Overview
The 2023 Subaru Outback is able to hide in among SUVs because of its raised ride height and rugged-looking exterior; yet, the station wagon body style provides you with more practicality.
Even while it is more capable of off-road travel than a conventional station wagon, you won’t see people driving Subaru Outbacks on the same trails in Moab as Jeep Wranglers or Ford Broncos.
Customers have the option of purchasing an Outback with either a four-cylinder engine that is not turbocharged or a turbocharged four-cylinder engine; however, all Outbacks come equipped with all-wheel drive and a variable frequency automatic transmission (CVT).
Although some of its competitors, such as the Audi A4 Allroad and the Volvo V60 Cross Country, have comparable appearances, the Subaru Outback is distinguished by its elevated station wagon appearance and capability at a price that is significantly lower than that of its competitors.
The 2023 Subaru Outback Hybrid has received several improvements and updates from the manufacturer. The front end appearance has been modified, and now the grille is larger, the headlamps are different, and there is a new front bumper. The driver-assistance systems of the vehicle have been upgraded to include cameras that have a larger field of view.
We believe that the Premium model offers the most value for the money when it comes to the combination of its standard and extra features. It is only offered with the conventional four-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower, and the cost to upgrade to the turbocharged engine that produces 260 horsepower is at least $6000.
When taking into consideration what prospective purchasers will be searching for in a vehicle, we do not believe that the enhanced acceleration and towing capacity provided by the turbo are worth the additional cost.
The Outback Premium comes complete with an 11.6-inch touch interface, a 4G LTE mobile hotspot, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, additional USB ports, and features that aren’t available on the base model. Additionally, the Outback Premium comes with a number of options that aren’t available on the base model.
The more economical package that includes blind-spot monitoring, a hands-free power liftgate, and passive entry with a push-button start is the one that we think is the best option among those three.
Subaru Outback Engine
The Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive, just like every other Subaru model (with the exception of the sporty BRZ coupe). There is a choice between two flat-four engines, each of which is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The base model comes with a 2.5-liter engine that generates 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. You may anticipate a fuel efficiency of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the motorway. It will take around 8.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
A turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that produces 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque is included with the purchase of an Outback XT or Wilderness. It should take approximately 5.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour, and the fuel economy is expected to be 23/30 mpg. However, the Wilderness model’s fuel economy drops to 22/26 mpg, and it takes 6.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
There are two different flat-four cylinder engines available for the Outback lineup. The basic engine is a 2.5-liter with 182 horsepower, while the optional engine is a 2.4-liter turbocharged with 260 horsepower.
Both are coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which is designed to simulate an eight-speed gearbox and reduce the droning sound produced by the engine. Naturally, all Outbacks come equipped with the reliable all-wheel drive that has been a hallmark of the Subaru brand (except for the rear-drive BRZ sports coupe).
The base engine version of the Outback that we drove produced unimpressive acceleration and a transmission that behaved in a sluggish manner. Despite the fact that the turbocharged model was quite a bit speedier than the standard one, it suffered from the same difficult transmission.
However, the majority of Subaru Outback owners are more concerned with the car’s capacity to handle mild off-road driving and the ride quality of the vehicle.
The wagon is easily able to navigate inclement weather and even muddy, rutted roads thanks to its all-wheel-drive system and 8.7 inches of ground clearance; for maximum go-anywhere capability, select the Wilderness model, which boasts 9.5 inches of ground clearance as well as a beefed-up suspension, skid plates to protect its underside, and a drive mode selector with Snow and Mud modes.
The Subaru Outback‘s suspension makes for a compliant ride, and the vehicle’s steering is responsive and straightforward when driven on the highway. However, it is completely devoid of any agility, which may come as a shock to WRX lovers who have opted for the more utilitarian wagon. Both the normal and turbocharged versions of the wagon’s engine are capable of towing up to 3500 and 2700 pounds respectively.
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Subaru Outback MPG
According to the estimations provided by the EPA, the regular Outback will achieve a mileage rating of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged model gets only 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, which is a big decrease from the standard model’s figures.
