New Subaru Outback - Should You Buy the 2020 Model Or Wait For 2021?
The 2020 Subaru Outback wagon is still the best-selling wagon in America and it’s turning 25 years old this summer. Is the Subaru Outback a good vehicle for you to buy? The multi-purpose wagon is different than any vehicle in America and falls in the wagon category but it also fits in the SUV/Crossover segment because it doesn’t ride low to the ground like a typical wagon or sedan.
The Outback is made in America at the Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana, and was completely redesigned for the 2020 model year and rides on the Subaru Global Platform. That translates to the new models having improved ride quality and it rides like a car but has the best characteristics of an SUV.
It sits 8.7-inches off the ground so it’s easy to slide in to, it comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive for all-weather performance, it has a stellar safety rating with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it gets better fuel mileage than most SUVs.
You can get two engine options in the 2020 Outback. The standard model is powered by a 2.5-liter engine and you can also get an Outback XT trim with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. Which model is best? For most buyers, the standard 2.5i trim will meet your needs. What Outback engine is best for me?
Unless you need the extra power to haul cargo and people over an 11,000-foot mountain pass or pull a trailer, the standard 2.5i trim will have all the power you need for commuting and power to enter the highway. It gets an EPA estimated 26/33 city/highway and 29 combined mpg.
What is the best Outback model to buy?
The 2020 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium and Limited trim levels are where the majority of buyers will be landing. Unless you need the extra power and off-pavement capability of the Outback XT, you will pay around $4,000-$6,000 less for a comparably equipped 2.5i trim level.
How dependable is the Subaru Outback?
The Subaru brand is dependable and according to Consumer Reports the Outback scores high in “predicted reliability” according to a recent report. You can read the report we've included below.
Are there problems with the 2020 Subaru Outback?
As with any newly-redesigned car, the automaker hasn’t had time to work out all the “bugs” as many parts are all-new on the model. The 2020 Subaru Outback is covered by Subaru’s 3 yr/36,000 mi basic and 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain warranty. There has been one recall so far on the 2020 Outback for a brake pedal mounting bracket that affected 3,450 vehicles.
Should I buy the 2020 Subaru Outback? We would recommend waiting for the 2021 Outback models coming out later this summer. Subaru will likely add a new rear-seat reminder to the new models, it will get a modest price increase and the automaker will have worked out most of the new model’s defects.
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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 and the founder of 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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