2025 Subaru Outback Review
By Damon Minks
| Updated 3 Days Ago
Subaru’s 2025 Outback is a mid-size crossover SUV starting at $28,895. The Outback, one of the US auto market’s original crossover SUVs, was Subaru’s best-selling model in 2023, thanks to its reputation for offering reliability and capability through features like standard all-wheel drive (AWD).
MotoPickers Rating: 8.7/10
This Japanese automaker has made no significant alterations to the 2024 Outback for the 2025 production year. Still, Subaru has added more standard features within the Limited grade, which we’ll explore during our review’s trim guide.
The 2025 Outback is part of the model’s sixth generation, released in 2020. At first glance and after a drive, it’s clear that the new Outback has maintained its spacious interior, smooth ride, and off-road prowess. Drivers will also retain their ability to select the robust turbocharged engine. Still, our review will include observations of this popular SUV’s drawbacks, most of which relate to performance, and how it stacks up against its primary rivals, which include Jeep’s Grand Cherokee, Honda’s Passport, and Ford’s Edge.
Aside from producing an objective overview of the 2025 Outback, our goal is to help you navigate and better differentiate its nine trims. The upside of having more trims is an increased ability to pick and choose certain upgrades while leaving other available features you may not want for higher trims. It’s not unusual for automakers to offer a car in four trims, which can force you to splurge on a higher trim to get certain features you’re prioritizing.
Streamline your knowledge of the 2025 Subaru Outback with our review below.
Exterior spotlight
The Outback’s exterior isn’t traditionally one of its more significant strengths, as it opts for a more rugged look reflecting aspects like its off-roading capability. Still, Subaru provides the 2025 Outback’s exterior with some tasteful contrasts via trim elements that help it make the most of its conservative profile. Subaru complements these trim contrasts with components such as chrome accents around the windows and tasteful lines on its hood. While Subaru works to balance the exterior’s characteristics, it definitely leans toward ruggedness.
Two trims with exteriors standing out within the 2025 Outback lineup include the Onyx Edition and Onyx Edition XT. These models include black-finish alloy wheels, rear badging, and mirrors. Wheel sizes on all 2025 Outbacks range from 17” to 18”.
Exterior color choices for the 2025 Outback are as follows:
- Autumn Green Metallic (Motopickers’ Recommended)
- Crystal Black Silica
- Cosmic Blue Pearl
- Crimson Red Pearl
- Dark Mahogany Pearl
- Geyser Blue (MotoPickers’ Recommended)
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Crystal White Pearl
- Magnetite Gray Metallic
Roof rails, which come with built-in tie-downs, are a noteworthy standard feature on the 2025 Outback’s exterior, given that many automakers within this segment will offer them as available upgrades, further reflecting this Subaru’s utility. Drivers who frequently off-road will want to check out the Wilderness grade, which offers an exceptional ground clearance of 9.5”. However, every other 2025 Outback trim has a competitive 8.7” ground clearance.
LED headlights are steering responsive, meaning they move in sync with the steering wheel. LED tech is additionally present within fog lights, and the Wilderness trim contains distinct hexagonal-style fog lights. Black mirrors are standard on the Base trim, and you’ll find Crystal Black silica-finish side mirrors on the Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited Onyx Edition XT, and Limited XT 2025 Outback variants. The Wilderness trim contains black-finish side mirrors with integrated turn signals, while the Touring grade has satin chrome-finish mirrors.
In addition to chrome trim surrounding windows, Subaru places chrome insert trim on the Touring and Touring XT grades. A power tilt/sliding glass moonroof isn’t available on the entry-level 2025 Outback, but it’s optional within the Premium trim and standard on the remaining seven variants.
Regarding the competition, Jeep’s 2025 Grand Cherokee has the distinct advantage of combining a bold exterior with utilitarian features such as elevated ground clearance, while the new Outback’s exterior is less dynamic with its mostly rugged profile. Honda’s 2025 Passport more closely resembles this Outback, while Ford’s Edge contains exterior lines, giving it a more versatile appearance.
