My Daily Driver: 2015 Subaru Outback Review and Test Drive

Article QuickTakes:

• 2015 Subaru Outback review: The design
• 2015 Subaru Outback review: The technology
• 2015 Subaru Outback review: The drive
• Is the 2015 Subaru Outback a good SUV?

My 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium has been there for all of the big moments in my life. It’s the car I drove to college and the one that brought my firstborn son home from the hospital; in a way, it's been like a member of the family. To me, this vehicle is not just your typical off-roader— it's so much more than that.

I've loved its roomy cabin, exceptional safety ratings, and impressive fuel economy. It’s been the perfect starter car for college and beyond. Whether you’re the "stereotypical" outdoorsy Subaru owner or someone who needs something enjoyable and practical, the Outback is an excellent choice.

The 2015 Subaru Outback's Design: A Blend of Rugged Elegance and Practical Designs

The 2015 Subaru Outback showcases a sturdy and attractive design with bold contours along the hood and doors and an attractive front fascia. Under the updated grille is an active shutter system that improves fuel economy by reducing wind resistance. 

A roof rack is standard on all trim levels and blends into the vehicle's silhouette. This has been very helpful for my family when transporting our Christmas trees and on long road trips for our cargo carrier—the molding around its base highlights its off-road readiness while simultaneously protecting the paint job. 

Sitting inside, I was surprised at how well-made and open the cabin felt. The front seats are comfortable, 10-way power-adjustable, and heated, making customization straightforward. The steering wheel, instrument cluster, infotainment screen, and dash are all thoughtfully placed, making each element easily accessible from the driver's seat. A large windshield framed by thin pillars gives excellent outward visibility.

The trim features stylish textured silver plastic that doesn't look or feel cheap. I went to great lengths to push and shake as much of the interior as possible and was pleased with how little it creaked. Even while driving, I didn't suffer from squeaking or rattling. 

I was also impressed with the amount of storage throughout the cabin. There's a cubby in the center console, a large compartment beneath the armrest, four cup holders, a well-sized glove box, generous space in the doors, and cloth pockets behind the front seats.  

But my very favorite part of the interior design is its many buttons. Too cold? There's a dial for that. Is the volume too loud? There's a knob for that. It seems like every new car is trying to migrate everything to massive tablets glued to the dashboard. The old-school physical switches and dials are far better and safer. 

The 2015 Subaru Outback's Cabin: Spacious Yet Cozy– Comforts and Challenges

While the front row of the Outback feels open and airy, offering plenty of head and legroom, space becomes limited and cramped in everyday situations, such as with rear-facing infant carriers or adult passengers. I'm 6'1", and if my son's car seat is behind me, I have to scoot dangerously close to the steering just to accommodate him. 

While the limited room in the rear can be a challenge, the thoughtful design of the Outback's interior helps alleviate some of the daily stress of parenting. I love the material used for the dark cloth upholstery. Thanks to my one-year-old, my cars always have crumbs, apple sauce residue, and bits of French fries sprinkled everywhere. But the woven fabric they've chosen easily camouflages all that. 

Usually, I wouldn't rave about cloth interiors, but Subaru nailed it with this one. The two-toned design is easy to clean, hides debris well, feels well-made, and doesn't overheat in the summer sun. And even though it isn't the softest, most expensive, chic material, Subaru catered to the right demographic with their selection. 

Unfortunately, there is a noticeable amount of wind and road noise inside the cabin. 

The 2015 Subaru Outback: A Surprising Solution for Cargo Hauling

Because I don't own a truck and am reluctant to rent a Uhaul, the 2015 Subaru Outback has become our de facto cargo carrier. I've used it to pick up a full-sized desk, a load of lumber, and just about anything my wife can find on Facebook Marketplace. 

With all that said, I do have some issues with its trunk. The distance between the sides near the ceiling is too narrow, making it challenging to carry oversized furniture. Similarly, the relaxed angle of the liftgate further reduces the rear space, sometimes complicating the loading process. 

Still, the Outback feels like a small truck with a bed cap, especially with the 60/40 fold-down back seat. When building our garden boxes, I packed eight 12-foot 2x10s in our Outback by stacking them between the front row armrest and out the open back door. 

2015 Subaru Outback Infotainment System: The Achilles' Heel of an Otherwise Stellar Ride

While I generally love the 2015 Outback, it does fall short in the technology department. Subaru didn't introduce Apple CarPlay or Android Auto until 2017, so this model relies on Bluetooth or a USB connection to pair with its 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

Fortunately, phone pairing is a breeze—something that's not always true with older cars—and Subaru's operating system is intuitive to navigate. Adding to the convenience, the Outback can even store information for up to five devices.

However, the voice recognition technology needs serious improvements. Activated by a button on the left side of the steering wheel, the system displays recommended commands on the infotainment screen but struggles to execute basic tasks, like adjusting climate controls or audio settings.

For example, when I asked to lower the fan speed, it cranked it up to full blast, making the cabin too loud for subsequent commands to register. It also failed to tune to a country radio station, adjust the volume, or switch from FM to AM radio. 

To make matters worse, each time I pressed the button for a new command, to signify that it was ready to hear my command, I was met with a shrill, high-pitched tone played at full volume —adding to the frustration. In the future, I'll stick with Siri.

2015 Subaru Outback: Limited ADAS, Exceptional Safety

While the 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium lacks many standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), it does offer basic cruise control. However, If my car had the optional Safety Package, it would have features like blind spot monitoring, lane change assistance, a driver monitoring system, and more.

Even without these additional features, the Outback is a very safe car. It received an overall five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ in 2015.

2015 Subaru Outback: Acceptable Power for a Reactive Powertrain

The 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium features a robust 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 175 horsepower, paired with a smooth and efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT). All trim levels come with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) for enhanced traction and stability.

2015 Subaru Outback: Surprisingly Responsive Despite Modest Horsepower

Even though the 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium's 175 horsepower might sound underwhelming, I've been pleasantly surprised at how quickly it responds to the gas pedal. It can hold its own against other cars around town and on the highway.

As I picked up speed, that initial burst of power began to settle, and I enjoyed a smooth ride. I might catch some flack from gearheads for this, but I prefer the smooth acceleration from the Outback's CVT compared to some traditional manual and automatic transmissions.

With its 18.5-gallon tank and an EPA-rated fuel efficiency of 25/33/28 mpg for city/highway/combined driving, the Outback offers a respectable range. I averaged closer to 24 combined mpg during my test drive and could go about 460 miles on a full tank.

I've found the overall driving experience to be as comfortable as a spring day. The Outback performs well on gravel, snow, and winding mountain roads, partly thanks to the active torque vectoring system. This technology uses a computer to regulate the power sent to each wheel, allowing the vehicle to adapt to different road conditions and driver input.

2015 Subaru Outback: A Reliable Companion

I have thoroughly enjoyed our 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium, not just because of its practicality or reliability but also because it's fun, comfortable to drive, and looks great. It isn't just an off-road adventurer; it's for anyone who wants a safe car with a spacious cabin and good fuel economy. In terms of competitors, the 2015 Outback faces off against the 2015 Chevrolet Blazer, 2015 Honda CR-V, and 2015 Toyota Venza.