DecodedCars2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 52 for similar models.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 50 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 1% worse than the 2005 compact car average of 23.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -1% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -1% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | +12% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | +12% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +32% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +32% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Outback AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | +20% | $4,100 | 444 |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 20 | +20% | $4,100 | 444 |
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -18% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -18% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -7% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Legacy Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -7% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | +14% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Outback Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | +14% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota RAV4 | 23 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2005 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2005 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Suburban | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Subaru Legacy/Outback. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Legacy/Outback years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Legacy/Outback | 29 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 Legacy/Outback | 29 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 Legacy/Outback | 29 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 Legacy/Outback | 27 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 Legacy/Outback | 27 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 Legacy/Outback | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 Legacy/Outback | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 Legacy/Outback | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 Legacy/Outback | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 Legacy/Outback | 22 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 Legacy/Outback | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 Legacy/Outback | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →