The Subaru Outback station wagon needs no introduction. It’s a Swiss Army knife of a vehicle, offering great space, all-round performance, and good safety. And if you own one, you’re already acquainted with its array of capabilities. But as cars become more modern, the dependence on the onboard computer becomes higher. And for that to function well, you ought to have a healthy battery at all times. So if your Outback’s battery is on its way out (we’ll look at a few possible causes/signs of that happening at the end of the article), please read our latest Mechanic Guides feature to help you choose the best battery for Subaru Outback.
Subaru Outback Battery Reviews:
Table could not be displayed.REVIEWS YOU CAN TRUST
We strive to always give you genuine, accurate information. To do this, all of mechanicguides.com reviews are based on market research, expert input, and practical experience. This knowledge comes from a team of automotive journalists and an independent mechanic, Steve “Whip” Whipple who has 11 years of experience in the auto industry. For more information, see here.
1.When you need more power: Odyssey Extreme Series Group 25 – the Best Battery for Subaru Outback
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Odyssey claims that the Extreme Series battery packs in twice the overall power and three times the life in comparison to conventional car batteries. This is a group 25 battery and can be used in the Subaru Outback. Looking at the basic specs, the Odyssey battery for Subaru Outback has Cold Cranking Amps of 850 amperes and a reserve capacity of 130 minutes.
Non-spill design
Odyssey mentions that the battery is quick to charge (100 percent recharge in 4 – 6 hours), has a longer cycle life (up to 400 cycles at 80 percentage), longer service life (3-10 years), and a long limited warranty (of up to 4 years; check with the seller regarding the finer details). It also features a non-spill design and offers vibration resistance. The plates inside are made of pure lead, it has a spill-free AGM design, corrosion-resistant terminals, among other things.
Why do we like it?
Odyssey claims that with the battery, it beats its already unconventional SpiralCell batteries by up to 15 percent plate surface area, which has a direct effect on the battery’s power and reserve capacity. Users have appreciated the battery’s performance, the way it fits, large CCA, and a great replacement to the original battery that more often than not fails to meet the customers’ expectations. Get in touch with the seller regarding the compatibility and warranty.
Pros
- Huge performance
Cons
- Heavy
2. Vibration-proof: Optima RedTop
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Optima banks heavily on their SpiralCell technology, which not only offers better packaging (therefore a smaller overall size) but also better stability during hard driving. The RedTop is the definite choice for modern cars in a variety of weather conditions. The Optima RedTop is compatible with the battery group (BCI) 25 — and can be fitted to the 2010 – 2017 Subaru Outback.
Maintenance-free
The battery has a CCA of 720 amperes, a Reserve Capacity of 90 minutes (at 25A). Due to its construction, it can be mounted in any position, is spill- and maintenance-free, offers up to 15 times better resistance to vibration, and is claimed to offer up to 3 times longer life. The battery is made up of spiral cells that have lead plates — one coated positive and the other negative.
Why do we like it?
The Optima RedTop battery for Subaru Outback is backed by a 36-month warranty but that comes with its conditions. To be sure, drop the seller a message about both warranty and compatibility. Users have appreciated that the battery fits well in the original battery’s space, but you’d need to use a spacer because the Optima battery has a smaller footprint.
Pros
Cons
3. Great CCA and RC: Odyssey Extreme Group 35
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With plates made of pure lead (not lead alloy) and higher in number, the Odyssey Extreme promises to offer twice as much power and three times the life in comparison to other conventional batteries. This one is a BCI Group 35 battery. It boasts a CCA (cold crank amp) of 850 amperes, reserve capacity of 130 minutes.
Expected service life of up to 10 years
Like the other Odyssey mentioned here (same battery model but a different BCI group), this also offers a full recharge in 4 – 6 hours, expected service life of 3 – 10 years, and longer cycle life (up to 400 cycles at 80 percent). It also benefits from AGM, sealed design, large interior surface area, and optimized recycling.
Why do we like it?
This battery is like the other Odyssey battery mentioned here but it belongs to a different BCI group. You’ll need to check with the seller about the warranty and compatibility. Users have found that the battery performs well, is high-quality, and if the factory battery in your vehicle wasn’t a group 35, you might need to add a spacer.
