2022 Subaru Outback - CR Says It’s The Best "Under The Radar" Two-Row SUV

Consumer Reports (by subscription) just came out with the new popular midsize SUVs to avoid and the models you should buy instead. In the two-row SUV, category CR says you should avoid buying the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The popular midsize SUV scores low in reliability and owner satisfaction scores. What should you buy instead? According to the new report, the best "under the radar" choice is the 2022 Subaru Outback.

CR says many SUV shoppers don't realize the Outback, which is still considered a wagon, "is a smart alternative to an SUV." Why do they say the Outback flies under the radar?

Consumer Reports says, "Its 260 horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged engine gives the wagon effortless acceleration yet still got 24 mpg overall in our tests. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine got 28 mpg in our test of the similar Legacy sedan. The ride is very comfortable, and handling is responsive and secure. However, some tasks through the large infotainment screen require more than one step."

What sets the Outback apart for shoppers considering a Two-Row SUV?

We would add that the 2022 Outback comes with a higher ride height of 8.7-inches of ground clearance, making the Outback easy to get in and out. The Outback has a car's driving dynamics and ride but has standard all-wheel-drive for all-weather and winter performance.

The best winter vehicle for snow and ice

Two separate studies ranked the 2022 Outback as one of the best all-wheel-drive cars and SUVs for ice and snow this winter. A recent report from AutoGuide and another from iSeeCars ranked the Outback as an ideal vehicle for driving in severe winter conditions. Click on the red links above for the complete report.

Outback gets the top safety scores

The 2022 Subaru Outback earns the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Consumer Reports says, "All Outback versions get the EyeSight safety suite with standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; the blind-spot warning is optional."

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Outback?

The 2022 Outback comes in eight trim levels; the base trim is priced from $27,845, Premium ($30,270), Limited ($34,720), Touring ($38,620), Onyx Edition XT ($36,270), new for 2022, Outback Wilderness ($38,120), Limited XT ($39,120), and Touring XT ($41,070). Pricing includes $1,125 destination and delivery fees.

With many midsize SUV shoppers, the 2022 Subaru Outback flies "under the radar." Still, it scores number one overall of eleven midsized SUVs for reliability, owner satisfaction, road tests, fuel mileage, and safety. You can read more in the complete report below.

You Might Also Like: The 2022 Subaru Outback Scores One Of The 10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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