Initially a separate trim level for the Subaru Legacy Wagon from 1994 through 1999, the Outback model began its own separate family in 2000.
Popularizing the lifted station wagon, the Outback has become a staple adventure vehicle and a savvy alternative to the more common SUV. Later models increased in size making the Outback ride the line between a wagon and a crossover sport utility vehicle.
2020 – Present Subaru Outback BT (5th Generation)
Fully redesigned for the 2020 model year, the Outback enters its fifth generation (sixth generation if you count the earliest Legacy Outback trim) with more aggressive styling and yet another name convention refresh. The seven trim offerings for the newest generation are Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT.
The Base, Premium, and Limited trims come standard with a 182-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The XT models receive a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which replaced the optional six-cylinder engine in previous generations.
The Outback received EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway in its standard trim with the 2.5-liter engine. Turbocharged models saw reduced mileage at an estimated 23 MPG city and 30 highway.
All models are mated exclusively to a continuously variable transmission and provide standard all-wheel drive.
One notable feature addition for the 2020 Outback was an advanced DriverFocus system that detects if the driver is distracted or sleepy. The system also uses facial recognition to set the seats and mirrors to individual preferences.
For the 2021 model year Subaru made a few additions to the standard safety features included on the Outback. This included standard rear-seat reminder, passenger seatbelt warning, and adaptive headlights.
Big changes for the 2022 included the introduction of a new off-road oriented trim level, the Outback Wilderness. This trim received a beefed up suspension with additional ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and selectable driving modes for the AWD system.
The model also featured water-resistant upholstery, and upgraded roof rack, and copper accents for both the interior and exterior.
Wilderness models are powered by the turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.
For the 2023 model year the automaker gave the Outback a substantial facelift, with a new grille, headlights, additional body cladding, and a new front bumper. The car’s driver assistance system was improved as well, with the addition of cameras with a wider field of view.
2015 – 2019 Subaru Outback BS (4th Generation)
For the fourth generation, Subaru introduced a five-trim lineup: the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, and 3.6R Limited. The numbers refer to the engine size, which was unchanged from the previous generation.
For 2015 all trims come standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel-drive.
The interior received a refresh as well, doing away with the previous plastic trim and cheaper materials to provide a more elegant driving experience.
The 2017 model year Outback comes standard with two new driver assistance features: hill descent control and hill holding assist. In addition, a six-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and 60/40-split rear seats are standard on all models.
For 2018, a Touring trim was added to both the 2.5i and 3.6R offerings. This high-end trim option provided advanced technology features and premium materials and styling accents. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity was also made standard on all models in 2018.
In 2019 the Outback’s safety standards got a boost as Subaru’s EyeSight drivers assistance safety package became standard on all models. The overall safety feature bundle included adaptive cruise control, front collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors.
2010 – 2014 Subaru Outback BR (3rd Generation)
In 2010 Subaru cleaned up the Outback’s trim offerings to introduce the third generation. Six trims were available: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium, and 3.6R Limited.
The 2.5i models come equipped with a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter Boxer engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission.
The 3.6R models come with a 256-horsepower, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission.
This new generation was much larger than the previous model, and that added space was most notably felt inside the cabin. It boasted a sleeker design and added features such as automatic headlights, full power accessories, and cruise control as standard for the 2010 model.
In 2013 the base 2.5-liter Boxer engine received an update improving power output to 175-horsepower while fuel efficiency increased to 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. In addition, Subaru retuned the suspension for improved handling and gave the front end a stylistic revision.
2005 – 2009 Subaru Outback BL/BP (2nd Generation)
The second-generation Outback debuted with new trims, likely due to the slew of variations offered for 2005.
First in line is the base 2.5i and 2.5i Limited, both coming in the wagon body style with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine, which carried over from the first generation and a choice of either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Next are the 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited, also only in wagon body style, with a 250-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine mated standard to a five-speed manual transmission with a five-speed automatic as an option.
Rounding out the trim offerings is the 3.0R which comes in three variants: a Sedan, the L.L. Bean Edition, and the VDC Limited.
The 3.0R models come standard with the same 250-horsepower engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
The 2005 Outbacks came standard with many features, including cruise control, keyless entry, and a six-speaker audio system.
From 2007 to 2009, the Outback offered an ever-changing lineup of trims, and although naming conventions were constantly being tweaked, the vehicle itself and base engines stayed relatively unchanged. Significant platform-wide improvements during this time were limited to stability control, which was added for the 2009 model year, and minor styling modernizations.
2000 – 2004 Subaru Outback BE/BH (1st Generation)
When the Subaru Outback split as a separate model from the Legacy in 2000, it retained much of the platform’s architecture. The 2000 Outback was available in a base Wagon trim or a higher Limited trim that carried Wagon or Sedan body styles.
All models carried the same 165-horsepower 2.5-Liter Boxer engine, and both wagon trims mated to a five-speed manual transmission while the Sedan trim mated to a four-speed automatic.
All-wheel-drive was standard for the 2000 models as well as a heavy-duty four-wheel independent suspension, seven inches of ground clearance, and features such as anti-lock brakes and 24-hour roadside assistance.
In 2001 Subaru added two new trims to the family, the H6-3.0 L.L.Bean Edition and H6-3.0 VDC. Both new models carried a more powerful 212-horsepower, 3.0-Liter six-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain system added sedan body style options for both new models in 2002. For 2003 a style update pushed the Outback into a more SUV look and provided revised front struts to minimize body roll during cornering.
1995 – 1999 Subaru Legacy BD/BG
In 1995 Subaru introduced the Outback as a trim level offered on the base model of the second-generation Subaru Legacy. The Outback trim level provided a luggage rack and suspension lift, as well as a more aggressive appearance.
Endorsed by actor Paul Hogan, the Outback version of the Legacy sold far above expectations and led to the eventual split of the Outback to its own family, reviving Subaru as a contender in the U.S. market.
The Legacy Outback came standard with Subaru’s 130-horsepower 2.2-Liter EJ22 engine; the option to upgrade to a 155-horsepower 2.5-Liter EJ25 engine became available in 1996.
These first models were built at the Subaru of Indiana production facility in Lafayette, Indiana.
