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2017 Subaru Outback

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OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior
OEM Exterior
Interior Profile
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2017 2.5i 4dr All-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $25,645
2017 2.5i 4dr All-wheel Drive Wagon (DISC) Price:   -  From $25,645
2017 2.5i Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $27,695
2017 2.5i Premium 4dr All-wheel Drive Wagon (DISC) Price:   -  From $27,695
2017 2.5i Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $32,390
2017 2.5i Limited 4dr All-wheel Drive Wagon (DISC) Price:   -  From $32,390
2017 3.6R Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,995
2017 3.6R Limited 4dr All-wheel Drive Wagon (DISC) Price:   -  From $34,995
2017 2.5i Touring 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $35,995
2017 2.5i Touring 4dr All-wheel Drive Wagon (DISC) Price:   -  From $35,995
2017 3.6R Touring 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $38,195
2017 3.6R Touring 4dr All-wheel Drive Wagon (DISC) Price:   -  From $38,195

Overview

Subaru’s sport-utility wagon has been attracting considerable attention in recent years, offering buyers something different than the mass of crossover models on the market. Though the ride is similar to that of a solidly-built station wagon, the Outback’s raised ground clearance and moderate off-road capabilities invite comparison to a small SUV. Totally redesigned for 2015, the Outback wagon has standard all-wheel drive, just like most Subaru models.

What's New for 2017

The addition of “flagship” Touring models for 2017 brings a new Java Brown perforated leather interior with ivory contrast stitching. The Touring trim also includes a woodgrain interior finish with piano-black accents. New reverse automatic braking is standard on Limited and Touring models. The system can halt the vehicle if it detects an object in its path while backing up.

Subaru Outback

Choosing Your Subaru Outback

Lower trim levels have only one powertrain choice: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder “boxer” (flat, or horizontally-opposed) engine that makes 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Subaru’s 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, generating 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet, comes only in the top-end 3.6R Limited and Touring trim levels. Both engines mate with an automated continuously variable transmission (CVT) that has a six-speed manual mode and paddle shifters, to make virtual gearchanges when desired. The available EyeSight suite of active-safety features includes adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and lane-keeping assist.

Fuel economy is estimated at 25 mpg city/32 mpg highway (28 mpg combined) with the four-cylinder engine, but only 20/27 mpg (city/highway) and 22 mpg combined with the six-cylinder.

Six trim levels are offered, including two with the six-cylinder engine:

Subaru Outback

2.5i

Fitted with a relatively modest number of standard amenities, the basic Outback starts at $26,520 (including destination charge). Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist are standard. So are a four-speaker audio system with CD player and USB port, Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free phone operation, rearview camera, air conditioning, projector-beam halogen headlights, and 17-inch steel wheels. Starlink multimedia has a 6.2-inch single-touch gesture display.

Subaru Outback

2.5i Limited

Priced at $33,265, the Limited edition comes with perforated leather-trimmed seat upholstery, heated rear seatbacks and cushions, a four-way power front passenger seat, rear air conditioner outlets, foglights, woodgrain interior trim, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system has a 576-watt amplifier, and the power rear liftgate has a height memory. Safety features include a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking.

Subaru Outback

2.5i Touring

For $36,870, you now get the most luxurious Outback with the thrifty four-cylinder engine. Styling details include a dark gray grille insert, machined-finish 18-inch wheels with dark gray accents, silver-finished low-profile roof rails, and chromed lower body cladding. A heated steering wheel is standard. Touring models include Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist technology.

Subaru Outback

3.6R Touring

Topping the price scale at $39,070, you get the six-cylinder engine, along with styling touches like the 2.5i Touring model.

Option packages for selected trim levels can add such features as a moonroof, power rear liftgate, blind-spot monitoring, navigation, and the EyeSight driver-assistance/safety system.

CarsDirect Tip

Unless saving money is paramount, we advise skipping the base 2.5i, which costs a little too much considering its modest standard-equipment list. Moving up to a 2.5i Premium costs only $2,050 more, and provides an appealing selection of features, more appropriate to a vehicle of this sort. If that’s not sufficient, you can choose from several available packages to add the items you want or need the most.

Get your price on a Subaru Outback >>

Subaru Outback
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Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Automotive Editor

If you need an opinion about the Subaru Outback, spend some time near hiking trails, campgrounds, nature lodges, and outdoor-goods shops; there will be more than a few of the Legacy-based rough-roaders on hand along with very enthusiastic owners. Subaru's all-terrain station wagon remains a top pick for people who enjoy being outside, splitting the difference between economical daily driver and outdoors adventure machine better than anything else on the market.

Pricing and Equipment

The Outback is the flagship of Subaru's North American lineup. It is essentially a station wagon version of the Legacy sedan prepped for outdoor duty with extra ground clearance, some protective body cladding, and upgraded running gear.

Buyers can choose from four trim levels, ranging from the comfortable 2.5i through the Premium and Limited to the heavily-loaded Touring. Base MSRPs range from $25,645 for the 2.5i to $38,195 for a 6-cylinder Touring. The Premium and Limited allow for the purchase of some option packages such as voice-activated navigation and Subaru's advanced EyeSight sensor suite which are standard on the Touring.

