2019 Subaru Outback Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What's new

Subaru's EyeSight driver assist suite is now standard on all OutbacksBase 2.5i trim gets additional USB portsPart of the fifth Outback generation introduced for 2015

　　SUVs and wagons each have their unique places in the automotive spectrum. But what if you're not truly enamored with the format of either one? Thankfully, there's a solution: the 2019 Subaru Outback. It has the shape and driving style of a wagon but with the extra capability typically associated with an SUV.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Subaru Outback 2.5i 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 $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$135/mo  for Outback 2.5i

　　Outback 2.5i

　　2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $26,345 MSRP2.5i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $28,445 MSRP2.5i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $32,845 MSRP3.6R Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT) - $34,995 MSRP2.5i Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $36,795 MSRP3.6R Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl CVT) - $38,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Powering the Outback is one of two engines — an efficient 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder that produces 175 horsepower or a 3.6-liter flat-six with 256 hp. Both engines send power to Subaru's active all-wheel-drive system through a continuously variable automatic transmission. The standard engine isn't spritely, but it's capable enough that we think it's the engine to get. You can tow up to 2,700 pounds with it, too.

　　On the inside, the Outback is well-built and has a good selection of textures and materials. It doesn't look like the whole thing is one big sheet of cheap plastic. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist system is standard this year, as is a crisp-looking touchscreen that can interface with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible phones. And thanks to its standard swing-out roof rack crossbars, large cargo volume, and enhanced ground clearance, the Outback works great as a vehicle for recreational activities.

　　But the Outback's high stance and smooth ride do come with a penalty. The Outback doesn't inspire much confidence when driven in a sporty manner, and the high ground clearance means the Outback rolls and pitches when cornering and braking. Still, these are compromises that we're willing to accept in exchange for the Outback's go-anywhere, do-anything attitude. So if you're looking for a capable vehicle that smoothly combines the SUV and wagon titles, give the Subaru Outback a look.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Subaru Outback as one of zzdcar' Best Midsize SUVs for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.8 / 10

　　The all-wheel-drive Subaru Outback is in a unique position. It's considerably less expensive than off-road-friendly wagons from Volvo and Audi, and it drives much more like a car than similarly priced compact SUVs. This redesign brings a much-improved interior, fantastic seats and better fuel mileage, but the four-cylinder engine is still weak.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited (2.5L flat-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.8 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	7.5
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

7.0

　　Instrumented performance is not a strong suit for the Subaru Outback. With the four-cylinder, acceleration can only be described as slow. Although its handling numbers aren't fantastic, the Outback shows its capabilities on bumpy back roads. Its off-road ability is better than most.

　　

Acceleration

5.0

　　With the 175-hp 2.5-liter engine, acceleration is one of the weakest areas for the Outback. There's a dearth of power, and it takes a sluggish 10.2 seconds to hit 60 mph. Consider getting the six-cylinder engine (the 3.6R trim level) if quick acceleration is desired.

　　

Braking

6.5

　　The brake pedal modulates well, making it easy to come to lurch-free stops. Because of a spongy pedal feel, the brakes don't seem all that powerful, even though actual braking performance in our testing proved to be adequate. The Outback has considerable nosedive when you jump on the brakes.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　There's minor numbness when the steering wheel is centered, but otherwise the steering is precise, and the Outback turns just as you expect it to. The steering effort is moderate to heavy in feel.

　　

Handling

6.0

　　Overall grip limits are low, and the tires start to squeal if you take turns with any aggression. The soft suspension results in significant body roll. Drive more modestly, though, and the Outback has an easy-to-control handling feel.

　　

Drivability

7.0

　　The Outback is easy to drive because of its cushy suspension, manageable size, and CVT automatic that doesn't wind the revs out too much. You can also put the gearbox into manual mode to fix your gear for specific off-road or sporty needs. At low speeds, some may find the gas pedal too responsive.

