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Subaru Outback (6th Gen)

20-24 · Subaru Outback

77out of 100

The only car on this list with 518 miles of range, standard AWD, and the best visibility of any midsize SUV.

Score breakdown

80/ 100Reliability×2.578/ 100True Annual Cost×2.095/ 100Safety×2.565/ 100Practicality×2.050/ 100Repairability×1.0

Our take

What it really is

Subaru's SGP platform completely revised the Outback's dynamics and safety. The 2.5L boxer and 2.4T turbo both offer genuine capability. Consumer Reports ranks the 6th gen Outback first in midsize SUV visibility.

Why it's on this list

IIHS TSP+ every year. Standard AWD at no cost premium. 518-mile range on 18.5 gallons. EyeSight driver assistance is genuinely effective. The cargo floor is flat with the rear seats down.

The honest trade-offs

Flat-4 boxer drone between 65-75 MPH is audible. Highway NVH is the Outback's weakest point. EyeSight requires $300-500 windshield recalibration after any glass replacement. Higher maintenance cost ($652/yr) than Japanese peers.

What to buy and what to avoid

2020+ ONLY, the 6th generation. Never buy pre-2012 without head gasket documentation. The 2.5L is the buy for reliability. The 2.4T adds performance but more complexity. Avoid moonroof on high-mileage examples. The drain-to-amplifier failure is expensive.

Annual cost of ownership

Fuel (12k mi)
$1,414 (USD)[5]
Maintenance
$652 (USD)[1]
Tires (prorated)
$210 (USD)
Insurance (25yr male)
$2,037 (USD)[8]
Insurance (40yr female)
$1,237 (USD)[8]
Total (25yr male)
$2,979 (USD)
Total (40yr female)
$2,179 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined
28[5]
MPG city / hwy
26 / 33[5]
Tank
18.5 gal[5]
Engine
FA25 2.5L Boxer (or FA24 2.4T)
Horsepower
182 hp
Torque
174 lb-ft
Seats
5
Cargo (behind 2nd row)
32.5 cu ft
Cargo max
75.7 cu ft
Tow capacity
3,500 lbs
Ground clearance
8.7"
Stock tires
225/65R17
Body
Wagon
Rear seats
60/40 split

Safety

NHTSA overall
5/5 ★[2]
Rollover risk
15%[2]
IIHS rating
Good[4]
ESC standard
Yes

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity
Low
Frame rust risk
Low

Known issues by mileage

N/A
EyeSight windshield recalibration required after glass replacement (~$300-500)Moderate
60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)
Sunroof drain → amplifier failure (amp under passenger seat)Major

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost
$612 (USD)[1]
Industry avg annual cost
$652 (USD)[1]
RepairPal rating
4/5[1]
Unscheduled visits/yr
0.5[1]
Severe issue probability
8%[1]
250k-mile survival
52%[7]

Repairability

Headlight type
Led Assembly
At major retailer
Yes
Headlight benchmark
5/10

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

  1. [1]dataset
    RepairPal

    Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability

  2. [2]government
    NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

    Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings

  3. [3]government
    NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins

    Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes

  4. [4]dataset
    IIHS Safety Ratings

    Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status

  5. [5]government
    EPA Fuel Economy Guide

    MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size

  6. [6]forum thread
    CarComplaints

    Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band

  7. [7]dataset
    iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability

    250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used

  8. [8]publication
    Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates

    Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Subaru Outback?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist

Modernize this car

CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.

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