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2021
Subaru Outback

Starts at:
$26,795
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New 2021 Subaru Outback
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • CVT
    Starts at
    $26,795
    26 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Premium CVT
    Starts at
    $29,045
    26 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Limited CVT
    Starts at
    $33,595
    26 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Onyx Edition XT CVT
    Starts at
    $35,145
    23 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Touring CVT
    Starts at
    $37,495
    26 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Limited XT CVT
    Starts at
    $37,995
    23 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • Touring XT CVT
    Starts at
    $39,945
    23 City / 30 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback 2021 Subaru Outback

Notable features

Adaptive LED headlights now standard
Five-seat mid-size crossover wagon
2.5-liter flat-four or turbo 2.4-liter flat-four engine
Continuously variable automatic transmission
All-wheel drive standard
Automatic emergency braking standard

The good & the bad

The good

Comfortable ride
Quiet, spacious interior
Respectable fuel economy
Many standard safety systems
Versatility

The bad

Jumpy X-Mode acceleration off-road
Blind spot warning costs extra
Engine stop-start defeat buried in menus
Long front overhang rubs off-road
Inconsistent lane departure warning

Expert 2021 Subaru Outback review

subaru outback 2021 exterior front three quarter oem jpg
Our expert's take
By Rick Popely
Full article
subaru outback 2021 exterior front three quarter oem jpg

Most significant changes: Adaptive LED headlights, and backseat and passenger seat belt reminders now standard

Price change: $150 increase for base, Premium, Limited and Touring trims; $250 increase for Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT and Touring XT; destination charge increases $40 to $1,050

On sale: October

Which should you buy, 2020 or 2021? 2021. Lower-level trims and Onyx Edition XT add adaptive LED headlights as standard, and the price increases are minimal on all models.

Subaru redesigned the all-wheel-drive Outback wagon for 2020 to make it closer to a crossover, though it still shares its design with the Legacy sedan and differs mainly in its taller ground clearance and SUV styling cues. For 2021, the base, Premium and Onyx Edition XT trims gain standard adaptive headlights that swivel in the direction of turns, making that feature standard across the board (all models already had LED headlights as standard). Also newly standard are a reminder to check the backseat before leaving the vehicle and a seat belt reminder for passengers.

Related: Who Makes Subaru?

Price

Price increases are modest: $150 on the base, Premium, Limited and Touring models and $250 on the others. The destination charge is $40 higher at $1,050.

The base model starts at $27,845 (all prices include destination), and there are no factory options available to pad the price. Prices climb rapidly, though, to $30,095 for the Premium, $34,645 for the Limited and $38,545 for the Touring. The top-of-the-line Touring XT is $40,995.

Features and Safety Tech

All models come with AWD, a continuously variable automatic transmission and the EyeSight safety suite that includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. All models also seat five.

Engine

Base, Premium, Limited and Touring models come with a 182-horsepower, 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine. The Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT and Touring XT come with a turbocharged 260-hp, 2.4-liter horizontally opposed engine. 

Interior

The Outback has a roomy, functional interior with ample cargo space, and higher-level models come with an 11.6-inch vertically oriented screen for the well-executed multimedia system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models.

Performance and Gas Mileage

The base engine feels sluggish and the CVT does little to help performance, but the turbo engine delivers more satisfying performance. If you consider the Outback a compact to mid-size SUV, the EPA combined city/highway fuel economy estimates of 29 mpg for the 2.5-liter engine compares favorably with other five-seat competitors.

A comfortable ride and competent handling give the Outback good road manners, and with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, it can handle light off-road duty. The standard X-Mode system adjusts engine, transmission and AWD settings for greater off-road traction, and the Onyx Edition comes with a Deep Snow/Mud setting. Towing capacities are modest: 2,700 pounds with the 2.5-liter engine and 3,500 with the turbo 2.4-liter.

The Outback was a pioneer in steering the auto industry away from truck-based SUVs to car-based crossovers, and it still offers decent value in a five-seat, versatile family vehicle.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Rick Popely

Contributor Rick Popely has covered the auto industry for decades and hosts a weekly online radio show on TalkZone.com.

2021 Subaru Outback review: Our expert's take
By Rick Popely

Most significant changes: Adaptive LED headlights, and backseat and passenger seat belt reminders now standard

Price change: $150 increase for base, Premium, Limited and Touring trims; $250 increase for Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT and Touring XT; destination charge increases $40 to $1,050

On sale: October

Which should you buy, 2020 or 2021? 2021. Lower-level trims and Onyx Edition XT add adaptive LED headlights as standard, and the price increases are minimal on all models.

