2023 Subaru Outback Premium
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The 2023 Subaru Outback looks set to continue its impressive run as a best-seller for the automaker. Pricing starts at $28,395 All of the qualities contributing to the Outback’s popularity are still here — things like standard all-wheel drive, strong resale values, safety, space, practicality, and attractive pricing. And since no one buys a Subaru for its looks alone, its 2023 mid-generation revamp shouldn’t send potential customers scurrying elsewhere. If anything, these changes might bring newcomers into the Subaru fold. Not necessarily because of the revised headlights, but more perhaps for the enhanced safety features. The company’s EyeSight set of driver-assistance systems gets updated this year. Its field of view is wider, the control software is improved, and the brake force is beefier with an electric booster. Higher trims with blind-spot monitoring now include automatic emergency steering (at speeds below 50 mph). And the top Touring models gain a wide-angle camera to detect pedestrians and cyclists faster than before. These versions also come with a full LCD rearview camera mirror. One trim level, the Onyx Edition, is now available with the base 2.5-liter engine. This means that buyers who wanted all the desirable equipment of last year’s Onyx Edition XT model can now acquire them without spending extra money on the turbocharged engine. The Outback is hard to classify since it’s a wagon-like SUV. If we had to put it in a box, we’d consider it a midsize SUV, and it competes with other 2-row SUVs like the Honda Passport and Hyundai Santa Fe. 2023 Subaru Outback PricingThe 2023 Subaru Outback starts at $28,395. Turbo power is available starting at $38,445. And the range-topping Touring XT trim starts at $42,295. A $1,225 destination fee applies to all Outback models. Unlike most of its rivals, AWD doesn’t cost extra because it’s standard on every trim. Some excellent rivals start a little lower. For example, compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are both about $1,000 less. But they don’t have all-wheel drive as standard. The new-for-2023 Mazda CX-50 does, and it starts at $26,800, but it’s smaller than the Outback. Anyone pondering a new Outback Wilderness might also be interested in the Toyota 4Runner from about $38K, or perhaps the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road coming in at roughly $37K. The Honda Passport, another 2-row/5-passenger SUV, starts at around $38K. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a good 2-row midsize SUV in a similar price range as the Outback, but it isn’t as capable off-road. Before buying a new Outback SUV, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to find out how much others in your area paid for theirs. Resale values are yet another Subaru specialty, up there with perennial top performers like Honda and Toyota. Kelley Blue Book gave last year’s Outback a 5-Year Cost to Own Award, just like we did the year before. What’s New for 2023?The Subaru Outback gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2023. It has a revised front fascia and exterior cladding, but it still has an unmistakable aesthetic as an Outback. It also gets an updated version of the EyeSight safety tech suite with a wide-angle camera. As for infotainment tech, all but the base trim now come standard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Finally, the Onyx Edition is now available with the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine in addition to the optional turbo engine. Driving the 2023 Subaru OutbackTrue to its promise, the Outback combines SUV-like practicality with more responsive, car-like ride and handling. It’s comfortable on the highway, and even the base 4-cylinder engine provides plenty of power for merging and passing. Drivers hankering for more muscle will prefer the 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter engine in the XT and Wilderness models. Every Subaru Outback has a reassuring standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. There are also plenty of safety features included. And if the worst happens, the Outback scores well in crash-testing programs. Functional InteriorNo frills, plenty of function. That’s the usual Subaru philosophy. The cabin of the 2023 Outback is well assembled, though, and the materials are of decent quality. It’s also quite spacious. Rear legroom measures 39.5 inches, which is definitely on the generous side. Split/folding 60/40 rear seats are standard, with 32.6 cubic feet of luggage area behind them. With the rear seats folded, the maximum cargo volume is a massive 75.6 cubic feet. Changes for 2023 include illumination for all the USB ports and the auxiliary audio input. Plus, an LED dome light in all versions. And the available heated steering wheel is warm through its entire 360 degrees. More Rugged ExteriorExcept for the Wilderness model, the 2023 Outback SUV lineup receives a styling update. This brings a sharper look to the front end, the revised headlights especially. A lot of plastic cladding is applied to the sides, pushing the Outback away from a station wagon style and closer to a regular SUV look. The Wilderness has its own thing going on, with ride height raised from the regular Outback’s 8.7 inches (still not bad for a dirt road) to 9.5 inches (now we’re talking minor rocks). It also comes with a matte black hood decal and trim-specific bumpers. Our Favorite Features and TechAll-Wheel Drive W3W Standard FeaturesThe base model, known just as the Outback, comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, steering-responsive