Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT
Specs
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Financial system | B |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 260-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Kind | Turbocharged 4-cyinder |
| Transmission | CVT automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Class: MidsizeCrossover
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Shade: Crimson Crimson Pearl
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 136
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 24.6 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 22/29/25 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common Fuel
Base value: $42,795 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: All-weather ground mats ($141)
Worth as examined: $44,356
Audio-System Model
Harman Kardon
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Roomy, properly completed cabin, off-road/foul-weather prowess
The nice: Ample energy from turbocharged engine; wagon utility
The not so good: Energy supply uneven at low speeds
Evaluation
There was some argument about whether or not or not the Subaru Outback is a station wagonor as a substitute a crossover. Right here at Shopper Information, we’ve been a bit of inconsistent in our labeling of Subaru’s widespread woodsy mannequin, however we lean in the direction of calling it a compact crossover. However, if you wish to name it a midsize automotive, we’re cool with that, too.
However no matter you name it, the Outback is, and has been, primarily based on the maker’s now discontinued Legacy midsize sedanand, all advertising and segmenting apart, is, in actuality, a station wagon. A very nice and practical station wagon.
Why this issues a lot proper now’s that the Outback is being utterly redesigned for the 2026 mannequin yr, and the brand new ‘Again seems rather more like a standard crossover than the present instance.
And, if you happen to thought-about the Outback a station wagon, it was the final non-premium-brand station wagon accessible within the U.S. When the final 2025 Outback is offered, wagons will turn out to be the unique purview of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benzand Volvo—and none of these carmakers promote very a lot of them. Lengthy dwell the station wagon.
Because the final Wagon, the Outback deserves credit score for representing the breed so nicely. Subaru’s most carlike crossover is famously refined, comfy, and practical, and has earned a status for reliability and resale worth. The Outback is de facto every part a cautious shopper may need from a private or household automobile.
For these not within the know, the Outback is positioned in dimension and value between Subaru’s widespread Forester compact crossover, and fewer widespread Ascent midsize 3-row crossover. Subie’s subcompact Crosstrek anchors the crossover lineup.
For the reason that Outback is being utterly redesigned for 2026, Subaru made only some adjustments to the mannequin for ’25, none of which have an effect on our normal impressions of the automobile.
For 2025, the Outback is obtainable in a staggering 9 trim ranges, all of that are geared up with Subaru’s branded Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Right here’s a breakdown:
- Outback ($31,415)
- Premium ($34,480)
- Onyx Version ($39,390)
- Restricted ($41,140)
- Onyx XT ($42,645)
- Wilderness ($43,130)
- Restricted XT ($43,480)
- Touring ($43,700)
- Touring XT ($46,150)
Engines
Most Outbacks are powered by a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Fashions together with the XT designation benefit from the added increase of a 260-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged 4. Each engines mate to a CVT-style automated transmission. And, each engines run nice on regular-grade gasoline.
Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Outback Touring XT in Crimson Crimson Pearl. Together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at automotive got here to $44,356.
Cabin Trim
Our complaints relating to the inside supplies of the subcompact Subaru Crosstrek don’t prolong to the Outback, no less than not in Touring trim. The black-leather-based trim in our take a look at automotive, punctuated tastefully with shiny accents, felt upscale, and completely on model for Subaru. And although designed on automotive structure, the Outback is crossover roomy with huge doorways, giant and welcoming seats, and loads of glass space. Rear-seat area is equally beneficiant.
Connectivity
We’ve turn out to be accustomed to Subaru’s “Starlink” infotainment system, and usually discover it accommodating. The massive, vertically oriented console touchscreen is simple to achieve and simple to learn, even in shiny gentle. As in different Subaru’s of latest classic, we did endure quite a lot of Bluetooth “disconnects,” forcing us to delete our gadgets from the system and relink. It is a time-consuming annoyance we hope the manufacturing facility has a repair for. We did NOT expertise the problem this time round.
As soon as linked, the system operates nicely, and we’ve got solely good issues to say concerning the Harman Kardon sound system, which punches above the Outback’s value class.
Journey and Dealing with
On the street, the Outback feels tight and substantial, in the very best means. The journey is agency but compliant, lending itself to sporty conduct, must you be so inclined. The steering has some old-school heft to it, and communicates street situations successfully. Likewise, the Outback consists in corners, and the brakes are responsive and really feel sturdy.
Energy and Efficiency
Energy from the burly turbocharged engine is greater than ample, although the CVT automated transmission might be gradual to reply to throttle inputs, a situation which may show irritating in heavy visitors. The answer is to use further throttle, which typically expedites issues, however seemingly on the expense of gasoline economic system. This, by the way in which, is de facto our solely Outback grievance.
Gas Financial system
Talking of gasoline economic systemour take a look at automotive averaged 25 mpg throughout a scorching spell which necessitated full-time use of the air conditioner. We’d name that first rate mileage given the Outback’s energy and heft.
Worth
Like all Subarus, the Outback is one way or the other greater than the sum of its components, particularly in luxurious Touring trim. We advocate stepping as much as the turbocharged engine on trim ranges on which it’s accessible. And sure, we all know the Outback can be a automotive, however who cares? It’s elevated journey top will assist in deep snow or throughout informal off-road adventures, and the roomy wagon physique serves up crossover-style utility. Additionally, at comfortably lower than $50,000 absolutely loaded, the Outback Touring XT additionally represents actual greenback worth.
When you’re not on the lookout for greater than 5-passenger area, and don’t must tow, the Outback completely deserves a spot in your purchasing record. And, if you wish to personal one of many final actual station wagons, you’ll must hurry. The all new, much-less-wagonny Outback goes on sale later this yr.
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2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