The Legacy version, on the other hand, has powertrains that are more fuel efficient. The base engine is anticipated to achieve 27/35 mpg in the city and on the highway, while the turbocharged version is anticipated to achieve 24/32 mpg in the city and on the interstate.
We put an Outback equipped with each of these engines through our real-world highway fuel-economy test for a distance of 200 miles, and the results were the same: 28 miles per gallon. During the same test, the four-cylinder sedan with the turbocharger achieved 34 miles per gallon.
Subaru Outback Interior
Both the Outback and the Legacy have well-appointed lodgings and high-quality components across much of their respective interiors, which are shared with the Legacy. Even though the interior design of a Subaru is on the verge of being dull, it is quite useful and has a tall seating height.
Every Outback, with the exception of the entry-level model, comes standard with features such as dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and several USB ports. A heated steering wheel, vented front seats, power-adjustable front passenger seats, and heated rear seats are some of the luxury equipment that may be found on higher trim levels.
Additionally, the Outback boasts a roomy back seat that provides an additional 1.4 inches of legroom in comparison to the seat in the previous generation of the vehicle. It has a rear luggage area that has a volume of 33 cubic feet, and when we tested it, we were able to fit 11 carry-on baggage in there with the back seat up, but we could fit 23 bags when we folded the back seat down.
During the same tests, The Legacy was able to accommodate a total of both eight and 22 pieces of luggage.
Subaru Outback Towing Capacity
When properly equipped, the towing capacity of the 2023 Subaru Outback can be increased to a maximum of 3,500 pounds when using a model such as the Outback XT. The basic towing capacity of a Subaru Outback is 2,700 pounds.
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Connectivity and informational entertainment in Subaru Outback
The Outback vehicles with the base infotainment system have two touchscreens measuring 7.0 inches each, but all other Outback models have a huge touchscreen measuring 11.6 inches and angled vertically.
The huge touch icons and quick response times aren’t the only things that the big screen has to offer; it also has a rotational volume and tuning knob, as well as some physical buttons for climate settings, which makes all of these features easier to operate.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are included as standard features, however, a built-in navigation system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging for mobile devices are not. Buyers who select the most expensive Limited or Touring trim level receive a Harman/Kardon audio system that has 12 speakers and 576 watts of power.
Safety Features Available on the Subaru Outback
Because Subaru places a premium on safety, all 2023 Outbacks come standard with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver assistance and active safety technology. This is in recognition of the company’s commitment to this priority. EyeSight is a suite of driver assistance technologies that includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high lights.
Higher model levels come standard with additional safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, emergency evasive steering, and rear cross-traffic alert. According to Subaru, these systems will be significantly better in 2023 as a result of numerous software and hardware changes.
The top-of-the-line Limited model comes included with an upgraded version of EyeSight’s camera system that is better able to detect pedestrians and bicycles.
Even though the 2023 Outback has not yet been put through a crash test, both the 2022 and 2021 models received the highest possible rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is Top Safety Pick+.
Is Subaru Outback Model Good?
The Subaru Outback 2023 is an excellent wagon, and this is not only due to the fact that it is one of the few options that are still available in its class. The Outback’s cabin is open and high-end, and it features comfortable seats and plenty of space for cargo.
It is equipped with a plethora of active safety technologies like frontal collision warning and lane keep assist, and it comes standardly equipped with an all-wheel drive across the board. In addition, the Outback has a towing capacity that is decent, a zippy turbocharged engine option, and better fuel economy than the ordinary vehicle.
How Much Does It Cost to Purchase an Outback – Subaru Outback Price
The base model of the 2022 Subaru Outback can be had for a price of $26,945. That is a significant amount cheaper than any other brand-new wagon, despite the fact that the majority of its competitors are luxury manufacturers like Audi and Volvo.
The price goes up to about $35,000 for a model that is fitted with the optional turbocharged engine, and it reaches its maximum of about $40,000 for the Touring XT grade which is completely laden with features.
Subaru Outback Competitors
- Honda Passport
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Subaru Forester
- Honda CR-V
- Toyota RAV4
- Sport model of the Ford Bronco
- Acura RDX.
- Audi A4 Allroad
- Mazda CX-5
- Mini Clubman
- Ford Escape