| Pros | Cons | What's New |
|---|---|---|
Affordably priced | Uninspiring four-cylinder drivetrain | New standard sound system with iPod interface and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming capability |
Good fuel efficiency | Unintuitive navigation system | New nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available as option |
Best off-road prowess | Braking performance not up to the mark | |
Surefooted driving characteristics | Thirsty six-cylinder engine | |
Ample legroom | ||
Plenty of cargo room |
$28,295
price256 hp @ 6000 rpm
horsepower247 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
torque5-Speed Shiftable Automatic
transmission3.6L 6cyl AWD 5A
engine-
basic warrantyPossibly the most value-laden family wagon out there, the 2012 Subaru Outback continues to impress. Utility and style, power and performance, and especially the all-wheel-drive traction that’s standard across the lineup, combined to keep this midsize people-hauler near the top of the tire-kicking list. Further perks include competitive pricing, strong safety scores, and that traditional Japanese reliability and resale value.
The Limited trim offered is a value for money trim. The additional features justify the slight increase in price over the Premium trim. The standard features along with the premium trims additional features make present an offer that is hard to refuse.
The Subaru outback carries forward for the 2012 model year with only a slight update in the audio system. The car is otherwise aging and is offered with two engines while all-wheel drive is standard in the Outback. It also has excellent cargo space, an attractive design, and has excellent features available. It competes against the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, Toyota Prius V, and Hyundai Elantra Touring.
The 2012 Subaru Outback is offered in the following submodels: Outback SUV. Available styles include 3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A), 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT), 2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M), 3.6R Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A), 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M), 3.6R 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A), 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M), and 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M). Pre-owned Subaru Outback models are available with a 3.6 LL gas engine or a 2.5 LL gas engine, with output up to 256 hp, depending on the engine type.The Used 2012 Subaru Outback comes with an all-wheel drive.
|
Trim |
Base |
Premium |
Limited |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$23,295 |
$24,795 |
$26,095 |
|
Key Features |
16-inch steel wheels |
Adds to Base |
Adds to Premium |
|
Roof rack rails with fold-out crossbars |
17-inch alloy wheels |
CVT automatic |
|
|
Automatic headlights |
Body-color mirrors |
Dual-zone automatic climate control |
|
|
Full power accessories |
Fog lights |
Wood trim |
|
|
Cruise control |
Rear privacy glass |
Leather upholstery |
|
|
Keyless entry |
Leather-wrapped steering wheel |
Nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system |
|
|
Air-conditioning |
Eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar |
Four-way power passenger seat |
|
|
Height-adjustable driver seat |
Bluetooth phone and audio streaming capability |
Heated front seats |
|
|
Cloth upholstery |
Cargo cover |
Windshield wiper de-icer |
|
|
60/40-split-folding and reclining rear seats |
Six-speaker sound system |
Heated mirrors |
|
|
Four-speaker sound system |
iPod/USB audio interface |
We recommend
The Limited trim offered is a value for money trim. The additional features justify the slight increase in price over the Premium trim. The standard features along with the premium trims additional features make present an offer that is hard to refuse.
The hidden strong suit of the 2012 Subaru Outback is lightweight. It performs adequately with just a 170-horsepower, 2.5L engine because the base vehicle weighs less than 3,400 pounds which is hundreds of pounds less than its closest competitors. The flat-four engine is paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an all-new continuously variable transmission (CVT) which boosts fuel economy substantially, and is nowhere near as annoying as some CVTs from other carmakers.
On a full-throttle takeoff, it revs the engine to its strongest power band quite quickly but somehow manages to keep the engine from being as loud and intrusive as are other fours fitted with CVTs. Level highway cruising is accomplished with engine speeds of less than 2000 RPM, and for drivers who want more control, paddle shifters behind the steering wheel permit simulated "upshifts" and "downshifts" among six "ratios" for quicker power delivery or quieter running.
|
Model |
2012 Subaru Outback |
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen |
2012 Toyota Prius V |
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$23,295 |
$20,195 |
$26,550 |
$19,495 |
|
Engine |
2.5L Flat-4 |
2.5L Inline-5 |
1.8L Inline-4 |
2.0L Inline-4 |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
6-speed manual |
6-speed automatic |
CVT |
5-speed manual |
|
Power |
170 hp at 5,600 RPM |
170 hp @ 5,700 RPM |
134 hp @ 5,200 RPM |
138 hp @ 6,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
170 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM |
177 lb-ft @ 4,250 RPM |
105 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM |
136 lb-ft @ 4,600 RPM |
|
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
8.8 |
9.1 |
11.7 |
9.8 |
|
Quarter Mile (seconds) |
15 |
16.6 |
18.1 |
17.2 |
|
Top Speed (MPH) |
130 |
127 |
112 |
122 |
While most Outbacks will be fitted with the four cylinder engine, there's an optional 256-hp, 3.6L flat-six that comes paired with a five-speed conventional automatic. It is a nicer driving experience that is smooth, torquey, and quiet and also moves the Outback off the line in a surprisingly quick fashion.
