Overview
Subaru has cultivated a following of adventurous and pragmatic folks, and the Outback station wagon defines that culture with its innate ruggedness. With a comprehensive makeover that doesn’t alter its DNA, the 2020 Outback continues to deliver standard all-wheel drive, a comfy interior, and ample cargo space. A set of distinct four-cylinder powertrains are offered, but neither is especially remarkable. The Subaru wagon also boasts generous ground clearance and a useful towing capacity. Every model has a host of driver assists and most have a huge touchscreen packed with modern content. The 2020 Outback is the best example of what makes Subaru unique.
What’s New for 2020?
The all-new 2020 Outback marks the sixth generation of the popular station wagon. Although Subaru took an evolutionary approach versus a revolutionary one, the end result caters to fans of the brand. The latest Outback sticks with its predecessor’s rugged-looking visage and enhances the cabin with modern technology and improved quality. A turbocharged flat-four-cylinder engine (denoted as an XT in the trim levels) is now offered alongside the standard engine; the turbo engine allows the Outback to tow 3500 pounds, which is 800 more than before. Subaru also increased the wagon’s back-seat space and maximum cargo volume.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Base: $ 27,655
- Premium: $ 29,905
- Limited: $ 34,455
- Onyx Edition XT: $ 35,905
- Touring: $ 38,355
We think the Premium model has the best complement of standard and optional features for the price. While it’s only available with the standard 182-hp four-cylinder, upgrading to the turbocharged 260-hp engine costs at least $ 6000. We don’t think the turbo’s improved acceleration and 800 pounds of extra towing capacity are worth the money. Instead, the Outback Premium comes standard with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, a 4G LTE mobile hotspot, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, more USB ports, and options that aren’t offered on the base model. Among those, we’d opt for the more affordable package that adds blind-spot monitoring, a 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 182-hp 2.5-liter is standard and a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter is optional. Both mate to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that mimics an eight-speed gearbox to mitigate annoying engine drone. Of course, all Outbacks have standard all-wheel drive, which is a Subaru staple (except for the rear-drive BRZ sports coupe). The standard powertrain provides humble motivation, but the Outback we tested had unremarkable acceleration and lazy transmission behavior. While the turbocharged version was considerably quicker, it was plagued by the same recalcitrant transmission. Still, most Outback owners are more concerned with ride quality and limited off-road capability. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and dependable all-wheel drive, the wagon is able to navigate inclement weather and even rutted roads. Likewise, its suspension provides a docile ride, and its steering is accurate and easy to manage on the highway. However, either version of the Outback lacks any athleticism, which might surprise WRX fans upgrading to the more practical wagon. The wagon’s standard engine also can tow 2700 pounds, while the turbocharged version can pull 3500.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the standard 2020 Outback will earn 26 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. The turbocharged version sees a significant dip in efficiency, with ratings of 23 mpg city and 30 highway. In contrast, its Legacy counterpart has thriftier powertrains. Its base engine is expected to earn 27/35 mpg city/highway and the turbocharged option has estimates of 24/32 mpg city/highway. We tested an Outback with each of these engines on our 200-mile real-world highway-fuel-economy route, and they returned an identical 28 mpg. The sedan with the turbocharged four-cylinder got 34 mpg in that same test.
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 seating height. Aside from the base model, every Outback has dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and copious USB ports. More upscale features such as a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front-passenger seat, and heated rear seats are available on fancier trim levels. The Outback also has a spacious back seat that offers an extra 1.4 inches of legroom compared with the previous generation. Its rear cargo area provides 33 cubic feet of space; in our testing, it held 11 carry-on suitcases with the back seat up and 23 bags with it folded flat. The Legacy accepted eight and 22 suitcases, respectively, in the same tests.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Base Outbacks feature two stacked 7.0-inch touchscreens, but all other models have a massive 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen. Along with large touch icons and quick response times, the big screen features a rotary volume and tuning knob as well as some physical buttons for climate settings, which makes them easier to use. While built-in navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless device charging are optional, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration is standard. Buyers who choose the top-tier Limited and Touring trim levels get a 12-speaker, 576-watt Harman/Kardon audio system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Outback earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). All Outback models come standard with the company’s EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technology. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated 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 competitive albeit unremarkable limited and powertrain warranty. It also doesn’t include any complimentary scheduled maintenance such as the Buick Regal TourX.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
