What's New
The 2020 Subaru Outback is all new. This includes a new exterior, which doesn’t stray too far from the previous generation (except for even more exposed cladding). More substantial are the two new powertrains, which are hooked up to Subaru’s usual standard all-wheel-drive system. The new vehicle is a little more than an inch longer, although height and wheelbase stay the same.
Choosing Your Subaru Outback
This Subaru comes in five basic trims: Outback, Premium, Limited, Onyx Edition XT, and Touring. Prices range from $27,655 including destination for the base Outback to $38,355 for the Touring.
Engine Choices
The Outback comes with your choice of two engines, both employing four cylinders and a continuously variable transmission to power all four wheels. The more powerful engine is slightly smaller but adds a turbocharger. Subaru is designating models with the turbo engine with an "XT" moniker.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
2.5L 4-Cylinder | 182 hp | 176 lb-ft | 29 mpg |
2.4L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 260 hp | 277 lb-ft | 26 mpg |
Those fuel economy numbers are quite good for an all-wheel drive vehicle, whether you consider the Outback a crossover or a wagon. The turbocharged engine provides a substantial power boost for only a modest penalty in efficiency. The Limited and Touring can be had with the turbo engine for an extra $4,300 or $2,350, respectively, while it's standard on the Onyx Edition XT.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
All Outbacks seat five adults comfortably. Despite the larger body, this year’s Outback lists slightly less cargo capacity at 32.5 cubic feet with the seats up. Subaru says that’s just because of changes in the official testing method, which should more accurately reflect real-world usage.
It’s still a good amount of room, even against crossover competition like the Hyundai Santa Fe. It’s even better with the rear seats down, as capacity expands to 75 cubic feet.
Safety Features
The new Outback comes with plenty of standard safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The latter uses new software and sensors, resulting in an improved experience over the previous generation.
The Limited and higher also get blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. These safety features are available on the Premium for $1,400, but the bundle also includes keyless entry, push button start, and a hands-free power liftgate.
All told, the active safety tech contributes to the Outback’s strong value proposition.
Connectivity
Infotainment is one of the biggest changes to the new Outback, which now wears a hefty 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base model. Base Outbacks get smaller 7-inch screen. The system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and includes navigation on the Touring.
Outback - From $27,655
The cheapest Outback keeps things simple in both features and options. Twin 7-inch screens control infotainment and vehicle functions, while cloth upholstery decorates manual seats. The base model still gets 17-inch rims, two front USB charging ports, and LED lights.
Premium - From $29,905
The Premium trim adds the larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen, plus two more USB charging ports in the back seat, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The cabin gets extra sound deadening, too.
Buyers can bundle a moonroof, navigation, blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry, push button start, and a hands-free power liftgate all for $2,995.
Limited - From $34,455
The Limited trim jumps up to 18-inch wheels and includes leather upholstery, the power liftgate, cornering LED headlights, and a power-adjustable front row. The driver’s seat gets memory settings.
At this trim, the moonroof is bundled with navigation, a heated steering wheel, and a driver attention monitor for $2,045.
Onyx Edition XT - From $35,905
The Onyx Edition XT is based on the Premium trim, but the XT addition means it comes with the more powerful engine. It also gets an exclusive interior trim called StarTex, which Subaru says is water repellent. It gets a few extra features over the Premium, including 18-inch wheels and the power liftgate.
This trim offers reverse automatic emergency braking, but it’s part of a bundle with moonroof and navigation that costs $1,845.
Touring - From $38,355
The Outback Touring is the king of the lineup, and it includes most of Subaru’s luxury features. This means the moonroof, Nappa leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, a front view camera, extra chrome exterior accents, and the driver attention monitor are all now standard.
Compare Outback Trims Side-By-Side
The 2020 Subaru Outback Touring provides decent value against luxury cars, but we’d be satisfied with the Premium. It offers a nice balance of features (and the larger infotainment system) for less than $30,000, which makes it a solid value.