2020 Subaru Outback Debuts as the Safest, Most Capable Outback Ever

Subaru just revealed the latest sixth-generation Outback, and it’s looking better than ever. The 2020 model year once again slots into a unique niche, straddling the line between high-riding wagon and full-fledged soft-roader crossover, offering loads of practicality and standard all-wheel grip. To this package, Subaru added in a new turbocharged engine option, as well as fresh styling, a new cabin, and the latest tech for infotainment and safety.

Small Updates Outside

While we have yet to drive the 2020 Subaru Outback, initial impressions are positive. The latest sixth generation brings a few nips and tucks to the exterior styling, including wider fenders, a new hexagonal front grille, and vertical LED fog lights as standard across the line.

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While the updates are noticeable, they definitely stay in sync with the styling of the outgoing model. The proportions, wagon-esque profile, and black plastic undercladding remain more or less identical to the 2019 model year, despite the slightly more aggressive front end.

Bigger Updates Under The Hood

The revised styling is definitely a welcome change, but the bigger headline is under the hood, where the Outback gets its first turbo engine option since 2009.

The powerplant in question is the same boosted 2.4-liter four-cylinder found in the 2020 Subaru Legacy sedan, and is offered as standard on Outback XT trim levels. Output is rated at 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm.

2020 Subaru Outback drivetrain specifications

Engine	2.5-liter four-cylinder	2.4-liter Four-cylinder
Horsepower	182 @ 5,800	260 HP @ 5,600 RPM
Torque	176 lb-ft @ 4,400	277 LB-FT @ 2,000 RPM
Fuel economy city/highway	23/30	23/30
0 to 60 mph	less than 9 seconds	less than 7 seconds
Transmission	eight-speed CVT	eight-speed CVT
Weight	sub-3,650 lbs	sub-3,650 lbs

Fuel mileage is rated at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

The new four-banger arrives as a replacement for the outgoing Outback’s six-cylinder engine option, which produced 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. That’s a gain of 4 horsepower and 30 pound-feet with the new 2.4-liter unit. The new turbo engine should also lower the Outback’s 0-to-60 mph time to less than 7 seconds, besting the outgoing model’s time of 7.1 seconds.

More is definitely better here, especially when you consider just how slow the Outback is compared to its chief rivals. For reference, the Audi A4 Allroad posts a 0-to-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds.

Lower in the line, you can get the Outback with a standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. The new tune replaces the outgoing model’s 2.5-liter ‘four, which produced 175 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, a gain of 7 horsepower and 2 pound-feet total. It’s not much, but we’ll take it. Fuel mileage for the new all-atmosphere ‘four comes to 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

2020 Subaru Outback drivetrain specifications

Engine	2.5-liter four-cylinder
Horsepower	182 HP @ 5,800 RPM
Torque	176 LB-FT @ 4,400 RPM
Fuel economy city/highway	26/33
Transmission	Lineartronic CVT

Just like the outgoing model, the 2020 Subaru Outback gets a Lineartronic CVT as standard across the line. However, unlike the six-speed shift pattern of the old CVT, the new unit mimics the feel of an eight-speed transmission, and once again includes a manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters.

Soft-Roading Adventures Await

Complementing the all-wheel drive and off-roading tech is 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which matches that of the outgoing model. It also bests rivals like the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (5.4 inches) and Audi A4 Allroad (6.5 inches), and it’s on par with dedicated off-roaders like the Jeep Cherokee (8.7 inches) and Toyota Land Cruiser (8.9 inches).

Speaking of the suspension, the 2020 Subaru Outback gets MacPherson struts in front paired with a 23 mm hollow stabilizer bar and aluminum lower L-arms, plus double wishbones in the rear with coil springs and a 19 mm hollow stabilizer bar.

Under the new body panels is the latest Subaru Global Platform, which the Subaru says “provides increased safety, dynamics, and quietness as well as reduced noise, vibration, and harshness.”

A Better Place To Sit

Moving into the cabin, we find an interior design that looks nearly identical to the latest Legacy sedan. Average cabin noise is also reduced by 3 dB.

Higher trims are equipped with 10-way power front seats plus a heating function. Go for the Touring, and you’ll also get ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel as standard, as well as Nappa leather, glossy black pillar surrounds, and chrome trim for the door handles.

Meanwhile, the limited Onyx Edition XT is offered as an upgraded version of the Premium trim level, and comes with black exterior paint, 18-inch alloy wheels, unique badging, and a gray two-tone interior. The upholstery also gets a special water-repellant cover called StarTex, while that new turbo 2.4-liter engine provides motivation. Final details include a hands-Free Power Gate, a front View Monitor, and an exclusive Dual-Mode X-Mode.

As expected, the 2020 Subaru Outback gets additional passenger room with this latest generation update, including more rear headroom, more shoulder room, and more legroom. Subaru didn’t provide exact figures, but for reference, the outgoing model offers 38.9 inches of rear headroom, 57.3 inches of rear shoulder room, and 38.1 inches of rear legroom.

On the infotainment front, there’s an 11.6-inch touchscreen mounted in a vertical “tablet” style in the dash, which is standard on all but the Base model. The 11.6-inch unit replaces the outgoing model’s standard 6.5-inch unit.

Subaru’s Starlink Multimedia system runs it all, with standout features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth support. There’s also optional Wi-Fi and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio.

Safety stuff includes EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard across the range, featuring Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, plus the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, which can identify when the driver is tired or distracted.

Options include:

-* LED Steering Responsive Headlamps

-* Reverse Automatic Braking

-* Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist

-* Rear Cross Traffic AlerT

-* a heads-up display

“Subaru expects the Outback to achieve top safety scores when it is tested later this year, including a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS),” the automaker says.

When Can I Get One?

There’s nothing official quite yet, but we expect the 2020 Subaru Outback to come with a slight price increase over the current model’s MSRP of $26,345. Look for it in dealers this fall.