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 Economic system | B |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly 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)
Gasoline sort: 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 Glorious
Execs and Cons
The good: 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
Overview
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 Shopper 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 automobile, we’re cool with that, too.
However no matter you name it, the Outback is, and has been, based mostly on the maker’s now discontinued Legacy midsize sedan, and, 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 could be that the Outback is being utterly redesigned for the 2026 mannequin yr, and the brand new ‘Again appears to be like far more like a standard crossover than the present instance.
And, in case 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 reside the station wagon.
Because the final Wagon, the Outback deserves credit score for representing the breed so effectively. Subaru’s most carlike crossover is famously refined, snug, and practical, and has earned a popularity for reliability and resale worth. The Outback is basically all the things a cautious shopper might need from a private or household automobile.
For these not within the know, the Outback is positioned in measurement 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.
For the reason that Outback is being utterly redesigned for 2026, Subaru made only some modifications to the mannequin for ’25, none of which have an effect on our common 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 automated transmission. And, each engines run nice on regular-grade fuel.
Shopper Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 Outback Touring XT in Crimson Crimson Pearl. Together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at automobile got here to $44,356.
Cabin Trim
Our complaints concerning the inside supplies of the subcompact Subaru Crosstrek don’t lengthen to the Outback, a minimum of not in Touring trim. The black-leather-based trim in our take a look at automobile, punctuated tastefully with shiny accents, felt upscale, and completely on model for Subaru. And although designed on automobile structure, the Outback is crossover roomy with huge doorways, massive 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 big, vertically oriented console touchscreen is straightforward to succeed in and simple to learn, even in shiny mild. As in different Subaru’s of current classic, we did endure quite a few Bluetooth “disconnects,” forcing us to delete our units from the system and relink. This can be a time-consuming annoyance we hope the manufacturing unit has a repair for. We did NOT expertise the problem this time round.
As soon as related, the system operates effectively, and now we have 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 highway, the Outback feels tight and substantial, in the absolute best method. The journey is agency but compliant, lending itself to sporty habits, must you be so inclined. The steering has some old-school heft to it, and communicates highway situations successfully. Likewise, the Outback consists in corners, and the brakes are responsive and really feel robust.
Energy and Efficiency
Energy from the burly turbocharged engine is greater than ample, although the CVT automated transmission might be sluggish to answer throttle inputs, a situation which may show irritating in heavy visitors. The answer is to use further throttle, which typically expedites issues, however doubtless on the expense of gasoline economic system. This, by the way in which, is basically our solely Outback criticism.
Gasoline Economic system
Talking of gasoline economic system, our take a look at automobile averaged 25 mpg throughout a sizzling 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 someway 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 obtainable. And sure, we all know the Outback is known as a automobile, however who cares? It’s elevated journey 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.
Should you’re not on the lookout for greater than 5-passenger area, and don’t have to tow, the Outback completely deserves a spot in your buying checklist. And, if you wish to personal one of many final actual station wagons, you’ll have to 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 photographs