4 Things To Know About The Subaru Outback Before You Buy A New Midsize SUV

Midsize SUV shoppers have a lot of good choices, but which new vehicle is the best for you? If you are concerned about safety, keep reading. The Outback recently picked up a global safety award, the Car Safety Performance Five Star Award, that's only given to the safest cars. It could help you decide if you should pick the Outback.

Outback gets a global safety award

In a recent commercial, the Outback was used in the crash test when it won the global safety award. The front of the midsize SUV is crushed beyond recognition, but the cabin is protected, and the doors will still open as usual. Check out the video below.

Subaru improved the Outback safety because of EVs and trucks

In recent years, pickups, hybrid vehicles, and EV sales have hit record highs. The vehicle weight has been steadily growing because of the weight of the battery, and trucks are bigger than ever. It's a problem if you get into a crash with the heavier new models.

Subaru and the IIHS say the amount of energy that the body of a vehicle must absorb in the event of a collision increases yearly. Therefore, Subaru Corporation decided to add more protection to the front of the Outback midsize SUV. Subaru now uses the improved next-generation Subaru Global Platform (SGP) first introduced in 2017.

IIHS says, "A lighter vehicle will always be at a disadvantage in a collision with a heavier vehicle. But in recent years, automakers like Subaru have reduced the threat that SUVs and pickups pose by lowering their energy-absorbing structures so that they line up with those in cars."

New improvements to the Outback's front end

The newly-upgraded SGP now consists of a steel lower beam added to the bottom of the front part of the Subaru global platform and left and right subframes that connect it to the side frame. The second load path deforms when a specific load is applied and absorbs energy. In cooperation with the conventional front frame structure that absorbs energy by collapsing, it is now possible to absorb more energy.

Less damage to the other vehicle

Subaru says their goal was also to reduce the damage to the other vehicle. "Amid various restrictions, the fact that we are conducting technological development with the highest priority on protecting the lives of not only the occupants of Subaru vehicles but also the occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians is another one of our goals."

How does the Subaru Outback compare with the other midsize cars?

The Subaru Outback was the only model to receive the highest mark, a "Good" rating from the IIHS in its new side crash test. The Hyundai Sonata and Volkswagen Jetta received Acceptable scores, the Honda Accord got a Marginal rating, and the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Chevrolet Malibu received Poor ratings.

Midsize SUVs shoppers concerned with safety should look at the 2023 Subaru Outback. It's arguably the safest new SUV you can buy today.

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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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Photo credit: LCM Subaru