Used 2023 Subaru Outback

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.

True 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.

No 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.

Except 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.

All-Wheel Drive
Every new Outback has all-wheel drive as standard. Higher up the trim level ladder, however, it becomes more sophisticated. The Onyx Edition versions, in particular, have a dual-mode X-Mode system with greater capability and control on slippery surfaces and downhill sections. The Outback Wilderness also adds a low-ratio setting for tricky off-road conditions.

W3W
Otherwise known as “What3Words.” This new technology has imposed a grid on the map of the world, with each square measuring 10 feet by 10 feet. Then it supplies a particular and precise location using just three simple words (different combinations of words for different locations, obviously). It comes in all the new Outback models with the navigation system. With three-word messages, users can share meeting places, like hiking trailheads. It’s standard on all Outbacks with the 11.6-inch multimedia navigation system.

The 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.

Among 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

Before 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
182 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
176 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/33 mpg

2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4
260 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
277 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg (Wilderness: 22/26 mpg)