“This car will get you where you want to go with comfort and safety while getting good gas mileage and having a great time during the journey.”
Subaru Outback: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Subaru Outback is a raised, roomy wagon that serves as a practical two-row family SUV. It is known for standard all-wheel drive, useful ground clearance, flexible cargo space, and long-distance comfort.
The Outback has long blended the easy road manners and cargo flexibility of a wagon with the ground clearance and all-weather ability of an SUV. It grew larger and more crossover-like over time, but its focus stayed on family trips, rough weather, dirt roads, and everyday comfort. Safety technology also became a bigger part of the formula, with Subaru's driver-assistance suite standard across the lineup since 2019.
Strengths
- Standard all-wheel drive has been central to the Outback's confident bad-weather character.
- Its raised ground clearance helps on snowy streets and dirt roads without turning it into a bulky truck-based SUV.
- The roomy cabin and flexible cargo area work well for family trips and outdoor gear.
- Long-trip comfort and a quiet cabin have remained priorities through multiple redesigns.
- Subaru has steadily expanded the Outback's safety technology, making its driver-assistance suite standard across the lineup beginning in 2019.
Who it's for
The Outback fits families and active households that want one vehicle for commuting, road trips, winter weather, and weekends on dirt roads. It especially suits shoppers who need useful space and outdoor capability but do not want the bulk or feel of a truck-based SUV.
Subaru Outback lineup
For 2026, Premium is the straightforward starting point, while Limited adds more comfort and technology. Touring has long served as the upscale end of the range, and in recent generations the XT badge identifies turbocharged versions for shoppers who want stronger power. Wilderness, introduced for 2022, is the trail-focused choice with extra ground clearance, tougher hardware, and specialized settings for loose surfaces.
Subaru Outback generations
From 2009 to 2026, the Outback spans five generations. The current 7th Generation arrived for 2026, following the 6th Generation (2020–2025).
7th Generation (2026–Present)
The seventh-generation Outback has a boxier body, a quieter and roomier cabin, and more cargo space. It also brings upgraded EyeSight safety hardware, a 12.1-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
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2026New generation
Full redesign with a boxier body, more cabin and cargo room, upgraded safety hardware, and new dashboard screens. Base and Onyx trims leave the lineup.
6th Generation (2020–2025)
This generation moved to Subaru’s newer global platform and gained a roomier, quieter cabin. It paired a 2.5-liter engine with newly returned turbo power and made the EyeSight safety suite standard across the lineup.
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2025
Final year of this generation. Limited trims gain more comfort and technology as standard equipment.
2024
Wilderness gets updated front styling, while Onyx and Wilderness models receive added equipment.
2023Mid-cycle update
Most trims get redesigned front styling and updated EyeSight safety hardware. The Onyx lineup expands into separate standard-engine and turbo versions.
2022Trim changes
The first Outback Wilderness joins with more ground clearance, trail-focused settings, tougher roof rails, and a turbo engine.
2021
Steering-responsive LED headlights become standard across the lineup, along with added seat-belt and rear-seat reminders.
2020New generation
Full redesign on Subaru’s newer global platform, with new 2.5-liter and turbo 2.4-liter engines, more cabin room, and standard EyeSight safety technology.
5th Generation (2015–2019)
The fifth-generation Outback grew roomier and quieter, with more cargo space and revised suspension and steering. Automatic transmissions became standard throughout the lineup, while every trim retained AWD and gained added traction and hill-control features.
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2019
EyeSight driver-assist technology becomes standard across the lineup. No major styling or engine changes arrive before the 2020 redesign.
2018Mid-cycle update
Front and rear styling is refreshed, the cabin gets quieter, and updated touchscreens add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the lineup.
2017Trim changes
Touring debuts as the top trim in both four-cylinder and six-cylinder forms.
2016
Steering is retuned, the wipers gain an automatic mode tied to the headlights, and Limited trims get revised suspension tuning for a smoother ride.
2015New generation
Full redesign with more passenger and cargo room, better noise isolation, revised road manners, and automatic transmissions across the lineup.
4th Generation (2010–2014)
This redesign made the Outback larger, roomier, and more crossover-like, with added rear-seat and cargo space. It also introduced a CVT for four-cylinder models and replaced the previous six-cylinder setup with the 3.6R.
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2014Trim changes
The 2.5i Premium gains added comfort and audio equipment, and EyeSight safety technology expands to that trim.
