Battery Reviews & Guides You Can Trust

4 Best Batteries for Subaru Outback (2021 Review)

  • By: Chris Patton
  • Date: January 11, 2022
  • Time to read: 7 min.

No matter how well you maintain your Subaru Outback, certain parts in it would require replacement from time to time because these parts were not built to last forever. The battery is a good example.

You will most likely have to change the Subaru Outback’s battery once or twice throughout its lifetime, but this could be more if you decide to opt for low-quality batteries.

best battery for subaru outback

Best Batteries for Subaru Outback: Our Top 4 Picks

Choosing the right battery for your Subaru Outback can be a huge challenge, considering the tons of options available on the market. So, you really have to know what to look out for to avoid ending up with the wrong choice.

The first factor you should bear in mind is the size of your battery. The Subaru Outback typically uses a Group Size 35 battery. Other important factors include technology and performance specs.

We put this post together to make the selection easier for you. We’ve scoured the market to compare several batteries that are suitable for the Subaru Outback, and we’ve selected the best in terms of the factors mentioned above. Our aim is to help you buy a replacement battery that you’d be glad with.

Now, here are our top recommendations…

1. Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery

A Subaru Outback is only as good as its battery. The Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery comes with all the right features to power your Subaru Outback and get your vehicle functioning at optimum capacity. It is designed to be efficient and effective with a long lifespan of more than 4 years.

Design

The Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery is an AGM battery. This means it has a spill-proof design that not only prolongs its lifespan but also ensures that it delivers higher performance. The battery is made of pure virgin lead plates. These types of plates allow for more plate surface area which is the reason why the battery is able to deliver more power and better efficiency.

Thanks to its rugged exterior and overall high-quality build, the battery can run for up to 10 years without losing efficiency. It also features corrosion-resistant tin-plated brass terminals, a high integrity terminal seal, a self-regulating relief valve, flame-retardant cell containers, and a bunch of other protective, high-end features to ensure it delivers maximum performance even after long years of use.

Performance

The Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery comes with 850 Cold Cranking Amps and 65Ah at 20Hr Nominal Capacity. Thanks to the extra pure virgin lead plates it packs, this battery would provide more power than spiral-wound batteries.

Its cycle life is 70% longer than most conventional deep cycle batteries and it will run for up to 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. The Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery also comes with one of the highest recharge efficiency in the market. It is capable of 100% recharge in just 4 hours.

Other Features

The Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery weighs just 50 pounds. It might still be heavy to some, but this weight is negligible considering the features it offers. It also comes with a limited 3-year warranty and a 4-year full replacement warranty as with all Odyssey batteries.

Pros

  • Tough and high-quality overall build quality
  • High-performance efficiency
  • Spill-proof design
  • 4-year full replacement warranty

Cons

  • High price
  • Requires an expensive charger

2. Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery

Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Starting Battery
  • 12-Volt, 720 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 10 5/16" x 6 13/16" x 7 5/8" tall, Weight: 39.5 pounds, SAE Posts
  • Reserve capacity of 90 minutes for constant performance;Up to 3X longer life
  • Optimal starting power even in bad weather
  • Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability.This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
  • C20 Capacity:44 Amp hour

The importance of having a highly-efficient car battery in your Subaru Outback cannot be estimated. Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery features a spiral-wound design that is pretty common with Optima batteries. Its design is not the only outstanding feature; but there is a long service life, durability, and maintenance-free use. Overall, this battery is a great choice for you if you’re looking for quality but wouldn’t want to spend too much.

Design

The Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery will deliver strong bursts of cranking power and withstand extreme forces, all thanks to its impressive design. The design of a battery is very important as it not only determines how well the battery would perform but also how long it will last.

A battery with a spill-proof design and mounting flexibility definitely gives those high-quality signals you should be looking out for and the Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery is one of such batteries. It is entirely spill-proof and built with 15 times more vibration resistance than other conventional batteries. It is also designed to address the common factors that lead to battery failure.

This battery features SpiralCell technology. This comprises of a series of individual spiral-wound cells each with two pure lead plates coated with lead oxide. One plate is positive while the other is negative. This impressive manufacturing process is the reason why the Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery is so efficient.

By spiral winding continuous lead plates, the battery would be able to deliver more precision control than traditional flat plate AGM batteries. Fortunately, these high-end features are not just for show as they ensure that you get the best in performance.

Performance

The Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery comes with 740 Cold Cranking Amps and a 12-volt capacity. It has a reserve capacity of 90 minutes which is reasonable for a battery of its price. This battery will provide up to 3x longer life than a conventional battery because of its durable build and spiral technology.  You will also enjoy the fast charging and maintenance-free features. Overall, this battery comes with all the right features for amazing high-power delivery in your Subaru Outback.

