2017 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.

Subaru offers the 2017 Outback 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.

2017 Subaru Outback Grades

1. 2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i- This is the base grade that comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, hill descent control, hill holding assist, automatic headlights, a rearview camera, roof rails, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth connectivity, Starlink 6.2-inch touchscreen interface, and a four-speaker sound system.
2. 2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium- This grade comes with rear privacy glass, heated exterior mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats, cargo cover, bigger 7-inch touchscreen, voice controls, Bluetooth text messaging connectivity and a six-speaker sound system.
3. 2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited- This trim comes with 18-inch wheels, a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, a front bumper under guard, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a four-way power passenger seat, rear air vents, heated rear seats and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
4. 2017 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring- It comes with 18-inch wheels, dark exterior trim, fixed low-profile roof rails without crossbars, simulated-leather extended interior trim, upgraded leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel.
5. 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited- This grade has the same features as the 2.5i Limited trim but adds xenon headlights and a more powerful engine.
6. 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring – This grade comes with 18-inch wheels, dark exterior trim, fixed low-profile roof rails without crossbars, simulated-leather extended interior trim, upgraded leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel.

Interior Legroom & Space

The 2017 Subaru Outback has a spacious and well-designed interior that is both functional and versatile. The Outback can seat up to five people and comes standard with cloth upholstery. Leather upholstery is available on higher trim levels. The front seats are comfortable, and offer good support, while the rear seats are spacious, and can accommodate adult passengers with ease.

Additionally, the Outback has an extendible sun visor, tilting headrests, soft-touch door panels and well-cushioned armrests.

Cabin Storage

The 2017 Subaru Outback has several cabin storage compartments to help keep your belongings organized and easily accessible. The center console provides a large storage compartment with a lid. It also has two cup holders. The glove compartment provides additional storage space. The Outback also has door pockets and seatback pockets.

2017 Subaru Outback Boot Space

The 2017 Subaru Outback has a spacious cargo area with a total of 35.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. When the rear seats are folded down, the cargo space expands to a maximum of 73.3 cubic feet. The cargo area also features a low-load floor, making it easy to load and unload items. This space is enough to accommodate a family of five when going for camping. The Outback additionally has a standard roof rack with integrated crossbars, which can increase cargo-carrying capabilities even further.

2017 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 2017 Subaru Outback features a stylish and athletic exterior design that sets it apart from other midsize crossover SUVs.

In the front, the Outback has a prominent grille that is flanked by sleek headlights. The grille features Subaru’s signature hexagonal shape, which is a design element that is shared by other Subaru models.

The Outback has a long roofline and a high ground clearance that gives it a commanding presence on the road. It offers roof rails that give it the versatility to carry large items like bikes.

At the rear, the Outback features unique taillights that are designed to look like a pair of hawk eyes. The rear bumper is also cladded in black plastic, giving it an off-road-ready appearance.

2017 Subaru Outback Consumption

2017 Subaru Outback 2.5L Fuel Consumption: 11.8km/l (On Average)
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6L Fuel Consumption: 9.4km/l (On Average)

2017 Subaru Outback Acceleration

2017 Subaru Outback 2.5L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.5 secs
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7.1 secs 

2017 Subaru Outback Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 Litres

2017 Subaru Outback Ground Clearance
The 2017 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.

2017 Subaru Outback Stability and Handling

The 2017 Subaru Outback has good stability and handles well thanks to its standard All-wheel drive, which provides better traction and control in various driving conditions than most crossovers.

The steering responds quickly to input though some drivers feel it errs a bit on the heavy side. Subaru also offers various driver assistance features on the 2017 Outback that can help improve stability and handling. These include electronic stability control, which helps to keep the vehicle stable in slippery conditions, and traction control, which helps to prevent wheel slip when accelerating. Additionally, the Outback has a low center of gravity, which also contributes to its stable handling. The 2.5L engine is slow to accelerate and handling is not as fantastic as the 3.6L engine.

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 spare 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.

2017 Subaru Outback Reliability

The 2017 Subaru Outback is generally considered a reliable vehicle. It features high-quality materials that are designed to last.

While the CVT transmission that comes standard on the Outback is generally reliable, some owners have reported issues with shuddering or slipping. This seems to be more common in models with higher mileage. Some owners have also reported that their Outbacks consume more oil than they should. This seems to be more common in models with the 2.5-liter engine.

Overall, the 2017 Subaru Outback is a reliable vehicle that should provide its owners with years of service. However, as with any vehicle, regular maintenance and timely repairs are key to keeping it running smoothly. 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 2017 Subaru Outback

• Spacious and comfortable interior
• above-average off-road ability
• Advanced safety features
• Handsome looks

What we don’t

• Limited technology features
• CVT transmission issues

Conclusion

The 2017 Subaru Outback offers a unique look that sets it apart from other vehicles in its class, while also providing practical features such as the standard all-wheel drive, spacious interior, and solid safety features that make it a great choice for adventurous drivers.