4 or 6 Cylinder Outback?

[Donkey Agony]

A 6-cylinder obviously has more power (and eats more gas!), but what is
the overall driving experience (and likely reliability) as compared to
an equivalently configured 4-cylinder?

Specifically 2004-2006 models...

 

[bigjim]

Get the 4. The difference is hardly noticable but the mpg is less with
the 6. Initial cost is cheaper as well.

 

[y_p_w]

A 6-cylinder obviously has more power (and eats more gas!), but what is
the overall driving experience (and likely reliability) as compared to
an equivalently configured 4-cylinder?

Specifically 2004-2006 models...

Which version? The turbo 4s put out as much peak power and
more torque means more overall power throughout the rev range.

 

[Al]

A 6-cylinder obviously has more power (and eats more gas!), but what is
the overall driving experience (and likely reliability) as compared to
an equivalently configured 4-cylinder?

Specifically 2004-2006 models...

In the hills of Connecticut on route 84 on the way to Hartford from the
Mass Pike, our 4 cyl '96 Outback downshifted a gear going up most of the
hills and dropped in speed. Our '03 6 cyl. Outback never downshifts and
maintains speed well. This is all while on cruise control.

When the downlshift occured in the 4 cyl., the engine would buzz due to
the high rpm. My wife was always concerned that something was breaking.
Also this would often happen while a car was next to us; made them think
we were racing. Dumb, but true.

Al

 

[Paul Pluzhnikov]

In the hills of Connecticut on route 84 on the way to Hartford from the
Mass Pike, our 4 cyl '96 Outback downshifted a gear going up most of the
hills and dropped in speed.

4cyl '97 OBW with AT, with 2 people + camping gear, A/C on, has
no trouble maintaining 70mph on I-5 climbing out of Los Angeles to
the Tejon pass (though it does downshift).

In fact, I usually pass all the big SUVs which passed me at 85mph
before the climb began

Also note, that 6cyl not only eats more gas, but also needs
premium fuel (AFAICT).

Cheers,

 

[Adam Helberg]

In the hills of Connecticut on route 84 on the way to Hartford from the
Mass Pike, our 4 cyl '96 Outback downshifted a gear going up most of the
hills and dropped in speed. Our '03 6 cyl. Outback never downshifts and
maintains speed well. This is all while on cruise control.

When the downlshift occured in the 4 cyl., the engine would buzz due to
the high rpm. My wife was always concerned that something was breaking.
Also this would often happen while a car was next to us; made them think
we were racing. Dumb, but true.

Al

It sound like your were driving too fast uphill for the power of your car. Where I
live, in S. Calif the hills are not that steep and my 4 cyl is adequate, unless one
is a very aggressive driver.

Adam

 

[John Rethorst]

Also note, that 6cyl not only eats more gas, but also needs
premium fuel (AFAICT).

It's my understanding that using regular gas is fine, but the 6-cyl models meet
their published specs only with premium.

 

[grape]

AfaIk, the Turbo version engine required premium, otherwise, your engine
will knock like xxxx, due to the high pressure built by turbo.

does the H-6 builds much more higher pressure in the cylinder? if so, I
guess premium is *required*.

 

[Bonehenge]

In the hills of Connecticut on route 84 on the way to Hartford from the
Mass Pike, our 4 cyl '96 Outback downshifted a gear going up most of the
hills and dropped in speed. Our '03 6 cyl. Outback never downshifts and
maintains speed well. This is all while on cruise control.

My 4cyl manual tranny OBW zipped right along the Mass Pike in cruise
control.

It had a whole different feel that the 4 cyl automatics I test drove.
A night and day difference.

 

[Al]

It sound like your were driving too fast uphill for the power of your car.
Where I
live, in S. Calif the hills are not that steep and my 4 cyl is adequate,
unless one
is a very aggressive driver.

Adam

Just keeping up with traffic. If you go the legal limit, you get hit
from behind.

Al

 

[Jim Stewart]

Get the 4. The difference is hardly noticable but the mpg is less with
the 6. Initial cost is cheaper as well.

What he said.

The 4 is more than enough with a manual transmission
and is a blast to drive. I can't speak for the
auto.

 

[grape]

I own a manual, and test-drived an auto. One thing is certain, Subaru auto
tranny sux. It feels you are driving a granny car. Seemed Subaru are aimed
only to sporty manual tranny.

