2020 Subaru Outback Review

Name: 2020 Subaru Outback Review
Brand: Subaru
Price: 18583 USD

Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+727

The Outback does all the work of an SUV better than most SUVs but without any pretense. It combines a station wagon's practicality, comfort, easy-driving character and fantastic outward visibility with the ground clearance, ride compliance, and all-weather sure-footedness of an SUV. We have our complaints, ranging from the frustrating infotainment screen to the anemic engine, but there are more strengths than weaknesses.

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2020 Subaru Outback Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Spacious and comfortable cabin
Optional turbocharged engine makes excellent power
Loading the roof or cargo area is easier compared to most SUVs
Above-average off-road ability

Cons

Small-item cabin storage is compromised by big center touchscreen
Bumpy ride quality with turbocharged XT models
Small climate-control touchscreen buttons can be hard to use

What's new

The Outback is fully redesigned for 2020
New 11.6-inch tablet-style interface for the infotainment system
Two available engines, including a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder
Part of the sixth Outback generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Based on its dimensions, the 2020 Subaru Outback is classified as a midsize SUV. But when viewed from the side, you'll probably think the Outback has a distinct wagon look to it, albeit a rugged one. Whatever you call it, though, the Outback is one of the most versatile, capable and comfortable vehicles in its class. And for 2020, the Outback is completely redesigned.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$150/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Powering this new Outback are one of two new engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The turbocharged engine is particularly appealing given its boost in power and fuel economy compared to the Outback's old non-turbocharged six-cylinder. Both engines come standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Subaru has done a nice job tuning the CVT's operation to make it imperceptible in most driving.

Along with standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic braking, the Outback now gets an advanced DriverFocus system that uses an infrared monitor to detect if the driver is distracted or sleepy. The system can also "recognize" you by scanning your face when you get in and then set the seats and mirrors to your personal preferences.

Off-road, the Outback is just as trail-friendly as it has ever been. The 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive system mean that gravel and dirt roads are no issue. You can even take on the tougher stuff by using the Outback's X-Mode system that operates hill descent control and selectable traction-control modes for snowy or muddy conditions.

There are a few drawbacks, such as a bit of intrusive cabin noise at highway speeds and a newly available 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen that looks great but can be tricky to use at times. But otherwise, this new Outback is impressive. The seats are abundantly comfortable, cargo space is competitive, and features are plentiful. Before you choose to buy any other midsize SUV, be sure to take the 2020 Outback for a test drive.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Outback drive? The Outback is slow, but that's about the only negative in this category. Our test vehicle, an Outback Limited with the four-cylinder engine, accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. You'll want to upgrade to the turbocharged engine if you want power similar to what rivals such as the Honda Passport and Ford Edge are capable of. At least the transmission shifts quickly and promptly to help you keep pace with traffic.

There's some noticeable body roll when driving around turns, but in general the Outback is well behaved. The steering offers good on-center feel and feedback from the road. The best part? With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, the Outback can go pretty much anywhere its SUV competitors can — and some places they can't.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Outback? You'll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable vehicle for the money. The front seats are great. They're soft but supportive, offering a decent amount of bolstering without feeling tight. Overall, these are welcoming seats, pleasant to settle into when you're tired and easy to stay in for a long time.

The Outback's ride quality is excellent overall too, even if certain road surfaces can create some vibrations in the cabin. Potholes, speed humps and drainage ditches are absorbed easily, yet there's no real floatiness to the vehicles. It's an impressive balance of compliance and control.

The climate system works well to regulate cabin temperature. Unfortunately, making any adjustments beyond temperature requires using the complicated touchscreen interface.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? From a space standpoint, the Outback is fantastic. Some might prefer a more upright SUV-like seating position, but otherwise the Outback offers plenty of seat adjustability. Backseat passengers will be treated to excellent head- and legroom, and the cabin feels airy and open. The big windows also make for easy visibility all around and help eliminate blind spots.

Unfortunately, in pursuit of reducing button clutter in the cabin, most of the Outback's controls are routed through the touchscreen. The screen can be slow to respond to your touches and very distracting to use. Changing any setting requires navigating through multiple menus, adding time and distraction to even simple tasks.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? A nice-sounding stereo and plenty of charge ports are pluses, but Subaru's vertical 11.6-inch infotainment screen is a wasted opportunity. It's pretty but not very functional. It's not difficult to figure out how to find settings and selections, but the complicated menu structure adds time to any task.

