2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness: A Brawner Design for Off-Road Adventures

 

Highlight: The Outback Wilderness offers 9.5 inches of ground clearance with its raised suspension system.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $48,885 (Base Sport MSRP): $36,445

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; AWD; 4WD independent with a raised suspension system; a rear camera; a blind spot warning system; a reverse automatic braking system; a roof rail with an 800-pound load; a fullsize spare tire; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT AWD: The Brand’s Midsize Station Wagon

Highlight: Its one of the few station wagons still available. 

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $44,341 (Base Model: $30,430)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a tire pressure sensor system; an incline start assist system; a rear-view camera; hill descent control system; a traction control system; pre-collision braking; sway warning system; rear camera; and tire pressure monitoring system

Its Shop Time Mondays: Kia And Subaru Are Recalling Vehicles For Airbag Or Rollaway Concerns

Air Bag May Not Deploy

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000

Manufacturer Subaru of America, Inc.

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 118,723

Its Shop Time Mondays: Audi And Subaru Are Recalling Approximately 500,000 (2018 - 2022) Vehicles Combined

1. Control Module Shutdown Can Reduce Engine Power

A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V947000

Manufacturer Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Components STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 288,991

2020 Subaru Outback Limited XT AWD: The Brand's Lone Ranger Upscale Wagon

Highlight: This is the only midsize non premium wagon available on the market in the U.S.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $38,755 (Base Model: $27,655)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: all-wheel drive; airbags; ABS; a rearview camera with a washer; a brake assist system; a brake override system; daytime running lights; automatic headlights with windshield wipers; a hill hold assist feature; an incline assist feature; an automatic on/off headlights with windshield wiper system; an electronic brake distribution system; an EyeSight Assist Monitor system; a radar-activated cruise control system with lane centering system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

2015 Subaru Outback AWD: Refined, Polished And High Tech

Highlight: The Outback received the 2015 ALG award for having the highest residual midsize utility vehicle with two rows of seats.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $29,840 (base model $25,745)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: all-wheel drive; air bags; a rear view camera; a brake override system; and a vehicle dynamic control; an electronic parking brake; daytime running lights; automatic headlights; inline start assist; hill descent system; a safety pedal system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (base model): 17-inch wheels; a 6-speed manual transmission; a 6.2-inch infotainment center screen; cloth interior; cargo area grocery hooks; cargo area tray; a manually controlled air condition system; a rear body colored spoiler; roof rail tie down hooks; duplicate steering wheel audio control; and a manually operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel

2012 Subaru Outback: An All-Purpose Station Wagon

Highlights: Like all Subarus, the Outback is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration. For those opting for the base model Outback, a manual transmission is available.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $30,110 (base model starts at $ 24,070)

Seating Capacity: 5 occupants

Standard Safety Features: all-wheel drive; an electronic parking brake; daytime running lights; traction control; front and side airbags; daytime running lights; tire pressure monitoring system; rollover sensor; and a brake assist system.

Standard Equipment (base model): 16-inch steel wheels; cloth seats;  reclining rear seats; manually adjusted cloth seats; air condition; cargo area mat; remote keyless entry; tilt/telescopic steering wheel; roof rails with integrated cross bar; and 8 cupholders

Trim Levels:

2.5i
2.5i Premium
2.5i Limited
3.6R
3.6 Premium
3.6 Limited

Standard Audio: a 4-speaker AM/FM with a CD player

Bluetooth Connectivity: available depending upon trim level

iPod connectivity: depending on trim level
                                                                                                                                  
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder/170-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 22-city/29-hwy

What’s New: While the Outback is basically a carryover for the 2012 model year, Subaru has made the following package tweaks, adding a new 17-inch alloy wheel package and heated seats to the base model and for the higher end Premium and Limited models several new audio systems are now available.

Pros:  In a time and day where station wagons have become obsolete and have cleverly been disguised as crossovers, the Subaru Outback has remained true to its calling. For consumers looking for a roomy, stylish, affordable, versatile vehicle with an all-wheel drive system, the Subaru Outback is a great choice.

The Outback offers comfortable supportive seats, great visibility, an electronic parking brake, two engine choices (a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder), a Satellite radio system, a dual-zone automatic digital climate control system, fog lights, a power sunroof, leather seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support and a retractable/removable cargo-area cover - depending on the trim package selected. The Subaru Outback is truly an all-purpose vehicle capable of weathering any type of driving condition, especially with its high ground clearance.