Other Features

The Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery is lightweight, especially when compared with other AGM counterparts. It weighs just 31.7 pounds. Fortunately, this isn’t so heavy, and it is a good thing because the battery doesn’t come with a handle at the top. The Optima Batteries 8025-160 25 RedTop Battery comes with a 3-year warranty which can be extended by purchasing the battery charger.

Pros

  • Lightweight at 31.7 pounds
  • Durable spill-proof and vibration-resistant design
  • SpiralCell Technology
  • Awesome power delivery

Cons

  • Battery may fail to hold a charge after some years
  • No handle for easy movement

3. Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery

Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery
  • 12-Volt, 720 Cold Cranking Amps, Size: 9.38 x 7.69 x 6.75-Inches Weight: 31.7 pounds, SAE Posts
  • Reserve capacity of 90 minutes for constant performance
  • Optimal starting power even in bad weather. Case material is Polypropylene
  • Fifteen times more resistant to vibration for durability
  • This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
  • Fit Type: Vehicle Specific

Who says you can’t spend less on a replacement battery for your Subaru Outback and still get high quality?

Design

The Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 is a RedTop AGM battery featuring SpiralCell Technology. This technology is ingenious to Optima batteries and allows them to fit more plates into the battery, thereby creating more surface area and ensuring you get more power during use.

Due to its AGM SLA technology, the Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery is spill-proof and vibration-resistant. This feature comes in handy if you’re going to be moving around in areas with undulating roads. The battery is built to be 15 times more resistant than other conventional batteries. Its spill-proof design means you can mount it in any position that you deem fit (however, avoid mounting it upside down).

Performance

The Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 is a 12-volt battery with 720 cold cranking amps to give you all the power you would need. The SpiralCell Technology enables the battery to deliver more powerful bursts of ignition power for quicker startup every time.

The battery is also designed to withstand hard launches and extreme weather. These are essentially the right features to look out for when going for a battery for your Subaru Outback, especially if you move through rough terrains frequently.

Other Features

Like most batteries from Optima, the Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery doesn’t come with a handle at the top. This could make moving the battery very tedious, but luckily there is a way around it. The battery weighs just 31.7 pounds, which is lightweight enough for it to be moved with ease.

The battery measures 9.3 inches (L) x 6.8 inches (W) x 7.6 inches (H), but not to worry, the spill-proof design allows for mounting flexibility so you can place it in any position to fit the available space.

To further convince you that this battery is just perfect for your Subaru Outback, there is a 3-year warranty. Optima would extend your warranty by several months or years if you purchase extra parts of the battery such as the charger.

Pros

  • Maintenance-free
  • SpiralCell Technology
  • Lightweight at 31.7 pounds
  • Delivers a powerful burst of ignition power

Cons

  • Charging problems could occur after a few years of use
  • Lack a sturdy handle for easy movement

4. Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery

Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery, Group Size 35
  • Extended cold cranking amps delivery means more power for today's demanding electronics
  • Group 35 battery with 680 CCA (cold cranking amps) and 100 R. C. (reverse capacity)
  • 20x the vibration resistance of conventional batteries and designed to perform in extreme temperatures
  • Superior vibration resistance, optimized component compression , and fortified posts, straps and welds
  • Superior corrosion resistance sealed housing with manifold venting system
  • Fit type: Vehicle Specific

The Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery provides extended cold-cranking amps delivery that gets your car up and running quickly. This battery features AGM technology, which is one of the best battery mechanisms in the automotive industry.

Design

Great design is a big feature to consider when buying a car battery. While you might be more interested in its CCA rating and reserve capacity, the battery design will determine just how long the battery lasts and how well it will serve you.

An AGM Sealed Lead Acid battery is just the right type for your vehicle. Fortunately, the Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery comes with this feature. It won’t spill, leak, or require much maintenance. The tough exterior of the battery makes it vibration-free and corrosion-free. This also makes it easier to mount. Overall, the Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery is a tough and durable option for your Subaru Outback.

Performance

The Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery has a CCA rating of 639 Ah and a reserve capacity of 100 minutes. This should crank up your vehicle without much hassle.

Extra Features

The battery measures 7.75 inches (H) x 6.75 inches (W) x 9.56 inches (L). The battery can be mounted in virtually any position because of its spill-proof design. However, you should avoid mounting it upside down. The Delphi BU9035 MaxStart AGM Automotive Battery weighs 40 lbs which is pretty heavy. Thanks to the tough handle, you would be able to move the battery with ease. There is also a 36-month full replacement warranty that goes with the battery.

Pros

  • 20 times more vibration resistant
  • Delivers high cranking power
  • Spill-proof design makes it easy to mount
  • Top handle makes it easy to move

Cons

  • Heavy at 40 lbs.
  • Charging issues could occur after few years of use