LED headlights and fog lights, and cloth upholstery. Driver assistance features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. The infotainment system has dual 7-inch screens, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, Bluetooth, four speakers, and two USB-A ports. Factory OptionsAmong the minor options for the base 2023 Outback SUV are a self-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, and an audio system upgrade. We recommend going at least to the next-up Premium trim for more equipment and accessibility to a greater number of options. This version has a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cargo cover, Wi-Fi, six speakers, two USB-C ports, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and an 11.6-inch touchscreen. The Premium trim is eligible for blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, which also gains automatic emergency steering this year. Plus, hands-free tailgate operation with height memory settings, keyless entry/ignition, navigation, and a powered moonroof. Essentially a new trim this year, the Onyx Edition has the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, simulated leather upholstery, self-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, heated outboard rear seats, powered liftgate with memory, 180-degree front view monitor, and blind-spot monitoring with emergency steering assistance. On the options list are the powered moonroof, navigation, and reverse automatic braking. Limited trim comes with those three options and adds a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and perforated leather upholstery. It also offers a heated steering wheel, powered moonroof, navigation, and a 576-watt/12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Touring trim has the Limited’s extras as standard, as well as perforated black Nappa leather upholstery with tan stitching, heated/ventilated front seats, and an extra camera for the EyeSight safety system. XT trims of the 2023 Outback SUV are powered by the turbocharged engine. The Onyx Edition XT also adds those extras that were optional in its 2.5-liter counterpart. The Limited XT has a heated steering wheel, powered moonroof, navigation, and the Harman Kardon setup. The Outback Wilderness also comes with the turbocharged engine, plus 17-inch alloy wheels wearing all-terrain tires, raised ride height, underbody protection, strengthened roof rails (to take a roof-mounted tent), simulated leather upholstery, and a special all-wheel-drive system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Options include navigation, powered moonroof, and reverse automatic braking. Compare 2023 Subaru Outback trim levels side by side Engine & TransmissionBefore getting down to the numbers, a quick explanation of a flat-4 engine. Whereas most 4-cylinder engines have their cylinders all upright and in a line, the flat-4 has two pairs opposed horizontally. Think of those old VW air-cooled engines or how a typical BMW motorcycle engine is configured. The benefit is that it can sit low in the body and contribute to an advantageous center of gravity. Right then, numbers. The basic flat-4 in the 2023 Outback SUV is a naturally aspirated (no turbochargers or anything similar) 2.5-liter unit making 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. This year, it’s available in the Onyx Edition trim. The Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness models all have a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-4 engine developing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Like its 2.5-liter counterpart, it runs on regular gasoline, which isn’t always the case when there’s a turbocharger in the picture. Both engines are connected to automatic transmissions sending power to all four wheels as standard. The 2.5-liter unit enables a towing capacity of 2,700 pounds. Models with the 2.4 turbo can tow 3,500 pounds. An engine stop/restart function saves a little fuel while idling, but the restart action can be a bit clunky. If this becomes irksome, it’s possible to turn it off. 2.5-liter flat-4 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4 KBB Vehicle Review and Rating MethodologyOur Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings. We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing. Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.) We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability. More About How We Rate Vehicles What is Subaru Outback Premium Package?The Outback Premium, with a starting price of $30,695, includes all the standard equipment from the Base and adds an All-Weather Package; leather-wrapped steering wheel; dual-zone automatic climate control system; 10-way power driver seat; and rear gate LED light.
Will Subaru Outback be redesigned in 2023?The 2023 Subaru Outback will be receiving a redesign. It will get new headlights, a new front fascia and bumper, new front fender cladding, and a new EyeSight system.
What will be new with the 2023 Subaru Outback?The updates on the 2023 Subaru Outback include a wider field of view, better control, and enhancements to automatic braking and throttle control. Some models include blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency steering, and a wide-angle camera.
Is the Outback Limited better than the premium?The Subaru Limited comes with the same set of features as the Premium trim and also makes some improvements. Additional features/improvements that come with the Limited trim include: Leather upholstery. Blind-spot monitoring.
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