power around town, whether paired with the pleasant manual transmission or the optional CVT, which is one of the best on the market. If you frequently carry lots of passengers or cargo, the 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine is the better choice, and its increased torque is useful on hilly terrain.

Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: At 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
A few years ago, Subaru spares parts were expensive and hard to find in Kenya, but things have changed. Subaru parts especially service parts are now affordable and easy to find both in Nairobi and other major towns. However, specialty parts such as the gearbox, engine components and sensors can get very expensive and hard to find. For a list of Subaru Spare Part dealers in Kenya, follow this link

2011 Subaru Outback Reliability

The Subaru Outback is widely regarded as one of the most dependable vehicles on the market. The 2011 Outback is no exception; it inherits bulletproof engines from the previous generation. The addition of new technologies such as SI-Drive, SI Cruise, and Eyesight has added a layer of complexity, but this has had no effect on its overall reliability. When used correctly, these systems do not fail, but when they do, they can be costly to repair. We recommend that you fully insure your Outback because even minor damages can be very costly to repair. Always adhere to the guidelines outlined in the owner’s manual.

Resale Value: Good

Subaru Outback Competitors: Audi Allroad Quattro, Volvo XC70, Chevy Equinox, Honda CR-V, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Toyota RAV4

What we like about the 2011 Subaru Outback

1. Spacious interior
2. Excellent exterior design
3. Excellent on-road and off-road performance
4. Comfortable ride
5. Large cargo space

What we don’t

1. Lacks agility
2. Fussy controls on upper trims.

Conclusion

The 2011 Subaru Outback is an excellent car that is worth the money. It offers good off-road and on-road performance and can serve you for a long time if properly maintained. It goes toe to toe with some of the most luxurious rides in the market.