The 2012 Subaru Outback returns a fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. Having an all-wheel-drive powertrain, it delivers quite decent economy numbers for its size.
|
Model |
2012 Subaru Outback |
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen |
2012 Toyota Prius V |
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
22 |
24 |
44 |
23 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
29 |
31 |
40 |
31 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
24 |
26 |
42 |
26 |
|
Fuel capacity |
18.5 gal |
14.5 gal |
11.9 gal |
14.0 gal |
|
Range (City/hwy) |
407 / 537 miles |
348 / 450 miles |
524 / 476 miles |
322 / 434 miles |
Being a hybrid car, the ToyotaPrius V is the most fuel-efficient and offers stunning mileage of 44 mpg in the city, 40 mpg on the highway, and 42 mpg combined. The Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen, on the other hand, features the similar output to the Subaru, but offers a front-wheel-drive drivetrain and delivers fuel efficiency of 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined.
The Subaru Outback can comfortably seat 5 passengers in total, combining both the front and second row of seats. The interior design of the Subaru Outback is quite appealing, and the quality of materials is not cheap. The materials are good enough for their class and price. The front seats are very comfortable while the rear seats have an abundance of space.
|
Model |
2012 Subaru Outback |
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen |
2012 Toyota Prius V |
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Front row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40.8/56.3/43.0 |
38.4/54.8/41.1 |
39.6/55.9/41.3 |
40.0/55.4/43.5 |
|
Rear row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.3/56.1/37.8 |
38.1/53.1/35.5 |
38.6/55.2/35.9 |
39.4/54.7/36.4 |
|
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
34.3 cu. ft. |
32.8 cu. ft. |
28.6 cu. ft |
24.3 cu. ft. |
The Outback’s rear seats also offer a good amount of headroom and legroom. The cabin provides an excellent amount of outward visibility, and it feels airy for the most part. In terms of cargo space, the Subaru Outback has the highest in the segment of 34.3 cubic feet. That said, some highlighting interior features are:
The 2012 Subaru Outback now comes with a standard sound system that has an iPod interface and connectivity along with the Premium trim. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity of the phone and streaming of music via Bluetooth connectivity. Though a 4-speaker stereo system comes as standard, people in need of richer audio needs can go for the 9-speaker Harman Kardon Audio System. Auxiliary audio input now makes it to the list of standard features. Some of the highlighting features of the infotainment features are:
The 2012 Subaru Outback rolls on 16-inch steel wheels. However, starting from the 2.5i Premium, it gets 17-inch alloy wheels. The wagon comes with automatic headlights and roof rails as standard. Many other features like fog lights, body-colored mirrors, larger brakes, and more come with upper trims.
|
Model |
2012 Subaru Outback |
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen |
2012 Toyota Prius V |
2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3498 lb. |
3186 lb. |
3274 lb. |
2937 lb |
|
Length (in.) |
188.2 in. |
179.4 in. |
181.7 in. |
176.6 in. |
|
Width (in.) |
71.7 in. |
70.1 in. |
69.9 in. |
69.5 in. |
|
Height (in.) |
65.7 in. |
59.2 in. |
62.0 in. |
59.8 in. |
|
Ground clearance(in.) |
.87 in. |
5.4 in. |
5.7 in. |
5.9 in. |
|
Wheelbase (in.) |
107.9 in. |
101.5 in. |
109.4 in. |
106.3 in. |
The Subaru Outback is the heaviest car in this segment in terms of curb weight. The Toyota Prius V comes in second, followed by the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. The Subaru here has a clear advantage over its rivals because of its impressive higher ground clearance which no other rivals offer. That said, the Outback’s highlighting exterior features are:
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety(IIHS) has crash-tested the vehicle, and it has awarded the Subaru Outback the highest rating of ‘Good’ in the major crash tests. Even the reputable National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) has evaluated the vehicle and granted an overall rating of 4 out of 5-stars, which includes 4-stars for frontal crashes and 4-stars for side crashes. Some of the salient safety features that comes equipped with the Subaru Outback are:
Mileage with the 6-cylinder powerplant is often noted to be below advertised numbers, and the four-banger endowing the 2.5i trims is considered to be lacking the necessary oomph for confident merging and passing. Frustrations with the available navigation system, among other techno-gizmos, disappoint more than a few owners, while a few others find that a breakdown of bolstering and fabric besets the cloth-upholstered front seats ovesr what seems to be a disturbingly short time. Finally, several owners grouse that the electrically operated parking brake takes a lot of getting used to and that the standard tires remain noisy and prone to early wear.
On the positive side, owners offer hearty praise for this midsize wagon’s cabin and cargo space, its practicality, its 4-cylinder mileage numbers, its 6-cylinder pep, and, of course, its standard AWD configuration. High safety scores and traditional Subaru values also rate high in owner satisfaction with this latest Outback offering.
