Driving Experience
Includes acceleration and handling
What Owners Say
"Very smooth and quiet on the road. Can easily find myself having sped up to way over the speed limit without realizing."
Jordan G., ON (2009 Subaru Outback)"smooth drive, absorbs bumps we;;"
Joan H., NE (2009 Subaru Outback)"Very solid in the snow and other slippery conditions."
Anonymous, UT (2009 Subaru Outback)"Really handles well, corners well ( I raced cars in my younger years) acceleration is fair but mileage is good as a result. We live in a snowy northern environment the AWD is a god-send."
Anonymous, MT (2009 Subaru Outback)"Good snow car"
Anonymous, MI (2009 Subaru Outback)"The Subaru is a workhorse, so there is no finesse in how it handles. When you try to accelerate hard (such as merging onto a highway), the 2.5 engine just turns and looks at you, saying "what?"!"
Monica S., MA (2009 Subaru Outback)"The engine is very responsive, relatively fuel efficient, & has been problem free. The steering is also very responsive."
Anonymous, MD (2009 Subaru Outback)"It drives like a sports car, good handling and excellent cornering"
Anonymous, MT (2009 Subaru Outback)"Could use better acceleration, handling is good."
Anonymous, WI (2009 Subaru Outback)"everything is great about the handling of this car."
PATRICIA M., CA (2009 Subaru Outback)"Great climate control, comfortable seats. Insufficient leg room for tall drivers and leg room for passengers is insufficient for all both front and back. Acceleration is acceptable in city driving but the 4 cylinder engine is not adequate for highway driving. Overall steering control and driver position is great."
Anonymous, IL (2009 Subaru Outback)"The cruse control shifts down too low in calm driving that causes the engine to work harde than necessary."
Anonymous, CO (2009 Subaru Outback)"The steering feedback is surprisingly good and the turbo provides strong acceleration to merge onto highways."
MATTHEW S., NY (2009 Subaru Outback)"Acceleration could be better."
LOUIS C., NY (2009 Subaru Outback)"Basic 4 cyl is a bit under powered. OK in traffic, but interstate merging is sometimes challenging."
Anonymous, VA (2009 Subaru Outback)"Noticeable lag when you want to accelerate fairly quickly. You put your foot on the gas and nothing happens for a second or two, and then the car takes off. If there's a fair amount of traffic I don't change lanes because of this."
Anonymous, NH (2009 Subaru Outback)"Very good read handling and passing acceleration. Great car in snow conditions"
RICHARD B., CA (2009 Subaru Outback)"Overall, I'm happy with the car, its looks, comfort, driveability, (highway at 80+ mph, as well as camping, back roads driving) especially with Michelin Defender tires. It's my 2nd Outback, both purchased from private owners thru Craigslist. Acceleration is hesitant, not prompt. There is a delay in response when needing quick acceleration, as in passing. This was true of my 2006 Subaru Outback as well. It's the most significant dislike about the car. The factory install clock, climate and radi"
MARGARET M., TX (2009 Subaru Outback)"On July 30 we experience 6 inches of rain in 2 hours. I was driving home, crossing the Patapsco River bridge at Woodstock, MD, and climbing Woodstock Hill (45 degree slope and winding) while water was rushing down the road. The Subaru all wheel drive was fantastic. I got home safely."
KATHLEEN B., MD (2009 Subaru Outback)"All wheel drive is a blessing in bad weather especially snow. Acceleration is about as good as it gets with a 4 cylinder engine."
A M., DE (2009 Subaru Outback)"Over time the acceleration is sluggish"
JOHN M., MA (2009 Subaru Outback)"We purchased this car (used) because it is turbo-charged. Makes all the difference when it comes to handling."
