Are you considering the 2025 Subaru Outback? This beloved model has been a leader in the crossover wagon for three decades, offering the practicality of a station wagon with the ruggedness of an SUV. But there are some pros and cons of this model and here are ten things you need to know before buying 2025 Subaru Outback.
1. Design and Exterior Features
The 2025 Subaru Outback offers a perfect balance between sleek design and rugged capability. The front of the car features a modern grill that hints at its adventurous spirit. Standard LED headlights provide excellent visibility, while pronounced wheel arches emphasize its off-road prowess.
Standard roof rails make it easy to secure outdoor gear like bikes and kayaks, and the 17-inch alloy wheels give the car a confident and capable stance. Additional highlights include automatic LED headlights, black cladding for a rugged look, and heated side mirrors for clear visibility during cold mornings. With nine colors to choose from, you can definitely find an Outback that matches your style.
2. Engine Choices and Performance
The 2025 Outback offers two engine choices to suit your driving needs. The standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine produces 182 horsepower and combines with a continuously variable automatic transmission and Subaru’s signature all-wheel drive system. This setup delivers adequate acceleration for everyday driving.
If you crave more excitement, the 2.4L turbocharged engine pumps out 260 horsepower, providing a more spirited driving experience. Both engines are paired with a CVT that Subaru has fine-tuned to mimic the feel of a traditional automatic transmission.
3. Fuel Economy
The standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is focused on delivering impressive gas mileage, achieving an EPA estimated 26 MPG in city driving and 33 MPG on the highway. The 2.4L turbocharged engine, while prioritizing power, delivers slightly lower gas mileage ratings of 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Your choice between the two engines will depend on whether you prioritize fuel economy or a more powerful drive.
4. Interior Layout and Cargo Space
The Outback prioritizes practicality with a well-organized interior layout. The materials, while not luxurious, are high-quality and designed to endure everyday use. Despite not being a traditional SUV, it offers a generous 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a low and flat floor for easy loading and unloading.
Additionally, the Outback’s height makes it easier to secure items on the standard roof rails. While passenger space is prioritized over small storage compartments, thoughtful touches like a phone shelf for the front passenger and seatback pockets for rear passengers are present.
5. Comfort and Seating
The Outback offers welcoming spaces for both front and rear passengers. The front seats balance softness with ample support for long journeys, designed to combat fatigue and provide long-lasting comfort. The back seat offers extra legroom compared to the previous generation, and there’s surprising head and shoulder room for those up front.
Standard features on the premium trim include heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Higher trims offer additional comforts like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and even heated rear seats.
6. Technology and Infotainment
Inside the 2025 Outback, you’ll find a tech-forward environment designed for ease of use. The base model features a dual 7.0-inch touchscreen system that, while functional, is slightly outdated. The premium trim upgrades to a large, vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen that dominates the center console.
Subaru includes physical knobs for volume and tuning, as well as buttons for climate control, ensuring easy access to frequently used functions. Standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, with optional upgrades like built-in navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless device charging. Higher trims feature a 12-speaker 576W Harman Kardon sound system.
7. Off-Road Capability
The Outback isn’t afraid to get its wheels dirty. Standard all-wheel drive provides confidence and capability in all weather conditions. The base model offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is enough for most light off-road adventures.
For true off-road enthusiasts, the Subaru Outback Wilderness trim takes things to the next level with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, skid plates for added protection, and a beefier suspension system. The Wilderness is ready to conquer more challenging terrain, with water-resistant synthetic leather interiors that are easy to clean after a day of exploration. Special snow and mud drive modes further enhance its capability in specific conditions.
8. Ride Quality
While the Outback might not be the most athletic vehicle, it delivers a smooth and controlled ride, absorbing bumps and imperfections with ease. This focus on comfort shouldn’t be mistaken for a lack of capability. The suspension offers impressive compliance, meaning it absorbs road imperfections effectively without feeling overly soft or floaty.
This translates to a composed and comfortable driving experience, even on less-than-perfect road surfaces. The Outback prioritizes comfort over sporty handling, making it a great choice for drivers who value a relaxing and comfortable drive.
9. Safety Features
The 2025 Subaru Outback prioritizes safety for both driver and passengers. Every Outback comes equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance technology suite, which includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Its impressive performance in crash testing further bolsters the vehicle’s safety credentials, earning the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s top five-star overall vehicle score for crash safety. Subaru’s commitment to safety is also evident in the Outback’s longevity, with over 97% of all Outbacks sold in the last 10 years still on the road today.
10. Value and Trims
The Outback offers great value with various trims for different budgets. The base model starts at $32,290 and provides a comfortable all-wheel drive experience. The premium trim, at $32,500, includes a larger touchscreen and heated front seats.
The Onyx Edition, at $37,500, and Onyx Edition XT, at $41,755, add unique design elements and a turbocharged engine. The Limited trim, at $39,600, offers premium materials and a Harman Kardon sound system. The Wilderness trim, at $41,250, is designed for off-road adventures with water-resistant interiors.
The top-tier Touring trim, at $41,250, includes navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Harman Kardon sound system, with the XT variant adding a turbocharged engine. No matter your preference, the Subaru Outback delivers a winning combination of capability, comfort, safety, and value.