Pros
Cons
4. Inexpensive factory replacement: Delphi MaxStart AMG Premium Automotive Battery Group 75/86
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Delphi’s MaxStart is a BCI Group 75/86 battery. It comes with a cold cranking amps rating of 680 amperes and boasts a reserve capacity of 100 minutes. Delphi mentions it’s loaded with some serious corrosion resistance and can stand a lot of vibrations as well. It’s an AGM battery, which means no spillage.
Half the price of popular batteries
Designed to handle extreme temperatures, the battery with its decent CCA rating won’t let you down on winter mornings. At roughly half the price of some popular batteries, it’s also going to help you save some money.
Why do we like it?
You will need to send the seller a message about compatibility and warranty (the brand says 36 months but the Amazon listing lacks info). As a product, the Delphi battery is a pocket-friendly choice.
Pros
Cons
5. Accessory-heavy usage: Optima YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
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Optima makes some good SpiralCell batteries, like the RedTop mentioned above. The YellowTop is another example. It’s smaller in size when compared to conventional batteries. But it excels in the way that it’s resistant to vibrations. It’s also spill-free, which makes the YellowTop worth considering as a replacement battery for the Subaru Outback.
Deep-cycle
But the main reason why it deserves to be considered is its deep-cycle ability. If your car has a lot of accessories and electronics that a standard battery might not be able to handle — or die prematurely due to excessive discharging — this is the way to go. And that is also the main difference between this and the RedTop version. This is a BCI group 25 battery, has a CCA rating of 620 amperes, a reserve capacity of 100 minutes, and weighs less than the usual AGM batteries
Why do we like it?
For specialized uses, the Optima YellowTop is worth considering. As a stock replacement, it’s unlikely to make as much sense. Its buyers have been impressed with the battery but some have mentioned that claiming the warranty might be an issue. That’s mainly because if the battery hasn’t been bought from Optima directly, they want you to get it checked by one of the Optima stores — and only then do you get to know if there’s a replacement on its way. Check with the seller about both warranty and compatibility.
Pros
Cons
What is the best battery for Subaru Outback?
Depending on the version of Subaru Outback that you have, the battery’s BCI group number will vary. Get the corresponding replacement, and if you choose one of the best batteries for Subaru Outback as mentioned here, not only will you be guaranteed a better performance from the battery — since the factory-spec battery isn’t the most powerful — but also overall trouble-free ownership.
As a stock replacement and if you don’t want to spend too much, the Delphi battery makes a lot of sense. It doesn’t do anything extraordinary but does the job just fine.
If your Subaru Outback has extra accessories, then a deep-cycle battery is the one you’d want to look for. And in that case, the Optima Yellow Top makes for a solid choice.
If you’re looking at more power from the battery, the Odyssey Extreme models will work for you. (There are the Group 25 and Group 35 options.) But if you are after a good capacity battery that can withstand heavy vibrations and fits easily in the factory cavity for the battery, it’s hard to go wrong with the Optima Red Top. Since Optima is particular about its warranty, you’ll need to check with the seller if buying through Amazon (link mentioned above) gets you valid coverage.
Signs That Your Battery Is Dying
A car battery is responsible for a lot of tasks: from the most basic electric functions like lights to starting the engine. It becomes more essential when you consider that airbags and various sensors might not work if your vehicle’s battery isn’t working properly, or worst case scenario it dies and leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully batteries aren’t very expensive, and replacing one isn’t a huge process, either.
We understand that taking a multimeter/battery-load-tester might not be possible for everyone, so keep an eye out for the following signs. The most common one is a low-battery message on the multi-information display. Certain cars can also reveal a certain-part failure that’s directly dependent on the battery. If the battery light in the instrument panel turns on while you’re driving, there may be a fault in the charging system. With an aging battery, starting the car becomes a problem. It might even reach a point when even after cranking the engine it doesn’t respond. Sometimes the battery might just be able to light up the instrument panel, but the car won’t turn on. Also, if you pop the hood open, you might see corrosion or some film deposition. That’s also a sign that something is wrong. Keep in mind that the battery works in conjunction with a few other components, so those can be at fault as well.
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