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2022 Subaru Outback review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Subaru Outback highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • High ground clearance with standard AWD
  • Powerful available turbo engine
  • Plenty of standard tech features

Cons

  • Underperforming base engine
  • Unappealing interior
  • Difficult-to-use infotainment system

Mileage (EPA estimate)

22 city, 26 highway, 24 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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The most rugged Outback to date

The Subaru Outback is one of the most popular wagons of all time, and one of the few that blur the line between car and SUV. With higher ground clearance than a typical car or wagon—plus standard AWD—the Subaru Outback is an extremely capable vehicle. The Outback continues its quest to advance its utility and creature comforts with a new trim for 2022: the Wilderness. While the rest of the 2022 Outback trims have a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, the Wilderness trim bumps it up to 9.5 inches and comes standard with a turbocharged engine.

All Subaru Outback years

What is new for the 2022 Subaru Outback?

  • The Outback is available in a new trim called the Wilderness.
  • Outback trims have been upgraded with Parking Sensors and Manual Transmission as standard equipment this year.
  • The Onyx Edition XT trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
  • The Premium trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
  • The Base trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.

2022 Subaru Outback trims

Curious how Subaru Outback trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Outback:

  • Includes AWD, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry, automatic climate control, rear-vision camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, and more.

Outback Premium:

  • Adds dual-zone automatic climate control, body-colored folding side mirrors with integrated turn signal, and dual rear USB charging ports.

Outback Limited:

  • Unlocks leather-trimmed upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, Harman Kardon® premium audio system, reverse automatic braking, and more.

Outback Touring:

  • Adds power moonroof, body-color door handles, DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system, and 180-degree front-view monitor.

Outback Onyx Edition XT:

  • Adds 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, six speakers, and 18-inch black and machined alloy wheels.

Outback Wilderness:

  • Unlocks ground clearance of 9.7 inches, hexagonal LED fog lights, unique raised roof rails, and fender flares.

View all Subaru Outbacks in stock

Subaru Outback photos

5 reasons to buy the 2022 Subaru Outback

1. Plenty of ground clearance

2022 Subaru Outback: Reviews, Photos, and More: 5 Reasons to Buy | CarMax

If you like spending time in the great outdoors—which often means riding over rugged terrain or unpaved roads—you'll love the Subaru Outback. While the 2022 Outback might look like a car at first glance, it has considerably more ground clearance than your average wagon. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.5 inches on the Wilderness trim), the Outback can navigate rough and uneven terrain with ease.

2. Lots of standard features

2022 Subaru Outback: Reviews, Photos, and More: 5 Reasons to Buy #2  | CarMax

The Subaru Outback comes standard with many attractive features. All 2022 Outbacks are equipped with elevated roof racks to enable handy hauling of cargo or to provide an attachment point for racks. LED headlights, automatic climate control, a rearview backup camera, and keyless entry are also standard features on the 2022 Outback.

3. Standard AWD

2022 Subaru Outback: Reviews, Photos, and More: 5 Reasons to Buy #3  | CarMax

All 2022 Outbacks come standard with Subaru's symmetrical AWD. Inclement weather, rough terrain, and even places that may not pass for roads are made easier and more accessible with the Outback's AWD, paired with the added benefit of raised ground clearance.

4. Available turbocharged engine

2022 Subaru Outback: Reviews, Photos, and More: 5 Reasons to Buy #4  | CarMax

For the 2022 model year, both the Outback Onyx Edition XT and Wilderness trim come standard with a 2.5L turbocharged DOHC engine. Output is a solid 260 horsepower with 277 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity with this engine is an estimated 3,500 lbs, when properly equipped.

5. Rugged off-road capability

2022 Subaru Outback: Reviews, Photos, and More: 5 Reasons to Buy #5 | CarMax

Because the 2022 Subaru Outback has both AWD and an elevated ride height, it's a capable vehicle when the road gets rough, or the pavement ends. Most Outback trims come standard with 8.7 inches of ground clearance; the Wilderness trim enjoys 9.5 inches. The Wilderness trim also benefits from a turbocharged engine.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2022 Subaru Outback, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is a compact luxury SUV with seating for five. Model years 2016–2018 come standard with a 279 hp, 3.5-L V6 engine paired with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is an available option. In 2019 Acura redesigned the RDX, swapping the V6 for a 272 hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Even in the base trim, the Acura RDX has standard leatherette seats for all model years.

2016–2021 Acura RDXs come with the following features:

  • 279-horsepower V6 on model years 2016–2018; 272 hp turbo-four on model years 2019 and later

  • Standard seven-speaker audio system with USB and Bluetooth connections

  • Standard leatherette seats, heated in the front

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Subaru Outback an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Subaru Outback 10th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback features and specs

Premium 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • 4WD/AWD
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Cloth Seats
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Traction Control
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • CD Audio
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Navigation System
  • Power Hatch/Deck Lid
  • Remote Start
  • Smart Key
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)

Engine size

2.5L

Horsepower

182

Torque (ft-lbs)

176

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

18.5

Wheelbase

108.1"

Overall length

191.3"

Width

73"

Height

66.4"

Leg room

F 42.8"/R 39.5"

Head room

F 40.1"/R 39.1"

Front tires

P225/65HR17

Rear tires

P225/65HR17

Seating capacity

5

Max towing capacity

270/2700 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2022 Subaru Outback FAQ

More about the 2022 Subaru Outback

Color options

2022 Subaru Outback: Reviews, Photos, and More: Color Options | CarMax

Exterior colors:

  • Blue Pearl

  • Autumn Green Metallic (not available on base Outback)

  • Brilliant Bronze Metallic (not available on Onyx & Wilderness)

  • Cinnamon Brown Pearl (Limited & Touring only)

  • Crimson Red Pearl (Limited & Touring only)

  • Crystal Black Silica

  • Crystal White Pearl

  • Geyser Blue (Wilderness only)

  • Ice Silver Metallic

  • Magnetic Gray Metallic

Interior colors:

  • Gray (Onyx & Wilderness only)

  • Java Brown (Touring only)

  • Slate Black

  • Titanium Gray

  • Warm Ivory

Interior details

The 2022 Subaru Outback seats up to five passengers and has plenty of room for cargo. With 32.5 cu-ft of space behind the rear seats, the Outback has lots to work with while still using all the seats. If you need more room, folding down the second row will get you 75.7 cu-ft of space. While various colors of cloth interior are standard, leather is optional and comes standard on the Limited and Touring trims.

Child seat details

The 2022 Subaru Outback provides seating for up to five passengers and can fit up to two car seats in the second row. Various styles of car seats will work in the Outback, including forward- or rear-facing car seats and boosters. Child seat anchor points make installing car seats in the Outback a simple task.

Performance

The 2022 Subaru Outback comes standard with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. Turbocharged models produce 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base engine gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined.

Towing capacity is an estimated 2,700 lbs and 3,500 lbs respectively, when properly equipped.

Emissions

According to EPA estimates, the 2022 Subaru Outback with the 2.5L four-cylinder engine generates tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions of 308 grams per mile. The 2.4L turbo generates an EPA-estimated 343 grams per mile, and the Wilderness trim generates an EPA-estimated 377 grams per mile.

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