2019 Subaru Outback

The 2019 Subaru Outback 3.6 Touring is well-built and has a good selection of textures and materials. It doesn't look like the whole thing is one big sheet of cheap plastic. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist system is standard this year, as is a crisp-looking touchscreen that can interface with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible phones. And thanks to its standard swing-out roof rack crossbars, large cargo volume, and enhanced ground clearance, the Outback works great as a vehicle for recreational activities.

But the Outback's high stance and smooth ride do come with a penalty. The Outback doesn't inspire much confidence when driven in a sporty manner, and the high ground clearance means the Outback rolls and pitches when cornering and braking. Still, these are compromises that we're willing to accept in exchange for the Outback's go-anywhere, do-anything attitude. So if you're looking for a capable vehicle that smoothly combines the SUV and wagon titles, give the Subaru Outback a look.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Subaru Outback as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize SUVs for this year.

Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.8 / 10
The all-wheel-drive Subaru Outback is in a unique position. It's considerably less expensive than off-road-friendly wagons from Volvo and Audi, and it drives much more like a car than similarly priced compact SUVs. This redesign brings a much-improved interior, fantastic seats and better fuel mileage, but the four-cylinder engine is still weak.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited (2.5L flat-4 CVT automatic AWD).
EdmundsScorecard
Overall7.8 / 10
Driving7.0
Comfort8.0
Interior8.5
Utility7.5
Technology8.0
Driving
7.0
Instrumented performance is not a strong suit for the Subaru Outback. With the four-cylinder, acceleration can only be described as slow. Although its handling numbers aren't fantastic, the Outback shows its capabilities on bumpy back roads. Its off-road ability is better than most.
Comfort
8.0
The inside of the Outback is a great place to spend time on the road. The front and rear seats provide all-day comfort, and the soft suspension offers a smooth ride. But the car lets in more road and wind noise than we'd like, and longer-legged drivers will want additional lower thigh support.
Interior
8.5
There's a lot going on inside the Outback, but Subaru made sure that primary controls are all traditional analog systems. Thanks to its high ride height, getting in and out is a breeze. And once you're seated, the power seat and manually adjustable steering wheel have a broad range of adjustability.
Utility
7.5
The Outback is pretty versatile even though it's one of the smaller midsize SUVs. It has a lot of available cargo space in back and useful small-item storage areas for your knickknacks. It offers a decent amount of towing capability, too.
Technology
8.0
What the Outback gives up in performance it makes up for in technology. Most all digital systems are controlled through the touchscreen. It has a bright, high-contrast display, with large buttons and clear text. Setting up your phone is easy, and there are plenty of ports to charge your devices.

Which Outback does Edmunds recommend?
Our choice for the ideal Outback is the 2.5i Premium. It comes with a bright and large 8-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, and heated, power-adjustable front seats. Priced competitively to a similarly equipped Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the Outback also gets you a robust all-wheel-drive system, clever fold-away roof rails, and better standard technology features. Although the 2.5-liter engine isn't a standout in acceleration, it's good enough as long as you don't plan o