2020 Subaru Outback Review

The Outback's standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine provides 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. Power is up slightly compared to last year, but passing maneuvers and freeway merges still take some planning. The main advantage here is fuel economy. Subaru expects this engine to get 33 mpg on the highway.

Want more power? The new optional turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder is where it's at. A replacement for the previous six-cylinder, this engine puts out 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It revs quickly and imbues the Outback with impressively quick acceleration.

Both engines come standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Subaru has done a nice job tuning the CVT automatic, too. The typical CVT downsides of an elastic-style power delivery and a droning engine during hard acceleration are largely absent here.

When driving around turns, this Outback is downright nimble, changing direction quickly and precisely. The steering wheel is well-weighted and feels robust in your hands. Handling capabilities are among the best you'll find in this class of vehicle.

Off-road, the Outback is just as trail-friendly as it has ever been. The 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive system mean that gravel and dirt roads are no issue. You can even take on the tougher stuff by using the Outback's X-Mode system that operates hill descent control and selectable traction-control modes for snowy or muddy conditions.

The Outback isn't as rugged as a traditional SUV such as the 4Runner or Jeep Grand Cherokee, but there are few campsites that it can't reach.

On the inside, the Outback is nicer than ever thanks to higher-quality materials, especially in the upper trim levels, and new features. The cabin is comfortable and spacious for five adults.

The centerpiece of the dashboard is an optional 11.6-inch center touchscreen that is one of the best-looking setups in the business. Some owners will dislike having to use the finicky touchscreen controls for the climate control system, but it's unlikely to be a deal-breaker. Plus, if you don't like the buttons, you can control most functions with the Outback's voice control system. It allows you to change the climate settings, the radio station, navigation or whatever else your heart desires just by pressing a steering-wheel button and then speaking a command.

For safety features, there are all sorts of driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control. There's even a Driver Focus system that monitors your eyes to see if you're getting drowsy or not paying enough attention to the road. The same system can recognize and store settings for up to five drivers and adjust the seat and interior settings merely by scanning the driver's face. In our limited testing, we've found the Driver Focus system works very well.