Plug in a smartphone, and the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto display is crammed into the top half of the screen, rendering the bottom half totally useless. Subaru's native voice command system is also subpar and struggles to recognize even basic requests.

Subaru's EyeSight is one of the most capable driver assistance systems you can get, but it's also really annoying. While everything from adaptive cruise to lane keeping works well, all of it subjects you to almost constant beeping notifications.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Because the Outback is more a lifted station wagon than an SUV, it loses out just a bit in terms of total cargo capacity. But at least the cargo floor is low and flat, making loading and unloading a breeze. It's also easy to install gear on the Subaru's roof rails because the Outback isn't quite as high as your typical SUV.

Cabin storage is clever but lacking in volume. There's a nice phone shelf for front passengers, and rear passengers get bottle holders in their doors and seatback pockets on both sides, but the center console box is smaller than the ones in most SUVs. Ultimately there's less space to stash your stuff.

Installing car seats should be a breeze thanks easily accessible seat anchors and plenty of room.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates you'll get 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving with the base engine, which is better than competitors manage. In our time with our test Outback, however, we only managed around 20 mpg. This is likely due in part to the fact that the anemic power demanded a lead-footed approach to keeping pace with busy traffic.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Outback a good value? You get stronger standard engines with most competitors, but otherwise the Outback offers an excellent value. The base model isn't lacking any practicality. And loaded up with extra luxuries and technology features, it is priced less than similarly equipped competitors. The equation changes a bit if you want the more powerful XT models, whose prices are more directly aligned with traditional SUV competitors.

The Subaru doesn't offer any particular ownership advantages, with a warranty that's average for the segment. And while the Outback feels well put together, the quality of materials and design don't really stand out in any particular way.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The Outback does SUV things better than most SUVs, and does it without pretense or overcompensation. We wish that meeting fuel economy estimates was easier, but in its unassuming competence the Outback reminds us of the value of putting function before image.

Yes, the Outback is a little bland, but it's also very sure of itself. With plenty of ground clearance, full-time AWD and a smooth ride, it invites you to tackle potholes or unpaved roads. All told, it makes driving on bad city roads or unkept country roads altogether more pleasant. In fact, the Outback's strength is that it invites relaxation.

Which Outback does Edmunds recommend?

If you're looking for a price-friendly version of the Outback, the Premium trim level is pretty appealing. It offers a significant amount of equipment for the money and plenty of off-road capability. But if your budget has more room, we think you'll prefer driving the Onyx Edition XT daily. It gets the upgraded turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, a more capable version of Subaru's X-Mode all-wheel-drive system, and significantly more standard equipment.

2020 Subaru Outback models

The 2020 Subaru Outback is a five-passenger SUV that comes in six trim levels: base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT and Touring XT. The base, Premium, Limited and Touring all come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (182 horsepower, 176 lb-ft). The XT models come with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (260 hp, 277 lb-ft). Both engines are paired with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The base Outback gets standard equipment such as LED headlights, keyless entry, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a rearview camera, Bluetooth audio connectivity, and safety features such as adaptive cruise control, front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane keeping assist.

Going with the Premium trim gets you dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and an attractive 11.6-inch touchscreen. Options for the Premium include a power liftgate, navigation, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The Limited gets the blind-spot monitoring and the power liftgate and further adds leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, reverse automatic braking, rear air vents, and a Harman Kardon audio system. A heated steering wheel, navigation and Subaru's DriverFocus driver monitoring system are available as options. The Touring trim level provides more interior upgrades such as ventilated front seats, upgraded leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and a sunroof.

The Onyx Edition XT has the same basic equipment as the Premium, plus the turbocharged engine, an upgraded version of Subaru's X-Mode (an all-wheel-drive traction management system), hill descent control, a front-view monitor, heated rear seats, and upgraded exterior cladding.

The Limited XT and the Touring XT generally come with the features listed above for the Limited and the Touring but have the turbocharged engine.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#10 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Subaru Outback from 2008-2022.}

$516/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.5%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Subaru Outback.

5 (51%)

4 (16%)

3 (14%)

2 (7%)

1 (12%)

3.9

163 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 163 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

The safe one with a good ride

BocaRich, 01/10/2020

2020 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

Great ride, lots of room, bigger than the older Outbacks...love all the toys...Power adequate. CVT transmission, shifts like a normal one. Tires: Yokohama AVID-GT are quiet, but a B rating for traction is curious. Automatic start stop was annoying, found www.autostopeliminator.com/subaru and installed (easy) device which when you turn the auto start stop off ...stays off until you want …

Comfortable, great style, and good mpg!

