2010 Subaru Outback: Long-Term Test Update
The long-term 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium that’s in my personal test fleet — aka my wife’s car — has had a rough first two months of ownership.
First, the optional media hub I needed to have — which has a USB plug for iPods and flash drives — wasn’t working. The dealer needed the car overnight and lent us an Impreza while it was being fixed. Once power was flowing to it, the media hub still couldn’t play music from either of our iPhones. It turns out the software has not been updated for the iPhone 3G, but if you use a 3GS, it works fine. Members of the Subaru forum I frequent say the navigation-system-equipped models with USB do work with the iPhone 3G. Bizarre. I'll have a more thorough update on this later in the month.
While moving some music files to a mound of jump drives (that’s how we get press kits these days), I got a frantic text from my wife saying the Outback was hit while parked by a semi right in front of her office. The entire back bumper was ripped off, and there was some damage to the tailgate.
Because of the accident, we had to buy new child-safety seats. The insurance company and the companies that make the seats, say you can never be sure how an accident affects the seats. You might not be able to see hairline fractures, and the seats will be void of any warranty if something were to go wrong later.
We got one exact replacement of our Britax Boulevard, and since Carter is getting older, we replaced our Marathon with a Frontier, which can be used as a convertible to a booster. Since our youngest is now 9 months old, we had to move her from an infant seat to a convertible, and the rather large Boulevard is behind the passenger seat. I was shocked and relieved that the passenger seat could slide all the way back with this behind it. Since I often ride shotgun in the car, the ample legroom is terrific, and it's the No. 1 reason we traded in the 2008 for the 2010.
Two months into ownership, we have less than 2,000 miles on the Outback, and it’s averaging just over 22 mpg, which is what I’d expect for the heavy traffic my wife sometimes drives it in, especially in winter when we let it warm up a few minutes each morning. The 2008 rarely averaged above 20 mpg.
One last update regarding those WeatherTech floormats I tested a month ago. I saw comments that there shouldn’t be such a big gap on the passenger side, and indeed, once we got the car back from the repair shop, I moved the mat around, and it aligned much better than before.
*Editor's Note: The 2010 Subaru Outback mentioned in this series of posts was bought through a dealer by Cars.com Senior Editor David Thomas for his family's personal use. This is not a vehicle on loan by a manufacturer nor were any added deals provided for the purchase of this vehicle. These posts serve to offer a true perspective on ownership.
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The nightmare of all new car buyers...body damage before the new car smell has even left! It must have made you sick.
That car seat business is just plain overkill...clearly the incident was no more than a parking lot "love tap" but I guess the rules are black and white. Did insurance cover the seat replacement cost?
"Love tap" seems to be understatement if the picture is to be believed (as I doubt she parked that closely to the other car).
Maybe a love "shove" is more accurate.
Yes, the carseat issue does seem to be overkill - I have been an adjuster in the auto insurance industry for over 11 years...It's a liability thing. In all likelihood the seats are perfectly fine, but I don't want to be the guy to refuse replacement and then something happens to someone else's baby. A couple hundred bucks for a new seat is cheap assurance that a child is safe. That's how I'd want to be treated.
Good to know that this Outback is so much roomier! I would really love to see more updates on your day-to-day with the Outback.
I take my car's plastic (front) bumper off every few months because I can't get at everything without that maneuver. My point is twofold.
One, bumper covers are just a thin plastic piece that you essentially pop off and on; it stays in place with a couple of screws and a bunch of plastic tabs.
Two, it's amazing that repairs -- and body shops especially -- are ripping us off so hard that you feel relieved to hear it's under $2k. If it was really cosmetic, replacing that plastic cover shouldn't cost you a few hundred for a plastic painted piece. The 2 screws and the couple hundred plastic tabs are very easy to put back. ;)
Hey guys,
Sorry to take so long to reply, but I was out of town for some road tests.
The semi really nailed the bumper then dragged the car to tap into the one next to it. So it was a serious collision.
I'm sure the seat issue is liability and the "you never know" type thing, but with kids it's better safe than sorry.
DL,
The bumper was completely replaced and painted and there was a small dent on the liftgate and brake light. So under $2,000 to me seemed about right. I have a deductible but the insurance company took care of the rest.
The accident is unfortunate.
My outback went into a hail storm at 400 miles. About $2000 damage. Now fixed.
Be careful with the cruise control. I had a 6000RPM surge when I hit resume. The sudden surge can make the car hard to control.
Try to avoid resume, better don't use cruise. It wastes gas.
Subaru uses WOT, floor the gas pedal for cruise control. They have never figured out how to do a SANE control. This is very bad with the CVT transmission since it downshifts easily.
The doors don't lock automatically. You need to remember to lock them.
Hi
I appreciate your blog regarding life with the Outback. My wife and I are strong considering one as well.
Can you tell me if you have had any issues with vibrations or shaking from the steering wheel?
Thanks again for all of your information!
AWD
Is there room for an adult to sit inbetwee the 2 car seats you have installed?
Is the middle passenger seatbelt functional w/ the car seats installed?
Subi,
No, an adult would have a near impossible time getting in there.
"Is the middle passenger seatbelt functional w/ the car seats installed?"
I can say - the side belts do function with a seat in the middle. Just sayin'
This is quite late, but I just came across this post. FYI in the photo, the child is not properly fastened in the car seat. For one, it is not safe to strap children in over a bulky coat. The straps appear to be too loose because of this. Also, the chest clip is too low. It should be up high, in line with the arm pits, and the neck pads could be pushed up beneath the ears to actually protect the neck.