2024 Subaru Outback Review, Pricing, and Specs

Base

$30,190

$32,490

Limited

$37,090

Onyx Edition

$37,400

Onyx XT Edition

$40,655

wilderness

$41,255

Traveling

$41,640

XT tour

$44,090

The Premium model has the standard feature set and the best options for the price. Although it’s only available with the standard 182-hp four-cylinder, we think upgrading to the higher trim to unlock better turbo acceleration and 800 pounds of extra towing capacity isn’t worth it. Outback Premium comes standard with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, 4G LTE mobile hotspot, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, more USB ports and options not offered on the base model. Among them, we’d choose the more affordable package that adds blind-spot monitoring, hands-free power liftgate and passive entry with push-button start.

Engine, Transmission and Performance

The Outback lineup features a pair of flat four-cylinder engines: a 2.5-liter 182 hp is standard and a turbocharged 2.4-liter 260 hp is optional. Both are mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that mimics an eight-speed gearbox to reduce annoying engine drone. Of course, all Outbacks have standard all-wheel drive, which is a Subaru staple (except for the rear-wheel drive BRZ sport coupe). The interior we tested with the standard engine delivered negligible acceleration and lazy delivery behavior. Although the turbocharged version is significantly faster, it is plagued by the same stubborn transmission. However, most Outlander owners are more concerned with ride quality and the car’s ability to handle light off-road driving. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive, the wagon can easily navigate bad weather as well as muddy and potholed roads; for maximum go-anywhere capability, choose the Wilderness model, which has 9.5 inches of ground clearance as well as upgraded suspension, skid plates to protect the undercarriage, and a drive mode selector with Snow and Mud modes. The Outback’s suspension provides a docile ride, and the steering is precise and easy to handle on the highway. However, it lacks any sportiness, which may come as a surprise WRX enthusiasts turned to more practical wagons. The wagon’s standard engine can also tow 2700 pounds, while the turbocharged version can tow 3500 pounds.

Real World Fuel Economy and MPG

The EPA estimates the standard Outback will get 26 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. The turbocharged version sees a significant drop in efficiency, with ratings of 23 mpg city and 30 highway. We tested the Outback with each of these engines on our 200-mile highway-fuel-economy route, and it returned the same 28 mpg. For more information on the Outback’s fuel economy, visit EPA website.

Interior, Comfort and Cargo

The Outback shares much of its interior with the Legacy, and both have comfortable accommodations and quality materials. While Subaru’s cabin design borders on boring, it’s functional and has a high seat height. Aside from the base model, every Outback has dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and plenty of USB ports. More luxurious features such as a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, power-adjustable front passenger seats and heated rear seats are available on more attractive trim levels. The Outback also has a spacious rear seat that offers an additional 1.4 inches of legroom compared to the previous generation. Its rear cargo area provides 33 cubic feet of space; in our tests, it held 11 suitcases with the rear seats up and 23 with them folded flat. The Legacy received eight and 22 suitcases, respectively, in the same test.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Base Outbacks feature two stacked 7.0-inch touchscreens, but all other models have a large 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen. Along with large touch icons and quick response times, the large screen features rotary volume and tuning knobs and several physical buttons for climate settings, which make it easier to use. While built-in navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless device charging are optional, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration is standard. Buyers choosing the top-level Limited and Touring trim levels get a 12-speaker, 576-watt Harman/Kardon audio system.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance

All Outback models come standard with the company’s EyeSight suite driver assistance technology. For more information about Outback crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking
• Standard adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist
• Available blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Subaru provides a limited warranty and a competitive—albeit mediocre—powertrain. It also does not include any free scheduled maintenance.

• The limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• No free scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specifications