2023 Subaru Outback Reviews, Pricing & Specs

For 2023, Subaru gives the Outback a facelift. It has a new front end including redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding that makes it appear as though the Outback has large air intakes at each corner. Add a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights nestled into oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim that recalls the Wilderness model, and the 2023 Outback takes on a more aggressive appearance.

Only you can decide if these changes make the Outback more appealing. Our position is that if you select a dark paint colour, you can hide the excesses of the design. Alternatively, get the Outback Onyx Edition, which has black wheels and trim that better complements the more audacious cladding.

The Onyx Edition is one of seven trim designations for the Outback and is sold in Canada with the base powertrain sporting an MSRP of $38,695.

Outbacks equipped with the standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine come in Convenience, Touring, Onyx Edition, and Limited trim. Prices range from $32,695 to $40,995, not including a destination charge of $1,995.

Step up to the Outback XT if you want satisfying acceleration. The turbocharged XT is available in Wilderness, Limited XT, and Premier XT trim levels, with new car prices ranging from $43,195 to $46,395, not including the destination charge. All Outback models get a standard full-time all-wheel drive system (AWD).

Our test vehicle had the U.S. equivalent of the Limited trim with the standard powertrain, rendered in Cosmic Blue paint with Java Brown (not available in Canada) premium Nappa leather upholstery. Limited trim includes everything as standard equipment, aside from the numerous dealer-installed accessories available through the Subaru catalogue. Without any of the add-ons, the test vehicle’s Canadian manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) comes to $42,990 including destination charges.

If we question Subaru’s approach to the 2023 Outback’s revised styling, there is no denying the appeal of the Limited’s interior. The leather, dashboard and door panels, and floor mat piping contrast beautifully. Subaru also puts light gray contrast stitching on the dashboard, matching the Outback’s headliner. The result is upscale, complimentary, and cohesive.

In addition, while Subaru uses hard plastic to trim portions of the interior, it doesn’t look or feel inexpensive. For example, look at the flat and textured door sills, which form perfect steps for using the roof rack. The only complaint we can make about the Outback Limited’s cabin pertains to how the large infotainment screen and the gloss black trim on the centre console easily collect dust and smudges.

Subaru uses horizontally opposed engines, otherwise known as boxer types. This design is relatively flat, which is why they’re often referred to as a flat-four or a flat-six. The design helps to reduce a vehicle’s centre of gravity for better handling and produces a characteristic grumble and vibration that Subaru fans love.

The Outback sounds and feels like a Subie, but our 1,705-kilogram (3,758-pound) test vehicle was begging for more power. The standard engine makes 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, and while the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) makes good use of it at lower speeds, passing and climbing power is in short supply. Subaru claims a towing capacity of 1,225 kilograms (2,700 pounds).

Not only that, but the engine isn’t as fuel efficient as we expected. Natural Resources Canada says our test vehicle should have returned 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, but we got 9.2 L/100 km both on our evaluation route and over the course of nearly 1,000 kilometres, many of them spent cruising highways. Undoubtedly, this disappointing result was due, in part, to our regular coaxing of something resembling acceleration from this drivetrain.

If you want a crossover SUV that feels responsive to your right foot, can easily pass slower vehicles, and will effortlessly climb mountain passes, you’ll want a member of the Outback XT family. They all have a 2.4-litre flat-four turbocharged engine cranking out 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 rpm and 4,800 rpm.

The XT models weigh more and aren’t as fuel efficient. Most are rated at 9.5 L/100 km combined, but the Wilderness trim (which gets the turbo engine as standard equipment) carries an NRCan rating of 10.1 L/100 km combined due to its higher-riding stance and all-terrain tires.

The upgrade to forced induction also costs around $3,000 more than an equivalent naturally aspirated Outback. Though the extra performance isn’t cheap, it will likely result in greater overall satisfaction with your purchase.

Both engines pair to a CVT that Subaru programs to sound and feel like it has eight forward gears like a traditional automatic transmission. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel underscore this for a driver who bothers to use them.

In addition, every 2023 Outback includes an Active Torque Split AWD system as standard equipment. It primarily powers the front wheels under normal driving conditions but continually varies power distribution between the front and rear axles as driving conditions require.

