2022 Subaru Outback

　　

2022 Subaru Outback Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2022 Subaru Outback is a station wagon masquerading as an SUV, though that's by no means a bad thing. This is the vehicle to get if you want the versatility of an SUV, the road manners of a wagon, and a sprinkling of adventure. With standard all-wheel drive and a healthy number of standard advanced driver assists, the Outback makes a lot of sense. And while we're not so fond of the base engine's slow acceleration, the Outback's optional turbocharged mill absolutely gets the job done.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$131/mo  for Outback Base

　　Outback Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $27,645 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $29,845 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $34,295 MSRPOnyx Edition XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $35,845 MSRPWilderness 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $37,695 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $38,195 MSRPLimited XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $38,695 MSRPTouring XT 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $40,645 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　For 2022, Subaru is introducing the Outback Wilderness for customers who want a little more off-road capability from their SUV/wagon hybrid. The upgrades start with a lifted suspension that gives the Outback 9.5 inches of ground clearance. That's nearly an inch more than the regular model and further enhances the Outback's ability to roll over rocks and ruts without damage. Subaru also loads the Outback Wilderness with goodies for overlanding enthusiasts including a standard front skid plate, all-terrain tires, and an upgraded roof rack that can bear up to 700 pounds of weight so you can mount a rooftop tent.

　　There are plenty of other midsize SUVs in this class. Top rivals include the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe and Volkswagen Atlas Cross. Or if you want something even capable off-road, take a look at the Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler or new Ford Bronco. But overall the Outback's combination of comfort and capability is hard to beat. Check out our Expert Rating below to learn even more from our test team's full evaluation.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar added a Subaru Outback to its long-term fleet not long after the model's debut. We've found it to be spacious and comfortable, but the touchscreen interface can be distracting to use. Get our in-depth take on the Outback's ownership experience by checking out our long-term Outback test. It's a 2020 model, but nearly all of our observations apply to the 2022 Outback as well.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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

　　zzdcar 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 base four-cylinder engine, accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. You'll want to upgrade to the turbocharged engine to get 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 making 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 also excellent overall, 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 vehicle. 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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below