Subaru is one of the few manufacturers which were stubborn enough to keep using the Boxer engines while all of the worlds moved on to Vs and inlines. While this bold move helped them in producing lightweight and robust engines it also helped the brand to garner a name in the good books of enthusiasts worldwide. Subaru has been renowned to manufacture fast and agile cars that are a tailor-made match for those who think of their car as a companion rather than as a good.
While cars such as the WRX, Impreza, and BRZ were earning the auto-marque a name by burning down drag strips and subjugating rallies worldwide, there is a product that helped the brand cement a spot in the hearts of SUV-aficionados as well, and it's none other than the Subaru Outback. First launched in the year 1994, the 2020 Subaru Outback is now in its 6th generation.
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The Subaru Outback is one of the most potent arrows in the company's quiver, combining robust off-roading capabilities with immense power. The 2020 Subaru Outback is offered with two engine options, a 2.5L flat 4 cylinder, and a more powerful 2.4L Turbo flat 4 cylinder across its variants. It is coupled to a CVT transmission setup which is impressively linear and free from the Rubberband effect that is common among most of the CVTs in the present day. Subaru has made sure to fill it with all the latest safety features and tech on the inside. The 2020 Subaru Outback is now underpinned by the Subaru Global Platform, making it a more powerful and reliable car.
The Outback offers a lot of plus points, at a price that is just too hard to believe. The base model can be procured at a humble price of $26,645. Though there are a lot of positives on this Subaru's side, there is one adversity it goes against and that's the number of competitors in its league, which are at each other's throat to cement the top spot here. The 2020 Subaru Outback goes against the likes of Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Rogue, and Kia Sportage. So will the Outback be able to soar over these rivals? Scroll down to find out.
2020 Subaru Outback three quarter view
2020 Subaru Outback rear three quarter view
8.0/10 Pricing and Features
7.7/10 Engine and Performance
7.9/10 Fuel Economy
8.5/10 Interior
6.3/10 Exterior
9.0/10 Safety
7.5/10 Competition
2020 Subaru Outback Pricing and Features
8.0/10
The 2020 Subaru Outback is available in seven feature-rich trims. With two engines and a plethora of interior and exterior features, they have made sure that the trims are all different and not mere marketing gimmicks! The safety features are standard from the base up making even the base trim appealing. The Subaru Outback pricing is competitive and goes from a starting price of $26,645 to $39,695 for the top of the line Touring XT model.
There are two engine options on offer include a 2.5L flat-4 and a more powerful 2.4L Turbo flat 4 across its variants. All the XT trims equip the 2.4L Turbo Flat 4 powertrain and thus have an upper hand in terms of displacement.
Trims
Base
Premium
Limited
Touring
Onyx Edition XT
Limited XT
Touring XT
MSRP (AWD)
$26,645
$28,895
$33,445
$37,345
$34,895
$37,745
$39,695
Key Features
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Adds/Replaces these from Base
Adds/Replaces these from Premium
Adds/Replaces these from Limited
Adds/Replaces these from Touring
Adds/Replaces these from onyx Edition XT
Adds/Replaces these from Limited XT
SUBARU STARLINK Dual 7-inch Multimedia
Dual Zone Climate Control
Leather-Trimmed Upholstery
Power tilt moonroof
18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
Leather-Trimmed Upholstery
Nappa Leather-Trimmed Upholstery
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
10-WAY power-adjustable driver's seat
18-inch alloy wheels
Satin Chrome finish ORVMs
Body-colored door handles
ORVMs with integrated turn signals
2-position Driver Seat Memory
Lineartronic CVT
Heated Front Seats
Power adjustable driver and front passenger seat
Ventilated Front Seats
StarTex water repellent upholstery
LED Steering Responsive Headlights
Hill Descent Control
(HDC)
Dual Rear seat USB charging ports
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
STARLINK 11.6-inch navigation
Which trim should you buy?
