The 2023 version of the Subaru Outback is an evolution in off-road driving and growth from a lifted wagon to the spacious crossover SUV we see today.
If you’re searching for an SUV that offers something for everyone, you’ll want to drive the Outback. This crossover is great out on the trails, but it’s also useful during your daily commute, when tooling around town, and if you want to take your family out for dinner. This Subaru SUV is ideal for the fun and adventures you’ve got in mind.
Here are ten things you should know about this SUV before buying it.
1. The Outback Offers Ample Cargo Room
When you think about people as part of the cargo that needs to travel in the Outback, you’ll be glad to drive this SUV. The seats are comfortable and supportive, giving you room for five adults to fit inside the Outback. Open the rear hatch, and you’ll find 32.5 cubic feet of space when the rear seats are up. This rear seat is a 60/40 split model that offers the cargo versatility desired to carry all of your gear.
2. The Base Engine Isn’t Worth Your Time
Unless you’re stuck on a budget that requires you to buy the Subaru Outback with the base engine, you should move up to one of the more powerful models. The base engine gives you a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine mated to a CVT automatic transmission. The time it takes to reach highway speeds is a lethargic 8.5 seconds, which is slower than both the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Skip the base engine and enjoy the turbocharged powertrain.
3. You’ll Find Tough Exterior Styling for this SUV
The evolution of the Outback from a tough and rugged off-road SUV to a capable crossover SUV brings a tough and rugged exterior build to this vehicle. You’ll find black body cladding on every model, impressive LED headlights, a revised front bumper and grille, and some subtle styling improvements. The 2023 model offers a Wilderness trim which makes this SUV look even more in character with heading out on the trails for some fun. This impressive SUV is a head-turner that helps you have a lot of fun on the trails.
4. The Technology of the Outback is Impressive
It might not be the first thing you think of when the Subaru Outback comes to mind, but this SUV comes with two different infotainment screens. The lower trims have a seven-inch model, while the higher trims bring a larger 11.6-inch screen with some impressive features. Both screens support the connectivity of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The larger screen is more advanced, and with the higher trims of this SUV, you’ll enjoy your music coming out of an impressive 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
5. This Subaru SUV has Large Brakes
Normally, brake rotors the size we see for the Outback are reserved for performance vehicles. This 2023 Subaru SUV has ventilated 12.4-inch front rotors and 11.8-inch rear rotors. These brakes grab and hold this SUV to ensure you stop and slow down when you want to go. Other aspects of the braking system include ABS with EBD, automatic emergency braking, hill hold control, and brake assist. You won’t have any problem stopping while driving the Outback, which is important when it comes to taking this SUV out on the trails.
6. Don’t Look to this Subaru for Refinement
If you’re searching for a smooth, quiet, and refined ride on the roads, you need to look at a luxury SUV and not the Subaru Outback. This SUV lives well in the wilderness but is a little rougher on the road. When you push the revs high, you’ll feel more vibrations than you will in a Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, or Toyota RAV4. The Outback also brings in quite a bit of road noise, but not so much that it will be a deal-breaker.
7. The Warranty Coverage of the Outback is Lacking
Typical of most vehicles, the Outback has a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year,60,000-mile powertrain warranty. There’s no complimentary maintenance offered for this SUV either. The Outback seems to be stuck in the last decade when this was acceptable. If you want an SUV with a longer warranty, you’ll want to look at what Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota offer.
8. The Turbocharged Engine Provides Good Fuel Mileage Too
We’ve already told you that you should move up to the turbocharged powertrain of the Subaru Outback to have the right level of power and acceleration. This powertrain is also good for 23 city/30 hwy mpg, which is pretty good for an SUV of this size and capability. Keep in mind the Outback has standard AWD, giving you the control desired at all four wheels. Yes, the base powertrain returns 26 city/33 hwy mpg, but the trade-off might not be worth it when you consider the acceleration offered by the turbocharged powertrain.
9. The Outback Offers Excellent Driving Dynamics
To be a good SUV out on the trails means to be even better on the roads. An SUV that must respond to the challenges offered in the wilderness can also handle the twists and turns on a winding country road with ease. The suspension absorbs the troublesome areas and keeps everyone safely in the right position while on the highway. Of course, it helps that this Subaru SUV also has the benefits of the symmetrical AWD system, which offers more than enough grip when taking corners. You’ll love the way this SUV drives.
10. The Subaru Eyesight Safety System is Top-Notch
The 2023 Subaru Outback has the Eyesight safety system, which is packed with impressive driver-assist features. This system is standard across all trims, making it easy for you to find the family SUV that will keep you and your kids safe while driving. This vehicle has forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning as part of the standard package. Lower trims can add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts to the mix. These items come standard on higher trims.
Is the 2023 Subaru Outback the right off-road-oriented SUV for you to drive? Now that you know a little more about it, you can make a well-informed decision and find the right trim of the Outback to drive.
