Take a look at by Tom Appel
2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT Assessment
Specs
Class: Midsize Automotive/Midsize Crossover
Shade: Autumn Inexperienced
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 183
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 24.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gas Economic system | B |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A- |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 260-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 4-cyinder |
| Transmission | CVT automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 22/29/25 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base worth: $42,795 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: All-weather ground liners ($141)
Worth as examined: $44,231
Execs and Cons
The good: Roomy, properly completed cabin, off-road/foul-weather prowess
The great: Ample energy from turbocharged engine; wagon utility
The not so good: Energy supply uneven at low speeds
Assessment
To this editor, a automotive that’s good isn’t with out its flaws, it’s simply so good that there’s nothing that requires fixing/adjusting/alteration for it to be loved. The Subaru Outback is such a automobile. Whereas there a few issues we’d enhance if we had the chance, the Outback is so nicely executed, so good for its small-family/fun-utility mission, that I might fortunately stay with the crossover simply as it’s.
Overview
The Outback, which is a station wagon or a crossover relying on who is looking the editorial photographs, is predicated on the model’s glorious Legacy midsize sedan. Reformed as a wagon, the Outback options distinctive physique trim, a raised experience peak, and a few convincing plastic physique bits that give the favored Subaru a rugged look.
Word that the Outback goes it alongside for 2025, because the slow-selling Legacy will disappear from model showrooms after 2024.
The favored crossover–we’ve acquiesced to Subaru’s advertising and marketing division and determined to all of the Outback a crossover. Be happy to name it a station wagon, we’re completely cool with that—is obtainable in absolutely eight trim ranges, and with two engine choices.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Beginning at $30,240, the Outback lineup ascends by way of Base, Premium, Restricted, Onyx, Wilderness, and Touring trim ranges (sure, that’s solely six, offers us a second.) Energy comes from both a 182-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, or a 260-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder plant.
The turbocharged engine is customary on the off-road oriented Wilderness trim degree in addition to on XT variants of the Onyx and Touring. Word that for 2025, the Restricted can even be supplied in turbocharged XT guise, reducing the price of turbo entry barely.
Base costs for ’24 Outbacks are as follows:
- Base $30,240
- Premium $32,490
- Restricted $37,090
- Onyx $37,400
- Onyx XT $40,655
- Wilderness $41,255
- Touring $41,640
- Touring XT $44,090
Client Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of a 2024 Touring XT in Autumn Inexperienced. Together with mats and vacation spot cost, of topline Outback got here to $44,231.
Cabin Trim
Our complaints concerning the inside supplies of the Subaru Crosstrek don’t lengthen to the Outback, not less than not in Touring trim. The clubby brown- and black-leather trim in our check automotive, punctuated tastefully with vivid accents, felt upscale, and completely on model for Subaru. And although designed on automotive structure, the Outback is crossover roomy with large doorways, giant and welcoming seats, and loads of glass space. Rear-seat house is equally beneficiant.
Connectivity
We’ve turn into accustomed to Subaru’s “Starlink” infotainment system, and customarily discover it accommodating. The big, vertically oriented console touchscreen is simple to succeed in, straightforward to learn, and straightforward to learn, even in vivid mild. As in different Subaru’s of latest classic, we did undergo quite a lot of Bluetooth “disconnects,” forcing us to delete our gadgets from the system and relink. This can be a time-consuming annoyance we hope the manufacturing facility has a repair for.
As soon as related, the system operates nicely, and we’ve got solely good issues to say concerning the Harman Kardon sound system, which punches above the Outback’s worth class.
Experience and Dealing with
On the highway, the Outback feels tight and substantial, in the absolute best means. The experience is agency and compliant, lending itself to sporty habits, do you have to be so inclined. The steering has some old-school heft to it, and communicates highway circumstances successfully. Likewise, the Outback consists in corners, and the brakes are responsive and really feel sturdy.
Energy and Efficiency
Energy from the burly turbocharged engine is greater than ample, although the CVT automated transmission could be gradual to reply to throttle inputs, a situation which might show irritating in heavy visitors. The answer is to use extra throttle, which typically expedites issues, however probably on the expense of gasoline financial system. This, by the best way, is admittedly our solely Outback grievance.
Gas Economic system
Talking of gasoline financial system, our check automotive averaged 25 mpg throughout a sizzling spell which necessitated full-time use of the air conditioner. We’d name that first rate mileage given the Outback’s energy and heft.
Worth
Like all Subarus, the Outback is someway greater than the sum of its elements, particularly in luxurious Touring trim. We suggest stepping as much as the turbocharged engine on trim ranges on which it’s obtainable. And sure, we all know the Outback is known as a automotive, however who cares? It’s elevated experience peak will assist in deep snow or throughout informal off-road adventures, and the roomy wagon physique serves up crossover-style utility. Additionally, at lower than $45,000 absolutely loaded, the Outback Touring XT additionally represents actual greenback worth.
When you’re not searching for 5-passenger house, and don’t must tow, the Outback completely deserves a spot in your procuring record.
Extra Subaru information and opinions
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
Subaru Outback Touring XT Assessment Photos
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2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT: 5 Cool Issues (Assessment with Costs and Specs)
Subaru Outback Touring XT Assessment
