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+ |
| Gasoline 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 replicate Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores 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 Sort | Turbocharged 4-cyinder |
| Transmission | CVT computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Class: Midsize Crossover
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Colour: Crimson Purple Pearl
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 136
Actual-world gas financial system: 24.6 mpg
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 22/29/25 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common Gasoline
Base value: $42,795 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: All-weather flooring mats ($141)
Worth as examined: $44,356
Audio-System Model
Harman Kardon
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Glorious
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Roomy, properly completed cabin, off-road/foul-weather prowess
The great: Ample energy from turbocharged engine; wagon utility
The not so good: Energy supply uneven at low speeds
Assessment
There was some argument about whether or not or not the Subaru Outback is a station wagon, or as an alternative a crossover. Right here at Client Information, we’ve been just a little inconsistent in our labeling of Subaru’s common woodsy mannequin, however we lean in 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 sedan, and, all advertising and marketing and segmenting apart, is, in actuality, a station wagon. A very nice and purposeful station wagon.
Why this issues a lot proper now could be that the Outback is being utterly redesigned for the 2026 mannequin 12 months, and the brand new ‘Again appears to be like far more like a traditional crossover than the present instance.
And, in the event you thought-about the Outback a station wagon, it was the final non-premium-brand station wagon obtainable within the U.S. When the final 2025 Outback is offered, wagons will turn out to be the unique purview of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo—and none of these carmakers promote very a lot of them. Lengthy stay the station wagon.
Because the final Wagon, the Outback deserves credit score for representing the breed so properly. Subaru’s most carlike crossover is famously refined, snug, and purposeful, and has earned a repute for reliability and resale worth. The Outback is absolutely all the things 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 common Forester compact crossover, and fewer common Ascent midsize 3-row crossover. Subie’s subcompact Crosstrek anchors the crossover lineup.
Because the Outback is being utterly redesigned for 2026, Subaru made just a few adjustments to the mannequin for ’25, none of which have an effect on our basic impressions of the automobile.
For 2025, the Outback is obtainable in a staggering 9 trim ranges, all of that are outfitted 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 computerized transmission. And, each engines run superb on regular-grade fuel.
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 Outback Touring XT in Crimson Purple Pearl. Together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at automotive got here to $44,356.
Cabin Trim
Our complaints concerning the inside supplies of the subcompact Subaru Crosstrek don’t lengthen to the Outback, not less than not in Touring trim. The black-leather-based trim in our take a look at automotive, punctuated tastefully with vivid accents, felt upscale, and completely on model for Subaru. And although designed on automotive structure, the Outback is crossover roomy with large doorways, giant and welcoming seats, and loads of glass space. Rear-seat house 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 succeed in and simple to learn, even in vivid mild. As in different Subaru’s of latest classic, we did undergo plenty of Bluetooth “disconnects,” forcing us to delete our units from the system and relink. This can be a time-consuming annoyance we hope the manufacturing facility has a repair for.
As soon as linked, the system operates properly, and we now have solely good issues to say concerning the Harman Kardon sound system, which punches above the Outback’s value class.
Trip and Dealing with
On the street, the Outback feels tight and substantial, in the absolute best approach. The trip is agency but compliant, lending itself to sporty habits, do you have to be so inclined. The steering has some old-school heft to it, and communicates street circumstances 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 computerized transmission may be sluggish to reply to throttle inputs, a situation which might show irritating in heavy visitors. The answer is to use extra throttle, which usually expedites issues, however doubtless on the expense of gas financial system. This, by the best way, is absolutely our solely Outback grievance.
Gasoline Financial system
Talking of gas financial system, our take a look at automotive averaged 25 mpg. We’d name that respectable mileage given the Outback’s energy and heft.
Worth
Like all Subarus, the Outback is in some way greater than the sum of its elements, particularly in luxurious Touring trim. We suggest stepping as much as the turbocharged engine on trim ranges on which it’s obtainable. And sure, we all know the Outback can be a automotive, however who cares? It’s elevated trip peak 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.
In case you’re not on the lookout for greater than 5-passenger house, and don’t must tow, the Outback completely deserves a spot in your procuring 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 12 months.
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2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
