Three decades ago, Subaru took a traditional station wagon, jacked up the suspension and helped create the Outback which helped breathe new life into the station wagon while also blurring the line between it and the traditional SUV. The formula has also proven to be very popular with consumers and the Outback has risen to become one of Subaru’s top sellers.
But is the 2024 Subaru Outback still a top seller even as it gradually drifts more into the dark side of SUV sales and some of the negative stereotypes that often accompany them? We wanted to find out.
Unchanged exterior styling is still rugged and capability
Subaru didn’t make any major changes to the Outback for 2024 and our Limited tester arrived with a look that balances ruggedness with functional luxury. The front fascia benefits from updates that the model got when the current generation version first appeared with the headlights and grille being reworked to provide a more mature look to the Outback. Limited models like our tester get bigger 18-inch alloy wheels and LED lighting which allows the Outback to have better visibility at night.
The wagon shape also helps the Outback have an impressive degree of functionality with the sturdy roof rack having the ability to handle bulky cargo including kayaks roof carriers and other large items. The Outback also comes with a healthy infusion of plastic body cladding to help protect those areas from rocks, branches, and other debris. The styling here also allows the Outback to compete with pricier rivals like the Audi A4 Allroad and the Volvo V60 Cross Country but while the Outback sacrifices some of the chrome and polish that those two models bring to the table, that hasn’t stopped the Outback from creating a large loyal pool of customers drawn in by its inner charms.
Comfort is Outback strong suit
Slip inside the Outback and you’ll find that the interior shares alot of its DNA with the outgoing Legacy sedan with both models continuing to have high-quality materials and appointments. The interior may look a bit boring at first glance, but there’s an impressive degree of functionality baked into it with all Outbacks coming equipped with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat, and several USB charging ports.
Models like our Limited tester up the ante a bit and come with luxury features like cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The rear seats are pretty comfortable but the seats are actually best left folded down with the extra space allowing the Outback to expand on its already impressive cargo capacity with the rear having 33 cubic feet of space when the second row is up which translates into swallowing a wide range of bulky cargo with minimal effort.
The Outback also comes with two infotainment systems with base models getting stacked 7.0-inch screens with all the other models getting a massive 11.6-inch screen. The large screen gets slick software and large menu icons with some analog controls including a rotary volume and tuning knob being thrown in for good measure. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but WiFi, built-in navigation, and wieless phone charging are optional.
Rugged performance for any occasion
Performance for the 2024 Outback comes from two powertrains a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder is standard and it produces 182 hp but our Limited arrived with the beefier XT designation with these models getting a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 260 hp. Both engines get standard all-wheel drive and both also get a CVT which mimics an eight-speed automatic. The CVT does its job well but the buzzy engine doesn’t feel as powerful as its stats suggest and sometimes it can be very hard to justify the extra money for it when the base 2.5-liter is enough for most people.
The Outback’s suspension provides a comfortable ride but handling is better meant for the trails versus corner carving. Braking is also good but buyers looking for sharper response are recommended to go to the WRX sedan. The Outback benefits from 8.7-inches of extra ground clearance with the extra height allowing the Outback to handle muddy terrain. Buyers looking for more clearance and capability will be pleased with the Wilderness model which gets 9.5-inches of clearance. The EPA says that XT versions of the Outback like our tester get 23/30 mpg in city and freeway driving with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter getting 26/33 mpg in the same categories.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2024 Subaru Outback starts at $29,010 for the base model with the volume-focused Premium model starting at $31,310. Limited models start at just under $40,000 but if you upgrade into a beefier XT model like our example, you’ll be greeted with a base sticker price of over $40,310 with options in our case pushing the price over $42,000.
While the beefier XT model seems to be a worthy upgrade in paper it just doesn’t fall into place as a worthy step up. The engine is more powerful, but some of its finer details don’t mesh well and buyers might find that the naturally aspirated four-cylinder is not only more than enough for their needs but that it also allows them to save some money with most of the naturally aspirated Outbacks being in the $30,000 range. Stick with this simple formula and the 2024 Subaru Outback will continue to be a potent entry in the wagon segment even as its Legacy counterpart ends production.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.