To maximize the Outback’s capabilities on more challenging terrain, an X-Mode traction system optimizes the drivetrain to limit wheel slip. Hill descent control is also standard, controlling the Outback’s speed on steeper hills. Standard Outbacks supply a generous 22 centimetres of ground clearance, while the raised Outback Wilderness supplies 23 centimetres of clearance and a more capable X-Mode system.

We took the Outback off-roading, where it handled mud, ruts, and lumpy trails with greater ease than many crossover SUVs can. We also know from past experience that the drivetrain components and ground clearance make quick work of snowstorms. These capabilities are among the Outback’s most appealing traits.

In cities, the Outback’s excellent visibility, tidy size, and high stance pay dividends when parking and navigating tight spaces. Put the crossover into a parallel space or slant parking next to a tall curb, and you need not worry much about hitting a bumper or a door on the concrete.

Unfortunately, when equipped with its standard 182-hp 2.5-litre engine, the Outback delivers the sense of urgency of a sloth. The CVT does its best with the limited power, and at lower city speeds does a pretty good job of making the Outback feel responsive in many daily-driving situations.

However, if you’re traveling on multi-lane highways and you’re trying to take advantage of holes in traffic to pass slower vehicles, a heavy foot is necessary. Even then, the Outback responds with more noise than forward momentum, adding a sense of defeat to the proceedings.

In addition, if you live at elevation or travel to the mountains frequently for adventure, you’re going to want the turbo. If the Outback feels underpowered at sea level, we can only imagine how dreadfully lethargic it is at elevation.

If the standard engine leaves something to be desired, the Outback’s suspension tuning is spot-on. At lower speeds, the ride is firm to provide proper communication to the driver, while at higher speeds the Outback simply soaks everything up. In all situations, whether blazing over speed humps and bumps, encountering mid-corner pavement problems, or traveling bouncy carpool lanes, the ride quality is excellent.

The Outback handles reasonably well, too, and it can hustle down a mountain road with greater confidence than the higher-riding Wilderness on its smaller all-terrain tires. But a sports station wagon the Outback is not, despite its decent steering and capable brakes with a new electronic brake booster that improves pedal feel.

After a week and nearly 1,000 kilometres of driving, only the Outback’s powertrain and fuel economy proved disappointing, which is why we think many people will prefer the Outback XT.

From its purposeful roof rack and flat door sill trim to its dashboard storage shelf and a long list of practical accessories, the Subaru Outback is about utility, first and foremost. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t comfortable, too.

For example, our Limited test vehicle had a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with a manually adjustable thigh support bolster and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat. Both had heating (ventilation is equipped in the test unit but not available in this trim in Canada), and Subaru includes a standard heated steering wheel while wrapping all of the seats in soft, buttery, premium Nappa leather. The rear outboard seats are also heated. So, if you live where it’s often cold, the Outback Limited will be warm, comfy, and cozy.

We had lots of places to be and people to see over the holidays, giving us plenty of seat time in the 2023 Outback Limited. Travels included a traffic-choked extended highway trip, and during more than four hours of driving, the Outback kept two adults and two teens happy. Nobody complained about discomfort or a lack of legroom, the ability to charge devices, or places to stash things. The only consistent irritant, aside from the engine’s lack of power, was wind noise on the highway, likely due in part to the robust roof rack design.

Another great thing about the Subaru Outback is how easy it is to get into and out of this vehicle. It sits high off of the ground, and with the Limited model’s height-adjustable front seats and the tall, supportive rear seat cushion, everyone slides into and out of this crossover rather than dropping in and lifting out as with a typical sedan or climbing up and down like with some SUVs.

Our travels included day trips, so we didn’t need all of the Outback’s cargo space, which measures 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the back seat folded down. You can easily slide full-size suitcases into the cargo area on their sides as long as you first remove the cargo cover. Keep the cover in place, and you can set it to two different heights to help hide bulkier items.

We’ve already mentioned the flat, textured plastic door sills and how useful they are as steps to reach the Outback’s roof rack. The roof rails and rack itself are robust, ready for tying down items and to accept accessory racks and carriers.

If there is any room for improvement, the Outback could use more practical storage space. The shelf embedded into the dashboard helps, but by relocating or redesigning the transmission shifter, Subaru could add another tray or cubby on the centre console.

