2022 Subaru Outback

2022 Subaru Outback Overview

Is the Subaru Outback a Good Wagon?

Yes, the 2022 Subaru Outback is a great wagon , and not just because it's one of the few remaining choices in the class. The Outback has an airy and upscale interior, comfy seats, and loads of cargo space. It comes packed with active safety features like forward collision warning and lane keep assist, and all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup. The Outback also offers above-average fuel economy, respectable towing capability, and a zippy turbocharged engine option.

Should I Buy the Subaru Outback?

The Outback is a must see if you're shopping for a new station wagon. It's the least expensive model in this admittedly small segment – prices start at under $27,000 – yet it's also the most practical option for families, thanks to its ample seating space and class-leading cargo room. That being said, the Outback's advantages aren't as prominent when compared to compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V , Toyota RAV4 , and Subaru's own Forester . All three provide similar interior space and safety features, but at a slightly lower price point. If your heart isn't set on the wagon body style, those three may be better options.

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Why You Can Trust Us: 17 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 17 Subaru Outback reviews, as well as data points like reliability scores and fuel economy estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible. This 2022 Outback review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2020.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we never accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an outside firm manages the ads on our site.

2021 vs. 2022 Subaru Outback: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference between the 2021 and 2022 Outback is the addition of the Wilderness trim for 2022. This off-road-inspired model features heavier-duty springs and shock absorbers, which increase ground clearance from 8.7 to 9.5 inches. The Outback Wilderness also boasts fender flares, restyled bumpers, and chunky all-terrain tires.

Compare the 2021 and 2022 Outback »

Here are the key changes for the Subaru Outback over the last few model years:

• 2018: updated interior and exterior styling; Android Auto and Apple CarPlay added to standard features list
• 2019: EyeSight suite of safety features became standard
• 2020: fully redesigned with a new turbocharged engine option, higher-quality cabin materials, and an available 11.6-inch touch screen
• 2021: rear seat reminder and adaptive headlights became standard
• 2022: Wilderness trim debuts

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2019 Outback , 2020 Outback , and 2021 Outback reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

Pricing

How Much is a 2022 Subaru Outback?

The 2022 Subaru Outback has a $26,945 starting price. That's considerably less than any other new wagon , though most of its classmates are from luxury brands like Audi and Volvo . The price climbs to around $35,000 for a model equipped with the available turbocharged engine, and it tops out at around $40,000 for the fully loaded Touring XT trim.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Subaru dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Subaru deals page .

Subaru Outback Versus the Competition

Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a compact SUV , but it offers many of the same perks as the Outback wagon. Both Subarus have roomy five-seat cabins, vast cargo areas, comparable safety features, and all-wheel drive. Both also come standard with the same four-cylinder Boxer engine, which returns great fuel economy. This is where the differences come into play.

Unlike the Forester, the Outback is available with a brawnier turbocharged engine that provides quicker acceleration and a heavier-duty towing capacity. On the other hand, the Forester has a lower starting price by about $2,000, and its infotainment system isn't as complex. Test-drive both models to see which you prefer.

Compare the Outback and Forester »

Subaru Outback vs. Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is the brand's smallest SUV, and its main advantage over the Outback is its price. The Crosstrek starts at just $22,245, which is about $4,700 less than the Outback. Check out the Crosstrek if saving money is your top priority. In most other instances though, the Outback is a better pick. It's roomier for passengers, better trimmed, and more comfortable to drive, yet similarly fuel-efficient in its standard configuration. The Outback also offers a larger suite of standard driver assistance features, as well as superior cargo-carrying and towing capabilities.

Compare the Outback and Crosstrek »

Compare the Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek »

Outback Interior: Glitz and Glamping

Outback Interior Quality

This Subaru may have a tough exterior, but its interior is quite posh, at least in upper trim levels. You’ll find upholstered surfaces and soft-touch plastics in frequently touched areas. Overall fit and finish is impressive, and the cabin muffles most road and wind noise. The dashboard has tasteful styling, and it's anchored by a sleek tabletlike touch screen in all but the base model.

Outback Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Subaru offers the 2022 Outback with two versions of its Starlink infotainment system. Base models are outfitted with a pair of 7-inch touch screens. The top screen manages the audio system, while the bottom screen is used to toggle the climate controls, drive modes, and safety features. A few physical buttons and knobs are also included, making it easy to adjust settings on the fly. This system is fairly barebones, but it's intuitively laid out.

