2017 Subaru Outback review

1. Impressive off-road ability

Looking for a car with more storage and space than a standard midsize sedan and the rugged off-road ability of an SUV? The 2017 Subaru Outback is the perfect choice for you. It's a midsize wagon that can handle the daily commute to work or trips to the grocery store with ease. But for when adventure comes calling, it can also tackle rough terrain like a full-blown SUV, thanks to standard features like all-wheel-drive, hill descent control, and hill holder.

2. Two versatile engine options

Speaking of versatility, that theme continues under the hood. Standard on 2017 Subaru Outback models is a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, supplying 175 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque through a continuously-variable automatic transmission. And with the ability to achieve an EPA-estimated 32 mpg on the highway, this is a great configuration for everyday cruising.

If you want more power, though, the 3.6R Limited and 3.6R Touring models come equipped with a 3.6L six-cylinder engine, upping power output to 256 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque while still achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg on the highway.

3. Comfortable and spacious cabin

Like any good midsize wagon, take one look inside the 2017 Subaru Outback and you'll find a roomy and well-equipped cabin. There's seating for up to five passengers, and with 42.9 inches of front-seat legroom and 38.1 inches of rear-seat legroom, there's plenty of space for everyone to stretch out and relax on the journey. Additionally, there are creature comforts across the 2017 Subaru Outback range, from dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats on 2.5i Premium trims to leather upholstery and heated front and rear seats on 2.5i Limited trims.

4. Available driver convenience technologies

Elsewhere on the packed feature list, the 2017 Subaru Outback has a great selection of driver convenience technologies available to give you maximum peace of mind. Available on Premium and Limited trims, and standard on the top-line Touring trims, is the Driver Assist Technology package, which includes adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and forward collision mitigation. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is included on Premium versions of this package.

5. Excellent storage capacity

By default, the 2017 Subaru Outback offers 35.5 cu-ft of luggage volume behind the rear seats. And with 60/40 split-folding rear seats included as standard, those can be folded flat to increase that capacity to a whopping 73.3 cu-ft. But why stop there? When you want to bring along something bigger for that camping weekend away, there are roof rails with integrated cross bars included as standard. And if that's still not enough, you can even hook up a trailer — with the 3.6L six-cylinder engine equipped, the 2017 Subaru Outback has an estimated maximum towing capacity of 2,700 lbs when properly equipped.