We recently tested the Volvo XC60 SUV and mentioned how the Swedish brand has always been something a little different than the usual European suspects, like Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
And we also noted that Subaru has that same sort of vibe. Sure, there are lots of great Toyotas and Hondas, but a Subie…well that’s something a little special, for owners who see themselves as less mainstream.
So, we were excited to spend some time in the 2025 Subaru Outback to see – does it still have that special sauce that makes it the choice for those choose the road (or off-road) less traveled?
The Non-SUV
One of the things that has made the Outback so popular is that it offers SUV-type goodness like room and all-weather capability but doesn’t look like a truckish crossover/SUV. Instead, it looks like a wagon. A capable one, but still a wagon.
And that’s a are trait. VW used to make a tasty Golf AWD SportWagen, but no longer for the U.S. If you’re willing to spend more, you can still get an Audi A4 Wagon, and Volvo offers V60 and V90 Cross Country models, and the Mini Clubman…. debatable as a wagon. But those are all premium brands.
The Outback got a refresh for the 2023 model, so there’s not much looks-wise new to talk about. That’s good by us – this is one handsome wagon.
Up front, there’s the familiar hexagonal ribbley grille, swept back LED headlights with swoosh-type daytime running lights, side grilles with a tough-looking lower fascia with circular fogs and a little bit of bling with metallic trim at the bottom. Traditionalists will be happy to note that the Pleiades star badge remains as well.
The profile says this is one swaggering wagon (sorry Toyota), with a tall stance, large black plastic wheel claddings (with small added bits for aerodynamics), and rugged lower cladding with OUTBACK stamped in the side. Details make a difference, and we like the Touring’s handsome 18-inch alloy wheels, satin finish on the outside mirrors and chunky looking roof rail.
One interesting thing we noticed. We’ve seen several Outback’s in white, and they look really long – it may be they really let the contrast of the black cladding pop. Our tester’s Cosmic Blue Pearl seemed to shrink things visually, and we liked the snug look.
The rear like the front keeps function front and foremost, with wide, boomerang shape LED taillights, a sporty spoiler above the rear window to help keep things clean, simple model lettering (sorry no R A N G E R O V E R style lettering here!) a large hatch for easy access and a large rear bumper to help you access the roof, or help load in cargo.
Traditional with Tech
Inside, the Outback keeps the familiar vibe of sensibility and toughness but makes sure you’re not lacking for tech or luxury.
Open the door and the winner is…Luxury! At least in our tester that enjoyed Java Brown Nappa Leather, a rich color, which smells a good as it looks. Surrounding you in goodness the dashboard, door panels and center console all feature matching Java Brown trim.
The front seats are heated and cooled and nicely supportive. Those who are also shopping SUV’s will find that the Outback still offers a tall, upright seating position with excellent visibility.
The rear seats are adult friendly and were heated on our tester – a nice feature. Cargo space is quite good – it’s a bit less than the Toyota RAV4 with the seat up (32.6 vs. 37.5 cubic feet) but beats the Toy with rear seats folded (75.6 vs. 69.8 cubic feet). So, the Outback is an excellent non-SUV choice for people who need to haul gear. We’d also note that the Outback’s lower stance makes for easier loading.
Subaru shows its sensible side with a large analog speedo and tach – no giant curved digital screen here – and frankly, we like the appearance of traditional gauges. Tech is saved for the center stack with a massive 11.6-inch, vertical touch screen. Even though it is large, it is well integrated into the design, and doesn’t dominate the interior like a Tesla.
Kudos to Subaru for giving the system volume and tuning knobs, which makes the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the Touring model even more delightful.
The climate control system is at the bottom of the display and is intuitive, including controls for the heated and ventilated seats. Subaru knows cold-weather buyers, those seats really get hot, hot, hot! We also enjoyed the standard heated steering wheel.
Another piece of tech on our touring model was the LCD smart rearview mirror that gives you a clear view behind even if you’ve got things in the way, like passengers, balloons, or packages. The wider angle of view is helpful, and the low-light capability was really impressive at night, helping you see so much more than the traditional mirror. And if you don’t like the LCD display, a quick flip of a lever brings you back to a traditional mirror. Neat!
Turbo Time
Driving any Outback is enjoyable, and it’s capable and comfy in all kinds of conditions. The last time we tested a 2023 Outback it had the standard 182-horsepower, 2.5-cylinder, 4-cylinder engine. It’s smooth and efficient, but to be honest, it’s a little pokey. (And we don’t mean Gumby’s friend). If performance is not high on your scale, then it’s a fine choice.
Our tester this time was an XT model, and we think the 260-horsepower turbo, 2.4-liter engine makes a huge difference, really waking up the model with strong acceleration and getting to 60 mph in just under 6 seconds. It also feels like plenty of extra oomph when merging and passing.
It also helps mitigate the standard CVT automatic transmission, which is smooth and quiet, but never seems very eager. With the turbo giving added thrust, you feel like you’re in an expensive luxury vehicle – swift and smooth. And we won’t complain about 25 mpg EPA combined, either.
It’s also a very smooth ride. Thanks to a supple suspension and nearly nine inches of ground clearance, the Subie shrugs off dips, bumps rough roads with ease. And there’s also Subaru All Wheel Drive which serves up great grip, whether you’re scooting around your favorite corner, or tackling rain, sleet or snow.
Some may be surprised, but Subarus are quite capable off-road, certainly able to keep up with most small SUVs. For those who really hear the call of the wild, we’d recco the Wilderness model, which is upgraded with a higher ride height, tough body cladding and some advanced tech along for the ride. And it looks rugged, too.
Protective is a good way to describe the Outback, as all models feature the brand’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, including Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, and X-MODE® with Hill Descent Control, along with Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Our Touring model also featured a Wide Angle Mono Camera added to the dual-camera EyeSight system, that helps recognize pedestrians and bicycles when the Outback is entering an intersection at low speed and can apply the brakes to help avoid collisions.
How many Greenbacks for an Outback?
The Outback is a pretty robust line up, with something to appeal to almost anyone.
The 2025 Outback starts at $28,895 and with loads of safety tech, AWD capability and that unique Subaru vibe, it’s a great value. Our Touring XT is at the full-enchilada end of the spectrum and started at $42,795. It’s so well equipped, the only option was All Weather Floor Liners at $141. Add in $1,420 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $44,356.
If you’re really stuck on having a wagon, you’ll find competitors are pricey, with the Volvo V60 coming in at over $62,000, and Audi A4 AllRoad coming in just under $60k!
The other choice worth a look would be the Outback’s sibling the Forester. A bit more SUV-ish it still offers lots of Subie goodness, and would comp in at $41,415 – with the caveat that you can’t get the Outback’s powerful turbo engine in the Forester.
The 2025 Subaru Outback has that special sauce buyers love, with SUV capability, cool wagon style and unique Subie vibe.
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.