Top Battery Options for Subaru Outback: Ultimate Guide
The Subaru Outback is a great station wagon that is a cultural landmark thanks to its ruggedness. The station wagon mimics SUVs with its raised suspensions, four-wheel drive, and handy roof rack, while still being very practical and conventional. This has been the top choice for many people looking for a good car for many years thanks to its great value.
As great as it is, you will, eventually, have to replace the battery, once or twice in its lifetime, when it reaches the end of its life. Choosing the best battery for your Outback is something you have to carefully consider. With the large selection of battery options in the market, you need all the information you can get before making a purchase.
Here are the Best Batteries For Subaru Outback
Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery
This is a battery that comes with features that will efficiently and effectively power a Subaru Outback for more than 4 four years. Your car will be functioning at optimum capacity.
Performance
These plates allow the battery to provide more power with 850 Cold Cranking Amps and a 20Hr Nominal capacity of 65 Ampere hour. This is more than is provided by spiral-wound batteries.
It has one of the highest recharge efficiency rates in the market, the Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery can be fully charged in 4 to 5 hours. It has cycles that run longer than most conventional deep cycle batteries, at 80% depth of discharge, it can run up to 400 cycles.
Design
Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Batteries are AGM batteries meaning they are made to deliver powerful bursts of starting amps and run electronics for longer.
AGM stands for “absorbed glass mat.” Glass mats cushion thin plates of lead and are squishy. This allows manufacturers to squeeze more lead into one battery, which increases power output. AGM batteries recharge faster, are more durable, and are safer to handle. AGM batteries are also broadly categorized under valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. They can store power for longer.
The Odyssey 35-PC1400T Automotive and LTV Battery has a high-quality build with a rugged exterior. The terminals are brass plated which makes them resistant to corrosion and water, they are also sealed for higher integrity. The battery also features flame retardant cell containers and other high-end protective features ensuring its longevity.
This battery comes with a 3-year limited warranty and, as with all Odyssey batteries, a 4-year full replacement warranty.
The only downside to getting this battery comes down to its weight, it is 50 pounds, and its high price for the battery and its required charger.
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery is a high-quality, high-efficiency battery that guarantees high performance at a great price.
Performance
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery is designed to withstand extreme weather and hard starts. They have SpiralCell Technology, which enables these batteries to start fast thanks to a more powerful burst of ignition power.
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery has 720 cold crank amperes; an ample amount of power for any situation. It is a 12-volt battery.
Design
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery features SpiralCell Technologies. SpiralCell Technology in Optima batteries refers to a series of individual spiral-wound cells made of two pure lead plates.
Each lead plate is manufactured in a way that maintains thickness tolerance. They are then coated with a layer of lead oxide. The two plates are separated by a micro-fiberglass blend, which is proprietary. The micro-fiberglass holds the electrolyte even as it keeps the two plates from touching.
The process of making spiral winding lead plates requires a higher level of precision engineering and is therefore even more expensive than traditional flat plate AGM batteries. Due to the high precision required, virgin polypropylene can be used to ensure perfect and uniform compression.
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery does not come with a handle but is light enough, at 31.7 pounds, to be moved with ease without it.
It has a 3-year warranty that can be extended by purchasing other parts of the battery, like the charger.
Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Battery does not require constant maintenance.
The biggest downside with the battery is reported charging problems occurring after a few years of use.
Delphi BU9075DT
The Delphi BU9075DT is a premium double pole AGM battery. It is an energy-efficient battery that can tolerate extreme climates.
Performance
Cold Start Indicators, a cold crank amp (CCA) of 650 amps, ensures the battery works even when it is -30 degrees Celsius. It gives up to 12 volts of power with a total capacity of 60Ah.
It can withstand extremely low temperatures, up to -30 degrees, and is resistant to corrosion.
Design
The Delphi BU9075DT is made with AGM technology which gives the battery several advantages over simple lead prototypes.
This model has optimized plate and component compression which increases its efficiency and prolongs its life. It is made with a unique glass technology that absorbs the electrolyte solution, protecting the battery from spills during mechanical damage. This model is also vibration resistant thanks to reinforced uprights, sturdy construction, and welds.
This battery can adapt quickly and works well in extreme conditions. The Delphi BU9075DT does not require any special maintenance as they are tested to ensure their functionality.
XXS Power D1200 XS
The XXS Power D1200 XS gives your vehicle the necessary power to perform optimally as a replacement for your car’s battery.
