View Photos of the 2020 Subaru Outback Touring
The redesigned, naturally aspirated Outback reminds you why Subaru brought back the turbocharged XT model. But does a Subaru wagon need to be quick?
Tracing its roots to the 1972 Subaru Leone 4WD wagon, the 2020 Subaru Outback sticks to a well-developed formula: all-wheel-drive, a flat-four engine, and reasonable pricing. For the first time since 2009, a turbocharged model is available. But the naturally aspirated version will probably suffice for most outdoorsy, dog-owning wagon aficionados. Read the full story here.
While the XT models enjoy a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four, the non-turbo Outback is powered by the trusty Subaru 2.5-liter, which makes 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
The non-turbo Outback surrenders 2.2 seconds to the XT in the zero-to-60-mph run (8.5 seconds to 6.3.)
You can tow with the naturally aspirated Outback, but its 2700-pound rating is 800 pounds less than the XT's.
On the plus side, the 2.5-liter Outback's 75-mph highway driving test result, with the help of active grille shutters, was identical to the XT's, at 28 mpg. With an 18.5-gallon tank, that means that 510 miles of range is possible on the highway.
The Outback's 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen is flanked by knobs for the audio system's volume and tuning. You can choose the aggressiveness of the cruise control's resume function, which is a novel menu option.
The Outback's interior generally seems high quality, if busy. The intersection of the door panel and dash is a riot of shapes, colors, and materials.
All Outbacks include the X-Mode off-road setting, which tailors the stability control and all-wheel-drive system for (light) off-roading. There's enough traction to lift a tire on a steep climb.
The last time the Outback lineup included an XT, the turbo model got a hood scoop. The 2020 model offers no such visual tell up front, but the XT does get dual tailpipes. Hood scoops are for WRXs, apparently.
EyeSight, Subaru's camera-based driver assistance system, is standard on all Outbacks. This means even a base Outback gets adaptive cruise control and lane centering.
One question about the Outback wagon: Is it really a wagon anymore? Its height is within a couple inches of the Forester SUV's, and its ground clearance (8.7 inches) is identical.
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
2020 Subaru Outback Touring
View Photos of the 2024 Kia EV9 Land AWD
View Photos of the 1987 Sterling 825SL
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Interior Photos
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Exterior Photos
