KBB’s 5 Best Family Cars - Subaru Outback Is A Top Pick Now And Why You Should Wait

Is the 2023 Subaru Outback a good SUV for families? Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says the Outback is not just good; it's one of the five best 2-Row SUVs for families in 2023. Below is why the 2023 Outback is a top pick now and why waiting six months could be a better option for families.

KBB's annual list of the Best Family Cars features vehicles with the highest safety scores and are roomy and functional. However, they also weigh easily overlooked aspects like predicted resale value and historical reliability.

KBB's five best 2-Row SUVs for Families

The five best models for families are listed in alphabetical order by brand.

2023 Honda CR-V
All-new for 2023, the already-excellent Honda CR-V is now an even better choice for families. It's also Kelley Blue Book's Compact SUV Best Buy for 2023.

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has space for people and cargo, featuring a quiet, safe, comfortable place for your family and up to 300 miles of range.

2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
Stylish, elegant, and loaded with tech, the Santa Fe offers a lot of value among two-row midsize SUVs.

2023 Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is a great pick for families, thanks to its impressive standard safety equipment, all-weather confidence, and interior space.

2023 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is practical, versatile, and offers a lot of value for families, whether you want a gas engine, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid.

Why KBB picks the Subaru Outback

The Pros: The Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive; it's highly practical and has substantial resale value.

The Cons: Outback's automatic stop/restart engine function "could be smoother," says KBB.

KBB says

"All qualities contributing to the Outback's popularity are still here, 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. Instead, 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."

What is the 2023 Outback's safety score?

All Outback midsize SUV trim levels earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the highest five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

What is the price of the 2023 Outback?

The 2023 Outback comes in nine trim levels for U.S. customers; the Base trim is priced from $29,620, Premium ($31,920), new Onyx Edition with a 2.5-liter engine ($34,720), Limited ($36,520), Touring ($41,070), Outback Wilderness ($39,670), Onyx Edition XT ($39,820), Limited XT ($40,920), and Touring XT ($43,520). Pricing includes $1,225 destination and delivery fees.

What makes the Outback a good value for families?

What sets the Outback apart from other SUVs? All Outback midsize SUV trim levels ride higher with extra ground clearance than most family haulers. The Outback has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, and X-Mode for all-terrain performance.

The Outback Wilderness also has additional ground clearance (9.4 inches) and dual-function X-Mode for all-terrain performance. Families who go off-road should check out the Wilderness trim level here.

Why you should wait for the 2024 models

New car shoppers who can wait can get the upgraded 2024 Subaru Outback. For the 2024 Outback model change, the midsize SUV gets further improvements like upgraded LED dome and cargo lights; a 360-degree heated steering wheel is now standard on more trim levels, including Wilderness and other Onyx Edition trim upgrades. You can check out the 2024 Outback pricing and model guide below.

Kelley Blue Book says the 2023 Subaru Outback is among the five best new 2-Row SUVs for families this year. But if you can wait until this fall, the 2024 Outback gets even better.

You Might Also Like: The 2024 Subaru Outback Pricing, Model Guide, And Its Most Significant New Upgrade

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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