The Premium trim of $28,895 is the pocket-friendly one that comes with all the latest safety features and is a shockingly impressive off-roader. If you are willing to shell in a few more bucks, then the Onyx Edition XT, which is procurable at $34,895 makes more sense with Subaru’s more powerful 2.4L Turbo Boxer engine which pumps out 260 horses and a more adaptive 4 wheel drive system. It even gets a unique water repellent upholstery on the inside for your weekend beach getaways.
2020 Subaru Outback Engine and Performance
7.7/10
The Subaru Outback has got rid of the old 3.6L flat-six which never used to sync as a whole package. It now houses two varying disciplines; a 2.5L Flat four and a more powerful 2.4L turbocharged flat-four. With a very complementing all-wheel-drive setup, the Outback can take you places!
It is surprisingly silent given the fact that it houses a flat-four. The CVT doesn’t make the vehicle feel laggy nor does it feel slow while catapulting from a standstill. It complements the car’s character well. At times the more powerful variants tend to get choppy at offroading. The ride tends to get sensitive with acceleration and is not that comfortable for crawling or over soft terrains.
Models
Subaru Outback AWD
Hyundai Santa Fe FWD
Nissan Rogue FWD
Kia Sportage FWD
MSRP
$26,645
$25,900
$25,200
$23,990
Engine
2.5L Flat-4
2.4L Inline-4
2.5L Inline-4
2.4L Inline-4
Transmission
CVT with manual shift
8-speed Automatic
CVT with automatic shift
6-Speed Automatic
Power
182hp@5,800rpm
185hp@6,000rpm
170hp@6,000rpm
181hp@6,000rpm
Torque
176lb-ft@4,400rpm
178lb-ft@4,000rpm
175lb-ft@4,400rpm
175lb-ft@4,000rpm
Subaru performs better than most of its competition, except the Hyundai Santa Fe which has 3 ponies and 2 pound-feet of torque extra than the Outback. Moreover, Subaru is the only one with an all-wheel-drive setup which helps in tackling varying terrains. Nissan Rogue is the least powerful of the lot with 170hp and 175lb-ft of torque. The added premium of Subaru is totally justified with all its perks which makes it a better ride.
How quick can the Subaru Outback go from 0-60 MPH?
The outback sprints from 0-60 in a decent 8.7 seconds and crossed the quarter-mile within 17 seconds, 16.6 seconds to be precise, at a speed of 86.1 mph. Given the fact that it is the heaviest of the lot, the figures are pretty decent.
2020 Subaru Outback hits 0-60 mph just in 8.7 sec
The All-wheel drive system is a boon as it helps propel the car without any latency which helps it achieve such numbers. The CVT is impressive as it doesn’t have any lag and has a very direct and instantaneous response.
How are the driving dynamics on the Subaru Outback?
The Outback drives like no other Subaru. In Spite of being tagged as an SUV, it handles more like a premium sedan! All this is thanks to the all-new SUBARU GLOBAL Platform which has upped the torsional rigidity by a whopping 70%. This has given the engineers at Subaru the liberty to fiddle with the suspension, steering, and brake setup.
2020 Subaru Outback rear three quarter view
The Outback has the excellent body control and also handles well. The car feels very nimble because of the short steering ratio which requires less movement for maneuvering the vehicle. This makes it a breeze to drive even in cities in spite of its dimensions. Speaking of the corners, the Outback is definitely not as agile as other Subarus such as the WRX or the BRZ, owing to its mammoth dimensions. However, you can still throw a corner at this SUV and see it coming out of it with ease. Though there is a slight presence of body roll, yet the Outback does its part.
What's really impressive about the Outback is its capabilities of measuring rough terrains, and that's a forte it simply dominates. Accrediting to the standard AWD drivetrain and dimensions, the Outback knows how to go off-road with precision. No other contender of this segment is as off-road capable as the Outback.
Is the Subaru Outback a stern stopper from 60 MPH to zero?