2013Mid-cycle update
Updated front styling joins a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, revised automatic transmission, and retuned suspension and steering. EyeSight safety technology also reaches the Outback for the first time.
2012
Premium and Limited trims get upgraded audio systems with improved phone and music connectivity.
2011
The redesigned model carries over with only modest package and equipment adjustments.
2010New generation
Full redesign with a larger, more crossover-like body, extra passenger and cargo room, a new 3.6R six-cylinder model, and integrated roof rails.
3rd Generation (2005–2009)
In its final model year, the third-generation Outback kept its existing overall design while making stability control standard across the lineup.
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2009Trim changes
L.L.Bean trims leave and the 2.5i Special Edition joins. Stability control becomes standard across the lineup.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Subaru Outback.
2026 Subaru Outback2025 Subaru Outback2024 Subaru Outback2023 Subaru Outback2022 Subaru Outback2021 Subaru Outback2020 Subaru Outback2019 Subaru Outback2018 Subaru Outback2017 Subaru Outback2016 Subaru Outback2015 Subaru Outback2014 Subaru Outback2013 Subaru Outback2012 Subaru Outback2011 Subaru Outback2010 Subaru Outback2009 Subaru Outback
Frequently asked questions
Is the Subaru Outback an SUV or a wagon?
It sits between the two. Subaru calls the newest Outback an SUV, but its long roof, flexible cargo area, and carlike layout give it wagon-style usefulness. It suits shoppers who want crossover space and ground clearance without a truck-based feel.
Does every Subaru Outback have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Standard AWD is a defining Outback feature across the model years covered here. It helps on wet roads, in snow, and on maintained dirt roads, though good tires and careful driving still matter.
Does the Subaru Outback come as a hybrid?
No. The Outbacks covered here use gasoline engines, and the latest lineup is gas-only. Recent versions pair either a regular four-cylinder or a stronger turbo four-cylinder with standard AWD.
Is the Subaru Outback a good family vehicle?
Yes. The Outback combines a roomy two-row cabin, flexible cargo space, standard AWD, safety technology, and long-trip comfort. It fits families carrying strollers, pets, sports gear, or camping equipment who do not need a third row.
What is the Subaru Outback especially good at?
The Outback is especially good at road trips, bad-weather driving, and outdoor weekends. Its standard AWD, useful ground clearance, easy cargo access, and comfortable cabin make it practical for daily errands as well as dirt-road destinations.
What are the main Subaru Outback generations to know when shopping used?
The key breaks are the fourth generation from 2010–2014, fifth from 2015–2019, sixth from 2020–2025, and seventh beginning in 2026. Each redesign brought meaningful changes to space, technology, engines, or cabin design.
What engines has the Subaru Outback used?
Most used Outbacks have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Older lineups also offered stronger 3.0-liter or 3.6-liter six-cylinders. From the 2020 generation onward, certain XT and Wilderness trims use a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder instead.
Subaru Outback Reviews
What owners are saying about the Subaru Outback.
4.3
Subaru Outback
(6,602 reviews)
“The car overall is great. Unfortunately we have had ongoing issues with the tailgate which I heard is common for this year's model.”
“My Subaru is comfortable and stylish while providing a confidence of dependability that goes with the Subaru name.”
“The Outback is comfortable, the interior is roomy, it handles extremely well, standard features are excellent.”
“I truly believe that this Subaru is one of the safest vehicles you can own. Its design is remarkable. Its comfort is excellent and it's just fun to drive.”
“I researched the most reliable and roomy vehicle for me after I retired. the Subaru Outback was the car I decided on for those reasons. I plan to travel with my dogs in comfort in a reliable vehicle”
Sources
- subaru.com — Vehicles / Outback / 2026
- subaru.com — Outback / 2026 / Features
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2026 / OBK
- subaru.com — Gas / 2026 / Features
- subaru.com — Wilderness / 2026 / Features
- subaru.com — Brochures / 2025 / 2025 Outback Brochure 071524
- subaru.com — Gas / 2025 / Features
- subaru.com — Consumer Reports / 2025 / 2025 Outback Consumer Reports v2
- subaru.com — trimComparison / 2025 / OBK
- subaru.com — Brochures / 2024 / MY24 Outback Brochure
- subaru.com — Outback / Wilderness / 2025
- subaru.com — Wilderness / 2025 / Features