All other trims come fitted with a large 11.6-inch touch screen. This portrait-style display boasts sharper graphics and added functionality for the audio and climate control systems. It responds quickly to inputs as well. On the downside, however, many of the features are buried in menus, and only a small portion of the screen is utilized when displaying the navigation or smartphone integration functions. Put simply, it's a bit distracting to operate.

• Standard infotainment features: dual 7-inch touch screens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a four-speaker stereo
• Available infotainment features: an 11.6-inch touch screen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two additional USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo
• Additional standard features: remote keyless entry and automatic climate control
• Other available features: proximity keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a moonroof

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

Outback Cargo Space

The Subaru Outback has 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet with these seats folded. That's plenty of room for hauling bags of mulch, luggage for the whole family, or camping gear, and it's far more space than any other wagon provides, including the Volvo V60 and Audi A4 Allroad . A manual liftgate comes standard, while a hands-free power liftgate is available.

How Many People Does the Outback Seat?

The 2022 Subaru Outback is a four-door wagon with five seats. The front seats are supple and supportive, and they remain comfortable even after a few hours of driving. Outward visibility is excellent in all directions, thanks to the Outback's large windows. The rear seats aren't as cushy as those in front, but headroom and legroom are generous. Taller occupants will be able to sit comfortably in both rows, and kids will find the back seat downright cavernous. Check out the three-row Subaru Ascent if you need even more seating space.

Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard. Options include genuine and synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustments, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Outback and Child Car Seats

The Outback has two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. This LATCH system is among the easiest and most versatile to use.

Read more about interior »

Outback Performance: Tread Lightly

Outback Engine

The 2022 Subaru Outback has two engine options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 260 horsepower. Both come with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive.

The standard 2.5-liter engine feels peppy enough when hauling the Outback around town, but when asked for harder acceleration, this flat-four provides more noise than forward movement. Passing power is lacking, and the transmission's simulated gear shifts feel unnatural at times.

The turbo engine is a better fit for the Outback, and it can be found in Wilderness and XT trims. After a brief lull when accelerating from a stop, this engine surges the Outback forward with enthusiasm and offers sufficient power for climbing hills and passing other vehicles. It doesn't sound as coarse at higher rpm either.

Outback Gas Mileage

When equipped with the base engine, the Outback gets an EPA-rated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. That's great gas mileage for a wagon , and it even beats adventuresome compact SUVs like the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Cherokee . The Outback's turbocharged engine yields a lower 23/30 mpg city/highway, which dips further to 22/26 mpg in the Wilderness model.

Outback Ride and Handling

The Subaru Outback has a relatively carlike driving experience. It glides smoothly over bumps and dips in the pavement, yielding a serene and comfortable ride. The Outback feels stable through turns and exhibits minimal body lean. The steering is quick and lightly weighted, and it's a breeze to park and maneuver on city streets. The brakes provide reassuring stopping power as well.

The new Outback Wilderness model features a raised suspension and all-terrain tires with meatier sidewalls. This upgrade doesn’t result in a noticeable drop-off in ride comfort, but the tires do numb the Outback's steering feel and reduce its on-road grip.

Outback Off-Road Performance

The 2022 Outback won't be able to hang with Jeep Wranglers on an off-road excursion, but it should be capable enough to get you to most trailheads or camping sites without issue. This is especially true of the Outback Wilderness model, which boasts 9.5 inches of ground clearance – almost an inch more than the standard Outback – and an upgraded version of Subaru's X-Mode traction control system.

Outback Towing Capacity

The Subaru Outback can tow up to 3,500 pounds when equipped with its turbocharged engine. This tow rating drops to 2,700 pounds for non-turbocharged models.

Read more about performance »

Outback Reliability

Is the Subaru Outback Reliable ?

The 2022 Subaru Outback does not have a predicted reliability score at this time.

Subaru Outback Warranty

Subaru covers the Outback with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

2022 Subaru Outback Safety

Score: 9.8/10

Crash Test Results

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the 2022 Outback, but both organizations tested the similar 2021 model. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Outback an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.