Every 2023 Subaru Outback except for the Base trim gets a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system mounted in portrait orientation on the dashboard. Physical controls include a volume knob, a tuning knob, dual-zone automatic climate control temperature buttons, and buttons for the front and rear window defrosters. Subaru embeds everything else into the touchscreen, including the seat heating and (where equipped) ventilation buttons.

The base Outback’s 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system includes Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Starting with Touring trim and the 11.6-inch touchscreen system, the system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Subaru also provides access to its subscription-based Starlink connected services. Depending on the trim level, you can also get a navigation system and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. A wireless charging pad is equipped on all trims except Convenience.

Subaru says it has improved the Starlink system’s usability for 2023, and it did seem less confusing than in the past. Still, we’re not fans of the graphics or the broad use of colourful icons. Generally, the infotainment system works well, and the new wireless smartphone connectivity is truly a gift. In part, that’s because it reduces clutter. But also, because the native voice recognition system is awful, you’re going to need to run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto at all times.

Evaluating the voice-recognition system using the same testing prompts we apply in other vehicles, our Outback’s technology could find only a nearby Starbucks. It was unable to give us directions to the closest Chipotle, the nearest hospital, or a favourite local restaurant by name and street. It couldn’t even change the satellite radio station to a specific channel, and we gave up in frustration before trying a temperature adjustment. Since Subaru embeds the climate system into the screen, it might have worked, but we wouldn’t count on it.

Additional available technologies include a camera-based digital rearview mirror that shows an unobstructed view of what’s behind the Outback, which is helpful when the cargo area is packed full. Also, our test vehicle had a 180-degree front-view camera, which is useful off-road and when parking. A surround-view camera would be great, too, but you can’t get one on the Outback.

Subaru is a brand dedicated to safety. This year, it adds new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster design in a bid to refine how the safety features operate and to support new pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The result, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), is an exceptionally safe midsize crossover SUV, one that earns top marks across the board—including in the new, more stringent side-impact crash test.

In the Base model, EyeSight includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist are equipped from the Outback Touring grade.

With those features present, EyeSight further adds a new Automatic Emergency Steering system, which can tell when there is an obstacle ahead and either the driver or EyeSight will not be able to stop the Outback before impact. It then assesses if there is room within the lane of travel to steer and avoid the obstacle. If it can, and the driver still fails to take action, the system will take control and attempt to avoid the collision. Note that this is not the same as an evasive steering assist system. Those typically add stability when a driver takes action to avoid something while this can steer within a lane of travel.

In addition to that driver assist technology, the 2023 Outback Premier XT offers a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera that Subaru says can provide better pedestrian and cyclist detection, such as when navigating crowded intersections.

The Outback did treat us to a forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking event. While driving through the city after dark, we checked the right mirror to see if it was clear to change lanes. Simultaneously, a motorist ahead stopped in the lane to make an illegal left turn across double yellow lines. Just as our eyes returned to the road ahead, the tech took action to prevent a collision.

As for the adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous lane-centring assist systems, we were less impressed. EyeSight is undoubtedly accurate and effective, but when using these features together, the steering takes on a distinctly artificial feel in a driver’s hands, introducing a numb dead spot on-centre while adding too much off-centre resistance when they want to override what the tech is doing. As a result, drivers are constantly aware of the tech’s operation and it becomes a source of irritation. If the goal is to encourage people to use the technology, it should operate more naturally and transparently.

Lastly, the Outback’s rear automatic braking system is incompatible with some driveways. The test car arrived with this feature turned off. Switching it back on produced jarring stops as we reversed onto a residential street, so we kept it off, which meant it wouldn’t work in other situations where it would be useful. It would be nice if Subaru could pair this system with the navigation’s GPS to allow owners to program it to shut off at specific geographic coordinates or addresses.

Considering what people are paying now for both compact and midsize SUVs, the 2023 Subaru Outback offers great value. With its standard AWD and off-roading capability, safety technologies and crash-test ratings, roomy and comfortable cabin, and excellent utility, it remains the Swiss Army Knife of affordable automobiles.

But the turbo is definitely the way to go, especially if any travel plans involve mountain driving. And you’ll want to use the new wireless smartphone connectivity functions in order to avoid a descent into madness.

Note: Images show a US model.