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Check out our comprehensive review of the 2025 Subaru Outback for details on the cabin, technology, amenities, and safety of this second-generation crossover.
2025 Subaru Outback – subaru.com | Shop 2025 Subaru Outback on Carsforsale.com
What is New for the 2025 Outback?
Subaru has been successfully selling its Outback for some 30 years. Eschewing the popular crossover format, this lifted station wagon has been on sale in its current sixth-gen guise since 2020. As ever, it features Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD as standard.
New this year, Limited models come standard with a moonroof, a driver attention monitor, navigation, and a heated steering wheel. Otherwise, the Outback soldiers on unchanged, which seems to work just fine for those who prefer a station wagon that is more or less in a class of its own.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.75/10
Powertrain
Score
8.5/10
Interior
Score
8.75/10
Technology
Score
9/10
Value
Score
9/10
The Breakdown
It’s not a crossover
Powerful turbocharged engine
Off-road capable Wilderness model
Slow poke base engine
Not great fuel efficiency
Base model infotainment weirdness
A compelling alternative in a sea of crossovers
2025 Outback Specs
- 182 horsepower from base engine
- 176 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 9 available trims
- 32.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 75.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 3,500 lbs
- NHTSA 5-star overall rating
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
- 5 years of powertrain coverage
2025 Subaru Outback Powertrain 8.5/10
In standard spec, the 2025 Subaru Outback is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter “boxer” four-cylinder engine. It makes 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque and pairs with a CVT that routes power to all four corners as part of Subaru’s famed Symmetrical AWD system.
It provides weak-sauce acceleration with Car and Driver measuring a 0-60 mph run in a leisurely 8.5 seconds. Those interested in more grunt should look to XT variants. These Outbacks come with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-pot that turns the power dial up to 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of twist.
A CVT and AWD are also standard on XT models, but the sub-6-second sprint to 60 is a notable departure from base Outbacks. Of course, these low-powered wagons do better at the pumps with a combined fuel economy rating of 28 mpg versus 25 for the XTs.
Towing is average, regardless of which powertrain you choose, with 2,700 pounds of capacity from the base motor and 3,500 pounds available with the boosted setup.
2025 Subaru Outback Interior 8.75/10
With room for 5 and up to 75.6 cubic feet of cargo space, the 2025 Outback does much of what the typical midsize crossover can do but with the carlike feel of a vehicle that rides closer to the ground. Cabin materials range from simple cloth to water-repellent StarTex to high falutin’ Nappa leather in handsome brown and black.
The rear seats offer a bit of recline on all models and there is 32.6 cubic feet of space behind them along with an underfloor storage space in that wayback cargo hold. Passengers in the second row can enjoy 39 inches of legroom and heated cushions on certain higher-end models.
2025 Subaru Outback Technology Features 9/10
Aside from base models with the odd dual 7” touchscreen setup, all 2025 Subaru Outbacks come with a portrait-oriented 11.6” central interface, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless smartphone integration. Onyx Edition models come with a Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system and the range-topping Touring XT features a 180-degree front-facing monitor.
As for safety, the latest Outback comes with 8 standard airbags. The NHTSA rates the 2025 model 5 stars overall in crash testing and though the IIHS has yet to test a 2025 model, it rated last year’s model a Top Safety Pick. Under the Subaru EyeSight bundle of advanced driver aids, all 2025 Outbacks come with forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, and adaptive cruise control.
2025 Subaru Outback Trims & Pricing
Base – $30,315
The literally named Base 2025 Outback comes with 17” alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, and LED fog lamps. Amenities include black cloth seats, a 4-speaker stereo, and single-zone automatic climate control.
Premium – $32,615
Premium Outbacks dial the standard content way up with an 11.6” central display, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, 6 speakers for the stereo, a wiper de-icer feature, and leather wrapping on the shifter and steering wheel.
Onyx – $37,525
With black trim and 18” black rims, the Onyx model lives up to the name. It also gets a hands-free liftgate, a moonroof, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
Limited – $39,275
In Limited trim, the 2025 Outback boasts black or two-tone black and gray leather upholstery. These models also come with power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and a built-in navigation system.
Onyx XT – $40,770
Add the 260-horse turbocharged mill to the Outback Onyx and you get an Onyx XT. Like it’s stablemate, the Onyx XT comes with an auto-dimming rearview mirror and StarTex seating with green contrast stitching.
Wilderness – $41,370
The Outback Wilderness has 9.5” of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, an Advanced Dual Function X-Mode drive system, and higher capacity roof rails. All in the name of more off-road capability versus the rest of the 2025 Outback lineup.
Limited XT – $41,615
Essentially a Limited model with the XT powertrain, these Outbacks come with a driver-attention monitor, reverse automatic braking, and automatic high beams.
Touring – $41,765
Only Touring models offer handsome Nappa leather upholstery in black or black and dark brown designs. These high-spec Outbacks also feature climatized front seats and a throwback CD player.
Touring XT – $44,215
Just like the rest of the 2025 Subaru Outback lineup, the XT moniker means this range-topper has all the Touring content plus the turbocharged engine.
2025 Subaru Outback Overall Value 9/10
As for warranty coverage, Subaru’s plan is uninspiring with 3 years of basic coverage, 5 years of powertrain coverage, and no complimentary maintenance.
Given how underpowered the base engine is on the 2025 Subaru Outback, we’d aim for the Onyx XT as it offers the cheapest entry into the more powerful turbocharged mill. Compared to a Honda Passport EX-L, the Subaru is a substantial $3,000 cheaper, has much of the same content, better fuel economy, and nearly as much overall cargo capacity.
Carsforsale.com Overall Score 8.75/10
2025 Subaru Outback Rear Exterior – subaru.com | Shop 2025 Subaru Outback on Carsforsale.com
Then there’s the Wilderness model ready to deliver on its adventure-lifestyle promise with legit ground clearance and beefier tires. It would be nice to see Subaru sell a hybrid Outback to move fuel economy up a notch, but otherwise, the 2025 Outback is just the kind of anti-crossover adventure-family-hauling-mobile we’d be happy to buy.
If nothing else, the 2025 Subaru Outback earns high marks for being a station wagon and offering consumers something to choose from that’s not your typical crossover. It’s also very reasonably priced with a roughly $30,000 entry point, though you can go cheaper on the used market, and offers nice touches like Nappa leather and ventilated seats.
2025 Subaru Outback FAQ
How much can the Outback tow?
The Subaru Outback can tow 3,500 lbs.
Is the Subaru Outback AWD?
Yes, the Subaru Outback is equipped with AWD.
Is the Subaru Outback a hybrid?
No, the Subaru Outback does not have a hybrid powertrain.