Subaru redesigned the all-wheel-drive Outback wagon for 2020 to make it closer to a crossover, though it still shares its design with the Legacy sedan and differs mainly in its taller ground clearance and SUV styling cues. For 2021, the base, Premium and Onyx Edition XT trims gain standard adaptive headlights that swivel in the direction of turns, making that feature standard across the board (all models already had LED headlights as standard). Also newly standard are a reminder to check the backseat before leaving the vehicle and a seat belt reminder for passengers.

Related: Who Makes Subaru?

Price

Price increases are modest: $150 on the base, Premium, Limited and Touring models and $250 on the others. The destination charge is $40 higher at $1,050.

The base model starts at $27,845 (all prices include destination), and there are no factory options available to pad the price. Prices climb rapidly, though, to $30,095 for the Premium, $34,645 for the Limited and $38,545 for the Touring. The top-of-the-line Touring XT is $40,995.

Features and Safety Tech

All models come with AWD, a continuously variable automatic transmission and the EyeSight safety suite that includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. All models also seat five.

Engine

Base, Premium, Limited and Touring models come with a 182-horsepower, 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine. The Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT and Touring XT come with a turbocharged 260-hp, 2.4-liter horizontally opposed engine. 

Interior

The Outback has a roomy, functional interior with ample cargo space, and higher-level models come with an 11.6-inch vertically oriented screen for the well-executed multimedia system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models.

Performance and Gas Mileage

The base engine feels sluggish and the CVT does little to help performance, but the turbo engine delivers more satisfying performance. If you consider the Outback a compact to mid-size SUV, the EPA combined city/highway fuel economy estimates of 29 mpg for the 2.5-liter engine compares favorably with other five-seat competitors.

A comfortable ride and competent handling give the Outback good road manners, and with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, it can handle light off-road duty. The standard X-Mode system adjusts engine, transmission and AWD settings for greater off-road traction, and the Onyx Edition comes with a Deep Snow/Mud setting. Towing capacities are modest: 2,700 pounds with the 2.5-liter engine and 3,500 with the turbo 2.4-liter.

The Outback was a pioneer in steering the auto industry away from truck-based SUVs to car-based crossovers, and it still offers decent value in a five-seat, versatile family vehicle.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2021 Subaru Outback base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
5/5
Combined side rating front seat
5/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
4/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
18.5%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
18.5%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 years / 80,000 miles
Basic
Coverage available for purchase
Dealer certification
152-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.6 / 5
Based on 88 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.8
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.6
Value 4.6
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • So I bought a ‘21 Outback premium with 30k miles and have

    So I bought a ‘21 Outback premium with 30k miles and have already put 6K more on it. Here is my honest review: if you want a fast car don’t get the 2.5 non turbo- that being said it is adequate for myself and get great gas mileage. The interior is good- I have the spec with cloth heated seats and they are comfortable and the cabin feels nice- has some cheap parts but I knew what I was buying. The infotainment is frustrating at times- auto start stop is a pain in the butt- but the infotainment itself isn’t bad with good sound and good responsiveness. The apple CarPlay will lag and be finicky at times but nothing terrible. As for drive quality it is a smooth ride and I don’t have any real complaints yet. Like I had mentioned if you want a car that is going to be fast- this engine and transmission will not do that for you. Overall I am happy so far with my purchase and feel as though I made a sensible decision when choosing this over some of its competition (I was looking at the VW Tiguan and and Mazda cx5)
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • 2021 Outback Limited XT

    I like mostly everything about my2021 Outback Limited XT. I hate the navigation system or the infotainment system as it is called. I have had it to the dealership 4 times in 3 years because the system is not compatible with my iPhone. Taking it in next week for a new radio. The navigation system stops working just when you need it most. Sometimes it flashes "Stay Alert" when you are looking straight ahead but if you turn the car off and restart, it goes away. Too bad Subaru doesn't make their own radio systems.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • smooth ride ,,,,very important to me

    22000 miles no problems ,,,rides really smooth,,much better than other brands i tested ,,,this is my 9th subaru and about to buy another one really soon ,,,and i forgot to mention go anywhere in the snow ,,,it's remarkable actually
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    12 people out of 13 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • LOATH not Love a Subaru

    If you want to be nagged and have the brakes slam on unnecessarily, have the car bongs at you every time you pass a road junction because there's a break in road lines or the steering assist throw you across a lane and a half or try to nudge you under an eighteen-wheeler - this is the car for you! Seating at best is inadequate - use the extending bolster and you end up with numb legs! The auto-stop start is an embarrassment - the flat four boxer shakes the entire car and has saved ten bucks of gas in 30 months - what a joke! The info-distraction system is worse than useless. I LOATH a Subaru!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    17 people out of 35 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Mechancially sound. Electronics are terrible

    mechanically sound but the electronics stink. Radio won't play. Screen insensitive at times. Not at all pleased with electronic connection with car. Wish I had my old 11 outback . Also brakes will engage without pressing to brake pedal. Get rid of the safe driving message.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    15 people out of 17 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great bang for the buck!!!!