Interior close-up
The 2025 Outback has a solid amount of passenger room for its class, measuring 109 cubic feet (cu. ft.), more than Toyota’s RAV4, Ford’s Bronco Sport, and Honda’s CR-V. Cargo capacity is also competitive at 32.6 cu. ft. behind the second row and 75.6 cu. ft. behind the first row. Optional cargo release levers simplify the process of folding rear seats. When you’re ready to load items, an available hands-free power liftgate helps alongside an optional LED lamp, brightening the cargo area and the space behind the Outback.
Upholstery choices include cloth in the Base and Premium trims, StarTex water-repellent synthetic leather in the Onyx Edition XT and Wilderness, Leather on the Limited trim, and Nappa leather for the Touring. The 12-way power driver’s seat is standard on Limited, Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims, while a 10-way version comes with Onyx Edition XT or Wilderness grades.
Heated front seats aren’t present within the Base trim, but standard heated rear outboard seats on 7/9 variants help compensate for this drawback. You’ll get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle on all trims besides the entry-level version.
While Jeep’s 2025 Grand Cherokee beats the Outback in cargo capacity and exterior versatility, its starting price is much higher at $37,035. The same goes for Honda’s Passport, with its larger rear cargo dimensions but a more expensive base price of $42,400. The 2025 Ford Edge and Honda Passport both lack the availability of the 2025 Outback’s Nappa leather.
Power and performance
Standard symmetrical AWD is a primary selling point regarding the 2025 Outback’s performance with its ability to make adjustments based on real-time acceleration, braking, and cornering evaluations. This branded AWD system is along the SUV’s centerline, which balances weight distribution for more driver control.
AWD systems can easily detract from an SUV’s mileage, especially if there’s no hybrid option, as with the 2025 Outback. However, this Outback maintains a competitive fuel economy ranging from 21-26 MPG in the city and 26-32 MPG on the highway despite its inclusion of AWD across the lineup. All 2025 Outback trims also contain X-Mode, specially designed to maintain control on slick surfaces.
This Subaru’s base engine delivers 182 horsepower and 176 lb.-ft. of torque, which isn’t anything spectacular but remains competitive for its segment’s standard powertrains. Those seeking more power can select the optional turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2025 Outback’s towing capacity is moderate-to-good at 2,700 lbs. to 3,500 lbs.
These performance specs excel in meeting the requirements of a driver seeking a smooth ride with above-average off-roading. However, some may be disappointed with the standard engine’s acceleration and continuously variable transmission (CVT), prioritizing consistency over excitement.
The 2025 Honda Passport and Ford Edge have standard AWD on all their trims, but Jeep’s Grand Cherokee equips its base Laredo with rear-wheel drive (RWD) while offering AWD as an option.
While the 2025 Honda Passport, Ford Edge, and Jeep Grand Cherokee all have comparable mileage, Subaru’s Outback takes the lead in this category. Still, you’ll have to select the 2025 Outback’s available turbocharged engine to keep up with these competitors’ standard horsepower levels. Honda’s Passport and Ford’s Edge are both less optimized for off-roading, but you will gain a more dynamic experience with the Edge’s maximum horsepower of 335.
Tech overview
The 2025 Outback’s display sizes measure 7” and 11.6”. Drivers who select a Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, or Touring XT trim receive the larger display. While this larger display size is competitive, its vertical configuration doesn’t contain the greatest-looking aesthetic. Navigation comes standard on Limited, Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT grades.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, and all trims except the first two, the Base and Premium, have an upgraded Harman Kardon with 12 speakers, an 8-channel class-D amplifier with 576 equivalent watts of power, a dedicated center channel speaker, and a subwoofer. The Base grade’s audio system is poor, with only four speakers, while the Premium trim is slightly better equipped with six speakers.
Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT drivers can access Starlink Safety and Security, which contains a suite of connected services accessible via computer or smartphone.
Starlink Safety and Security services include but aren’t limited to advanced automatic collision notification, which connects you with an operator after an accident, SOS emergency assistance, and remote vehicle commands like engine starts. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard in all trims except the Base, and USB-C/USB-A charging ports complement optional wireless smartphone charging.
