6 Cool Things About the 2020 Subaru Outback
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT in Abyss Blue Pearl

Excluding the Jeep Wrangler, few passenger vehicles better sum up their maker’s brand identity better than the Outback does for Subaru. The popular SUV-styled midsize wagon was redesigned for 2020, kicking off its sixth generation and gaining improved cargo room and rear-seat space, as well as a host of new available features.

We at Consumer Guide were impressed enough with the redesigned Outback that we added to our Best Buy list for 2020, and it retains its spot on the roster for the 2021 model year. The Outback sees no significant changes for 2021–just a higher level of standard equipment. You can read our Best Buy review of the 2021 Outback here, and our full review coverage of the 2020 Outback below:

First Spin: 2020 Subaru Outback

Test Drive: 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

Quick Spin: 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT

We’ve covered the Outback’s virtues in detail in the above articles–in fact, the Abyss Blue Pearl Outback seen here is equipped with the exact same options as our previous Onyx Edition XT test vehicle, and came to the same as-tested price: $37,995. Listed below are a few of the finer points we like about the Outback.

Cool Things About the 2020 Subaru Outback

Controls

2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

Yes, it’s got a trendy big, vertical infotainment touchscreen—but also includes good ol’ fashioned physical volume and tuning knobs that speed up audio-system operation.

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Controls, Part II

2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

A plainly marked trip-odometer reset button near the instrument cluster, right where it always belongs. No guesswork required.

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Cargo Space

Seats Folded
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

Cargo space is a useful 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and there are handy rear-seatback release handles in the cargo area so you can drop the seats (and expand the space to 75.7 cubic feet) without leaving the rear of the vehicle.

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Power

2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

Outback XTs are powered by a 260-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4 engine that’s responsive and fairly fuel-efficient. We saw almost 23 mpg in test that consisted of about 60 percent city driving–a bit below the EPA estimates, but still respectable for a spacious, peppy all-wheel-drive vehicle.

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Driver Assistance

2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition, EyeSight
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

Autonomy-lite EyeSight Driver Assist provides several welcome driver-aid/safety features, including lane-centering and adaptive cruise control with automatic stop/start functionality.

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Outward Visibility

2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

The Outback’s ample glass area makes for an airy cabin and good driver sightlines.

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2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT

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2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT Gallery

Cool Things About the 2020 Subaru Outback

 

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