    Very smooth and comfortable ride. Gas mileage is above other comparable SUVs. Dash controls are a little confusing but should improve with time using. Would definitely recommend this vehicle to others.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Think before you buy!

    I really don't feel safe in this vehicle. The 'A' pillar is slightly too wide and on two occasions has blocked my vision of walking pedestrians coming from the left as I approach a stop sign. Both times I narrowly missed hitting somebody and that is the last thing I would ever want to do. I know that the car is rated 'safe' for its occupants, but it is not safe for pedestrians! I also hate their technology. Do they really need us to agree to a statement that we will drive 'safe' every time we turn the car on? Why did they not have a sign a paper when we first bought the car? Or maybe they could give us a choice if we want to drive safe or not? Then they have the motor shutoff for when we stop at stop signs - we can only disable it right after we start the car every time. I want to disable it permanently - it saves very little fuel and will cost me more in repairs than it saves. The lights that see where I am going are nice, but they turn away from dark objects approaching from the opposite direction. I also presume they will be very expensive to replace. I have also heard that lane control fights you if you want to move over for an emergency vehicle. But I have not engaged it to find out. I just wished that these companies built what we want and not what they want to sell us!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    20 people out of 28 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Buy something else.

    Mechanically, this is a nice car: good gas mileage, comfortable, good 4WD capability. But the infotainment system is horrible. It crashes frequently and in many different ways, sometimes requires a "factory reset" to bring it back to life. To really drive it nuts, connect an iPhone to use Apple Car Play. It's like Russian Roulette.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    5 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great Road Trip car

    2021 OB 2.5 Touring. I drive to Atlanta several times a year from Detroit and have gone up to 530 miles on a tank and average about 32 MPG for the entire journey. When it's time to fill-up, it's time to stop for the night. It is comfortable. I love the tech. My only complaint is the lane centering. It can make you feel like you're fighting the car sometimes. I only use it sparingly on long, low-traffic sections of I-75 - Great through Ohio. Eyesight is SUPERB! as are the Heated/Ventilated seats and heated steering wheel. It is a car that plays well with others. Tom-Tom is excellent, and it is usually great for helping us avoid traffic jams... Also, let us know (usually) where the rest stops are. Installing Map updates is a snap, and it does that often. The suspension is comfortable and handles Detroit area roads (8 Mile), potholes especially, with aplomb. There are times that I wish I had bought the XT, Turbo version, but that is rare. I mean, who doesn't want more power occasionally. Most of the time, I am quite pleased with the MPGs; it gets 28-ish city and 32-ish highway. I usually have Eyesight set to 5 MPH over the posted limit.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Love my car, but...

    I do like my Outback very much. I bought it because of the high ratings by Consumer Reports. My only complaint is the navigation system, Tom Tom is not reliable. I wish Subaru used Google Maps
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    14 people out of 14 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great Auto

    Abyss blue is a very nice color. Interior is very comfortable. Technology is world-class. Sound system is top-notch. Navigation system is very good. Reclining leather seats are great.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    14 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • This will be my car for life😍

    It gives me more space that I need even if I have friends with me. There’s plenty of leg room , so comfortable and has great safety features that you would love. It has been one of my dream cars so here I am.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    11 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2021 Subaru Outback?

The 2021 Subaru Outback is available in 7 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • Limited (1 style)
  • Limited XT (1 style)
  • Onyx Edition XT (1 style)
  • Premium (1 style)
  • Touring (1 style)
  • Touring XT (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2021 Subaru Outback?

The 2021 Subaru Outback offers up to 26 MPG in city driving and 33 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2021 Subaru Outback?

The 2021 Subaru Outback compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback reliable?

The 2021 Subaru Outback has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2021 Subaru Outback owners.

Is the 2021 Subaru Outback a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2021 Subaru Outback. 92.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.6 / 5
Based on 88 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.8
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.6
  • Value: 4.6
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.8

Subaru Outback history

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