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2001 Subaru Outback Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Crossovers are all the rage now, but Subaru led the pack, starting in the 1990s with its rugged AWD Outback. Based on the Legacy, it features a high ride height, large 16-inch tires, up to 68 cubic feet of cargo room, and full-time all-wheel drive, but it offers better safety, stability, and handling than the bulky SUVs. Previous Outbacks suffered from a lack of power, however, but the 2001 Outback adds two new trims with a new H6 engine.
The 2001 Outback comes as a Limited sedan and four different wagons. The sedan, base wagon and Limited wagon feature a 2.5-liter, 165-hp H4 with a 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic. The new 3.0 L.L. Bean Edition and 3.0 VDC wagons feature a 3.0-liter, 212-hp boxer H6 engine mated only to a 4-speed automatic. VDC stands for Vehicle Dynamic Control, and is Subaru's new stability system. Combined with traction control and the superb full-time AWD, handling is top-notch in this trim. The L.L. Bean Edition features a security system and exclusive L.L. Bean materials, but both 3.0 Outbacks are decked out with wood and leather trim, a Momo steering wheel, alloy wheels, an 8-way driver's seat, and automatic climate control. Except for the base wagon, all Outbacks comes with a sunroof, foglights, power features, and keyless entry.
Other changes this year include a standard limited slip rear differential, bigger and more appropriate brakes, and a new temperature display. Sitting 7.3 inches above the ground and reinforced with two-tone body cladding, the 2001 Outback is built for challenging road conditions, if not true off-roading. Drivers like the SUV practicality combined with the car-like handling and high safety record for Subaru. All models but the base wagon have dual front and side impact airbags. The new H6 engine accelerates quickly and easily, and the overall ride is smooth. Drivers don't like the limited legroom, wind noise, the underpowered H4, and lack of rain guards on the windows. The switch for the heated seats is in a poor location, often getting turned on unintentionally.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2001 Subaru Outback
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by Dawn P
May 27, 2024
I have a 2003 Subaru Outback sedan that I love. This looks like a great car. I was not expecting the price to be that high for a 2001. The Kelly blue book prices are much lower. I was very disappointed.May 27, 2024
by Chuck L
Nov 29, 2023
the vehicle had a little high milage for costNov 29, 2023
by Liam G
Aug 14, 2023
i love it even though it is completly worthless. Aug 14, 2023
User rating:
by Dawn P
May 27, 2024
I have a 2003 Subaru Outback sedan that I love. This looks like a great car. I was not expecting the price to be that high for a 2001. The Kelly blue book prices are much lower. I was very disappointed.May 27, 2024
by Chuck L
Nov 29, 2023
the vehicle had a little high milage for costNov 29, 2023
by Liam G
Aug 14, 2023
i love it even though it is completly worthless. Aug 14, 2023
by Anonymous
Mar 26, 2015
So far so good a few things I need to fix, I did purchase a warranty so things should be good. Subaru definitely builds a solid car. I see so many on the road. But not many with the double sun roofs.Mar 26, 2015
by Anonymous
Jan 02, 2015
I love my Subaru Outback. I bought this car new in 2001 when my son was born. I plan to give it to him when he gets his drivers license. It has been very reliable and now has 130,000 miles on it. No major maintenance issues. Just keep changing the oil, tires and the brakes. Excellent for winter driving because of its all wheel drive and high clearance. I have never got stuck while living through New England winters. The dual sunroof is a very nice feature, but it does take up a lot of head room. I'm 6'1" and I fit comfortably in the car, but the head room is a little tight. I do my own labor as I'm an engineer and somewhat mechanically inclined. The 2001 Subaru outback is exceptionally easy to work on by ANYONE. just buy the service manual at any auto parts store and you can do anything on your vehicle. All the sensors that do go bad are located on top of the engine block, easy. Even the O2 sensors were very easily changes. Mine is a 5 speed manual transmission, which makes it fun to drive. It is one of the few cars you can find these days if you like manual transmission. I also love the way the car rides and feels substantial on the road without being luggy. Although, there is a bit more road noise than I would like.Jan 02, 2015
by Mark B
Dec 19, 2014
I liked it all but the noisy cabin (no door frame) and the smell of gasoline in cold weather (poor seals in my year/model). Great for getting to trailheads off logging roads or off road. Perfect for hauling loads and my dog around too.Dec 19, 2014
by Donovan K
Sep 11, 2014
Second Subaru, love it! I think Subaru picked up it's game in 2000. Their vehicles are very well built, don;t feel cheap, are comfortable and reliable! Easily competes with the luxury cars in my opinion, but is far more reliable then the European cars! Highly recommend!Sep 11, 2014
by Dave G
Feb 27, 2013
You'll look forward to snow days... It's fantastic and still love driving it, especially in the winter. Considering other brands charge a $5000 premium for their AWD I'm completely satisfied. This Subaru has been a gem reliable and economical. Even with 245,000 miles everything still works and quality has been great there have been no broken interior parts, only had the bulb burn out for the drivers side heated seat (dealer wanted $120 to fix so it no longer lights). Feb 27, 2013
by Chris W
Sep 14, 2012
for a station wagon its performance is great its no Ferrari but it has minimal
body roll and plenty of acceleration. the car has not needed any significant
repairs minor maintenance such as brakes and some suspension parts. i like the
looks of the car some say it is an acquired taste but whatever i guess i have
acquired it. the mileage for a wagon is good i have gotten near 27 or 28
which is great for a full size wagon.Sep 14, 2012
by franklin r
Jul 19, 2012
Overall besides the vent situation & the lack of acceleration I would buy another Subaru. I am looking for a baja real soon. I will be purchasing a Toyota Sienna(Awd) in the next few weeks. Subaru's tribeca's 3rd row is way too narrow.Jul 19, 2012
by James C
Jan 14, 2012
I call her Moya, and she's a hell of a car.
