Test by Tom Appel
2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT Review
Specs
Class: Midsize Car/Midsize Crossover
Color: Autumn Green
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 183
Real-world fuel economy: 24.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A- |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 260-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 4-cyinder |
| Transmission | CVT automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22/29/25 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $42,795 (not including $1295 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: All-weather floor liners ($141)
Price as tested: $44,231
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy, nicely finished cabin, off-road/foul-weather prowess
The good: Ample power from turbocharged engine; wagon utility
The not so good: Power delivery uneven at low speeds
Review
To this editor, a car that’s perfect isn’t without its flaws, it’s just so good that there’s nothing that requires fixing/adjusting/alteration for it to be enjoyed. The Subaru Outback is such a vehicle. While there a couple of things we’d improve if we had the opportunity, the Outback is so well executed, so perfect for its small-family/fun-utility mission, that I could happily live with the crossover just as it is.
Overview
The Outback, which is a station wagon or a crossover depending on who is calling the editorial shots, is based on the brand’s excellent Legacy midsize sedan. Reformed as a wagon, the Outback features unique body trim, a raised ride height, and some convincing plastic body bits that give the popular Subaru a rugged look.
Note that the Outback goes it alone for 2025, as the slow-selling Legacy will disappear from brand showrooms after 2024.
The popular crossover–we’ve acquiesced to Subaru’s marketing department and decided to all the Outback a crossover. Feel free to call it a station wagon, we’re totally cool with that—is offered in fully eight trim levels, and with two engine options.
Prices and Trim Levels
Starting at $30,240, the Outback lineup ascends through Base, Premium, Limited, Onyx, Wilderness, and Touring trim levels (yes, that’s only six, gives us a moment.) Power comes from either a 182-horsepower 4-cylinder engine, or a 260-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder plant.
The turbocharged engine is standard on the off-road oriented Wilderness trim level as well as on XT variants of the Onyx and Touring. Note that for 2025, the Limited will also be offered in turbocharged XT guise, lowering the cost of turbo access slightly.
Base prices for ’24 Outbacks are as follows:
- Base $30,240
- Premium $32,490
- Limited $37,090
- Onyx $37,400
- Onyx XT $40,655
- Wilderness $41,255
- Touring $41,640
- Touring XT $44,090
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 Touring XT in Autumn Green. Including mats and destination charge, our topline Outback came to $44,231.
Cabin Trim
Our complaints regarding the interior materials of the Subaru Crosstrek do not extend to the Outback, at least not in Touring trim. The clubby brown-and-black-leather trim in our test car, punctuated tastefully with bright accents, felt upscale, and absolutely on brand for Subaru. And though designed on car architecture, the Outback is crossover roomy with big doors, large and welcoming seats, and plenty of glass area. Rear-seat space is similarly generous.
Connectivity
We’ve become accustomed to Subaru’s “Starlink” infotainment system, and generally find it accommodating. The large, vertically oriented console touchscreen is easy to reach and easy to read, even in bright light. As in other Subaru’s of recent vintage, we did suffer a number of Bluetooth “disconnects,” forcing us to delete our devices from the system and relink. This is a time-consuming annoyance we hope the factory has a fix for.
Once connected, the system operates well, and we have only good things to say about the Harman Kardon sound system, which punches above the Outback’s price class.
Ride and Handling
On the road, the Outback feels tight and substantial, in the best possible way. The ride is firm yet compliant, lending itself to sporty behavior, should you be so inclined. The steering has some old-school heft to it, and communicates road conditions effectively. Likewise, the Outback is composed in corners, and the brakes are responsive and feel strong.
Power and Performance
Power from the burly turbocharged engine is more than ample, though the CVT automatic transmission can be slow to respond to throttle inputs, a condition which can prove frustrating in heavy traffic. The solution is to apply additional throttle, which generally expedites matters, but likely at the expense of fuel economy. This, by the way, is really our only Outback complaint.
Fuel Economy
Speaking of fuel economy, our test car averaged 25 mpg during a hot spell which necessitated full-time use of the air conditioner. We’d call that decent mileage given the Outback’s power and heft.
Value
Like all Subarus, the Outback is somehow more than the sum of its parts, especially in luxurious Touring trim. We recommend stepping up to the turbocharged engine on trim levels on which it is available. And yes, we know the Outback is really a car, but who cares? It’s elevated ride height will help in deep snow or during casual off-road adventures, and the roomy wagon body serves up crossover-style utility. Also, at less than $45,000 fully loaded, the Outback Touring XT also represents real dollar value.
If you’re not looking for 5-passenger space, and don’t need to tow, the Outback absolutely deserves a place on your shopping list.
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Subaru Outback Touring XT Review Pictures
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2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT: 5 Cool Things (Review with Prices and Specs)
Subaru Outback Touring XT Review