Anonymous, UT (2009 Subaru Outback)"could use more horsepower for acceleration"
Anonymous, MI (2009 Subaru Outback)"steering - somewhat numb"
Anonymous, MD (2009 Subaru Outback)"I like the AWD system even on dry roads. When I drive rental cars with FWD or RWD the tail always seems to wag on turns, and the handling is sloppy overall. The Subaru feels like it takes turns on rails, even at a higher speed than one should take on curves, such as if something comes up suddenly on a road I'm not familiar with. It inspires a lot of confidence that it'll always behave as expected."
GLENN C., NC (2009 Subaru Outback)"acceleration from a stop is not that great"
Anonymous, WI (2009 Subaru Outback)"It is a dog. VERY slow compared to our Forester. Huge difference lacking turbo, mistake."
Anonymous, CA (2009 Subaru Outback)"Definitely underpowered."
DARCY H., VA (2009 Subaru Outback)"Would have been better with a 5 speed transmission."
CARLTON M., IL (2009 Subaru Outback)"Good: I live in snow country and this Subaru is virtually unstoppable in snow when shod with dedicated snow tires. Bad: Brake lines failed due to rust. It was covered under an extended warranty, but was scary, none the less."
RICHARD B., MD (2009 Subaru Outback)"The acceleration and gas mileage on this vehicle are disappointing. I expected more."
HOWARD N., MO (2009 Subaru Outback)"Handles snow and ice like a dream."
Anonymous, NM (2009 Subaru Outback)"The 2009 Outback still has good acceleration and very good handling, on all types of roads and terrain."
James B., IL (2009 Subaru Outback)"both acceleration and handling adequate"
Anonymous, NS (2009 Subaru Outback)"For a 4 cylinder engine, it has,good pick,up. Easy to handle."
Therese M., OR (2009 Subaru Outback)"I've managed fairly well in winter conditions in a mountain area. I do get snow tires as well, but the all wheel drive seems to help me manage better than friends who don't have it. Acceleration seems adequate for my purposes, mostly on country roads."
Anonymous, NY (2009 Subaru Outback)"The acceleration is weird. It is fine if you don’t need to go fast, fast. If the ac is on and you need to merge onto the highway, it can shift weird through gears. It almost lags and then kicks in. I dont like that. I wouldn’t buy the bottom of the line unit again."
Nathan R., MI (2009 Subaru Outback)"Excellent acceleration and handling. It’s what I like about Subaru."
Kathleen B., MD (2009 Subaru Outback)"The outback handles fantastically. I like to rake it on long trips because it hugs the road."
Curtis S., CO (2009 Subaru Outback)"Even with 66,000 miles the acceleration is strong and instantaneous. No lag whatever."
Allan R., CO (2009 Subaru Outback)"The acceleration is more than adequate considering the types of activities it is designed for. The handling is exttremely good for an all wheel drive crossover vehicle. I am very satisfied with the braking. I am very happy with the AWD capability in deep snow and mud."
Anonymous, IL (2009 Subaru Outback)"The car handles like it was brand new. Easy to drive and very responsive!"
Anonymous, NC (2009 Subaru Outback)"sluggish acceleration OK handling"
Anonymous, WA (2009 Subaru Outback)"the AWD in the snow"
Anonymous, VA (2009 Subaru Outback)"This vehicle has been excellent for driving in snow."
Richard B., CA (2009 Subaru Outback)"I like the steering responsiveness, and the handling. One thing that worries me is a delay when I need to punch the pedal into a lower gear, or even to accelerate in the same gear. It seems endemic to Outbacks, was the same with my previous (2006) model."
Margaret M., TX (2009 Subaru Outback)"corners exceptionally well due to low center of gravity -- sports car like"
Anonymous, VA (2009 Subaru Outback)"Acceleration and handling are both smooth and impressively responsive!"
Anonymous, NH (2009 Subaru Outback)"Modest acceleration,superb handling for this type of vehicle."
Bruce B., BC (2009 Subaru Outback)
"Hit a deer and slammed on breaks and it withstood impact and did not lose control."
David P., PA (2009 Subaru Outback)