Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback is a station wagon masquerading as an SUV, though that's by no means a bad thing. This is the vehicle to get if you want the versatility of an SUV, the road manners of a wagon, and a sprinkling of adventure. With standard all-wheel drive and a healthy number of standard advanced driver assists, the Outback makes a lot of sense. And while we're not so fond of the base engine's slow acceleration, the Outback's optional turbocharged mill absolutely gets the job done.

For 2022, Subaru is introducing the Outback Wilderness for customers who want a little more off-road capability from their SUV/wagon hybrid. The upgrades start with a lifted suspension that gives the Outback 9.5 inches of ground clearance. That's nearly an inch more than the regular model and further enhances the Outback's ability to roll over rocks and ruts without damage. Subaru also loads the Outback Wilderness with goodies for overlanding enthusiasts including a standard front skid plate, all-terrain tires, and an upgraded roof rack that can bear up to 700 pounds of weight so you can mount a rooftop tent.

There are plenty of other midsize SUVs in this class. Top rivals include the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe and Volkswagen Atlas Cross. Or if you want something even capable off-road, take a look at the Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler or new Ford Bronco. But overall the Outback's combination of comfort and capability is hard to beat. Check out our Expert Rating below to learn even more from our test team's full evaluation.

What's it like to live with?

MatoCar added a Subaru Outback to its long-term fleet not long after the model's debut. We've found it to be spacious and comfortable, but the touchscreen interface can be distracting to use. Get our in-depth take on the Outback's ownership experience by checking out our long-term Outback test. It's a 2020 model, but nearly all of our observations apply to the 2022 Outback as well.

Which Outback does MatoCar recommend?

The Premium trim offers a good mix of features and tech for not much more than the base model. But if you have the budget, we suggest stepping up to the Onyx Edition XT. It's well equipped and the least expensive way to get the Outback's turbocharged engine, which is much more appealing than the base engine.

The Subaru Outback is a midsize SUV that comes in eight trim levels: base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT and Touring XT. All-wheel drive comes standard on every trim. Feature highlights include:

Base Comes standard with:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (182 horsepower, 176 lb-ft of torque)
Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
17-inch alloy wheels
Hill descent control
LED headlights
Roof rails with integrated crossbars
Dual 7-inch center touchscreens
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Automatic climate control
Driver aids:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Subaru and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Automatic high beams

Premium Stepping up to the Premium trim adds:

Heated and power-folding exterior mirrors
Windshield wiper de-icer
LED foglights
Tinted rear windows
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Heated front seats
11.6-inch touchscreen display (replaces the dual 7-inch screens)
Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Options on the Premium include:

Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Hands-free liftgate
Proximity keyless entry and push-button ignition
Sunroof
Integrated navigation system

Limited Includes all Premium features plus the blind-spot monitoring, hands-free liftgate, and keyless ignition and entry. You also get:

18-inch wheels
Driver's seat memory settings
Leather upholstery
Harman Kardon audio system
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Power-adjustable front passenger seat
Heated rear outboard seats
Rear air vents

Options for the Limited:

Heated steering wheel
Sunroof
Navigation system
Driver attention monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

Touring Has all of the above plus:

Ventilated front seats
Upgraded leather with contrasting stitching

Onyx Edition XT Features here generally mirror those on the Premium trim. It also comes with:

Turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (260 hp, 277 lb-ft)
Upgraded all-wheel-drive system with more drive modes
Unique body cladding

Wilderness The new Wilderness trim is sort of an off-road package for the Outback. Like the Onyx Edition XT, features are generally identical to those on the Premium trim. Changes and upgrades include:

Turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (260 hp, 277 lb-ft)
Upgraded all-wheel-drive system with low-ratio setting
17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
Lifted suspension for increased ground clearance
Front skid plate
Upgraded roof rack with 700-pound weight limit
Black exterior badging
Copper trim accents
Revised bumper and fender flare design
Water-repellent simulated leather upholstery

Limited XT and Touring XT These trims mirror the features of the Limited and Touring trims, respectively, but both get the upgraded turbocharged engine.