New to Subaru, 12/21/2019

2020 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

This was my first Subaru and I've fallen in love with it. The ride quality is smooth, but without sacrificing a sense of the road and terrain, and the Outback's seats are supportive enough to make long drives pleasant. Having the large cargo space of the Outback along with being able to get over 30 mpg is a huge plus, as well. Some general notes/comments: -after about 3k miles so far, …

Amazing vehicle with a minor drawback.

Jay Kim , 01/11/2020

2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

I am coming from a 2016 WRX STi Limited to 2020 Outback Onyx XT Metallic Silver model. I am a 29 year old male, who is married, and have been looking for a Crossover/SUV vehicle that came with AWD and Turbo. 2020 Outback Onyx XT came to my mind. This vehicle is amazing. Compared to the STI, I am absolutely okay with the CVT transmission. No more feelings of gear shift change. Also I …

Great driving SUV or very roomy sedan?

JP, 02/11/2020

2020 Subaru Outback Limited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT)

I recently purchased a 2020 Outback Limited XT. The lease was up on our 2017 Acura RDX and went looking for a replacement that included a new RDX, Honda CRV, Toyota RAV-4, Buick Envision and a Lexus NX. I had not thought seriously of the Subaru, until that is, I drove one. Now that I own it, I am utterly impressed with the Outback XT and more pleased every time I drive it. It may be … the most solid car I have ever owned, thanks to some additional chassis stiffening. It literally glides over tar strips and joints with almost imperceptible feel and comfort. Despite, this it has an extremely confident road feel, level handling and steering feedback. Cabin noise level is even less that the RDX and approaches some luxury sedans. Normal conversations are possible even at Interstate speeds. Technology and appointments are more than I had expected at the Limited’s price point, that includes adaptive head lights, adaptive breaking and cruise control, blind spot and cross-traffic monitoring as well has heated rear seats and steering wheel. Also, “X-mode” allows for better traction in poor weather conditions or driving off road. The leather appointed interior is very attractive. Performance with the 260 hp turbo is a worthy improvement over the standard engine. Although the CVT transmission is not perfect, it allows for adequate performance in Auto mode and spirited passing and Interstate merging capability. For a sportier experience, one can use the transmission in manual mode with its paddle shifters and eight virtual speeds. In addition, Subaru has one of the more impressive safety ratings and very high resale value. On the downside, there is a shortage of front seat storage and the new info-tainment screen could use some improvement. I prefer old-fashioned physical dials and buttons, being less distractive than fumbling for touch screens when traveling on rough roads or at Interstate speeds. Also, the car is fitted with an annoying “auto-start-stop” feature that attempts to save fuel and pollution from excessive idling. Most of the other technology features can be activated if and when you so chose, but the auto start stop feature must be turned off every time the engine is re-started. This feature should also be optionally on or off. All in all the Outback Limited XT is a great compromise between a fun-driver and utilitarian SUV and with its standard list of features, a good value.

See all 163 reviews of the Subaru Outback

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2020 Subaru Outback videos

One Year With the Subaru Outback | 2020 Subaru Outback Long-Term Review | MPG, Maintenance & More

The 2020 Subaru Outback is a midsize SUV that we purchased about a year ago and added to our long-term fleet. In this video, Mark Takahashi from Edmunds reviews the 2020 Outback after we lived with it for a year and put 13K miles on it. Mark talks about what we liked and didn't like,…

One Year With the Subaru Outback | 2020 Subaru Outback Long-...

2020 Subaru Outback Test Drive Review — More Capable T...

2020 Subaru Outback First Look | NY Auto Show

2020 Outback Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$26,645
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$150/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	32.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Outback models:

EyeSight Driver Assist Technology: Scans the road ahead to enable adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and automatic foglights.
Blind-Spot Detection/Lane Change Assist: Uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in blind spots and shows visual indicator in side mirror. Indicator also warns of unsafe lane change.
Subaru DriverFocus System: Monitors driver focus using infrared sensors in the dashboard, warning when the driver has become drowsy or loses focus on the road.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover18.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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2020 Subaru Outback Review

2020 Subaru Outback Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Outback does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Subaru Outback models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

The safe one with a good ride

Comfortable, great style, and good mpg!

Amazing vehicle with a minor drawback.

Great driving SUV or very roomy sedan?

2020 Subaru Outback videos

One Year With the Subaru Outback | 2020 Subaru Outback Long-Term Review | MPG, Maintenance & More

2020 Outback Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Subaru Outback 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}