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 stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings 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 automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Class: MidsizeCrossover
Nation of Manufacture: U.S.
Colour: Crimson Pink 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 worth: $42,795 (not together with $1420 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: All-weather flooring mats ($141)
Value as examined: $44,356
Audio-System Model
Harman Kardon
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
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
Overview
There was some argument about whether or not or not the Subaru Outback is a station wagon, or as a substitute a crossover. Right here at Client Information, we’ve been a bit inconsistent in our labeling of Subaru’s common woodsy mannequin, however we lean in the 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, 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 useful 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 rather more like a standard crossover than the present instance.
And, when you thought-about the Outback a station wagon, it was the final non-premium-brand station wagon accessible within the U.S. When the final 2025 Outback is bought, wagons will develop into the unique purview of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo—and none of these carmakers promote very lots of them. Lengthy reside 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 useful, and has earned a status for reliability and resale worth. The Outback is admittedly every little thing a cautious shopper might need from a private or household car.
For these not within the know, the Outback is positioned in measurement and worth 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 only some adjustments to the mannequin for ’25, none of which have an effect on our common impressions of the car.
For 2025, the Outback is obtainable in a staggering 9 trim ranges, all of that are geared up 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 fantastic on regular-grade gasoline.
Client Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a 2025 Outback Touring XT in Crimson Pink 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 massive doorways, giant and welcoming seats, and loads of glass space. Rear-seat house is equally beneficiant.
Connectivity
We’ve develop into accustomed to Subaru’s “Starlink” infotainment system, and customarily discover it accommodating. The big, vertically oriented console touchscreen is simple to succeed in and straightforward to learn, even in shiny mild. As in different Subaru’s of current 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 unit has a repair for. We did NOT expertise the difficulty this time round.
As soon as linked, the system operates properly, and now we have solely good issues to say concerning the Harman Kardon sound system, which punches above the Outback’s worth class.
Experience and Dealing with
On the highway, the Outback feels tight and substantial, in the absolute best method. The trip is agency but compliant, lending itself to sporty conduct, do you have to be so inclined. The steering has some old-school heft to it, and communicates highway circumstances 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 may be sluggish to reply to throttle inputs, a situation which may show irritating in heavy visitors. The answer is to use extra throttle, which typically expedites issues, however probably on the expense of gasoline economic system. This, by the way in which, is admittedly our solely Outback grievance.
Gasoline Financial 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 respectable mileage given the Outback’s energy and heft.
Worth
Like all Subarus, the Outback is one way or the other greater than the sum of its elements, particularly in luxurious Touring trim. We advocate stepping as much as the turbocharged engine on trim ranges on which it’s accessible. And sure, we all know the Outback can be a automobile, however who cares? It’s elevated trip top 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.
For those who’re not in search of greater than 5-passenger house, and don’t have to 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 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 photos