Drivers seeking a more traditional display layout can look toward the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which has a 10.1” horizontal configuration. The 2025 Honda Passport falls short in this category with one horizontal 8” display, while Ford’s Edge features a 12” vertical touchscreen.
Unlike the 2025 Outback, Jeep’s Grand Cherokee, Ford’s Edge, and Honda’s Passport all have standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across their lineups. Jeep’s 2025 Grand Cherokee exceeds its primary competitors, with its optional sound system boasting up to 19 speakers.
Safety capabilities (300)
The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has not yet rated the 2025 Outback’s crash protection capabilities. However, the NHTSA, which also evaluates passenger crash protection, gave this Subaru its highest overall rating of five stars.
Each 2025 Outback contains its automaker’s EyeSight driver assist tech, which uses two cameras on the windshield’s upper edge to facilitate the operation of safety features like:
- Advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering
- Pre-collision braking
- Lane departure and sway Warning
- Lane Keep Assist
- Automatic emergency steering
Additional standard safety features within the 2025 Outback include a rear-vision camera and auto on/off high beams.
Available safety features
Drivers can opt for the available DriverFocus and blind-spot detection systems with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. The DriverFocus system aims to prevent instances of distracted driving by displaying a dashboard icon and providing an audible warning when triggered. The system can recognize drowsy driving in addition to distracted vehicle operation, so an alert can prompt a break or remind those behind the wheel to keep their eyes on the road. You can receive the DriverFocus system as standard within Limited, Touring, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims.
We feel that blind-spot detection should be standard across the 2025 Outback’s lineup, but Subaru has grouped it into a single feature that also contains rear cross-traffic alert. This multi-faceted feature, which is standard in the Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT grades, provides visual indicators on each side mirror and a sound when another car is in your blind spot.
The rear cross-traffic alert will warn you of vehicles approaching your SUV from either side while you’re in reverse, and optional reverse automatic braking helps you avoid hitting obstacles in your reverse driving path. The 2025 Outback also offers a smart rearview mirror, which automatically adjusts to reduce glare from other cars’ headlights.
Trim guide and owner considerations
Below is a list of the 2025 Subaru Outback’s nine trims, along with their starting prices and some distinguishing features.
Base – $28,895
In addition to its value-driven price tag below $30,000, the Base 2025 Outback features AWD, EyeSight safety tech, and 17” black aluminum-alloy wheels with a machine finish.
Premium – $31,195
The Premium trim offers an optional power moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and an available hands-free power tailgate.
Onyx Edition – $36,105
An Onyx Edition Outback includes a standard power moonroof, hands-free power tailgate, and 18” wheels.
Limited – $37,855
Leather-trimmed upholstery, the 11.6” central infotainment display, and 12-speaker Premium audio system help justify the Limited trim’s price point.
Touring – $40,035
A Touring variant Outback comes with satin chrome-finish power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Onyx Edition XT – $39,360
The Onyx Edition XT is the first 2025 Outback trim to receive the turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque.
Wilderness – $39,960
Wilderness drivers get an elevated ground height of 9.5”, hexagonal-style LED fog lights, and StarTex water-repellent upholstery.
Limited XT – $40,195
Leather-trimmed upholstery, blind-spot detection with lane-change and rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking are all standard within the Limited XT.
Touring XT – $42,795
Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery is a central feature of the Touring XT’s appeal.
Warranty info
Subaru offers 2025 Outback purchasers a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, whichever comes first, and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty—both of which are par for this segment.
Final verdict
Subaru’s 2025 Outback is the adventurer’s compact crossover SUV. This model’s extensive trim lineup helps drivers customize their experience while checking several noteworthy boxes for the class, including standard AWD, multiple display options, and thorough safety. While the 2025 Outback falls short of its primary competition in some areas like dynamic performance, its lower starting price, comfortable cabin, and off-road prowess help compensate, which is why we’re giving this iteration an 8.7/10.