Subaru, back in 2001, realized their Outback was lacking in power and refinement. The old four-cylinder was a great engine as long as you took care of it, but it had issues with head gaskets and timing belts. The flat-six, new for that year, took care of that, as an all-new, bespoke engine for the Legacy/Legacy Outback models. It spits out 212 HP and ft/lbs of torque, and you get a big chunk of that torque right off the line, making the car feel swifter than it really is. Which, around town, is pretty nice.
The Outback isn't the *perfect* car for any job, but it's the perfect car for ANY job. Shuttling people around? Road trips? Light off-roading? Trudging through snow and rain and whatever else? Moya's got your back. She will nom all of your cargo and not complain a bit.
A nice thing about these cars is how DIY they are. The only real maintenance thing I've run into was that the pulley bearings on the front of the engine (specifically, the tensioner ones) tend to get clogged and break around 60K miles (and in my case, 10 years into the car's life). Changing them is pretty simple, as is replacing the serpentine belt. You can swap headlight bulbs in about 15min with hand tools. Reliability rocks and she runs like a top.
Interior is very nice, and will surprise you if you've sat in other (even more recent) Subarus. The VDC model was completely loaded when they built her, with extra sound deadening to dampen road noise, and even came with a snazzy McIntosh stereo system. While it's somewhat dated compared to high end stereos of today, this was about the coolest factory stereo you could get in 2001. It's lasted brilliantly, and only now is one of the speakers starting to show its age. I plan to keep the awesome analog head unit and upgrade the front speakers.
Just about the one thing this car isn't is a sports car, but why would you want it to be? She handles well enough to get out of the way of semis and crazed North Carolina drivers in their massive Ram Laramie Cummins Brokeback Edition pickup trucks, and will beat the pants off a SUV or crossover in the agility department. On a nice set of Michelin Primacy tires, she's rock solid even in Georgia monsoon season with oil on the road and she'll gladly schlep you and your buddies across the country, only occasionally requesting an oil change and some gas. I plan to keep her for years to come.
Bottom line: she might not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid.Jan 14, 2012
by Anonymous
May 31, 2011
It works well in severe Winter weather and has safety standards to match.
The performance is sluggish, but the car never quits. We took it to
blizzard struck Colorado this past Winter and did not have a single issue
on the road!May 31, 2011
by Emily R
Dec 14, 2010
My car rocks and I love iiitt! It has an oil leak but...its old so its okay! Its real pretty, the paint has damage from the previous owner letting it bake in the sun, but thats easily fixed. High miles but still works real good:)Dec 14, 2010
by Anonymous
Dec 07, 2010
Great Car in the snow... We have awesome back country trails here in the mountains.. the car lives up to it's name. Once climbed a 60 - 70 degree 100' rocky incline... made it effortlessly. I would recommend this car. Buy it used... over 25K new!Dec 07, 2010
by Anonymous
Jul 12, 2010
Bought mine 6 months ago with 175k... the H6 is really the
way to go! No head gasket / timing belt issues! And, GREAT
Power! OK, so you do suffer a little in MPG AND have to buy
Premium fuel, but the trade off for the POWER and the
reliability do not outweigh the few pennies more for Premium
fuel costs annually unless you drive over 25k miles per year.
2002 does have better cup holder arrangement... doesn't
handle as well as my MR2 & Miata, but not as bad as my
F250... This Subie replaced all three and has hauled my boats
and loads of bricks, etc. better than the F250 4x4!Jul 12, 2010
by Nicole A
Jan 05, 2010
LOVE IT! Couldn't ask for a better car for Minnesota winters! Handles like a snowmobile...only HEATED! Love the fact that I own a Subaru, and like how it drives. The only downside is that the door seals have kinda withered, which results in some wind noise that moves through the cabin while driving, but they just need to be replaced, shouldn't be too tough..Overall, great car!Jan 05, 2010
by Anonymous
Nov 11, 2009
Really love my L.L. Bean outback. Nothing to dislike everything
to love. The builid Quality is very good, and the AWD gives a lot
of confidence. I appreciate the rarity of the engine, I especially
like the fact that the 3.0 was developed as a collaboration
between Subaru and Porsche. Nov 11, 2009
by Mehul A
Aug 26, 2009
Great fun cause of the AWD! Sluggish pickup, small brakes,
but once you start powersliding you forget about all of that!
