The 2025 Subaru Outback maintains the iconic package of a high-riding wagon with great packaging, comfortable ride, and smooth powertrain. And as we near the next era for the automaker it’s noticeable this family cruiser still doesn’t have a hybrid model, the safety systems overreach, and my kids took fault with an odd design quirk.
As the next-generation Subaru Outback comes into view for 2026 it’s clear the automaker’s moving past the wagon bodystyle. The Outback’s moving to SUV territory.
After spending a holiday week roadtriping through the Midwest with the family, here are the pros and cons I uncovered on the 2025 Subaru Outback.
Pro: The 2025 Subaru Outback is a lifted station wagon
That’s the pro. There is no other mainstream non-luxury-badged station wagon still on sale in the U.S. today. The Subaru Outback is it. Want a wagon that won’t break the bank? The Subaru Outback costs $30,430 including a $1,420 destination charge. The loaded Touring XT model I tested with a Harman Kardon sound system, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, and leather-trimmed seats cost $44,330. There is no wagon to cross-shop here, and all-wheel drive comes standard.
Con: Subaru’s turned into an absolute helicopter parent
And I mean that in the worst way. Living with the Outback can feel like being in a nanny state with the bings, bongs, dings, and dongs. The active lane assist ping-pongs like a drunk trying to walk the line. The system wants to watch the driver’s eyes at all times, and don’t dare look away from the road or it’ll yell at you. Following someone too close? There’s a light for that. Lighten up, Francis. In the words of F1’s Kimi Raikkonen, “Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing.” And if you want the car to remain in its lane, Subaru, it needs to not sway back and forth.
Pro: Smooth, powerful, turbocharged powertrain
It took until the end of the lifecycle, but the powertrain’s finally been smoothed out. The Touring XT model, and most of the rest of the lineup, doesn’t have the Wilderness’s final gear ratio, which is actually out of the Subaru Ascent. That change alone helps the Outback deliver power more smoothly off the line. The CVT’s programming is progressive, though it—unconvincingly—mimics gear shifts from a conventional transmission. It’s fine and liveable at this point. The turbocharger doesn’t kick in like an afterburner as it spools up. The 2.4-liter flat-4 huffing a turbo checks in with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Outback only weighs between 3,600 and 3,946 pounds, depending on the trim. Good luck finding a midsize crossover that weighs less than 4,000 pounds.
Con: Subaru Outback needs a hybrid powertrain
There’s a decent chance the upcoming 2026 model, which seemingly will look like an SUV, will be available with a hybrid powertrain that just debuted in the 2025 Forester at the 2025 Chicago auto show. For now, the 2.5-liter flat-4 and 2.4-liter turbo-4 are the options. The base engine has respectable EPA fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined, but it’s mediocre at best while accelerating. The more powerful turbo-4 tested lowers those ratings to 22/29/25 mpg. It’s a respectable highway rating on paper, but I fared worse in the Minnesota cold. In mixed suburban driving the turbo-4 averaged 22.1 mpg. But over the course of 538 miles of highway driving the Outback only averaged 23.0 mpg with cruise control set at over 70 mph. That’s bordering on V-6 crossover territory.
Pro: Subaru is comfortable
That’s all encompassing. The Outback has a soft, comfortable ride from its raised suspension—which delivers an impressive 8.7-inches of ground clearance—and quiet Yokohama Geolander all-season tires. The supportive front seats almost feature a pocket for the tush to cradle in while the front seat backs supported my sides in the right places. Absolutely road trip approved. My kids didn’t complain about the room in the second row despite usually loving three-row crossovers and minivans. The large 33-cubic foot cargo area with its wide opening easily held all the luggage associated with a family of four on a long holiday weekend road trip. The kids, naturally, overpacked. Who doesn’t need that blanket?
Con: Rear seatbelt packaging issues
Both my kids complained about the way the rear seat belts retracted. Nearly every time the kids unbuckled, the seat belts would get tangled when retracting. For some reason, unclear if it was the angle of the situation or the way both my kids unbuckled, but the seat belts themselves would twist around. This resulted in two kids getting frustrated, quickly, and complaining loudly about the situation. I wouldn’t advise trying to blame the children and tell them they are doing it wrong. From experience, that doesn’t go over well.
Despite drinking a bit more fuel than advertised, constantly getting frustrated with me if my eyes happened to leave the road for seconds, or my kids complaining about their seat belts getting twisted around, the Outback made for, and makes, a wonderful family hauler. Especially in the cold and snow. It’s comfortable, reasonably priced, well packaged, and did I mention it’s a wagon? Because in the end, it’s the only option left, and it’s a terrific option. But time is (seeingly?) running out.
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2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT
Base price: $30,430 including $1,420 destination charge
Price as tested: $44,356
Powertrain: 260-hp 2.4-liter turbo-4, continuously variable transmission, all-wheel drive
EPA fuel economy: 22/29/25 mpg
The hits: It’s a wagon, comfortable, well-packaged, not crazy expensive, turbo-4
The misses: Not efficient, no hybrid, rear seat belts kept getting twisted, overactive safety systems