Performance
The XXS Power D1200 XS is an Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery, designed to last longer than normal batteries. These batteries store energy that can be discharged quickly in 740 cranking amps. It has a capacity of 55Ah and a maximum output of 2600 amps at a 12-volt deep cycle.
You can get up to 400 full charge and discharge systems.
Design
The XXS Power D1200 XS has a unique design that allows creative installation. The battery has external vents so it can be installed in unconventional places without the fear of leaks. XS Power guarantees no leaks will occur even from damaged batteries.
Despite its diminutive size, this battery has the cranking power of a flooded battery twice or thrice its size.
The XXS Power D1200 XS does not have the most capacity, but it has a high cold crank amp which makes it a favorite for race drivers. Due to its low charge loss, it is also ideal for automatic start/stop systems in cars.
The XXS Power D1200 XS is best for Subaru Outbacks that will be used for racing.
Odyssey 65-PC1750T Automotive Battery
Performance
It is rated for 400 charge and discharge cycles up to 80% depth of discharge rate. The battery is great for vehicles with more electronics thanks to its deep cycling capability.
The battery puts out 950 cold-cranking amps. It uses dry cell AGM to contain any destructive leaks in case of damage.
Design
Odyssey batteries BCI group 65 pack 15% more plate surface area than the spiral-winding counterpart.
The battery features Robust Intercell Connections that give it added strength and confirmation against high impacts and vibrations.
The Odyssey 65-PC1750T is a large battery that is twice or more than conventional-sized batteries.
The Odyssey 65-PC1750T is available with a 5-year warranty. It also has a high capacity and, thanks to the AGM construction, a longer-lasting battery. It may be usable even after long periods of storage.
Optima 8040-218 D35
Optima 8040-218 D35 is a car battery designed for high power consumption. It works even at low temperatures.
Performance
The Optima 8040-218 D35 has a 12-volt maximum voltage and a launch index of 620 cold crank amperes. The battery has a capacity of 48Ah and a life cycle of 300 charge and discharge cycles. Its high capacity allows the battery to function longer.
Design
The lead plates used in these batteries are very pure and made with solid cast cell connections to increase their durability. Absorbent Glass Mat Separator, a patented fiberglass substance.
The Optima 8040-218 D35 design also includes spiral cell technology to make the batteries more resistant to vibrations while making them spillproof.
Optima 8040-218 D35 does not require maintenance and has an extremely high rate of charging.
Subaru Outback Battery Replacement: What to Look For
First, test your battery for exhaustion. This may be easy if your car refuses to start, has problems with lighting, or any other electrics not working. You can use a special device that tells you the number of charge cycles the battery has been through, how much longer you can use it, and how long it has been in service. If you have the device, the process is easy and you can do it yourself. You should then check on these important specs when choosing your next battery:
Size
The first factor to consider is the size of the battery. Group Size 35 battery is the best size for a Subaru Outback replacement battery.
Capacity
The Ampere-hour rating of a battery indicates its capacity.
Reserve Capacity
This is the charge available in case the car’s alternator fails and you have to use the battery’s power in an emergency.
Nominal Voltage
This is the marketed voltage output of the battery. Even though the battery is actually 6.4 volts at full charge, the manufacturer may only advertise a voltage of 6.
Crank Amp
This is an estimate of the battery’s beginning force.
Cold Cranking Amps
This provides an estimate of the battery’s beginning force at low temperatures, specifically
Conclusion
The batteries listed above are some of the best in the market. They are of high quality and very reliable even in low temperatures. The capacity to withstand vibrations is especially useful when driving off-road, and installation is possible in any position other from upside down.
These batteries will give the highest energy intensity. They also have exceptional resistance to frost.
Delphi batteries are higher capacity but lower CCA. Delphi improves upon standard battery charging times and lifespans by a factor of three. Another advantage of these batteries is that they have a lower rate of charge decay when stored.
Optima batteries’ cylindrical structures give them a unique and interesting look. These batteries provide high energy intensity and lose charge slowly when stored. The manufacturer, Optima, claims these batteries work 3 times longer than stock variants and charge very fast
If you are not going to be using your car for racing, we do not recommend buying this battery as a replacement.
For batteries with the most capacity and autonomy, the Odyssey and Delphi options are the best. Optima batteries are the best if what you want is a battery for low-temperature locations and high energy intensity.