　　

Off-road

8.0

　　The Outback is one of the more rugged crossovers in the segment, and its well-tuned all-wheel-drive system boosts driver confidence in light off-roading. Ground clearance is good, with 8.7 inches at its lowest point. Tractional control works well to quell wheelspin when driving on loose surfaces.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　The inside of the Outback is a great place to spend time on the road. The front and rear seats provide all-day comfort, and the soft suspension offers a smooth ride. But the car lets in more road and wind noise than we'd like, and longer-legged drivers will want additional lower thigh support.

　　

Seat comfort

8.5

　　The front seats are fantastically plush. They have supple leather, generously wide cushions and decent lateral bolstering. Door and center armrests are well-padded, and the driver's seat has power lumbar. The reclining rear seats also comfy; the seat bottoms could be longer for more thigh support.

　　

Ride comfort

8.5

　　The Outback has a soft, comfortable ride, thanks to plentiful suspension travel. Small ripples are soaked up with ease, and parking-lot speed bumps barely register. But strangely, certain big impacts at higher speeds make their way into the cabin.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.5

　　The Outback is a fairly quiet car, but with the low thrum of the flat-four engine, you're always aware that you're in a car. There is a moderate amount of wind noise and some tire noise over surface changes. The engine gets loud at high rpm, but the CVT automatic rarely lets it get up that high.

　　

Climate control

9.0

　　The analog controls are clearly labeled and easy to operate. The system cools effectively, and the fan speed settles down quickly for a quiet cabin. The seat heaters are controlled by clearly visible buttons.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　There's a lot going on inside the Outback, but Subaru made sure that primary controls are all traditional analog systems. Thanks to its high ride height, getting in and out is a breeze. And once you're seated, the power seat and manually adjustable steering wheel have a broad range of adjustability.

　　

Ease of use

8.5

　　While the infotainment system is all touchscreen-based, the controls related to vehicle operation are simple, and the analog controls are within easy reach. The LCD digital clock and outside temp readouts are tiny and blend in with the climate control display.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　The front doors are large and open wide, making entry a snap. But the tall ride height and wide rocker panels make it harder to step out. The rear doors don't open wide, but it's still easy to get in and out thanks to near-perfect step-in height.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　It's easy for the driver to find a comfortable position thanks to a wide seat with mild bolstering and a broad range of seat adjustability. The manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel has a good range of adjustability, and the rim is a good width for all hand sizes.

　　

Roominess

8.5

　　The front seats boast excellent headroom and plenty of elbow room. In back, adults will find a suitable amount of headroom and legroom. Foot space under front seats can be a bit scrunched, especially if the driver's seat is lowered all the way down.

　　

Visibility

9.0

　　The slim roof pillars all around make it easy to see out, as do the big rear windows. We also like the large side mirrors.

　　

Quality

8.5

　　The interior has plenty of soft-touch materials in the interior, with nice-looking trim textures, too. The build quality is solid, and we experienced no squeaks or rattles with our test car, even when driving off-road.

　　

Utility

7.5

　　The Outback is pretty versatile even though it's one of the smaller midsize SUVs. It has a lot of available cargo space in back and useful small-item storage areas for your knickknacks. It offers a decent amount of towing capability, too.

　　

Small-item storage

7.5

　　Two front cupholders don't have anti-tip tabs, so drinks may rattle around a little. We found the large compartment in front of the shifter useful for holding phones. The center console box is large enough to hold a DSLR camera. But the door pockets are narrow and short.

　　

Cargo space

7.5

　　The Outback's rear cargo area provides 35.5 cubic feet of space. There's a fold-down grocery-bag hook as well as cargo hooks at each corner. You can fold down the 60/40-split rear seats from the side or by using the rear release levers. The 73.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume is decent for this class of vehicle.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

　　Three upper LATCH anchors are located on the rear seatback and are not covered for easy access. There are four lower anchors, two per outboard seats, that are easily accessed behind labeled covers made of seat material.

