Subaru Outback 2024: Still the King of the Station Wagons?
The Subaru Outback has spent decades defining what a modern station wagon should be. Part family hauler and part off-road explorer, the Outback is a familiar sight at rugged trailheads and suburban grocery stores alike. But with the 2024 model currently on dealership lots, does it still hold the crown as the ultimate adventure car?
What Is New for the 2024 Subaru Outback?
Subaru gave the Outback a major styling refresh in 2023, so the 2024 model remains mostly unchanged. However, Subaru did update the exterior styling on the rugged Wilderness trim. The 2024 Wilderness receives a more aggressive front bumper and a redesigned front grille.
Inside the cabin, Subaru upgraded the entertainment features for specific trims. The Onyx Edition, Wilderness, and Touring models now feature a standard 360-degree heated steering wheel. Additionally, the Onyx Edition now includes a Harman Kardon premium audio system and a power moonroof as standard equipment.
Performance and Capability Under the Hood
The 2024 Subaru Outback offers two distinct engine choices. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This base engine is perfect for daily commuting and prioritizing fuel efficiency.
If you want more passing power on the highway or plan on hauling heavy gear up mountain roads, you will want the upgraded engine. Subaru offers a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Every 2024 Outback comes standard with Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Standard models feature an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This is more clearance than you will find on many traditional SUVs, allowing the Outback to easily handle deep snow, muddy ruts, and rocky dirt roads.
Breaking Down the Pricing and Trims
Subaru offers nine different trim levels for the 2024 Outback. This wide variety ensures there is an Outback for almost every budget. Here is a look at the starting prices for the core lineup:
- Base: Starts at $28,895
- Premium: Starts at $31,195
- Onyx Edition: Starts at $36,105
- Wilderness: Starts at $39,960
- Touring XT: Starts at $42,795
The Premium trim remains the best value for most buyers. For just over $31,000, you get the massive 11.6-inch infotainment screen, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
The Wilderness Edition: The Ultimate Adventure Car
If you want the ultimate adventure vehicle right off the showroom floor, the Outback Wilderness is the clear choice. Subaru designed this trim specifically for outdoor enthusiasts who need extra off-road capability.
The Wilderness trim increases the ground clearance from 8.7 inches to 9.5 inches. This lift is paired with a front skid plate and redesigned bumpers to improve approach and departure angles on steep trails.
Subaru also equips the Wilderness with 17-inch matte-black alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires. Inside, the seats are covered in StarTex water-repellent upholstery. This makes it incredibly easy to wipe away mud, dirt, or spilled coffee after a long weekend of camping.
Interior Comfort and Technology
The interior of the 2024 Outback is designed for comfort on long road trips. The ride quality is exceptionally smooth, soaking up potholes and uneven pavement with ease.
Except for the base model, every Outback features a vertically oriented 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen. This system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, allowing you to connect your smartphone without cluttering the cabin with cords.
Practicality is where the station wagon design truly shines. The Outback offers 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. If you fold the rear seats down flat, that space expands to a cavernous 75.6 cubic feet. The load floor is also lower than a traditional SUV, making it much easier for large dogs to jump in or for owners to load heavy boxes.
Every Outback also includes Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This standard safety suite includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and pre-collision braking.
How It Compares to the Competition
The station wagon market in the United States is incredibly small, leaving the Outback with very few direct competitors.
Luxury brands still produce wagons, but they come with luxury price tags. The Audi A4 Allroad and the Volvo V60 Cross Country are excellent vehicles, but both start at over $46,000. For the price of a base model Audi, you could buy a fully loaded Outback Touring XT.
Shoppers usually compare the Outback to midsize, two-row SUVs like the Honda Passport or the Ford Edge. While those SUVs sit higher up, the Outback generally offers better fuel economy, a car-like driving experience, and a roof rack that is much easier to reach when loading kayaks or mountain bikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel economy of the 2024 Subaru Outback?
Fuel economy depends on the engine you choose. The base 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The more powerful turbocharged engine drops those numbers to 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The rugged Wilderness trim gets the lowest fuel economy at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
How much weight can the 2024 Subaru Outback tow?
Outback models equipped with the base 182-horsepower engine can tow up to 2,700 pounds. If you upgrade to any model with the 260-horsepower turbocharged engine (including the Wilderness), the towing capacity increases to a maximum of 3,500 pounds.
Is the Subaru Outback considered an SUV or a car?
The government classifies the Outback as a light truck for fuel economy purposes, and many buyers view it as a crossover SUV. However, its long body, car-like driving dynamics, and shared platform with the Subaru Legacy sedan make it the quintessential modern station wagon.