Road Test: 2020 Subaru Outback Limited

A Whole Lot To Like

You won’t be alone if the 2020 Subaru Outback looks more like a jacked-up station wagon than a crossover SUV. Nothing wrong with not being able to peg it in a popular category, because it doesn’t matter. The Outback holds its own against the competition, as it is a true utility vehicle that can get a bit rugged when it needs to be. Subarus are known for their off-road capability, and the Outback, with AWD and a high ground clearance, continues that reputation.

Drivetrain

The 2020 Subaru Outback is available with two engines–the base 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder and the optional 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder, which is new for 2020, replacing a V6. The 2.4L has 260 horsepower (hp) and 277 pound-feet of torque (lb.-ft.). For our test, Clean Fleet Report drove the base engine Outback with 182 hp and 176 lb.-ft. of torque. A boxer engine has horizontally opposed pistons, instead of being configured in a V or inline pattern.

Power is delivered to the symmetrical AWD system through Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). Our Limited trim had driver-selectable X-Mode for hill descent control and mild off-roading. If you are expecting to do more aggressive off-roading, you can get the dual-function X-Mode system that includes settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud driving. We did not have the opportunity to test the X-Mode system, but there should be no doubt the Outback can do exactly what Subaru says it can when dry pavement runs out.

The Outback with the 2.5L non-turbo engine has an EPA fuel economy estimate of 26 mpg city/33 highway/29 combined while using 87 octane gasoline. In 270 miles of driving throughout Southern California, we averaged just a bit better, getting 32 mpg combined. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.

Driving Experience: On the Road

Cars made for highway cruising and semi-serious off-roading need to find a ride and handling compromise. The 2020 Subaru Outback was smooth to drive on grooved Southern California concrete freeways with low wind and road noise in the cabin. In town, it was easy to maneuver and park with its compact 36.1-inch turning radius. When a mountain road we engaged became a series of moderate speed sweepers, the cornering was flat with hardly any corrections to find and keep the apex. The 225/60 Yokohama VID GT all-season tires, on 18-inch alloy wheels, gripped well and were quiet at highway speeds.

When the sweepers became tighter twisties, the handling became more confident. The active torque vectoring splits the AWD, which transfers grip, front-to-rear, based on steering input, acceleration and braking, and tightened the suspension for accurate road feel. Body roll was apparent only when the 3,730-pound Outback was pushed too hard.

The drivability of the 2.5L engine and the CVT provided smooth performance, whether it was in-town or on the highway. When put under demand, the engine remained quiet, but the CVT would get louder, and some of the “shifts” would hold just a bit too long. About those shifts; a CVT does not have any gears, but Subaru has simulated eight ratios that feel and sound like gears. If you choose to, the shifter can be placed in the manual setting and then the paddle shifters will control the CVT “shift points.”

One beef with the Outback is the stop/start feature that is designed to reduce fuel consumption when stopped at a light or in stop-and-go traffic. The engine would turn off quickly as designed, but when reengaging, the Outback would jerk and the engine would shake. The Subaru system has the least amount of sophistication we have experienced, which was odd as all other aspects of the engine are top notch. The stop/start can be turned off, but the control is buried in the infotainment screen, and can’t be set to remain off, so it needs to be set every time you start the engine.

The Outback drives and rides like a premium crossover SUV. I was pleasantly surprised, as going in I was telling myself this rugged blown-up station wagon was going to be anything but nimble or have excellent body control. The steering was firm, even the steering wheel itself has a heft that bred confidence. You can also tow up to 2,700 pounds. Overall, the Outback handles like the Subaru Legacy sedan on which it is based, but still has the full capability of going off-road.

Driving Experience: Exterior

You won’t be faulted if you can’t see much difference in the all-new, sixth generation 2020 Outback compared to the 2019 model. It underwent a mild redesign, which is perfectly fine with Outback owners. The popular Outback has found its audience and Subaru knows not to tweak it too much. The changes for 2020 are LED headlights being standard on all models and additional lower body cladding. Not much, but it doesn’t matter as the Outback has a classic design that is easily identifiable from its competition.

One thing you will notice is the 8.7-inches of ground clearance, giving the Outback an advantage when going off-road. The ride height, higher than a compact crossover but not as high as a truck, and the low window belt line give the driver excellent visibility on the road. The standard raised roof rail tie-downs make securing loads easy, and the integrated crossbars fold into the rails when not in use.

Subaru saying the lower body cladding has “a chunky hiking boot style” is a perfect description. This thicker-than-usual cladding has a purpose of protecting the rocker panels and lower doors from brush and rocks. It looks perfect on the Outback.

Driving Experience: Interior

Our two-toned interior, titanium gray and dark gray, presented a soothing feeling when sliding into the power, ventilated and heated Nappa leather-trimmed seats. Top stitching on the seats, door panels and dash was subtle, reminiscent of a baseball glove. The dash is low-slung, providing for good forward visibility. Soft touch materials abound, with the door and center console arm rests being very comfortable.

