The 2020 Subaru Outback was designed to resemble a hiking shoe. Really. The lead designer and head of the Outback line at Subaru, Yoichi Hori, a thin bespectacled man who takes this job very seriously, showed all of us at the media drive last week in Fort Bragg, California, his preliminary sketches of the new car. He started with a rough drawing of a high-end hiking shoe—dynamic flexible and flashy uppers on top of a rubber and plastic sole designed for grip. He ended up with the 2020 Outback. I looked at his sketches, then at the Outback parked outside and yeah, you can see it. Does sorta look like a hiker.
Whether Hori meant it or not, this is actually a perfect analogy for what this car actually is, not just looks like. The all-new, 6th generation Outback is not a technical hiking boot meant for climbing nasty terrain that most people will never see in person, let alone to try to walk over and that would require know-how to use properly. It’s a modern hiking shoe—fast, light, and nimble with flexibility in the cabin and a sure-footed grip in the kind of terrain that your typical adventure-loving buyer frequents: snow and unmaintained dirt roads. If you want a boot that will conquer the world’s toughest summits, you’re not buying a splashy mid-tier offering from Merrell. Want to drive overland from Egypt to South Africa? Probably not gonna try that in an Outback. But for more approachable adventures, this is a comfortable, capable rig, easy to drive right out of the box.
Yep, we got the wheels off the ground.
I drove a couple of different models over two days in and around the redwood forests north of Mendocino and I can honestly say it was the most drama-free off-roading I’ve experienced in some time. Stream crossings, mud pits, deep ravines, off-camber turns—all prepared by Subaru techs, of course—were so easy in this car I would have had no problem handing over the keys to a 16-year-old kid and letting them drive the course fresh after passing their driver’s license exam. No creaking, no groaning, little body roll. If a tire slipped, the car quickly adapted to regain traction. A steep downhill was nothing with Subaru’s X-Mode off-road, uh, brain engaged. My driving partner lives in Manhattan and doesn’t own a car. Said she never feels comfortable off-road or in the backcountry, period. She ended up driving the entire second half of the day, all on nasty, forested fire roads with exposed drops. “That was almost too easy,” she said as she shut the car off at the end of the trip. “Not the course, but the car.” I agreed.
Hard to tell a difference up front from the outgoing generation.
The changes over the previous generation are mostly iterative on the outside. It’s slightly longer, and Hori has replaced some curves with angles. It’s ever so slightly more pinched at the front and the rear and is starting to resemble a racy Euro luxury wagon. But it’s still unmistakenly an Outback. Bigger changes are the chassis and motor. It now rides on the Subaru Global Platform, a stiffer, lighter, and stronger frame than the previous model. It also has a turbocharged 4-banger as an option—finally—something Subaru enthusiasts have wanted for decades, and which replaces the thirsty 6-cylinder Outbacks have been sold with for ages. Subaru’s legendary all-wheel-drive system remains the same. The inside is a little more refined though is absolutely dominated by a huge 11.6-inch infotainment screen, new for this year. Previous Outbacks on the higher trim levels felt like nice Subarus. The pricier versions of the new model feel like Volvos inside.
Finally, there’s a new trim level, the Onyx XT edition, which is the “adventure” package of the car. This version comes with black wheels, black badging, a waterproof leatherette interior, and off-road computer system settings for snow and mud, and a full-sized spare. For a car that’s already aimed at the adventure crowd, building a special edition that’s even more adventure-y is a little confusing for my taste, but if you want to pony up the extra cash for the cooler wheels, I get it. (If you want to get into the weeds with the different packages and more specs about the new engine, here you go.)
I wrote a piece a few months ago about my struggle to find the “perfect” adventure car (which you should check out for suggestions—there’s a lively comment section there). My conclusion then is that it really doesn’t exist. Or that it does, but it’s whatever car you currently own. (Buddy of mine has an old Toyota Sienna van he has big plans for and I’m kinda envious). I ended up buying a 2016 Outback. Turns out, a hiking shoe is exactly what I need. More than the Tacoma I traded in to buy the Outback, the Subaru is easier to live with, gets far better mpgs, can be parked, I can see out of it, and it has a huge backseat which my infant daughter seems to love. It’s as close to the perfect adventure rig that I’ve found. I also don’t feel guilty driving it, something lots of us eco-conscious adventurers deal with.
