2022 Subaru Outback review
Subaru Outback highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- High ground clearance with standard AWD
- Powerful available turbo engine
- Plenty of standard tech features
Cons
- Underperforming base engine
- Unappealing interior
- Difficult-to-use infotainment system
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 26 highway, 24 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
The most rugged Outback to date
The Subaru Outback is one of the most popular wagons of all time, and one of the few that blur the line between car and SUV. With higher ground clearance than a typical car or wagon—plus standard AWD—the Subaru Outback is an extremely capable vehicle. The Outback continues its quest to advance its utility and creature comforts with a new trim for 2022: the Wilderness. While the rest of the 2022 Outback trims have a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, the Wilderness trim bumps it up to 9.5 inches and comes standard with a turbocharged engine.
All Subaru Outback years
What is new for the 2022 Subaru Outback?
- The Outback is available in a new trim called the Wilderness.
- Outback trims have been upgraded with Parking Sensors and Manual Transmission as standard equipment this year.
- The Onyx Edition XT trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
- The Premium trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
- The Base trim now comes with Android Auto as standard equipment.
2022 Subaru Outback trims
Outback:
Includes AWD, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry, automatic climate control, rear-vision camera, 17-inch alloy wheels, and more.
Outback Premium:
Adds dual-zone automatic climate control, body-colored folding side mirrors with integrated turn signal, and dual rear USB charging ports.
Outback Limited:
Unlocks leather-trimmed upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, Harman Kardon® premium audio system, reverse automatic braking, and more.
Outback Touring:
Adds power moonroof, body-color door handles, DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system, and 180-degree front-view monitor.
Outback Onyx Edition XT:
Adds 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, six speakers, and 18-inch black and machined alloy wheels.
Outback Wilderness:
Unlocks ground clearance of 9.7 inches, hexagonal LED fog lights, unique raised roof rails, and fender flares.
Subaru Outback photos
5 reasons to buy the 2022 Subaru Outback
1. Plenty of ground clearance
If you like spending time in the great outdoors—which often means riding over rugged terrain or unpaved roads—you'll love the Subaru Outback. While the 2022 Outback might look like a car at first glance, it has considerably more ground clearance than your average wagon. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.5 inches on the Wilderness trim), the Outback can navigate rough and uneven terrain with ease.
2. Lots of standard features
The Subaru Outback comes standard with many attractive features. All 2022 Outbacks are equipped with elevated roof racks to enable handy hauling of cargo or to provide an attachment point for racks. LED headlights, automatic climate control, a rearview backup camera, and keyless entry are also standard features on the 2022 Outback.
3. Standard AWD
All 2022 Outbacks come standard with Subaru's symmetrical AWD. Inclement weather, rough terrain, and even places that may not pass for roads are made easier and more accessible with the Outback's AWD, paired with the added benefit of raised ground clearance.
4. Available turbocharged engine
For the 2022 model year, both the Outback Onyx Edition XT and Wilderness trim come standard with a 2.5L turbocharged DOHC engine. Output is a solid 260 horsepower with 277 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity with this engine is an estimated 3,500 lbs, when properly equipped.
5. Rugged off-road capability
Because the 2022 Subaru Outback has both AWD and an elevated ride height, it's a capable vehicle when the road gets rough, or the pavement ends. Most Outback trims come standard with 8.7 inches of ground clearance; the Wilderness trim enjoys 9.5 inches. The Wilderness trim also benefits from a turbocharged engine.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2022 Subaru Outback, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury SUV with seating for five. Model years 2016–2018 come standard with a 279 hp, 3.5-L V6 engine paired with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is an available option. In 2019 Acura redesigned the RDX, swapping the V6 for a 272 hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Even in the base trim, the Acura RDX has standard leatherette seats for all model years.
