The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Plush ride
- Impressive off-road capability
- Welcoming cabin
- Fantastic safety cred
- Plenty of personality
Dislikes
- Some awkward styling
- Lackluster base engine
- Thirsty turbo engine
- Some awkward touchscreen interfaces
Buying tip
features & specs
Subaru’s 2025 Outback is a practical, personality-filled alternative to bigger, less capable, and less efficient SUV competitors.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Subaru Outback? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Subaru Outback is a rugged, comfortable five-seat vehicle that blurs the line between station wagon and midsize crossover. It competes with Subaru’s own Forester, as well as the Honda Passport and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Is the 2025 Subaru Outback a good SUV?
Yes. It’s a smart, practical pick with lots of standard safety tech and decent overall value. The 2025 Outback earns a TCC Rating of 6.7 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Subaru Outback?
Not much. Subaru is even keeping the base price consistent. Limited models now include a 360-degree heated steering wheel, power moonroof, navigation, and driver-attention monitoring, but that’s the only change.
The Outback’s signature tall-wagon styling remains intact, with chunky body lines that foreshadow this Subaru’s SUV-like capability. The cabin features a clean design with a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen that steals the show on all but the base trim.
In base form, the Outback features a flat-4 engine good for 182 hp, though the optional turbo-4 provides plenty of thrust from its 260 hp. The CVT, which simulates eight traditional gears, feeds the all-wheel-drive system. Across the lineup, the Outback provides comfortable urban and suburban cruising as well as competent all-terrain capability, though the high-riding Wilderness version truly shines here. Considering the Outback’s size and standard AWD, the base engine’s combined rating of 28 mpg is reasonably frugal.
Inside, the Outback is comfortingly car-like, though with impressive cargo space of 32.5 cubic feet. The base version gets a cheap-looking pair of 7.0-inch touchscreens, though all other trims get a nicer-looking 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and quick response, though the display is on the dim side.
The 2025 Outback is a safe choice, thanks to its generous list of driver-assistance features and good crash-test evaluations. Adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking are standard across the lineup, and it’s inexpensive to add blind-spot monitors.
How much does the 2025 Subaru Outback cost?
This Subaru rolls into 2025 without the typical year-over-year increase. The base trim costs $30,290, including the $1,395 destination fee. However, the Premium, at $32,590, is worth the upcharge for its leather-trimmed steering wheel, heated front seats, and superior infotainment system.
Where is the 2025 Subaru Outback made?
Subaru builds the Outback in Indiana.
2025 Subaru Outback Styling
Quirky and potentially polarizing, the Subaru Outback prioritizes purpose over prettiness.
Is the Subaru Outback a good-looking car?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The rough and tumble 2025 Outback has tons of personality, but it’s not particularly pretty. The soothing cabin, which helps balance out the busy exterior, earns a point, for a 6.
The Outback retains its signature all-terrain styling cues, including the wagon-like shape, tall stance, and textured body cladding. The Wilderness version adds extra cladding and textured contrast, as well as orangey-gold trim bits.
The cabin is less chaotic, with a vertically-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, a thoughtful selection of physical controls, and simple lines. The top-tier Touring is offered with convincing faux wood veneer paired with brown leather upholstery, which makes the price tag more palatable. The stylish Onyx and rugged Wilderness versions have water-repellent synthetic leather upholstery with bright contrast stitching.
2025 Subaru Outback Performance
Off-road or on, the 2025 Subaru Outback feels at home.
There aren’t many crossovers that can handle dirt and pavement as well as the 2025 Outback. Subaru’s wagon rides great on any terrain, for a 6 here.
Is the Subaru Outback 4WD?
Yes. Subaru’s full-time all-wheel-drive system comes standard across the lineup, for confidence over tricky terrain. Most versions get ground clearance of 8.7 inches, adequate for basic rock climbing, while Wilderness models get more ground clearance, chunky all-terrain wheels and tires, and off-road driving modes.
How fast is the Subaru Outback?
Not very fast. The base 182-hp engine, a flat-4, is mediocre at best while accelerating, though it’s a good match for the CVT. Paddle shifters assist with hill descents and highway passing.
Outback XT models get a turbo engine with 260 hp, though the CVT isn’t as good a fit here, with slow starts from awkward tuning. Subaru has fine-tuned the pairing in the WRX, though in some Outback configurations, it still needs work.
On the other hand, the modest wheel sizes and long wheelbase yield near-luxury ride quality.
Depending on trim, the Outback can tow up to a maximum of 3,500 pounds, and is offered with a factory trailer hitch.
2025 Subaru Outback Comfort & Quality
The 2025 Outback offers a comfortable and familiar cabin whether you need a reprieve from the trails, or the suburban mall.
The spacious and comfortable 2025 Subaru Outback coddles passengers and accommodates plenty of cargo. With good space in both rows and a wagon’s cargo capacity, the Outback earns an 8.
Most models provide an adjustable driver’s seat, and at the top end, the front passenger seat, as well. Heated front seats are standard on most trims, with optional cooled seats. There are also plenty of upholstery options.
The Outback’s second row has wide doors and impressive legroom of 39.5 inches.
The cargo area’s capacity of nearly 33 cubic feet opens up to 75.7 cubic feet with the split-folding rear bench folded down. There aren’t many places to stow small items, though materials quality is good overall.
2025 Subaru Outback Safety
In 2025, the Outback carries on with its impressive safety tests and features.
How safe is the Subaru Outback?
It’ll do right by your family. Subaru supplies a long list of collision-avoidance features, and in crash testing, it’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick and rated five stars overall by the NHTSA. It’s a 9.
The Outback comes standard with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and active lane control across the lineup. These systems work well together to keep the Outback moving smoothly in traffic, though some test drivers think the audio warnings are excessive. Most trims also include rear cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot monitors.
Narrow roof pillars yield good overall outward vision, though it’s a bit difficult rearward, for which the optional surround-view camera system goes a long way.
2025 Subaru Outback Features
Subaru offers the 2025 Outback in a wide range of configurations, most of which are generously equipped.
Stick to the entry-level trims and keep the options to a minimum, and the 2025 Subaru Outback presents a competitive value. With standard safety features, a big optional touchscreen, and plenty of other choices, it racks up points for an 8.
Subaru covers the Outback with an average 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
The entry-level Outback includes 17-inch wheels, a pair of 7.0-inch touchscreens, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Which Subaru Outback should I buy?
We’d upgrade to the $32,590 Premium for a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a combination of four USB-A and USB-C ports, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. An additional $1,400 bundles keyless start, a hands-free tailgate, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Beyond that, just start considering higher trim levels.
How much is a fully loaded Subaru Outback?
This year, the $39,250 Limited gains a sunroof, navigation, a 360-degree heated steering wheel, and driver distraction mitigation, in addition to its leather upholstery. The Onyx gains blacked-out trim and resilient synthetic leather, while the Wilderness gets off-road-ready hardware, a lifted suspension, and exclusive styling bits. The top-tier Touring XT, at $44,190, doesn’t include all of these attributes, but it pieces together the most luxurious elements and adds a surround-view camera system, cooled front seats, and posh brown leather.
2025 Subaru Outback Fuel Economy
For decent EPA ratings, stick with the Outback in base configuration.
Is the Subaru Outback good on gas?
In base form, it’s reasonably competitive, with EPA ratings of 26 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined. That’s good for a 3.
In Outback XT configuration, those ratings drop to 22/29/25 mpg, and the Wilderness’ rugged tires and elevated ride height further penalize at the pump to the tune of 21/26/23 mpg. On the bright side, the Outback uses regular fuel across the lineup.