Braking is not the strong point of the Outback. The combination of weak brakes and a hefty body makes it a poor stopper. The 2020 Subaru Outback deploys 12.4-inch front brake rotors and 11.8-inches towards the rear. The brake pedal isn’t progressive either, but it still comes to halt from 60mph in 130 feet.
2020 Subaru Outback brakes
In terms of the feel, the brakes are well-modulated and inspire a lot of confidence during all conditions. Step on the brakes hard, and you will find a considerable amount of nose-dive. However, this isn't unnerving and the car manages to maintain a straight line, even as the braking gets harder. The ABS unit works just fine as well and combined with the superb AWD setup, you will find grip and traction and superb braking power, all at the same time.
Models
Subaru Outback AWD
Hyundai Santa Fe FWD
Nissan Rogue FWD
Kia Sportage FWD
Brake Rotors Front (in)
12.4
12.6
11.7
12
Brake Rotors Rear (in)
11.8
12
11.5
11.9
Curb Weight (lbs)
3634
3591
3464
3305
60-0 MPH (ft)
130
114
113
115
Compared to the competition, the Subaru stays head to head in terms of dimensions but loses on braking performance due to sheer size and weight. The Nissan Rogue pulls off the best 60-0 figure of 113 feet, followed closely by the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sportage.
Subaru returns an acceptable fuel economy with a combined range of 29 MPG. With a 33 highway MPG figure, it can travel long distances without hiccups. The most impressive part is that in spite of flaunting an all-wheel-drive setup, it still manages to give a very good range.
Models
Subaru Outback (Base)(AWD)
Hyundai Santa Fe (Base)(FWD)
Nissan Rogue (Base)(FWD)
Kia Sportage (Base)(FWD)
MPG (City)
26
22
26
23
MPG (Highway)
33
29
33
30
MPG (Combined)
29
25
29
26
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)
18.5
18.8
14.5
16.4
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi)
481/611/536
414/545/470
377/479/420
377/492/426
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)
6.8
7.1
6.1(est.)
7.0
The Nissan Rogue and Subaru Outback give a combined MPG of 29 thus leading the class. Hyundai Santa Fe is the least fuel-efficient ride of the segment with a combined mpg figure of 25, while its cousin, Sportage rakes in the third spot with a 26 combined mpg. Another advantage that the Outback has is its cavernous fuel tank, which can store up to 18.5 gallons of gasoline, thus lending this SUV the best in class range.
2020 Subaru Outback Interior
8.5/10
Subaru has completely revamped the interior of the Outback and we dare say, it is the best interior of any Subaru to date. The 2020 version as compared to the 2019 Subaru Outback gets soft-touch plastics, leather upholstery on perfectly contoured seats with ample head and legroom. The generous seating dimensions do not compromise on the cargo space as well. The entry and exits are wide for comfortable pass through. It provides a perfect balance of occupant comfort with ample legroom for a 6 footer to sit behind another one.
2020 Subaru Outback seating layout
Well, Subaru Outback's contoured seats with excellent support all around keep the occupants cocooned and comfortable. The rear seats are raised which gives the passengers a clear view of the road in front. The optional Nappa leather makes the cabin ooze in luxury. There is even a neoprene based upholstery on the Onyx Edition XT which Subaru sweetly calls StarTex. Subaru claims it to be water-resistant so that you are not hesitant to foil it after your weekend chill at the beach.
Models
Subaru Outback (Base)(AWD)
Hyundai Santa Fe (Base)(FWD)
Nissan Rogue (Base)(FWD)
Kia Sportage (Base)(FWD)
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
40.1/58.1/42.8
41.2/59.1/44.1
41.6/56.6/43.0
39.3/57.1/41.5
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
39.1/57.4/39.5
39.2/58.3/40.9
38.5/55.9/37.9
39.1/55.1/38.2
The added length and width of the Outback have improved seating comfort. It has a power-adjustable driver's seat with the heated front row. Automatic climate control with sound insulation on the front windows makes it a quiet place to be in.
What the Subaru Outback has to offer for infotainment needs?