2016–2021 Acura RDXs come with the following features:
279-horsepower V6 on model years 2016–2018; 272 hp turbo-four on model years 2019 and later
Standard seven-speaker audio system with USB and Bluetooth connections
Standard leatherette seats, heated in the front
The Audi A4 Allroad is a luxury midsize wagon with a rugged edge. With an elevated ride height and standard AWD, the 2018 and newer Allroad is an excellent choice for avid outdoor enthusiasts. The A4 Allroad is also a premium luxury option, so you can get the best of adventure and creature comforts at the same time.
The 2018 Audi A4 Allroad comes standard with the following features:
HID headlights
Tri-zone climate control
Leather upholstery
The Toyota Highlander is a roomy midsize SUV with a versatile cabin for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim you choose. 2017-2021 models feature second-row sliding and reclining seats for customized comfort and easy access to the third row.
Standard features on the 2017-2021 Toyota Highlander L base trim include:
18-inch alloy wheels
60/40 split, sliding, and reclining fold-flat second-row bench seats
Five USB ports
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Subaru Outback an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Subaru Outback 10th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru OutbackSubaru Outback features and specs
Premium 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- 4WD/AWD
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- Cloth Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Blind Spot Monitor
- CD Audio
- Full Roof Rack
- Navigation System
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Remote Start
- Smart Key
- Sunroof(s)
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive (4WD/AWD)
Engine size
2.5L
Horsepower
182
Torque (ft-lbs)
176
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
18.5
Wheelbase
108.1"
Overall length
191.3"
Width
73"
Height
66.4"
Leg room
F 42.8"/R 39.5"
Head room
F 40.1"/R 39.1"
Front tires
P225/65HR17
Rear tires
P225/65HR17
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
270/2700 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2022 Subaru Outback FAQ
No. The 2022 Subaru Outback has either a standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The 2022 Subaru Outback is available in 10 colors: Abyss Blue Pearl, Autumn Green Metallic, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, Cinnamon Brown Pearl, Crimson Red Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, Geyser Blue, Ice Silver Metallic, and Magnetite Gray Metallic.
The 2022 Subaru Outback has a new trim that the 2021 Outback does not have. The Wilderness trim has increased ride height over the other Outback models, as well as unique roof rails.
The 2022 Subaru Outback has an 18.5-gallon fuel tank. With the 2.5L four-cylinder engine, the Outback has an EPA-estimated range of 536 miles for a tank of gas. The 2.4L turbocharged engine has an EPA-estimated range of 481 miles. Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates when vehicles sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov for details.
More about the 2022 Subaru Outback
Color options
Exterior colors:
Blue Pearl
Autumn Green Metallic (not available on base Outback)
Brilliant Bronze Metallic (not available on Onyx & Wilderness)
Cinnamon Brown Pearl (Limited & Touring only)
Crimson Red Pearl (Limited & Touring only)
Crystal Black Silica
Crystal White Pearl
Geyser Blue (Wilderness only)
Ice Silver Metallic
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Interior colors:
Gray (Onyx & Wilderness only)
Java Brown (Touring only)
Slate Black
Titanium Gray
Warm Ivory
Interior details
The 2022 Subaru Outback seats up to five passengers and has plenty of room for cargo. With 32.5 cu-ft of space behind the rear seats, the Outback has lots to work with while still using all the seats. If you need more room, folding down the second row will get you 75.7 cu-ft of space. While various colors of cloth interior are standard, leather is optional and comes standard on the Limited and Touring trims.
Child seat details
The 2022 Subaru Outback provides seating for up to five passengers and can fit up to two car seats in the second row. Various styles of car seats will work in the Outback, including forward- or rear-facing car seats and boosters. Child seat anchor points make installing car seats in the Outback a simple task.
Performance
The 2022 Subaru Outback comes standard with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. Turbocharged models produce 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The base engine gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined.
Emissions
According to EPA estimates, the 2022 Subaru Outback with the 2.5L four-cylinder engine generates tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions of 308 grams per mile. The 2.4L turbo generates an EPA-estimated 343 grams per mile, and the Wilderness trim generates an EPA-estimated 377 grams per mile.
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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