Subaru Outback 2020 review

We like the Subaru Outback because it's a station wagon with good ground clearance and all-wheel drive. That means it handles better on the road than many tall SUVs thanks to a lower centre of mass, but at the same time having an impressive 213mm of ground clearance. This, combined with an excellent all-wheel drive system, means you can go further afield than many road-focused SUVs.

We’re also impressed by the fit and finish of the Outback. The build quality outside and in appears to be outstanding for an affordable brand.

The wide doors make putting kids into their seats easier on the back.

The Outback’s rugged styling is also appealing, and as with all Subarus there's a premium look and feel to the materials and styling in the cabin.

Practicality is another feature we like about the Outback. There’s the big 512-litre boot and a spacious interior with excellent head and legroom in the second row.

Finally, did you know you can lock and unlock the Outback with a PIN code? Keep the key in the car, go for a swim and then open it again with a code. We really like that.

There’s the big 512-litre boot.

The hauling capacity of the Outback depends which version you decide to hitch your load to. The braked towing capacity of Outbacks with the 2.5-litre engine is 1500kg. Those Outbacks with the 3.6-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel have braked towing capacities of 1800kg and 1700kg respectively.

If you are planning on carrying a load, pulling a caravan or towing trailer then tow bar kits are available.

The outback comes with a full-size spare tyre.

The standard features lists across the range are extensive. Entry-grade 2.5i AWD and 2.0D AWD Outbacks come with push-button start, adaptive cruise control, 6.5-inch media screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Also, standard is privacy glass, dual-zone climate control, four cup holders, roof rails, plus 18-inch alloys wheels with a full-sized spare.The 2.5i X is the next level up and adds heated front seats, a proximity unlocking smart key, an 8.0-inch screen, sat nav (gps), rain-sensing wipers, black 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights.

The 2.5i Premium and 2.0D Premium add leather seats in Ivory or Black, an electric sunroof (regular, not panoramic) and a power tailgate.

The 3.6R AWD then adds luxuries such as a 11-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

All grades come with a high level of advanced safety equipment including AEB, lane assist and lane departure warning, stability control (ESP), and a reversing camera. High grades have a blind spot monitor and a front view camera.

Outbacks have hill descent control, hill hold and electric power steering.

All but the base variant get LED headlights.

Does it have a locking differential or a limited slip diff? Nope. The Outback uses an all-wheel drive system which splits torque 60:40 front to rear wheels. The system has a multi-plate centre clutch and an open differential at the front and rear.

What’s the Outback missing? Well for a large car it’s odd that front and rear parking sensors aren’t standard equipment – you have to option them.

The 2.5i Premium and 2.0D Premium get an electric sunroof.

The Subaru Outback’s price depends on what which grade you buy. The list price (RRP) for the entry-grade petrol 2.5i is $37,440, while the 2.0D diesel version is $40,040.

The 2.5i-X is $43,440, the 2.5i Premium is $43,940, the 2.0D Premium is $46,940, and at the top of the range is the 3.6R which is $50,440.

That’s a price guide for you, but remember there are on-road costs, too. Often, however, Subaru will do a drive-away price which may save you thousands.

Most car brands offer accessories, but Subaru offers more than most.

We’ve covered many of the available accessories you can add to your Outback in the upgrade section above and these include tough rubber floor mats, luggage pods and bike carriers.

While you can’t upgrade to bigger rims, or add a seat belt extender, the must-have accessory is parking sensors. Yup, for some reason front and rear parking sensors aren’t standard on the Outback and are considered by Subaru to be an accessory. Get them.  

Diesel vs petrol, it’s the age-old debate. Well you’ll be happy to know the Outback comes in both diesel and petrol, but not LPG, nor as a plug-in hybrid or full EV. 

According to the official ADR combined test that aims to replicate a combination of open and urban roads, the fuel consumption for the Outback ranges from 6.3L/100km for the diesel variants (that's diesel fuel economy for you) to 7.3L/100km and 9.9L/100km for the 2.5-litre and 3.6-litre petrol cars, respectively.

My test of the 2.5i Premium, which included urban commutes into the city, as well as forays onto dirt trails and country roads returned 12.5L/100km, so the real world can be quite different.

The fuel tank capacity of all Outbacks is 60 litres, auto stop/start is standard, but there is no specific eco mode.

There are three engines in the Outback range: a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder with power and torque ratings of 129kW/235Nm (found in the 2.5i, 2.5i-X and 2.5i Premium); a 3.6-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol  (turbocharger not supercharger) which produces 191kW/350Nm (in the 3.6R grade) and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four cylinder motor (2.0D and 2.0D Premium).

The Outback 2.5i Premium has a 2.5-litre petrol boxer engine.

Those statistics make that last one the smallest in size, and producing the least power at 110kW, but it has impressive torque specs with its 350Nm maximum on tap from 1600-2800rpm.

 The Outback 2.0D and 2.0D Premium both have a diesel particulate filter.

The Subaru Outback is classed as a large SUV while the Forester is categorised as a mid-sized SUV. While the Outback is 195mm longer than the Forester, the differences are more than just size.

The Outback has a station wagon body style while the Forester has a more upright traditional SUV shape. Both have the same impressive 213mm of ground clearance.

In the age old battle of manual vs automatic, Subaru has chosen to equip the Outback with an automatic transmission. It’s called a CVT which stands for continuously variable transmission. The Outback does not come with a manual transmission. 

The Outback’s fuel tank capacity is 60 litres.

If you’re looking for the best sound system in the Outback, then the top-of-the-range 3.6R has it with an 11-speaker Harman Kardon stereo with subwoofer and amplifier.

The stereo in the lower grades is good and comes with a DAB digital radio with access to the multimedia through a touchscreen.

The infotainment system incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, managed through the touchscreen, allowing you to stream music and mirror some of your phone’s other apps such as maps for navigation and messaging.

There's no DVD player, and don't look for a CD changer, they're very much a thing of the past, now.

As with all Subarus, Outbacks have an excellent reliability rating. If you have any issues with your Outback let us know. 

The Outback is comfortable to drive and handles better than most taller SUVs with a more agricultural rear suspension set-up. That better handling is mainly due to its lower centre of mass which is thanks to its station wagon body style and its boxer engine which sits low in the engine bay up front.

Quiet, with minimal road noise filtering into the cabin and with soft, raised suspension for plenty of travel over bumps and dips, the Outback is great to drive whether it’s a city road or rural dirt track.

The Outback does feel big to drive, though, and at more than 4.8m long this is not a small car, but its 11.0m turning circle isn’t overly large.

If you’re looking for performance the 3.6R is the grade to pick.

The Subaru Outback was given the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2015. Coming standard is an extensive list of advanced safety equipment including AEB with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, lane sway warning and adaptive cruise control.

High grades add more safety tech such blind spot warning, lane change assistant and rear cross traffic alert. Joining the rear-view camera is also a side view and front view cameras.

The Outback comes with dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, dual curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag.

The Subaru Outback was given the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2015.

The Outback is covered by Subaru’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Best to talk to the selling dealer about an extended warranty if you'd like extra cover.

The Subaru Outback is a good car for people don’t want a traditional SUV but still want a spacious and practical wagon with good ground clearance and an excellent all-wheel drive system for mild excursions off-road.

On the road the Outback is comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

While the cabin is beginning to date in its tech and styling the interior still has a premium feel, with what appears to be a high-quality fit and finish to the panels, trim and materials.