Car Name | 0-60 MPH | Quarter Mile | Top Speed | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 Subaru Outback Ranked #14 | 8.8 sec | 17.0 sec | 104 mph | |||
2012 Jeep Wrangler Ranked #1 | 6.6 sec | 14.2 sec | 112 mph | |||
2012 Ford Edge Ranked #2 | 6.8 sec | 15.4 sec | 122 mph | |||
2012 Toyota 4Runner Ranked #3 | 7.2 sec | 15.8 sec | 115 mph | |||
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #4 | 7.3 sec | 15.5 sec | - | |||
2012 Mazda CX-9 Ranked #4 | 7.3 sec | 15.6 sec | - |
Car Name | MPG City | MPG Highway | MPG Combined | Fuel Tank Capacity | Range (C/H) | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 Subaru Outback Ranked #4 | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | 18.5 gal. | 351.5/499.5 mi. | |||
2012 Nissan Rogue Ranked #1 | 23 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 365.7/445.2 mi. | |||
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Ranked #1 | 23 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 16.6 gal. | 381.8/464.8 mi. | |||
2012 Ford Escape Ranked #1 | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 25 mpg | 16.5 gal. | 402.5/490 mi. | |||
2012 Jeep Compass Ranked #1 | 23 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | 13.6 gal. | 312.8/394.4 mi. | Jeep USA | ||
2012 Toyota RAV4 Ranked #2 | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | 15.9 gal. | 349.8/445.2 mi. |
Car Name | Length | Width | Height | Ground Clearance | Wheelbase | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 Subaru Outback Ranked #14 | 188.2 in. | 71.7 in. | 65.7 in. | 8.7 in. | 107.9 in. | |||
2012 GMC Acadia Ranked #1 | 200.7 in. | 78.2 in. | 69.9 in. | 7.4 in. | 118.9 in. | |||
2012 Mazda CX-9 Ranked #2 | 200.2 in. | 76.2 in. | 68 in. | 8 in. | 113.2 in. | |||
2012 Ford Explorer Ranked #3 | 197.1 in. | 78.9 in. | 70.4 in. | 7.6 in. | 112.6 in. | |||
2012 Honda Crosstour Ranked #4 | 196.8 in. | 74.7 in. | 65.7 in. | 6.2 in. | 110.1 in. | |||
2012 Dodge Journey Ranked #5 | 192.4 in. | 72.2 in. | 66.6 in. | 7.3 in. | 113.8 in. |
Car Name | Trunk Capacity | Passenger Volume | Max Trunk Volume | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 Subaru Outback Ranked #11 | 34.3 cu.ft. | 105.4 cu.ft. | 71.3 cu.ft. | |||
2012 Mazda CX-9 Ranked #1 | 17.2 cu.ft. | 139.4 cu.ft. | 100.7 cu.ft. | |||
2012 Toyota Highlander Ranked #2 | 10.3 cu.ft. | 145.7 cu.ft. | 95.4 cu.ft. | |||
2012 Toyota 4Runner Ranked #3 | 47.2 cu.ft. | 97.3 cu.ft. | 89.7 cu.ft. | |||
2012 Hyundai Veracruz Ranked #4 | 13.4 cu.ft. | 150.6 cu.ft. | 86.8 cu.ft. | |||
2012 Ford Explorer Ranked #5 | 21 cu.ft. | 151.7 cu.ft. | 80.7 cu.ft. |
Car Name | Cargo Volume | Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area | Max Cargo Volume | Bed Length | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 Subaru Outback Ranked #1 | 71.3 cu.ft. | 34.3 cu.ft. | 71.3 cu.ft. | - | |||
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Ranked #2 | 66.8 cu.ft. | 27.9 cu.ft. | 66.8 cu.ft. | - | |||
2012 Honda Pilot Ranked #3 | 15.6 cu.ft. | 18 cu.ft. | 87 cu.ft. | 64 ft. | |||
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Ranked #4 | 56.1 cu.ft. | 23.8 cu.ft. | 56.1 cu.ft. | - | |||
2012 Lexus RX 350 Ranked #5 | 80.3 cu.ft. | 40 cu.ft. | 80.3 cu.ft. | - | |||
2012 Acura RDX Ranked #6 | 20.6 cu.ft. | 27.8 cu.ft. | 60.6 cu.ft. | - |
Car Name | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Weight | Source | Compare | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 Subaru Outback Ranked #9 | 2700 lbs. | 1199 lbs. | 3389 lbs. | |||
2012 Nissan Pathfinder Ranked #1 | 6000 lbs. | 1047 lbs. | 4427 lbs. | |||
2012 GMC Acadia Ranked #2 | 5200 lbs. | 1755 lbs. | 4656 lbs. | |||
2012 Ford Explorer Ranked #3 | 5000 lbs. | - | 4557 lbs. | |||
2012 Toyota 4Runner Ranked #3 | 5000 lbs. | 1700 lbs. | 4400 lbs. | |||
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Ranked #3 | 5000 lbs. | 1285 lbs. | 4050 lbs. |
16
Recalls1
Investigations289
Complaints[1 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
[100.0%] [1 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
[0.0%] [0 Reviews]
POPULAR TAGS
User Overall Rating
Posted On: May 9, 2024
"I have had my outback for several years now. They say when you want a car, you can choose 2 of the following: cheap, fast, reliable. This car is cheap and reliable. I have owned several other cars, as well as an older model outback that I tried intentionally to kill many times and just couldn't. I live in the western US, and like to camp and get off paved roads often. When I was looking for a ca...
