What is an Outback? An Outback is a midsize SUV built in the Lafayette, Indiana assembly plant and sold in North America by Subaru. According to Subaru and most automotive publications, midsize is the official class designation for the Outback.
The Outback has seating for 5 passengers, and while considered a SUV, it has a somewhat cool looking station wagon aesthetic and feel; which is a good thing.
The 2025 Subaru Outback offers a variety of features:
Safety – Outback is built on a high strength steel platform and comes standard with eight airbags, height adjustable head restraints, and a ring shaped reinforcement frame. It also includes Eyesight Driver Assist Technology now as standard equipment.
AWD – Outback has standard Symmetrical all wheel drive, which provides stability and power distribution for traction in different conditions.
Space – Outback has plenty of room for 5 passengers and all their stuff.
Technology – Outback has available tech like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Engine options – Outback has a standard 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, and offers a more powerful 2.4 liter DOCH turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that makes 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque on the XT and Limited Edition models.
This week Subaru sent me a 2025 Outback Touring to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this XT SDL AWD model is $42,795. The only option on the test SUV is the all weather floor liners for $141. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) including the $1,420 destination charge, is: $44,356.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to: $49,901. At just $99 under $50 Grand, this a great buy in the world of AWD vehicles. If your new car buying budget is capped at $50,000, you should put the 2025 Subaru Outback Touring at the top of your ride and drive list, as this SUV checks all the right boxes for tech, safety and comfort.
Power comes from a 2.4 liter Turbo 4 cylinder Subaru Boxer gas engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, bolted to a high torque continuously variable 8 speed CVT transmission, with steering wheel manual paddle shifters. Then it is routed into a 4 wheel independent raised suspension, with symmetrical AWD, with X mode dynamics, for superior traction, stability and driving control, on or off all roads.
The primary driving setting on a Subaru Outback is called “X-Mode.” It’s designed for off-road situations and low-traction conditions that include features such as, “Hill Descent” to help you manage steep inclines and a “Dual Function X Mode” that allows you to switch between snow and dirt, to deep snow and mud settings; depending on the terrain you’re in. Visualize the parking lot at the Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski resort in Twin Bridges, CA.
As this is a loaded up Subaru Outback XT SDL model, the list of options and upgraded comfort, convenience interior and exterior items is over 55 lines long on the window sticker. The big ticket items are the EyeSight driver assist system with front and reverse automatic braking, blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert, front and rear view cameras, a dual zone automatic climate control system with air filtration, Subaru Starlink communications, Sirius XM satellite HD radio, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system with 576 watts of power driving 12 speakers, into a high performance amplifier with a multi channel digital signal processor, a dedicated center channel speaker and a rear subwoofer that all work together to make fantastic sounding audio front to back.
Subaru’s current tagline in North America is “Love. It’s what makes Subaru, Subaru.” The company has used the “Love” theme for over a decade and the tagline “Love is now bigger than ever” was used to promote the Ascent SUV in 2018. Subaru’s “Love” theme is part of the company’s Subaru Love Promise, which is a commitment to its customers and communities. The promise is based on five core pillars: Community, Health, Education, Environment, and Pets. Subaru dealerships support these causes through actions like donations, supporting local charities and the “Subaru Share the Love Event.”
Call, click or visit your local Subaru dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2025 Subaru Outback Touring SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Outback starts at only $28,895. Subaru – Love, It’s what makes Subaru, Subaru.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