The most highlighting feature is the introduction of a massive 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment display which takes up all of the centers in the dashboard. This is available in all trims except the base which uses two 7 inch screens, one for multimedia and the other for the climate controls.
2020 Subaru Outback has 11.6-inch infotainment system
Subaru uses two processors to power the whole setup to provide a seamless and fluidic experience. The top trims have optional navigation-equipped units which give out a TESLA vibe. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard for better ease of usage. The 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment panel on the 2020 Subaru Outback is intriguing and displays all the information in the form of crisp graphics. The panel is great at feedbacks and delivers spontaneous responses to all your inputs. Some of the most eminent infotainment features aboard the Outback are:
6 speakers
SiriusXM AM/FM/HD/Satellite with seek-scan
Speed sensitive volume
Primary monitor touchscreen
Wireless phone connectivity
Internet access
Steering-wheel mounted audio controls
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Window grid antenna
AM/FM radio
Voice-activated radio
What are the convenience features on offer in the Subaru Outback?
The 2020 Subaru Outback is high on performance but that doesn't mean that it compromises upon the comfort factor. The SUV is loaded with several comfort features that ensure that all its occupants are at ease at all times. Some of the most prominent comfort features in the 2020 Subaru Outback are:
Dual Zone Climate Control
Nappa Leather-Trimmed Upholstery
Ventilated Front Seats
Heated Rear Outboard Seats
Eight Cup and Bottle Holders
Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity mirrors
Water Repellent StarTex Upholstery(only on Onyx Edition Trim)
How much space does the Outback Cargo provide?
The cargo space is at 32.5 cu-ft, which is decent given the fact that it has grown on both seating and the cargo. The 32.5 cubic feet of space is more than enough to accommodate your whole family's luggage for a weekend outing. The Outback is a typical two-row SUV which has a 60-40 split second row. Fold the rear seats down and you end up with 75.7 cubic feet of space meant to store your cargo.
2020 Subaru Outback cargo area
Apart from the 32.5 cubic feet of space under the trunk lid, there are enough slots inside the cabin to hold your belongings. The 2020 Outback gets 8 bottle/cup holders which can hold your cappuccinos. Apart from that the large compartment in front of the shifter is pretty handy and can be useful for holding phones. However, the door pockets are somewhat short and narrow.
The design has not gone through much of an overhaul when compared to the outgoing model. But nevertheless, it has been refreshed to get noticed enough. With longer and wider dimensions than before, it's impressive that the Subaru retains its offroading character. When the terrain gets challenging, there are certain limitations due to the long front overhang. It tends to scrape when going through a steep ascent or descent. Most of the owners seldom take it for extreme offroading, so it doesn’t create much of a situation.
2020 Subaru Outback three quarter view
The use of high strength steel helps keep the A and B pillars thin for better outward visibility. The low beltline also gives a better view of the road upfront and the sides. The use of plastic cladding on the lower half of the car makes it usable on frequent offroad trails. The combination of the colored top and the black cladding gives the outback a distinctive look.
Models
Subaru Outback (Base)(AWD)
Hyundai Santa Fe (Base)(FWD)
Nissan Rogue (Base)(FWD)
Kia Sportage (Base)(FWD)
Curb Weight (lbs)
3634
3591
3464
3305
Length (in)
191.3
187.8
184.5
176.4
Width (in)
73.0
74.4
72.4
73.0
Height (in)
66.4
66.1
66.3
64.4
Ground Clearance (in)
8.7
7.3
7.8
6.4
Wheelbase (in)
108.1
108.9
106.5
105.1
The Subaru Outback's dimensions exhibit the fact that it is the most off-road ready vehicle of the segment. The humongous 8.7 inches of ground clearance can make this SUV soar over rough patches more easily than any of the other rivals. Apart from that, the Outback gets a 108.1-inch wheelbase, that directly translates into a more liberal interior with great cabin and cargo space. However, these dimensions have an impact on the ride's curb weight, making it the heaviest vehicle of the lot.
