Subaru may not qualify as the largest Asian-Pacific automaker worldwide, but it's carved out a nice niche for itself that's proved quite popular backed up by a marketing outreach pinpointing specialty targeted audiences (such as pet-friendly folks and conservationists).
No heavy body-on-frame pickup trucks dot dealer lots, just a wide assortment of affordable, lighter-weight five-door, four-cylinder crossovers including one all-electric opportunity, a mid-sized sedan, five-door wagon and low-volume, two-door roadster.
It's most familiar offering continues with the Outback name. Arriving in 1995, the five-door outdoors-minded Outback sold its 3 millionth vehicle this past summer (2024), a notable milestone celebrating its three-decades on the road. It's a two-row, five-door mid-sizer with certified off-road chops, the most advanced within a uni-body, car-like body structure. A plethora of rivals exist within the mid-size crossover universe, but Subaru features advanced grip-ability. Our 2025 tester is part of a sixth-generation effort born in the 2020 model year and based upon Subaru's global platform first utilized in 2017 in the next-generation Impreza compact five-door wagon.
Outback also delivers Midwest flair as assembly takes place about two hours southeast of Chicagoland in Lafayette, Indiana alongside production of the larger, three-row Ascent crossover. It's Subaru's sole assembly facility here in the States. Expect no structural changes from the 2024 model year with 2025 updates largely relegated to additional content packaging within the mid-level Limited trim.
A wide range of trims return for the 2025 model year including Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Limited XT, Onyx XT, off-road specialist Wilderness and Touring XT. The key differentiator between the XT and most of the rest resides within the four-cylinder engine. A naturally aspirated 2.5-liter version cranking out 182 horsepower arrives in non-XT versions while a 2.4-liter turbocharged counterpart cranking out 260 horses motivates all XTs and the off-road intended Wilderness upping its ground clearance to 9.5 inches thanks to a lifted suspension.
If budgets allow, opt for the turbo four as its added horsepower and 100 more ft.-lbs. of low-end torque works well with Outback's size and weight. Towing capacity reaches 3,500 pounds, 800 more than the non-turbo. The non-turbo four cylinder fits better with Subaru's compact Forester and subcompact Crosstrek, two smaller/lighter crossover choices. However, the non-turbo delivers superior gas mileage averaging 26 miles per gallon city and 32 mpg highway, four miles better in city travel, three more than highway estimates compared to the turbo-charged choice. The sizeable 18.5-gallon tank accepts regular, 87-octane fuel in both engine designs.
Both mate to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with the turbo featuring a higher-torque design. While this format includes a conventional grab handle with a vertically sliding track between front bucket seats similar to a conventional automatic transmission, the under hood, unseen technology differs. An infinite number of forward gear ratios rather than a set number of gears (traditionally seven or eight) propels Outback. A CVT improves fuel economy while eliminating upshift/downshift gear hunting felt sometimes with traditional automatics. It's a smoother experience but lags a performance pedigree.
Standard engine start/stop technology calms the powertrain down at prolonged stops before snapping back at attention once the gas pedal gets deployed to minimize exhaust gases and tweak up fuel economy. For those wishing to disengage this process, an icon within the bottom portion of the in-dash multi-function center screen accomplishes the task. Compared with other manufacturers, Outback's design delivers minimal engine rumbling during the process.
For the 2023 calendar year, Outback regained the top sales spot within Subaru's U.S. empire. Outback reached 161,814 units (a 10 percent increase from a year earlier), just ahead of second-place finisher Crosstrek at 159,193. Total sales of its nine available products reached a healthy 632,086. Outback ranked as the 21st best-selling automobile in the U.S. in 2023.
Outback and most every Subaru includes Symmetrical all-wheel drive, always active and integrated into the transmission, sending a balanced distribution of power to all wheels at the same time, eliminating under and over steer. Many rival all-wheel drive systems pitch a simpler 'part-time design,' also known as 'on demand' or sometimes slip-and-grip' where the vehicle defaults to two-wheel drive until slippage gets detected, only then is torque transferred, and all-wheel drive engaged. The Outback utilizes a set-it-and-forget-it design for the snowy upper Midwest and greater Chicagoland featuring a balanced power distribution. Only the low-volume two-door rear drive BRZ foregoes AWD within Subaru's lineup.
Included with symmetrical AWD, Subaru's Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC). When sensers detect a loss of traction in a particular wheel, engine output gets distributed to the wheel's maintaining the most traction keeping Outback from losing control.
Need another layer of get-a-grip technology during off-road adventures? All Outback trims include the X-Mode traction management system, for speeds below 18 miles per hour, and selectable from the touch-sensitive center screen. Think of X-Mode as a four-wheel low-gear on steroids within the context of a user-friendly, no dials to turn all-wheel drive. The X-Mode selection adds peace of mind during dicey, low-speed conditions such as icy inclines optimizing engine output and CVT ratio positioning.
The X-Mode selection enhances not just the engine and CVT ratio positions but all-wheel drive and braking performance too. Hill decent control also builds into X-mode steadying steep slow-speed descents without employing the brake pedal. Wilderness and Onyx Editions upgrade further offering to a dual-mode X-Mode design: snow/dirt and deep snow/mud. For those seeking sure-footed driving within the context of unibody structure and competitive pricing, Subaru remain top of mind.
All this technology bundles together in a 'Boxer' format popularized largely via Subaru. A horizontally opposed, longitudinal-mounted engine with pistons lying flat at 180 degrees low in the underbelly (the 'Boxer' or 'Flat 4' design) provides a superior weight balance and low center of gravity. The straight line, or symmetrical format continues rearward towards the rear differential and tweaks slightly depending upon the transmission utilized (in this case a CVT) which sits behind the front axle.
With an 8.7 inches of ground clearance on most trims outside the Wilderness, Outback combines off-road capabilities with comfortable egress and ingress. My shot-gun partner of thirty plus years has experienced limited mobility issues of late and encountered no issues when entering or exiting the vehicle with its convenient low hip-point entry. Yet, drivers enjoy good road perception and views in all directions.
Bench-style second-row seating comes standard across the board accommodating three riders in relative comfort with our tester's Coppertone hue and white stitching, which also appears on the dashboard and doors. The doors and dash also introduce brushed aluminum accents. The non-availability of a third row helps improve second-row leg comfort. Penty of cushiony comfort supports all seating positions especially in the top-trim Touring with its exclusive Nappa leather seats. Seatbacks fold with a 60/40 split in all trims.
A circular electronic push button right of the steering column includes red backlighting spelling out engine, start, stop. The large instrument panel invites both analog and digital formats to the party and both play nicely together. Two full circle analog gauges with brushed aluminum trimming and backlit white needles adorn each end with a left side tachometer and small temperature gauge insert tucked in at seven o' clock while the ride side boasts an easy-read speedometer and fuel gauge insert at seven o' clock. A dead-center digital window offers up-to-date information .
Anchoring the center dash, an in-screen, touch-sensitive Starlink multi-functional color screen measuring a sizeable 11.6 inches with a portrait-style setting. Most HVAC settings with this larger screen work in tandem with the touch screen along the bottom of the portrait with mode direction and fan speed settings. Base trims include two separate seven-inch screens. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interaction work in sync with the multifunction in-dash screen. For those not cutting the cord quite yet, both USB Type A and Type C ports are available.
Framing the left-and-right hand sides of the screens are two twist dials controlling the sound system's volume and station selects. Front and rear defroster buttons also frame the screen as do a pair of toggles raising and lowering interior temperature settings.
Although not a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission, the sliding gear shifter between front buckets offers a manual-type override within the Continuously Variable Transmission ratio spectrum. Steering wheel paddle shifters offer the option of selecting eight forward approximations of traditional eight-speed automatic transmission spots within the ratio spectrum for those who enjoy toying with the transmission. Otherwise just set the shifter to 'Drive' and let the CVT think for itself. To the shifter's rear, dual side-by-side beverage holders and bi-level arm rest/storage bin hinged in the back. A small shelf above the glove box also stores extra 'stuff.'
A 2025 Outback starts at $28,895 for a base trim (unchanged from 2024's base price). Our fully-loaded, Cosmic Blue Pearl Touring XT trim with the up-powered turbocharged four-cylinder started at $42,795. The only extra, dealer-installed all-weather floor liners ($141) plus the $1,420 destination charge brought the bottom line to $44,356. Touring XT offers all available options with zero packages. It's the one-stop shop for those wanting it all.
Round wheel wells include black cladding that's not so round, giving the wells a squared look in an upper corner. Side windows tapper down in size as the roof line gently slopes downward from the front A pillar. Circular LED fog lights come standard in all trims as do LED steering responsive headlights that conveniently move slightly in time with the steering wheel, a nice touch when pitch blackness overtakes the sky.
The liftgate's 29.5-inch opening height might have taller folk bending down so as not to bump their noggins when loading and/or unloading cargo. Onyx editions and above include a power liftgate with hands-free operation. A usable 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space awaits with row two prone, 75.6 cubic feet with second-row backrests folded, average for this segment.
Handling rates as impressive although steering wheel feedback is minimal. Within this mid-size price range, few rivals offer as much off-road competence, confidence and comfort as Outback.
2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT
Price as tested: $44,356
Engine: 2.4-liter turbo
Horsepower: 260
Wheelbase: 108.1 inches
Overall Length: 191.1inches
Overall Width: 74.2 inches
Overall Height: 66.1 inches
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 3,946 pounds
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Assembly: Lafayette, Indiana
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