IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
The Outback has “best of both worlds” appeal; it’s got better off-road capability than a traditional car and more carlike handling than the typical taller crossover. What’s more, it’s solidly built and offers an excellent range of comfort and safety features.
BUT…
The turbocharged engine exhibits a bit of “turbo lag”—a delay in power delivery before the turbo spools up.
WORTH NOTING:
The Outback Onyx Edition model comes with special StarTex water-repellent upholstery.
WHAT IS IT?
The Outback is Subaru’s popular SUV-flavored midsize station wagon; it’s based on the same basic platform as the Subaru Legacy midsize sedan, but it adds a raised ride height, beefy roof rails, and rugged-looking lower-body cladding. A 182-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is the base engine, and a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four is the step-up choice; both are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. Trim levels run through base, Premium, Limited, and Touring models with the 2.5-liter engine, and Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT with the turbo 2.4. Standard safety features on all include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering function, and a head-up display. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and Subaru’s DriverFocus driver monitoring system are available. Other available features include heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, navigation system, hands-free power liftgate, 180-degree front-view camera, and a power sunroof.
WHAT’S NEW?
After its redesign for 2020, the Subaru Outback gets more standard features for 2021—namely adaptive LED headlights, a front- and rear-passenger seatbelt reminder, and a rear seat reminder (which reminds the driver to check the rear-seat area for children or pets before exiting the vehicle).
FUEL ECONOMY
The EPA rates the Outback at 26 mpg city/33 highway with the 2.5-liter engine, and 23/30 with the turbo 2.4. In Consumer Guide® testing, an Onyx Edition XT averaged 23.9 mpg in 65-percent city driving, and a Touring XT averaged 25.0 mpg in 80-percent highway driving.
VALUE IN CLASS
For many shoppers, the Outback offers an ideal blend of passenger-and-cargo versatility, on-road refinement, all-terrain capability, and luxury, and wraps it all up in a rugged, adventurous-looking package that boasts a generous list of safety and convenience features.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $26,795 – $39,945 |
| BODY STYLES | 4-Door Wagon |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 182-HP, 2.5-Liter 4-Cyl; 260-HP, Turbocharged 2.4-Liter 4-Cyl. |
| DRIVE WHEELS | All-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | USA |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 23-33 MPG |
Other Best Buys in this Class