Great car to own but the maintenance regiment seems to be
somewhat costly. That is about all I have to say.Aug 26, 2009
by Colby O
Aug 26, 2009
Its drives great it just isn't the most attractive car ever. It
handles awesome and is surprisingly pretty quick for a wagon.
It is also pretty cool that it is awd so no getting stuck in snow
or mud etc.Aug 26, 2009
by Anonymous
Jun 14, 2009
Comparable to a Volvo 750xct but half the price. Great value for the money. Reliable. nice acceleration with the 3L 6cyl engine. Nice trim with L.L.Bean. Low maintenance. Can drive it anywhere without fear because of its AWD. Definitely fun to drive even though it is a station wagon. Lots of room.Jun 14, 2009
by Anne S
Dec 01, 2008
I really love the way it drives & handles. It is extremely easy to see out of. However, it lacks a bit of get up & go on the onramps, although manually shifting sure helps! Its been very cheap to own so far. I got one that wasn't too well taken care of at 130k, but so far I've lucked out with just a few minor cheap repairs. I haven't been able to drive it yet in the winter since I bought it in June, but I heard these cars are phenomenal for snow & ice, and it is exceptional in the rain. I don't really like the McIntosh radio itself because it has no aux jack, but the sound system is excellent! This car is super quick to heat up, especially the heated seats, and the air conditioning rocks! I also love the storage capacity, it has been so handy, although I wish the seats folded into the floor. I don't care if people make fun of my wagon, it is a lot of fun to drive, and very cheap to own! Now if it would only get better mileage...!Dec 01, 2008
by Alexander B
Aug 22, 2008
What can i say, it's a Subie. It's reliable and solid as a rock, it is meticulously detailed inside and out and well taken care of. I learned the ins and outs of this car and could take it out and put it back together again. It's what makes a Subaru, a SubaruAug 22, 2008
by Jeff S
Jul 05, 2008
There when you need it. Jul 05, 2008
by Glamar M
Jun 11, 2008
Excellent car, it moves great, is reliable, speedyJun 11, 2008
by Kris E
May 12, 2008
It's been a very good car at 100,000 miles I still have a lot of faith that it will remain a safe and sensible family car for years to come. The H6 engine provides plenty of power and very good acceleration once you figure out how to manage the throttle (the traction control system does not hesitate to interject when putting the pedal to the floor, and you can't manually turn it off). I've also had the mixed fortune of demonstrating how well the vehicle dynamics control (VDC) works in assisting with lateral stability, and I can say that it is impressive. It definitely safe to say that traction is not a problem in this car.
The car makes a good towing vehicle as well. The 6 cylinder powerplant delivers adequate torque will pulling, and the extremely rigid chassis and disc brakes all-around make for a reassuring towing experience.
Unfortunately, in the long-standing tradition of the Subaru...it leaks...and leaks. The car has been plagued with minor seepage since we bought it at 68k miles. These leaks are various and typically minor in their severity, but also fairly expensive to repair.
Overall, I would certainly recommend the Outback--6 cylinder VDC model specifically, as a smart alternative to SUVs and minivans for small families.May 12, 2008
by Jake C
Apr 02, 2008
bad car! BAD!Apr 02, 2008
by Anonymous
Mar 02, 2008
This is the ideal car for Vermont drivers. Excellent handling in snow, never hesitates to start in below-zero temps. Comfortable ride, too! I love it!Mar 02, 2008
by Charles M
Feb 15, 2008
interior rattled because of system. check engine light was on forever. but turn the car on and off four times and the thing went out. lol. five speed. decent handling. for a wagonFeb 15, 2008
by Levin S
Feb 04, 2008
Very good gas mileage for the size of the engine. The All Wheel Drive system works wonders in the snow. The interior is magnificent. Feb 04, 2008
by Roger M
Jan 08, 2008
Car is comfortable,practical,nice to drive and ok on fuelJan 08, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 15, 2007
Great car, but I'm finding some problems with the steering and CV joints after only owning it for 2 yearsJul 15, 2007
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2001 Outback - Tried “everything” help!
Okay. So I’ve got a 2001 Outback that is giving my mechanic and I a run for our money. It overheats but ONLY when the heat is turned on in the car, after driving highway speed, then stopping. More granular details below. We have replaced: - Both head gaskets - Thermostat (twice!) - water pump & timing belt - radiator Here’s what happens. Driving in the city, heat on - no temp change Driving on the highway, heat on - overheats when idling, not while driving If I turn the temp to cold, the gauge goes back to normal, instantly. What the heck could this possibly be? And yes, we have already vacuum sealed the system so there’s no bubbles.
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2001 Subaru Outback?Compare this car
2001 Subaru Outback Pricing
Original MSRP
$18,195 to $32,390Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: center
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: center
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: McIntosh · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: center
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: dual power · Roof rack color: black
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent