History/Overview
The Subaru Outback is one of the most unabashedly car-like crossovers you can buy, sharing much of its makeup and basic styling with the brand’s Legacy family car. Despite that, the Outback does what all mid-size crossovers promise, with good ground clearance for light off-roading and a comfortable ride in daily driving.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
For 2023, the Outback gets refreshed styling, some updates to its infotainment system, and an improved EyeSight safety system that promises better pedestrian detection and smoother automatic braking.
Available Trims
Subaru offers the Outback in Convenience, Touring, Onyx, Limited, Wilderness, and Premier trims. Performance starts with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that’s standard up to the Limited configuration; optional in Limited and standard in Wilderness and Premier is a turbo 2.4L mill. In all Outback models, AWD is standard and the sole transmission is an automatic CVT.
Standard Features
Convenience comes with heated side mirrors, LED fog lights, adaptive auto on/off LED headlights, and 17-inch steel wheels with covers. Inside, there are dual 7.0-inch touchscreens, four-speaker audio, single-zone automatic A/C, a power driver’s seat, and heated front seats/steering wheel. Convenience also includes a basic EyeSight safety suite of forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist.
Touring adds a hands-free tailgate, passive keyless entry, auto-dimming side mirrors, a sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a wiper de-icer. Interior upgrades include an 11.6-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker stereo, connected vehicle features, dual-zone A/C, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Touring’s safety adds include reverse automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency steering, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Onyx gains 18-inch wheels, all-weather upholstery, and heated rear seats.
Wilderness gets underbody skid plates and other off-road accoutrements.
Limited adds navigation, 12-speaker audio, adjustable front seat cushion length, a power passenger seat, leather upholstery, and driver distraction mitigation.
Finally, Premier adds power-folding side mirrors, a CD player, a digital rearview mirror, Nappa leather, ventilated seats, and an upgraded EyeSight camera system.
Fuel Economy
Subaru’s fuel consumption estimates start at 9.2/7.3 L/100 km (city/highway) for 2.5L models. With the 2.4L turbo motor, ratings start at 10.6/8.1 L/100 km, and climb to 11.0/9.0 L/100 km in Wilderness trim.
Competition
The Outback’s competitors are vast and varied. There’s the Ford Edge, Chevrolet Blazer, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Murano, Honda Passport, Kia Sorento, Toyota Venza, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