The massive infotainment screen—this I did not like. Interior is much more elegant than outgoing models, but is that what you want in an adventure car?
I also think it’s a better car than the new generation, which came as quite a relief during the media drive; I feared driving home in a car that would suddenly feel inadequate. The chassis aside, which I did really like in the 2020, the 5th generation has a better blend of modern amenities and just enough analog feel to remind you this is a car built to get dirty. Here’s an example of what I mean. The 2020 Outback’s enormous touchscreen looks cool, but it’s a pain in the ass to use while driving. Engaging X-Mode, which isn’t necessarily something you employ on the fly, admittedly, requires two screen swipes and at least two screen taps to employ. It’s also not intuitively located. I spent at least five minutes idling and looking around for how to activate it before dipping into the mud. When my driving partner started getting cold on a chilly summer afternoon (ah, NorCal), we both were mystified trying to find out how to flick on the seat warmers, only to be met with a similarly complicated touchscreen challenge.
And I didn’t even get into all the computerized nanny controls. EyeSight, Subaru’s road awareness system that alerts you to lane drifting, takes over braking in some instances, has adaptive cruise control, blah blah blah—that works fine if you like it. I don’t. It’s a little disruptive to me and doesn’t always work. We drove over plenty of double-yellows without any warning chimes. There are undoubtedly electronic features I never even noticed; this is a car that recognizes your face, for pete’s sake, with an interior camera to adjust your controls and seat position to your favored setup. A little Big Brother for my liking. All this stuff seems like unnecessary intrusions into a driving experience that I enjoy because I’m the one making decisions and doing the driving. It’s a little like if your hiking shoes beeped at you when you went off trail. “Are you really sure you want to be doing that, Dave?”
Plus, it’s complicated in the new generation. On my car, X-Mode is a physical button. Same with the seat warmers. Can’t miss ’em. I can turn them on with gloved or dirty hands, something I couldn’t do in the new model. I also don’t really want a more refined interior in a car like this. There’s a slightly utilitarian vibe to mine. More flat angles, less creative design. That’s perfect. The new models are gorgeous but are edging a bit into the territory of a car I don’t want to take somewhere to get dirty.
More capable than you might think for a family hauler.
I hope Subaru doesn’t continue down the road of luxurifying their lineup. They’re kinda the only game in town for good-sized, reasonably capable rigs that aren’t trucks or bloated SUVs. I would line up to buy a manual transmission Outback with fewer bells and whistles, but the same capability, for way less money. Seriously. Gimme a stripped-down base model with steel wheels and a rubberized interior and not only would I be all over it, I have about 50 buddies who would be too. The base model Outback is nearly $30,000 at this point. Until they do offer a cheaper, less computerized version, the 5th generation might actually be the more attractive buy for some drivers. Same off-road chops, just a little less flash. But that’s me.
That said, the new generation Outbacks are a great choice if you need space, don’t want a truck, and get into the rough stuff sometimes. If I wasn’t in love with my 2016, I’m sure I’d be tempted. Subaru knows their market very well. “Outback go anywhere” Hori said when describing what he hears from people who’ve bonded with their Outback over the years. He said people tell him the Outback is like a friend. The car is built for people who love getting outside and into some stunning places, but aren’t professional explorers, and who need their car to do more than one thing; get groceries and bust through snow, not just climb over rocks. You know, like a hiking shoe, basically.
Photos courtesy of Subaru.
I love the subaru we just sold … but only because we had decided to be a one car family and it was really hard to choose between the outback and my Tacoma. In other news, what is going on with the Elk and the guy sneaking on him in the cover photo?
Good question – didn’t see that at first. There are elk herds just north of Mendocino, looks like maybe they’re trying to shoo it out of the shot? They hit the beaches pretty frequently up there.
It certainly adds to the mystique that is the Subaru Outback …
Haha, good question. Justin’s going to have to field that one.
Did you test drive on the highway? If so, how was it in terms of comfort, features, and noise? Thanks.
Yep, and it was utterly unremarkable on pavement. Although I will say it’s quieter than my 2016. It’s planted, solid, a little dead-feeling in the steering, but it’s fine. On twisty roads it’s well-composed.