The Outback’s infotainment system is housed in an 11.6-inch vertical tablet-style high-resolution touchscreen. Subaru’s Starlink connected services technology is the heart of the system, with Tom Tom navigation, and multimedia of SiriusXM, HD FM/AM, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The overall system was easy to read and use, and we especially liked knobs for the volume and channel selecting. The leather-wrapped steering wheel also had radio, Bluetooth voice command, steering wheel heat and cruise control switches.

What we found challenging was using the controls for the climate system and the heated seats. The touch points on the screen were too small and the reactions were slow. Subaru could reduce the size of the vertical screen by a couple inches, and replace the touch point controls with wheels, knobs, or buttons. It would still look modern, but the front seat occupants would have a much better experience.

There were small storage areas in the front cabin on the dash, below the center stack, on the passenger side of the center console and in the doors. None of them were particularly large, but could handle a mobile phone or other small items.

The second row reclining seat can easily accommodate three adults, with the outbound passengers getting heat. With a folding center console, the second row splits 60/40, which expands the storage space considerably to 75 cubic-feet of space, plenty large enough for two adults to sleep on a camping trip.

The rear storage space is accessed by the optional (on Premium trim) hands-free power lift gate. Subaru has a unique system where you don’t swing your leg under the rear bumper to open the gate, but you press your elbow on the gate and voilà…up it goes!

Safety and Warranties

Subaru calls its advanced driver safety assistance system (ADAS) EyeSight, which they say offers “an extra set of eyes on the road.” With more than one million EyeSight-equipped vehicles sold, Subaru adds that “EyeSight has been found to reduce the rate of rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85%.” EyeSight has the full suite of ADAS, including pre-collision braking, lane departure, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, blind spot monitoring and a head-up display. The Driver Focus Distraction Mitigation System can detect and identify driver inattention caused by fatigue or distraction. When you take a test drive in the 2020 Outback, have the dealer sales representative show you how to set-up the system, and then how to test it.

Other safety items include LED fog lights, rearview compass mirror with Homelink, eight airbags, ABS with brake assist, auto hold, reverse automatic braking and an electronic parking brake.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, awarded the Outback Five Stars, its highest safety ranking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS, tested the Outback and it made the Top Safety Pick+ list.

The 2020 Outback comes with these warranties.

Basic                               Three years/36,000 miles

Powertrain                      Five years/60,000 miles

Rust Perforation              Five years/Unlimited miles

Price

The 2020 Subaru Outback comes in seven trim levels with these base prices, including the $1,010 destination and delivery charge.

Outback                          $27,655

Outback Premium            $29,905

Outback Limited              $34,455

Outback Touring             $38,555

Outback Onyx XT            $35,905

Outback Limited XT         $38,755

Outback Touring XT        $40,705

Clean Fleet Report tested the Outback Limited with a base price of $34,455. Including $2,045 in options and the $1,010 destination and delivery charge, the MSRP came to $36,500.

Observations: 2020 Subaru Outback Limited

The all-new 2020 Subaru Outback will continue the run of the Outback being Subaru’s best-selling vehicle. And there is good reason it will. This multi-purpose vehicle, whether it is considered a station wagon, crossover or SUV, is equally at home on the highway, in-town or off-road. Subaru tells us to “Go where love takes you” in an Outback, something we can heartily get behind.

There is much to like about the 2020 Outback. The interior is quiet and spacious, the seats are comfortable and the rear seat can truly hold three adults. The base model has a good list of standard driver safety technologies, and the government and independent safety ratings are excellent. The composed ride finds the Outback equally at home on the highway or off-road. With 8.7-inches of ground clearance, the Outback isn’t designed for rock crawling, but it will easily tackle rutted dirt roads as mud and standing water are nary an obstacle. The X-Mode and dual-function X-Mode traction management drive systems are there to help tackle the more challenging road surfaces.

The areas Subaru could improve the Outback include the rough stop/start, the climate control interface, and the fuel economy, whose numbers could be a bit higher. A plug-in hybrid Outback, similar to the Crosstrek Hybrid, would bump those fuel economy numbers close to 40 mpg, and the extra torque from the electric motors would make off-roading even more exciting.

Overall, I was very impressed with the 2020 Subaru Outback Limited. The base engine is fine for most drivers, but if a bit more performance is desired, then go for the turbo. The Outback drives like a car, which makes the handling better than most crossovers. If your active lifestyle includes pulling a tent trailer or boat, the Outback will handle your outdoor gear.

The next step is a test drive at your local Subaru dealer. Enjoy!

Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter so you will know when our more detailed Road Test review is posted.

Whatever you end up buying, Happy Driving!

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class. We also feature those that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.