Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback at a glance

In the early 1990s Subaru of America needed a hit, and lacking the money for an all-new SUV, it raised the Legacy estate, added cladding and fog lights and called it the Outback. Sales rose from 14,805 in 1995 to 60,575 in 1999 in the US, and a Subaru executive later credited the Outback with saving the company. The brand's story is told in the history of Subaru, and the range, from the Subaru Forester to the Subaru Legacy, is in the Subaru catalogue.

First and second generations (1994–2003)

The first Outback combined the Legacy estate body with higher suspension, two-tone paint and a roof rack. Engines were a 2.2 boxer with 101 kW (135 hp) and, from 1996, a twin-cam 2.5 with up to 123 kW (165 hp), with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Manual cars had permanent AWD with a viscous centre coupling, while automatics used an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. Suspension was fully independent.

The second generation, launched in Japan as the Lancaster in September 1998, kept the 2.5 four-cylinder with 123 kW and added a 3.0 flat-six. It was sold as an estate and, in some markets, a saloon. In 1999 the Lancaster introduced Subaru's ADA driver-assistance system with stereo cameras, a forerunner of EyeSight.

Third and fourth generations (2003–2014)

Launched at Frankfurt on 22 October 2003 with the Outback name in all markets, the third generation was lighter and stiffer, with a smoother body and up to 220 mm of ground clearance. Engines included a 2.5 with 130 kW (175 hp), the 2.5 turbo XT with 181 kW (243 hp), the 3.0 flat-six and, from 2008 in Europe, Subaru's first boxer diesel, the 2.0D. Top Gear named it Car of the Year in 2007.

The fourth generation, shown in New York in April 2009, grew noticeably, with a length of 4,801 mm and 220 mm of ground clearance. It introduced the Lineartronic CVT alongside a 6-speed manual, and engines included the 2.5i, the 3.6R flat-six with 183 kW (249 PS) and a 5-speed automatic, and the 2.0 boxer diesel in Europe. Motor Trend named it Sport/Utility of the Year for 2010.

Fifth generation (BS, 2014–2019) in detail

Launch and design

The fifth Outback was shown at the New York Auto Show in April 2014 and in Europe at Geneva in 2015. For the first time it was a separate model rather than a Legacy version. It has a bolder grille, headlights with LED daytime running lights, an aluminium bonnet, roof rails and plastic cladding around the body. Front quarter windows and door-mounted mirrors improve visibility. The body uses more high-strength steel, and Subaru claimed 67% higher stiffness than before.

Engines and drivetrain

The Lineartronic CVT can simulate stepped gears, and Symmetrical AWD normally splits torque about 60:40, varying it up to 50:50 with a multi-plate clutch. X-Mode helps on slippery surfaces and steep descents, and Active Torque Vectoring brakes the inside wheel in corners. The 3.6R uses about 9.9 L/100 km combined.

Interior, boot and safety

The cabin is roomier and better finished than the fourth generation's, with leather, wood-effect and chrome trim on top versions, a 7-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control and heated front and rear seats. The rear bench seats three, and the boot holds 527 litres, or about 1,800 litres with the seats folded. A near full-size spare wheel sits under the floor.

Euro NCAP tested the 2.0D with EyeSight in 2014, scoring 85% for adult and 87% for child occupants, 73% for pedestrians and 70% for safety assist; the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick. EyeSight's stereo cameras provide pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, and the car has seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag.

The 2017 facelift

Shown in New York on 12 April 2017, the update brought a new bumper and grille, steering-responsive LED headlights, new 17- and 18-inch wheels, reshaped mirrors and thicker side glass for less wind noise, a larger screen, a revised CVT with seven simulated steps, active grille shutters and retuned suspension and steering. The boot grew slightly to about 530 litres.

Sixth and seventh generations (2019 to today)

The sixth Outback (BT) was revealed in New York on 17 April 2019 and reached Europe in April 2021, with the 2.5 boxer of 136 kW (182 hp) and the CVT. Other markets got the 2.4 turbo with 194 kW (260 hp) and, in Japan, a 1.8 turbo. The Wilderness version of 2022 has 240 mm of clearance, all-terrain tyres and a shorter final drive. In the 2021 test aligned with Euro NCAP it scored 88% for adult and 91% for child occupants and 96% for safety assist.

The seventh generation, revealed on 16 April 2025, turned the Outback into a boxier crossover SUV with the 2.5 boxer and the 2.4 turbo, a CVT and standard AWD, after Subaru ended the Legacy saloon. Sales began in North America in August 2025 and in Australia in November 2025.

Rivals: how the Outback compares

The Outback competes with the Volvo V90/V60 Cross Country, Audi A4/A6 allroad, Volkswagen Passat Alltrack and Skoda Octavia Scout, as well as mid-size SUVs. Its strengths are permanent AWD, ground clearance, a large boot and safety; its weaknesses are the CVT's feel under hard acceleration and modest performance from the 2.5. More models are listed among Japanese cars and 4x4 vehicles.