I have a 2017 Outback with the 6 cyl. and all the amenities (Tour Model). After 2+ years it continues to surprise me on its functionality and capabilities off road. I rarely use my F350 to go hunting or scouting anymore. The Outback goes all the same places and does so much more comfortably. It’s got great ground clearance and as the article pointed out, the x-mode works great for stepping down step, rock covered inclines as well as working through mud. My lease ends next February and I’ll be keeping this one.
What you talking about no turbocharged 4 cylinder in decades?!?! I had a used, 2005 XT. Now that was fun to drive, until the turbo blew up half way to Jackson Hole. I fell into a deal on a 2015 gen5 2.5i w/o EyeSight, and I agree completely with your assessment. Subaru doesn’t have the best history with its infotainment systems, give me real switches. I do have my fingers crossed that the CVT holds up better than the internet, and some real mechanics, would have me believe.
Hi Doug — didn’t mean to say they didn’t exist, just that Subie owners have wanted them for years, buying them when available, going without angrily when not. Also, personally, I don’t think I’d buy the XT. The power band in the XT doesn’t really hit until you’re already cruising at roughly 35-40 mph and even then isn’t that peppy. And that’s an expensive thing to break.
I also hope and pray that future Subies won’t be all touchscreen and computer. Turning a knob is so easy!
Give me buttons.
Give me sliders.
Lose the screen.
In this age of laws prohibiting handheld devices (a good thing), these screens just make things worse.
100%.
I appreciate your perspective as an owner of the previous generation. I own a 2013 XV Crosstrek that is getting up in miles… along with having some first model year issues outside of warranty. I’ve found myself considering the Outback and can’t get over the deals I’ve seen. I’ve been waiting to hear from someone just like you. Is your 2016 the 2.5 or the 3.6? Another reason that I haven’t ruled out a 5th gen is because the new engine is direct injection, and while the issues with direct injection may seem overblown, the concern is still there.
Hey Chris, for what it’s worth, the older generation Outbacks (2015 – 2017+) used two different CVTs. A burlier one for the 3.6R and a lighter weight, new version for the 2.5. We bought the 3.6 as we’re often slowly crawling up steeper inclines and, now, towing a lightweight off road pop up camper.
We also enjoy the 3.6R once the car is loaded for adventure and/or loaded with people. Once you have a box top w/ gear, bikes on the back, a pup and a few other odds/ends… your payload is pretty high which makes it nice to not have the engine need to work as hard to get you up into the mountains.
And, re: Eyesight + adaptive cruise… I love it for driving from our home into the mountains. There’s a good deal of highway typically between us and where we’re going, so it’s super nice to be able to get on the road and set the cruise.
Hi Chris – I have the 2.5. I have driven the 3.6 and didn’t feel like the fuel penalty was worth the extra oomph. Plus, I just like 4-cylinder motors, even flat fours. I don’t live in the mountains though, or at elevation. If I did, I might consider the 3.6, but I’ve had no issues whatsover with my 4-cyl. Recently was up Sonora Pass, one of the steepest roads in the country and the engine pulled me up with gobs of power to spare. I personally wouldn’t get the 2020 for a couple reasons in your case — you’ve already had issues with your first model year Crosstrek, no reason to think that couldn’t happen with the 2020. And then there’s the deals — I’m sure Subaru lots will be scrambling to get rid of 2019s to make room.
Both of these replies are much appreciated!! Reed, thanks for weighing in on the 3.6R. There’s a lot to love about it. The biggest changes for me would be the dip in fuel economy and the amount of oil… it takes a whopping 6.7 quarts. I really like the idea of having an overall beefier powertrain and who doesn’t want more power?! Justin, your argument sounds a lot like how I’ve been feeling. I’ve even test driven the new RAV4 Adventure, but there’s plenty about it that doesn’t satisfy my personal taste (may test the hybrid before committing to anything). Regardless, I’m patient. I really love my XV, I just know I’m better off moving on.
i test drove the subaru outback (2019) but ended up by a vw alltrack with a 6-speed manual. the vw just flat out rips on the pavement and I am eager to test it out in the snow.
I do love the lines of the subaru and it has great utility but after I test drove the vw it was a no brainer.