　　

Towing

6.5

　　The Outback is rated to tow 2,700 pounds with the four-cylinder engine or 3,000 pounds with the six-cylinder. That's a bit below average with the new crop of midsize SUVs arriving on scene. And given the four-cylinder's lack of power, we'd only recommend towing if you've got the 3.6R.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　What the Outback gives up in performance it makes up for in technology. Most all digital systems are controlled through the touchscreen. It has a bright, high-contrast display, with large buttons and clear text. Setting up your phone is easy, and there are plenty of ports to charge your devices.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.0

　　Our Limited test car had the 12-speaker, 576-watt Harman Kardon system. We found the midranges to be light, though audio quality was clear. Only the Touring model comes with standard navigation, but standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto let you use Apple Maps or Google Maps to handle nav duty.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.5

　　Your devices can be connected to the car via an aux-in jack, Bluetooth and USB connection. Pairing is easy, and there are additional USB jacks for charging in both front and rear seats. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on every Outback. There are also three 12-volt power sockets.

　　

Driver aids

8.0

　　Subaru's EyeSight provides adaptive cruise control, front collision mitigation, and lane departure warning. The Outback also comes with blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise works to a full stop, but it may vary by 1 or 2 mph from the set speed.

　　

Voice control

9.0

　　The Starlink voice recognition system handles commands for audio, telephone and, optionally, navigation. It recognizes most commands on the first try as long as you speak in the system's preferred format. Even the climate control system can be controlled via voice.

　　

Which Outback does zzdcar recommend?

　　Our choice for the ideal Outback is the 2.5i Premium. It comes with a bright and large 8-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, and heated, power-adjustable front seats. Priced competitively to a similarly equipped Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the Outback also gets you a robust all-wheel-drive system, clever fold-away roof rails, and better standard technology features. Although the 2.5-liter engine isn't a standout in acceleration, it's good enough as long as you don't plan on towing.

　　

2019 Subaru Outback models

　　The 2019 Subaru Outback is a five-passenger wagon that comes in six trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 3.6R Limited and 3.6R Touring. The base model covers the essentials (roof rails, Bluetooth), while Premium and Limited trims include conveniences such as heated seats, leather and satellite radio. Touring trims are fully loaded, and 3.6R models have similar equipment but use a more powerful six-cylinder engine.

　　

Subaru Outback 2.5i

The base 2.5i starts with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (175 hp, 174 lb-ft) and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that feeds power to all four wheels. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, hill descent control, hill hold assist, a rearview camera, roof rails with integrated crossbars, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

　　On the technology front, you get Bluetooth, Subaru's Starlink 6.5-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB interface. Standard safety equipment comes from Subaru's EyeSight driver assist functionality. This system includes adaptive cruise control, front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.

　　

Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium

The 2.5i Premium adds rear privacy glass, heated exterior mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a cargo cover, a bigger 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, three additional USB ports (one front and two rear), and six speakers for the sound system. The Power Moonroof package adds the obvious, plus an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A power liftgate with memory height is also optional, as is blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

　　

Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited

The 2.5i Limited gets the blind-spot monitoring and the power liftgate and further adds 18-inch wheels, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, a four-way power passenger seat, rear air vents, heated rear seats and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. LED headlights are optional on the 2.5i Limited. The 3.6R Limited gets a more powerful engine, but it is otherwise the same as the 2.5i Limited.

　　Navigation is available on Premium and Limited models. The Outback Limited can be equipped with automatic braking for rear collisions.

　　

Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring and 3.6R Touring

The 2.5i Touring and 3.6R Touring trims include the standard features and options from the Premium and Limited trims. They also have different 18-inch wheels, dark exterior trim, fixed low-profile roof rails without crossbars, premium leather upholstery, wood grain interior trim, and a heated steering wheel.

　　

2019 Outback Highlights

Trim: 2.5i2.5i Premium2.5i Limited3.6R Limited2.5i Touring3.6R Touring2.5i

　　

Base MSRP	$26,345
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$135/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	35.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles