H6 engine v. H4 in Subaru Outback wagon FAQ

After many years of cars with 4 cylinders, I found the H6 to be very refreshing. I am not a speedster, but it's nice to have the larger engine. I think it feels more comfortable. The technology used in the H6 is pretty amazing too. I'm very happy with my '02 H6 VDC sedan. John

I have driven an H4 outback and own a 04 H-6 OBW and find that the added power is definitely worth the cost difference. It seems like there is less load on the engine at speed and the 6 has a great deal more go to it.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

Hi, And at present record high gas price. Drive sith stick so you can have more control of your car. Tony

The OBW has plenty of power with the H4 and 5-speed. I've never driven the 4cylinder automatic version of it, but 4-cylinder engines often disappoint when coupled to an automatic.

I agree. We have an H6 and we love it. You won't just get the larger engine. The H6 also comes with more options. When you consider the additional equipment besides the engine, it's worth the cost. Be careful though...we hadn't had the car two weeks when my wife got a speeding ticket. She was used to the road noise at various speeds with her previous car. This one is so quiet that she didn't realize how fast she was going. At least that's her story and she's sticking to it. I have to admit that she has a point. The car is as smooth as silk.

The six is not worth the price when new. used may not be such a steep premium. the 4 is fine plus gets an avg of 24-25 mpg.

in article snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com, nfisherman at snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote on 4/22/04 9:40 PM:

I agree as well. My parents lease a H4 outback. I drove that before getting my H6 2.5 years ago. The H4 seemed underpowered to me, but I love the H6: plenty of power when you want it. I only wish the auto trans was better mated to the 6- or had a manual option.

Before buying the MT 99, I demo'd an AT. Sluggish through the gears. If you want AT, then the 6 may be worth it, if you have the money. Otherwise, there's plenty of juice in the MT4, unless you're sitting in heavy traffic *all* the time.

Gene Goldenfeld

I have been driving a 2.5L, 4 cylinder Outback since 2000. I drive up into the mountains in Vermont on a regular basis. It has plenty of power, in fact, as the car had aged it has gained power. Subaru has a five percent market share in Vermont, most of which is in the 4 cylinder model. Power is not an issue. I regularly get 25 mpg, sometimes slightly more. Works for me.

I drove a bare-bones Corolla for 12 years before getting my H-6 two years ago. I have found it to be invaluable here around NYC and NJ where one must be able to accelerate quickly in many situations. I find myself confidently executing maneuvers that I would have never dared to try in my old car because it just didn't have enough power. Never regretted the premium model yet. And everyone who gets in the car comments that it looks and drives like a luxury car that costs 1.5 times as much.

PS - the premium gas costs more but I just DON'T CARE.

I can second this. In my old Corolla, if I went over 70 the whole car shook and made tons of noise. In the H6, frequently you can creep up to 80 and not even realize it because of the smoothness and quietness. 80 in this car feels like 60 in my old car.

At least that's her story and she's sticking

Thank you! Thats too funny. I could see myself having the same problem. My '98 Corolla is a great little car but going 85 on the highway can get pretty shaky.

I doubt I will be getting a manual transmission seeing as how I never learned to drive stick so not sure if i want to start on this car. Maybe I can get my husband to show me first on his old 92 Cavelier before we bring it to the junk yard. But he thinks we should stick to an automatic. Thanks though!

Wow. Thanks everyone. Looks like I definitely need the H6. I am also excited for the AWD since I live in northern VT and it would be nice to have in the snowy winters. I'll probably hit some dealerships in NY, NH and MA because here in VT those Outbacks fly out of the dealerships and they aren't good deals at all. Its like they think you cant go anyplace else to purchase an Outback. At least now I know that I want the H6!

Kristen

Our previous car was a 99 Camey 4 cyl. We went with the H6. We feel it is safer- sometimes you need the speed to enter an on-ramp, pass a truck, or just generally get out of the way of a danger.

Not to start something between spouses, but the H6 wagon is the loudest car we've owned.

My '01 OBW (auto) 2.5L is sluggish, seems to have no low end torque under moderate acceleration. You really have to let the engine wind up past 4000 RPM to get decent power out of it. Mileage is probably about the same between the 4 and H6.

Doesn't the H6 need premium fuel?

But then again, maybe you won't have piston slap & head gasket leaks with the H6

;-)

Mike