Optional turbocharged engine provides plenty of power
Loading the roof or cargo area is easier than in most SUVs
Above-average off-road ability
Cons
ဆSlow acceleration from standard engine
ဆClunky engine auto stop-start system
What's new
Slow acceleration from standard engine
Clunky engine auto stop-start system
Wilderness trim gets modest styling revisions
Some previously optional features now come standard on various trim levels
Part of the sixth Outback generation introduced for 2020
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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
$133/mo for Outback Base
Outback Base
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
2024 Subaru Outback Review
byDan FrioReviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Is it a wagon? An SUV? The 2024 Subaru Outback walks the line with SUV space and versatility, but with the lower profile of a wagon. The low ceiling means less total cargo space than the average SUV but more ease when you're loading items on the standard roof rails and crossbars or inside a mounted cargo box. Standard all-wheel drive and nearly 9 inches of ground clearance make the Outback both steady on a slick highway and capable on a muddy, rutted trail.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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.
The Outback gets only minor revisions for 2024. The ruggedly styled Wilderness trim features a redesigned front bumper with a new grille design and LED foglights, while a handful of options become standard features depending on trim. The Onyx Edition, for example, adds a heated steering wheel and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. What the Outback truly needs — more power from its base engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission to replace the standard continuously variable unit — may have to wait until a full redesign, perhaps as early as next year. You won't find them in this year's update. It's one of the reasons we recommend opting for the Outback's optional turbocharged engine.
The Outback's distinctive design makes it something of an outlier. Only a handful of crossover-style SUVs can match its off-road skill, such as the Honda Passport and Jeep Cherokee. More hardcore, truck-based SUVs like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner offer better off-road capability but aren't as comfortable on the road. The Audi A6 Allroad is a luxury alternative with an adventuresome spirit, but it isn't built to withstand the abuse that the Outback can endure. Buyers resistant to SUVs but seeking all-weather or all-terrain readiness will find plenty to like about the 2024 Subaru Outback. Check out our Expert Rating to get our test team's full take on the Outback.
What’s it like to live with?
Check out our long-term test of the Subaru Outback for a deeper look into what our experts discovered after driving an XT Onyx Edition for a year. Note that while we tested a 2020 model, the 2024 Outback is of the same generation and many of our observations still apply.
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.
Good
7.9
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.
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