“Great car. Fully featured, great performance, drives very nicely. Dislike road noise and smaller cargo space.”
2020 Subaru Outback: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2020 Subaru Outback is a full redesign and the first year of its sixth generation. The biggest change is its move to the Subaru Global Platform, accompanied by new engines, stronger standard safety technology, and a redesigned cabin.
About the 2020 Subaru Outback
6th gen (2020-2025), first year / full redesign
Subaru positions the Outback as an adventure-ready family vehicle that blends wagon comfort with SUV usefulness. Its core appeal is standard AWD, generous ground clearance, easy cargo carrying, and a roomy cabin that works for road trips, bad weather, and light trail use without feeling truck-like. Versus many midsize crossovers, the Outback leans more outdoorsy and more car-like to drive, with safety technology and all-weather confidence as major reasons buyers choose it.
The 2020 lineup ranges from the practical base trim with standard AWD to the comfort-focused Limited and leather-lined Touring. Premium and higher trims use an 11.6-inch touchscreen, while the new Onyx Edition XT adds turbo power, water-repellent seats, extra off-road settings, and a front-view camera. Limited XT and Touring XT pair the 260-hp turbo engine with more comfort and technology features.
What changed, by category
Structural
The Outback moves to the Subaru Global Platform with an all-new body and structure. The redesign brings a quieter cabin, a smoother ride, and more passenger and cargo room.
Powertrain
Non-XT trims get a new 182-hp, direct-injection 2.5-liter engine with automatic engine stop-start. Turbo power returns in the new Limited XT, Onyx Edition XT, and Touring XT, all using a 260-hp 2.4-liter engine. The previous six-cylinder 3.6R Limited and 3.6R Touring leave the lineup.
Safety
The EyeSight safety suite becomes standard on every trim and adds adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Limited also gains Reverse Automatic Braking, while Touring adds a driver-monitoring system and a 180-degree front-view camera.
Tech
Premium and higher trims receive a new 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen. The base trim uses two 7-inch touchscreens, and both layouts support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2020 Subaru Outback specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.4 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 33 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 182 hp | 182 hp | 182 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp | 260 hp |
| Torque | 176 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft | 176 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2700 lb | 2700 lb | 2700 lb | 2700 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 3500 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 75.7 cu-ft | 75.7 cu-ft | 75.7 cu-ft | 75.7 cu-ft | 75.7 cu-ft | 75.7 cu-ft | 75.7 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.5 in | 39.5 in | 39.5 in | 39.5 in | 39.5 in | 39.5 in | 39.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||||
| Power Close Liftgate/Trunk | |||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||
| Privacy Glass | |||||||
| Rear Spoiler | |||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | |||||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2020 Subaru Outback fully redesigned?
Yes. The 2020 Outback begins the sixth generation with a new platform, body, structure, cabin, engines, safety technology, and touchscreen systems.
What engines are in the 2020 Subaru Outback?
The 2020 Outback has a 182-hp 2.5-liter engine in non-XT trims and a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine in Limited XT, Onyx Edition XT, and Touring XT. The previous six-cylinder 3.6R versions were dropped.
Does every 2020 Subaru Outback have EyeSight?
Yes. Every 2020 Outback has the EyeSight driver-assistance suite, including adaptive cruise control and lane centering.
Which 2020 Subaru Outback trims have the 11.6-inch touchscreen?
Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, Onyx Edition XT, and Touring XT have the 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen. The base trim has a dual 7-inch touchscreen layout instead.
How is the 2020 Subaru Outback different from the 2019 model?
The 2020 Outback is a ground-up redesign rather than a small update. Compared with 2019, it has a new platform, a roomier and quieter cabin, new four-cylinder engines, standard lane centering, new touchscreen layouts, and new XT turbo trims in place of the former 3.6R six-cylinder versions.
2020 Subaru Outback Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Subaru Outback.
4.1
2020 Subaru Outback
(440 reviews)
“l Love my Subaru Outback! Very comfortable ride. I love the safety features. The only thing I would change, I wish I would have gotten leather seats. Everything else is perfect! Love my car, would recommend to anyone and everyone.”
“Excellent tech - lane assist, CarPlay. Very comfortable vehicle and excellent craftsmanship. A little concerned about reliability, as battery failed within a year and a coolant transfer valve failed in the middle of winter. Both were fixed under warranty.”