Photography by David S. Wallens
Subaru still offers a wagon-shaped vehicle with a turbocharged engine? Well, sort of.
While the current Outback is more of an SUV compared to the station wagon introduced some 30 years ago, the availability of an optional turbocharged engine is, at least on paper, a welcome addition to the nearly two-ton vehicle.
Depending on your choice of trim (nine in total), the Outback is powered by one of two engines: The Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited and Touring are all powered by a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter flat-four rated at 182 horsepower and 176 lb.-ft. of torque.
For those looking for a little more oomph, the Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT and Touring XT feature a more powerful 2.4-liter, turbocharged flat-four engine good for 260 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque.
Photograph Courtesy Subaru
Regardless of trim or engine, all versions of the Outback are fitted with a CVT that's also capable of simulating an eight-speed transmission.
This week, we’ve been given the keys to the range-topping Touring XT model.
While the Touring XT is the fanciest Outback in the lineup, there are only a handful of amenities unique to the trim: Heated and ventilated Nappa-leather seats, smart auto-dimming rearview mirror and, believe it or not, a CD player. (The non-XT Touring is also similarly equipped, just without the turbo engine.)
Photograph Courtesy Subaru
For all XT models–our Touring XT included–fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway, for a combined 25 mpg. Outbacks equipped with the 2.5-liter engine are slightly more fuel efficient, rated at 26 city, 32 highway and 28 combined.
Opt for the go-anywhere Wilderness model, however, and that efficiency drops to 21 city, 26 highway and 23 combined.
While the cheapest Base trim Outback starts at $28,895, MSRP for the Touring XT starts at $42,795. Add in the destination and delivery fee of $1395 plus a $141 set of all-weather floor liners, and the Outback we have for the week carries a sticker price of $44,331.
Questions? Comments? Drop them below, and follow along as we review this 2025 Subaru Outback Touring XT in real time.
I can't help but notice the location of the oil filter.
Yeah, it has a high chance of spilling oil all over the engine during a filter change, but, I mean, it's right there. You can just open the hood and grab it.
That deserves some brownie points, right?
Driving impressions to come shortly as the car just arrived. Look for it on I-4 this weekend, in fact.
Have questions about it? Post away.
And a few first impressions. Our test car, by the way, has 1396 miles on the clock.
First, comfortable front seats with plenty of cushion and bolster for back and butt. They’re not GT3 Porsche seats but very appropriate for this car’s mission. Eager to spend some time in them.
Check it out, a real mechanical shifter. No knob, no buttons.
Some detail shots. Everything feels solid.
HVAC and sound are typical Subaru in that it’s a combination of knobs, buttons and screen.
Is there a Rallycross somewhere to give it a proper test at?
I didn't know that you were a lesbian!
But seriously, we've really enjoyed our Crosstrek. But it seems that the bigger Subarus get, the less personality they have. Hopefully this one bucks the trend.
Initial impressions from last night’s short drive to Publix: Yep, it feels like a Subaru.
Ahhhhh, I miss my Subaru's. Drove them exclusively (STi's and WRX's) from the late 90's through the mid teens. As they shifted away from performance to more main stream I sadly had to say goodbye. Now it's Hyundai N products (shockingly good!) and BMW's. My son has a BRZ which I love but I already have a Miata so that wouldn't make any sense. They could have saved me with a Forester Sti with a manual but that would likely have sold very poorly in the States.
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