2016 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 2016 Subaru Outback comes with two engine options these are the 2.5L EJ25 Engine and the 3.6L EZ36 Engine.

The 2.5l engine produces 175 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The 3.6l engine on the other hand produces 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. It also comes with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive.

The 2.5-liter engine provides decent acceleration and good fuel economy, while the 3.6-liter engine offers more power.

2016 Subaru Outback Grades

The 2016 Subaru Outback comes in four grades these are; 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited.

1. 2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i– this trim comes with 17-inch steel wheels, roof rack rails with integral crossbars, cruise control, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40-split-folding rear seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 6.2-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera and a four-speaker sound system with smartphone integration.
2. 2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium– this grade adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen interface.
3. 2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited– this trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, active fog lights, a front skid plate, a power liftgate, blind-spot monitoring, leather upholstery, driver memory settings, heated rear seats, wood trim and a nine-speaker sound system.
4. 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited– this grades come with all features of the 2.5i Limited but adds a six-cylinder engine, Premium Leather Seating and xenon headlights.

Interior
Legroom & Space

The 2016 Subaru Outback has a comfortable and spacious interior enough for five passengers. In the first row, the seats are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of headroom and legroom. The rear seats also offer ample space for adult passengers. The seats are upholstered in a durable cloth material, but leather seats are available on higher trims.

The 2016 Outback offers a variety of comfort and convenience features, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a sunroof. Higher trims also offer features like a power liftgate, keyless entry and ignition. The 2016 Subaru Outback also added the StarLink app suite to the stereo system.

Cabin Storage

The 2016 Subaru Outback has a variety of cabin storage compartments to help keep your belongings organized and within easy reach. The Center console storage provides a large storage compartment with a removable tray for small items, as well as two cup holders and a 12-volt power outlet. Front seatback pockets can be used to store magazines, books, or other small items.

Door pockets can hold water bottles, maps, and other small items while the Glove compartment can store documents such as the owner’s manual, and registration papers among others.

2015 Subaru Outback Boot Space

The 2016 Subaru Outback offers a boot space of 35.5 cubic feet, which can expand up to 73.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. This space is enough to accommodate a family of five when going for camping.

2016 Subaru Outback Safety Features: antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, seat cushion airbags, rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring and EyeSight driver assist system.

Exterior

The 2016 Subaru Outback has an attractive and functional exterior design. It features a long roofline and a rugged, off-road-inspired design. It features Subaru’s signature hexagonal grille, which is flanked by sleek and modern headlights. Higher trims may come with LED headlights and daytime running lights.

The 2016 Outback also comes standard with roof rails, which make it easy to carry extra cargo or outdoor gear on the roof. Higher trims may feature crossbars for even more cargo-carrying capacity.

2016 Subaru Outback Consumption

2016 Subaru Outback 2.5L Fuel Consumption: 11.6km/l (On Average)
2016 Subaru Outback 3.6L Fuel Consumption: 9.5km/l (On Average)

The fuel consumption is slightly lower than in the 2015 model, which consumes 11.4km/l for the 2.5l engine and 9.4km/l for the 3.6l engine.

2016 Subaru Outback Acceleration

2016 Subaru Outback 2.5L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.5 secs
2016 Subaru Outback 3.6L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7 secs 

2016 Subaru Outback Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 Litres

2016 Subaru Outback Ground Clearance
The 2016 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.

2016 Subaru Outback Stability and Handling

The 2016 Subaru Outback is known for its stable and capable handling, thanks to its standard all-wheel drive and other performance features. All 2016 Outback models come standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which provides excellent traction and stability in all weather conditions. The system constantly monitors and adjusts power delivery to each wheel to ensure maximum grip and stability.

The revised suspension system makes the 2016 Outback a competent handling wagon. The road noise has been quelled even over coarse pavements.

It also got Steering system improvements and now provides excellent feedback and control. It has a relatively tight turning radius for an SUV, which makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

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

2016 Subaru Outback Reliability

The Subaru Outback is knowns for its great reliability and the 2016 Model is no exception. Some 2016 Outback owners have reported issues of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), including shuddering, jerking, and delayed response.  Some Outback owners have also reported steering problems, such as a loose or wobbly steering wheel or a clicking or popping noise when turning.

It is important to stay up to date with routine maintenance and keep an eye out for any potential issues that may arise. We recommend that you always adhere to the guidelines outlined in the owner’s manual.

Resale Value: Good

Subaru Outback Competitors: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, and Chevrolet Equinox.

What we like about the 2016 Subaru Outback

• Spacious and comfortable interior
• above-average off-road ability
• many advanced safety features

What we don’t

• CVT transmission Issues

Conclusion

The 2016 Subaru Outback is a good vehicle because of its excellent usability, appealing interior, and comprehensive feature set. Its combination of off-road capability and modern style makes it a popular choice for drivers who need a versatile and reliable SUV. The Outback best suits adventurous clientele due to its increased cargo capacity.