What are those eye-catching features on the Subaru Outback?
The Outback surely looks the part and has a massive road presence. It's one of the biggest cars to sport the Subaru badge. Some of the most noteworthy exterior features of the 2020 Subaru Outback are:
LED Steering Responsive Headlights
Roof Rails
18-inch alloy wheels
Endurance Plastic Body cladding
ORVMs with integrated turn signals
2020 Subaru Outback SUV Side View2020 Subaru Outback SUV Front View2020 Subaru Outback SUV Front View2020 Subaru Outback SUV Rear view2020 Subaru Outback SUV Side View
2020 Subaru Outback Safety
9.0/10
Subaru has kept the Outback safe by providing all the important safety features from the base up. Adaptive Cruise control and side curtain airbags for the rear passengers are features that come in as standard. The body has also been souped up with high strength steel and reinforcements to the chassis for better crash protection. This also makes the ride much more rigid which improves handling as well. The 2020 Subaru Outback has not yet been crash-tested by the agencies, however, considering the list of safety features aboard the Outback, we do anticipate it to pass all the safety tests with flying colors. Some of the most prominent safety features of the Outback are:
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
High Beam Assist(HBA)
DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System
Blind Spot Detection
Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Brake Override System
High-Resolution Rear Vision Camera
Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
Remote activated perimeter/approach lights
Side-impact bars
Electronic stability
Adjustable front head restraints
Four-wheel ABS brakes
Traction control
4 ABS channels
Daytime running lights
8 airbags
2020 Subaru Outback Competition
7.5/10
Subaru Outback Vs. Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe is the most powerful of the lot in performance figures. But this bump makes it suffer in fuel efficiency due to its added power. The interior of the Santa Fe is more cramped and the outside visibility is hampered by thick roof pillars. The Subaru is superior in all of these aspects and is a very competent offroader. The Outback is the better choice of the two as it provides better power, efficiency and comfort features.
The Kia Sportage makes a good cause with its excellent ride and handling, comfortable and spacious interiors and a very immersive dashboard layout. The sound insulation brings it at par with the Subaru Outback. But the Outback outshines it in cargo space and better power transmission and makes it a better offroader with a dedicated all-wheel-drive setup.
2020 Kia Sportage
2020 Subaru Outback Final Verdict
The Subaru Outback falls into a very sweet spot that incorporates all the best features of its competitors while eliminating the downsides. It combines practicality, comfort, and power in a well-rounded package which is hard to come by. Being a Subaru it is very light on the pocket to live by as well. If you are in the market for an utterly reliable, spacious, and feature-rich SUV which can occasionally take a beating then the Subaru Outbreak is the one for you. Who else would be willing to throw in a water repellent upholstery so that you can have fun!
The Subaru Outback is a 2-row crossover estate that is offered only in a 5-seater configuration, the boot is huge and gets tie-down hooks and nets, but due to the low roofline, it can't accommodate jump seats at the back
Can the Subaru Outback be flat towed?
Subaru does not recommend flat-towing the Outback due to its complex AWD system, it should only be flat towed in case if a break down for a short distance, otherwise, Subaru recommends using a flat-bed to transport the Outback.
How big are the Subaru Outback tires?
The Outback comes with two different wheel sizes. The 2.5i and 2.5i Premium trim levels have 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels that need 225/65 R17 size tires. The other Outback trim levels are equipped with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/60 R18 tires.
What is the difference between Subaru Outback Limited and touring?
Both models are offered with heated front and rear seats and leather-trimmed upholstery. The major differences include: The 2.5i Touring trim includes a heated steering wheel and silver accents. While the 2.5i Limited trim includes wood grain-patterned accent trim.
Which is better Subaru Outback premium or limited?
If leather trim is what you prefer then go for the Outback Limited, as other convenience features are available as an option on the Outback 2.5i Premium. You can expect most of the features with the optional EyeSight package on the premium. Therefore, the Premium with EyeSight is one of the popular Outback models to choose from the vehicle lineup.