 

[Freedom55]

My 4cyl manual tranny OBW zipped right along the Mass Pike in cruise
control.

It had a whole different feel that the 4 cyl automatics I test drove.
A night and day difference.

The 05-06 4 cylinder is peppier than previous versions, does not
downshift as often and is quieter. The 04 and previous years feel much
slower. I have had a 2000 OBW and currently own an 05.

Ron

--
And it really doesn't matter if
I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

Lennon & McCartney

 

[Guest]

I agree.

When I bought my 05OB 2.5i it was the first automatic I have owned and
my main worry was that it might not have enough power.

Turns out the auto has plenty of power for highway driving AND good
fuel economy. Now after 20,000 km I still love it - the perfect
touring car

 

[marcus153]

AfaIk, the Turbo version engine required premium, otherwise, your engine
will knock like xxxx, due to the high pressure built by turbo.

does the H-6 builds much more higher pressure in the cylinder? if so, I
guess premium is *required*.

I am told, by our sales trainer for Subaru of New England, that the
turbo does REQUIRE premium, while, for the 6-cylinder, it is merely
RECOMMENDED.

Marc Sindell
Twin City Subaru Sales
Montpelier, Vermont

 

[Dino]

We live in Colorado and our big concern was the performance of the 2.5i
4-cyl on the mountain roads and with the thinner air. We bought an '05 2.5i
after test driving it overnight and we're very pleased with its performance.
It goes up I-70 and though the Eisenhower tunnel just fine. We have to
downshift to 4th (manual tranny) but I expected that. It usually has
adequate of passing power. Very happy with the gas mileage too. We didn't
get the turbo since it requires premium and gets lower mileage, hoping we
made the right decision, and we don't regret it. The turbo or 6 is a lot
more sporty though if you have the extra bucks to spend.

 

[Tom Reingold]

I agree.

When I bought my 05OB 2.5i it was the first automatic I have owned and
my main worry was that it might not have enough power.

Turns out the auto has plenty of power for highway driving AND good
fuel economy. Now after 20,000 km I still love it - the perfect
touring car

What have you measured the fuel economy to be?

I've been recording every fuel purchase since I got my 2000 Legacy L
(not Outback) wagon in March. I'm getting 23.6 miles per gallon (US)
overall.

I can convert liters per 100 km into miles per gallon, if needed.

 

[eachcornerpulling]

What have you measured the fuel economy to be?

I've been recording every fuel purchase since I got my 2000 Legacy L
(not Outback) wagon in March. I'm getting 23.6 miles per gallon (US)
overall.

I can convert liters per 100 km into miles per gallon, if needed.

On long journeys which include travel at holiday destinations, going
over mountain passes, long stretches of 75mph freeway driving etc., I
average 8.0 litres/100km. This is an exact figure averaged over
several major trips.

On regular highway and freeway driving - trips of 700 to 1500 km, no
cities but over mountain passes - I sometimes only use 7.4 to 7.8
litres/100km.

In my home town it's much worse since it's all up or down steep hils
on short trips and rarely in high gear or with a warmed up engine, and
I average 14.0 - 15.2 for each tank.

 

[lkreh]

We have the 4 cyl., which takes regular gas and gets about 28mpg
highway fully loaded with gear/luggage. The 6 cyl. takes premium gas.
That fact alone would prevent me from buying the 6 cyl. We also take a
lot of roadtrips and have found the 4 cyl to have enough power. We
don't tow a trailer, but I question anyone who would with a Subaru.

 

[Tom Reingold]

On long journeys which include travel at holiday destinations, going
over mountain passes, long stretches of 75mph freeway driving etc., I
average 8.0 litres/100km. This is an exact figure averaged over
several major trips.

On regular highway and freeway driving - trips of 700 to 1500 km, no
cities but over mountain passes - I sometimes only use 7.4 to 7.8
litres/100km.

In my home town it's much worse since it's all up or down steep hils
on short trips and rarely in high gear or with a warmed up engine, and
I average 14.0 - 15.2 for each tank.

The conversion factor from your units to US units (not imperial) is 235.
So when you use 8 liters per 100 km, that's getting over 29 miles per US
gallon. Wow, that's high. And when you use 15 liters, that's less than
16 mpg. Wow, that's low. That's wide variation! My fillups never yield
me more than 25 mpg or less than 22. I guess I drive consistently
between fillups.

Tom