Text by Tom Appel
2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT
Specs
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A- |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 260-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cyinder |
| Transmission | CVT automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Class: MidsizeCrossover
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Color: Crimson Red Pearl
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 136
Real-world fuel economy: 24.6 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22/29/25 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular Gas
Base price: $42,795 (not including $1420 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: All-weather floor mats ($141)
Price as tested: $44,356
Audio-System Brand
Harman Kardon
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy, nicely finished cabin, off-road/foul-weather prowess
The good: Ample power from turbocharged engine; wagon utility
The not so good: Power delivery uneven at low speeds
Review
There has been some argument about whether or not the Subaru Outback is a station wagon, or instead a crossover. Here at Consumer Guide, we’ve been a little inconsistent in our labeling of Subaru’s popular woodsy model, but we lean towards calling it a compact crossover. But, if you want to call it a midsize car, we’re cool with that, too.
But whatever you call it, the Outback is, and has been, based on the maker’s now discontinued Legacy midsize sedan, and, all marketing and segmenting aside, is, in reality, a station wagon. A really nice and functional station wagon.
Why this matters so much right now is that the Outback is being completely redesigned for the 2026 model year, and the new ‘Back looks much more like a conventional crossover than the current example.
And, if you considered the Outback a station wagon, it was the last non-premium-brand station wagon available in the U.S. When the last 2025 Outback is sold, wagons will become the exclusive purview of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo—and none of those carmakers sell very many of them. Long live the station wagon.
As the last Wagon, the Outback deserves credit for representing the breed so well. Subaru’s most carlike crossover is famously refined, comfortable, and functional, and has earned a reputation for reliability and resale value. The Outback is really everything a careful shopper could want from a personal or family vehicle.
For those not in the know, the Outback is positioned in size and price between Subaru’s popular Forester compact crossover, and less popular Ascent midsize 3-row crossover. Subie’s subcompact Crosstrek anchors the crossover lineup.
Since the Outback is being completely redesigned for 2026, Subaru made only a few changes to the model for ’25, none of which affect our general impressions of the vehicle.
For 2025, the Outback is offered in a staggering nine trim levels, all of which are equipped with Subaru’s branded Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Here’s a breakdown:
- Outback ($31,415)
- Premium ($34,480)
- Onyx Edition ($39,390)
- Limited ($41,140)
- Onyx XT ($42,645)
- Wilderness ($43,130)
- Limited XT ($43,480)
- Touring ($43,700)
- Touring XT ($46,150)
Engines
Most Outbacks are powered by a 182-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Models including the XT designation enjoy the added boost of a 260-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged four. Both engines mate to a CVT-style automatic transmission. And, both engines run fine on regular-grade gas.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Outback Touring XT in Crimson Red Pearl. Including destination charge, our test car came to $44,356.
Cabin Trim
Our complaints regarding the interior materials of the subcompact Subaru Crosstrek do not extend to the Outback, at least not in Touring trim. The black-leather trim in our test car, punctuated tastefully with bright accents, felt upscale, and absolutely on brand for Subaru. And though designed on car architecture, the Outback is crossover roomy with big doors, large and welcoming seats, and plenty of glass area. Rear-seat space is similarly generous.
Connectivity
We’ve become accustomed to Subaru’s “Starlink” infotainment system, and generally find it accommodating. The large, vertically oriented console touchscreen is easy to reach and easy to read, even in bright light. As in other Subaru’s of recent vintage, we did suffer a number of Bluetooth “disconnects,” forcing us to delete our devices from the system and relink. This is a time-consuming annoyance we hope the factory has a fix for. We did NOT experience the issue this time around.
Once connected, the system operates well, and we have only good things to say about the Harman Kardon sound system, which punches above the Outback’s price class.
Ride and Handling
On the road, the Outback feels tight and substantial, in the best possible way. The ride is firm yet compliant, lending itself to sporty behavior, should you be so inclined. The steering has some old-school heft to it, and communicates road conditions effectively. Likewise, the Outback is composed in corners, and the brakes are responsive and feel strong.
Power and Performance
Power from the burly turbocharged engine is more than ample, though the CVT automatic transmission can be slow to respond to throttle inputs, a condition which can prove frustrating in heavy traffic. The solution is to apply additional throttle, which generally expedites matters, but likely at the expense of fuel economy. This, by the way, is really our only Outback complaint.
Fuel Economy
Speaking of fuel economy, our test car averaged 25 mpg during a hot spell which necessitated full-time use of the air conditioner. We’d call that decent mileage given the Outback’s power and heft.
Value
Like all Subarus, the Outback is somehow more than the sum of its parts, especially in luxurious Touring trim. We recommend stepping up to the turbocharged engine on trim levels on which it is available. And yes, we know the Outback is really a car, but who cares? It’s elevated ride height will help in deep snow or during casual off-road adventures, and the roomy wagon body serves up crossover-style utility. Also, at comfortably less than $50,000 fully loaded, the Outback Touring XT also represents real dollar value.
If you’re not looking for more than 5-passenger space, and don’t need to tow, the Outback absolutely deserves a place on your shopping list. And, if you want to own one of the last real station wagons, you’ll need to hurry. The all new, much-less-wagonny Outback goes on sale later this year.
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2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