Power comes from either the familiar 2.5-liter flat-four or, as an option on the Limited and Touring trim levels, a 3.6-liter flat-six and is sent through a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) to all four wheels as is Subaru tradition. Fuel economy estimates are 25 city MPG and 32 highway MPG for the four-cylinder and 20 city/27 highway for the flat-six.

  • X-Mode sounds like something from a video game but is actually the off-road variant of the 'sport mode" button in some cars, effectively adjusting driveline settings to better handle slow and slippery terrain.t
  • Subaru is pursuing safety in a big way. The Outback features excellent brakes and has earned top crash-test scores, and its camera-based emergency braking and lane-departure systems are among the best in the industry.

Performance Pros

Subaru Outback

If you need one vehicle to handle everyday driving on just about any passable surface—from suburban streets and highways to unkempt dirt roads and creekbeds—and in just about any weather conditions imaginable, nothing else comes close to the Outback's mix of midsize-car refinement and overland capability at a reasonable price.

  • The Outback's all-wheel-drive hardware, X-Mode terrain-management system and nearly nine inches of ground clearance give it off-road skills to shame many burly-looking SUVs and crossovers.
  • Even with all that ground clearance and dirt-ready gear, the Outback handles very well and delivers a comfortable ride.
  • Fuel economy for four-cylinder Outbacks is pretty good for a midsized station wagon—and excellent compared to the Outback's more obvious SUV competitors.

Performance Cons

  • The 3.6-liter flat-six does not live up to its high-output billing, feeling curiously uninspired as it posts middling fuel economy numbers.
  • Hardcore trail use will eventually show up the limits of the Outback's Legacy basis. Wheel travel and articulation is good but not in the same (admittedly extreme) class as more purpose-built machinery.
  • The Outback also cannot match the towing capacity of some of its truck-based competitors. Four-cylinder Outbacks are rated for a good but not generous 2,700-pound towing limit for trailers with brakes; the flat-six is only marginally better at 3,000 pounds.

Interior Pros

Subaru Outback

The Outback may look ready for anything on the outside, but the interior is straightforward contemporary comfort and convenience. Subaru's continuous efforts to refine and improve the Outback's passenger cabin have resulted in a peaceful oasis regardless of the situation outside.

  • The interior is pleasantly roomy and accommodating. The front seats are great; the rear seats will handle three normal-sized adults without issue.
  • The Outback constantly displays the accessibility advantages of a well-designed station wagon. Rear loading height is gratifyingly low, and you do not need a ladder to mount or remove gear from the roof rack.
  • Once-traditional Subaru tinniness and noisiness have been engineered into history.

Interior Cons

  • Some potential buyers may wish for interior styling that more appropriately matches the Outback's rugged attitude.
  • Hosing out accumulated trail mud and rock-climbing dust is not recommended.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The Outback completely turns around the idea that car-based SUVs or crossovers are gussied-up pretenders that can't handle anything more difficult than a mall parking lot. It keeps all the advantages of a normal sedan or wagon while still outperforming many serious-looking trucks.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

While not particularly unattractive, the Outback's exterior design isn't up to the same rakish and appealing standard set by some previous generations. The loss of the manual transmission also takes a bit away from the Outback's direct feel and sense of control.

The Bottom Line

One of the most genuinely usable and capable vehicles on the market, and a triumph of substance and engineering over the superficial imagery offered by many competitors.



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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L H-4 / 175 HP / 174 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Lineartronic 6-spd sequential shift control CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 32 / 28 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L H-4 / 175 HP / 174 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Full-time All Wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 32 / 28 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Double Wishbone
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$71
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
73.3 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
108 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
189.6 "
Exterior Width
72.4 "
Exterior Height
66.1 "
Front Headroom
40.8 "
Rear Headroom
38.9 "
Front Legroom
42.9 "
Rear Legroom
38.1 "
Front Shoulder Room
58.1 "
Rear Shoulder Room
57.3 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,580 Lbs.
Wheel Base
108 "
Turning Radius
18.1 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Silver Aluminum / 16.0 " Silver Aluminum / 17.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
With Chrome Bar
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Seek-scan
Speakers
4 / 6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2017 Subaru Outback for Sale

6 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Subaru
2.5i Limited
Color: Gray
Price

$14,995

Mileage

123,495 mi

Map location icon

Concierge Auto Group (17 mi)

Phone: (818) 220-2200
Subaru
2.5i Premium
Color: Venetian Red Pearl
Price

$15,699

Mileage

59,390 mi

Map location icon

California Motors Direct - Santa Ana (35 mi)

Phone: (714) 515-6100
Subaru
2.5i Premium
Color: White
Price

$19,995

Mileage

47,248 mi

Map location icon

Irvine Subaru (44 mi)

Phone: (949) 837-3500
Subaru
3.6R Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive
Color: Carbide Gray Metallic
Price

$19,999

Mileage

79,428 mi

Map location icon

Spreen Honda Corona (47 mi)

Phone: (951) 520-5300
See All Used Car Listings

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