Used 2025 Subaru Outback for SaleNationwide

Is the 2025 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the 2025 Subaru Outback earns 4.5/5 from users and 7.5/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It stands out as a rugged wagon in a sea of look-alike crossovers, and it remains one of the last station wagons on the market. That long-roof shape gives you a practical, distinctive alternative if you want something useful without going generic. Its appeal is built around practicality and value, standard all-wheel drive, and strong safety ratings.

The trade-offs are clear: the base engine is underwhelming, and the touchscreen response is sluggish.

For shoppers who want comfort and confidence in everyday driving, it makes a sensible case for itself. 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there is still some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2025 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2025 Outback is presented as a durable, confidence-inspiring choice thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, comfortable ride, and strong safety reputation. Its Boxer engine layout, CVT, and regular-unleaded fuel requirement point to a straightforward mechanical setup rather than a complicated one. The performance notes also describe the CVT as generally unobtrusive, which is a good sign for everyday dependability.

If you value low-stress ownership, the Outback’s practical design and sensible powertrain choices are reassuring. The main long-term risk for used buyers is that the base engine may feel strained if you regularly carry passengers, cargo, or drive in demanding conditions.

What should I look for when buying a used 2025 Subaru Outback?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Convenience and Touring trims use cloth upholstery and 17-inch wheels, while Onyx and Wilderness models get easy-to-clean StarTex synthetic leather. Heated outboard rear seats become standard on Onyx and Wilderness, and Limited and Premier grades add DriverFocus, built-in navigation, and leather upholstery. If you want the most upscale cabin, the Premier XT adds Nappa leather and ventilated front seats.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while Wilderness and XT models use a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. Both run on regular unleaded gas, and the upgraded engine is the better pick if your budget allows.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Touring and higher trims also add blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Infotainment: Most trims get a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen, while the base model uses twin 7-inch displays. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, wireless unless you have the base model’s twin 7-inch displays.
• Fuel efficiency: The base 2.5-litre model is rated at 9.2 L/100 km city, 7.3 highway, and 8.3 combined. Turbocharged XT models rise to 10.6 city, 8.1 highway, and 9.5 combined, while the Wilderness model is rated at 11.0 city, 9.0 highway, and 10.1 combined.

Which 2025 Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2025 Subaru Outback is offered in 6 trim levels: Convenience, Touring, Onyx, Limited, Wilderness, and Premier XT.

Here's the short version:

• Convenience: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Outback’s core strengths without the extra equipment. It’s the trim to consider if you want the wagon shape, standard all-wheel drive, and the lowest starting point.
• Touring: This is the best-value trim for many buyers because it adds more equipment while staying on the sensible side of the range. It also unlocks blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Onyx: Choose this if you want the easier-to-clean StarTex synthetic leather and heated outboard rear seats. It suits buyers who expect more active use and want a tougher-feeling cabin.
• Limited: This is the step up for shoppers who want leather upholstery, built-in navigation, and DriverFocus. It’s the more upscale choice without going all the way to the top.
• Wilderness: Pick this if your priorities lean toward rougher routes and adventure use. It gets the turbocharged engine, 24.1 centimetres of ground clearance, a front skid plate, and extra Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud X-Mode settings.
• Premier XT: This is the most luxurious choice in the lineup, with the turbocharged engine, Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and the most premium-feeling cabin.

Touring and higher trim levels also add blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2025 Subaru Outback?

It looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 237 listings available.

That combination suggests you have enough choice to compare trims and condition carefully, but not so much inventory that you can assume every listing is discounted. If you want the best value, focus on well-equipped trims that match your needs rather than stretching for the highest badge.

Is the 2025 Subaru Outback safe?

The 2025 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist technology is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Touring and higher trims also add blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

One caveat is that EyeSight keeps the Outback in its lane with more side-to-side movement than ideal, so it does not feel as settled as the best systems in the class. DriverFocus is also described as a little less accurate, with some false notifications.

Should I buy a 2025 Subaru Outback or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2025 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2025 if:

• 34.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It remains one of the last remaining station wagons on the market, which gives it a distinctive shape and character.

Consider the 2024 if:

• It offers a broad trim range with feature-enriched versions and trim-specific aesthetic tweaks.

Consider the 2026 if:

• It brings a redesigned SUV-like form with numerous feature enhancements.

The bottom line: If you want the Outback’s current wagon character, the 2025 is the one to focus on. If you are price-sensitive and want more trim choice, the 2024 is worth a look. If you prefer the redesigned direction and can wait for a newer shape, the 2026 is the alternative to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.