The IIHS gave the 2021 Outback the highest rating of Good in all six crash safety tests, as well as for how well the headlights illuminate the road. The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Outback earned the highest rating of Superior for its standard front crash prevention systems.

Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features:

• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Adaptive pivoting headlights
• Automatic high beams
• Head-up display
• Rear seat reminder (helps to prevent children and pets from being left inside vehicle)

Available driver assistance features:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Rear collision warning
• Driver drowsiness monitoring
• Front-view camera system

Outback Dimensions and Weight

The Outback is 15.9 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 3,637 to 3,937 pounds.

Where Is the 2022 Subaru Outback Built?

Subaru builds the 2022 Outback in Indiana alongside the Impreza , Legacy , and Ascent models.

Which Subaru Outback Model Is Right for Me?

The 2022 Subaru Outback comes in eight trim levels: base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT. The key takeaway is that the Wilderness and XT trims are outfitted with a turbocharged engine, which is what you should opt for if you plan to tow a trailer or frequently haul a full complement of passengers and cargo. All other trims have a non-turbocharged version of that engine. Of course, this being a Subaru, all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.

Sticking with the base model will get you a healthy array of standard tech and safety features. You'll need to upgrade to at least the Premium trim if you want amenities like a larger touch screen, navigation, power-adjustable and heated seats, a power liftgate, or blind spot monitoring.

Subaru Outback Base

For 2022, the base Subaru Outback costs $26,945 and comes with a 182-horsepower flat four-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive. Standard features include two 7-inch touch screens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a four-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, keyless entry, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, a manual liftgate, and 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires.

Standard safety features include a rearview camera, a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a rear seat reminder.

Subaru Outback Premium

The Outback Premium trim has a $29,145 starting price. It adds an 11.6-inch touch screen, a six-speaker stereo, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two additional USB ports, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. This trim is available with a $1,400 package that includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist, push-button start, and a hands-free power liftgate. For $2,995 you can get everything in the first package plus navigation and a moonroof.

Subaru Outback Limited and Limited XT

The upscale Outback Limited trim starts at $33,595 and gains leather upholstery, heated rear seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, push-button start, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, a hands-free power liftgate, blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning, and 18-inch wheels. An optional $2,045 package includes navigation, driver drowsiness monitoring, a heated steering wheel, and a moonroof.

The Outback Limited XT trim costs $37,995 and includes all of those standard and available features plus a 260-horsepower turbocharged engine.

Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

The sleek Outback Onyx Edition XT has a $35,145 starting price. This turbocharged model has all of the Premium trim's features plus dark exterior accents, a front-view camera system, blind spot monitoring, synthetic leather upholstery, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated rear seats, push-button start, a hands-free power liftgate, and 18-inch wheels. Options include navigation, a moonroof, and rear collision warning for $1,845.

Subaru Outback Wilderness

The rugged Outback Wilderness model is new for 2022, and it costs $36,995. It comes with all of the Onyx Edition features plus restyled front and rear bumpers, flared wheel arches, a raised suspension, and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. Options carryover unchanged.

Subaru Outback Touring and Touring XT

The luxe Outback Touring and Touring XT trims cost $37,495 and $39,945, respectively. Apart from the addition of ventilated front seats and a front-view camera system, both trims offer the same standard features as the Limited XT.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Subaru dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Subaru deals page .

See 2022 Subaru Outback specs and trims »

The Final Call

It's rare for one vehicle to embody an entire automotive segment, but that's exactly what the 2022 Subaru Outback does for the nonluxury wagon class . The Outback offers a terrific mix of interior space, ride comfort, fuel efficiency, and all-wheel-drive capability. Its upmarket cabin and wealth of safety features are icing on the cake. The Outback isn't just a wagon, it's THE wagon.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "While the Subaru Outback Wilderness can't keep you from making bad decisions about when and where to venture, it can get you there and back in comfort." -- Car and Driver
• "Throw in its abundance of safety and infotainment tech, standard all-wheel drive, solid reliability ratings and improved interior quality with last year's redesign, and you have a vehicle that's easy to recommend." -- Autoblog (2021)
• "For the money, the Outback represents a tremendous value, an outstanding driving experience and a useful utility vehicle loaded with safety tech." -- Cars.com (2020)