Subaru Outback Generations: What’s Changed Over The Years?
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If you have ever shopped for an SUV, there’s a good chance that the venerable Subaru Outback has ended up on your shortlist of options. The Subaru Outback is a crossover SUV that America loved and continues to love. Although the Outback didn’t invent the lifted station wagon look, it certainly helped popularize it and has been the savior of the segment for many years now.
After more than 30 years of success, the Outback SUV continues to be a popular choice among American families – thanks to its standard AWD, car-like handling, and the fuel economy of a sedan. It’s the vehicle of choice for adventure-loving spirits. If you’re looking to buy a new or used Outback, there’s no better time than now. However, you should do yourself a favor and learn more about the Subaru Outback generations.
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For today’s post, we made a quick breakdown of the Subaru Outback generations and how the popular station wagon SUV has changed over the years. Let’s get to it.
Subaru Outback First Generation (1995-1999)
The first Outback had its humble beginnings as a trim level to the second-gen Subaru Legacy L station wagon. In this case, the Outback was simply a Legacy wagon with plastic trimmings all over its body and a more durable cloth cabin. The iconic Outback with the lifted suspension wouldn’t be made available until 1996, with a 2.5-liter flat-four engine capable of 155 horsepower.
In 1996, the Outback also received a rugged makeover increasing its ground clearance to 7.3 inches, and it had larger mud and snow tires. Interestingly enough, Subaru released a first-generation Impreza wagon, applied the same two-tone body cladding treatment, and called it the Impreza Outback Sport. This model eventually turned into what we now know as the Crosstrek.
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Subaru Outback Second Generation (2000-2004)
With the second generation, the Outback was no longer a trim level to the Legacy and became its own separate model. Subaru stuck to the Outback’s original concept and stayed true to the model’s basic architecture up to this day. However, the Outback became wider, heavier, and longer. By sticking true to the Outback formula, Subaru would be rewarded with success as sales continue to climb.
For the first time, the Outback offered a 3.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that produced a decent 212 hp. The base engine was still the 2.5 liter four with a little more power at 165 hp, but acceleration left much to be desired at 0-60 mph in 10 seconds. Finally, the second-generation Outback was only available in a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Subaru Outback Third Generation (2005-2009)
In 2005, the Outback once again received a facelift, gaining size in nearly every dimension. Plus, it also received a new as the third generation gets rid of the soft lines from previous generations. Fortunately, the Outback’s performance was also upgraded with its third generation. The EJ25 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is now capable of 175 hp, and the 3.0-liter flat six now has an output of 245 hp. However, the significant addition is undoubtedly the optional turbocharged engine.
The new turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four engine cranked out a respectable 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque and was lifted from the high-performance WRX STI. However, most buyers went with the base four-cylinder engine. In 2008, the sedan version of the Outback was discontinued.
Subaru Outback Fourth Generation (2010-2014)
The fourth-generation Outback saw the most considerable increase in wheelbase at 2.8 inches, and the width increased by 3.6 inches. These changes added quite a lot of interior space to the Outback and were likely compelled by the rising demand for SUVs. The Outback also grew more luxurious and more family-oriented.
Unfortunately, Subaru had dropped the turbo engine in this generation, leaving only the naturally aspirated flat-four and flat-six for powertrain options. However, the six-cylinder engine was new at that time and provided an output of 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. In terms of transmission, a new CVT was introduced alongside a new six-speed manual (previous gens had a five-speed manual). This generation also marked the end of Outbacks with manual transmission.
The fourth-generation Outback received much positive feedback from customers and critics and became MotorTrend’s 2010 SUV of the Year. By the end of 2014, the Outback sold 139,000.
Subaru Outback Fifth Generation (2015-2019)
The fifth-gen Outback saw another increase in dimensions, especially the wheelbase and overall length. Once again, these changes in the dimension enabled the Outback to gain more interior space. For instance, the cabin increased to 108.1 cu-ft of space from 105.4 cu-ft in the previous generation.
Engine options were carried over from the previous generation, but the 2.5-liter engine received an upgrade in efficiency and offered a much quieter operation. In addition, the transmission options were reduced to one single type, the CVT.
This gen was also considered one of the most notable Subaru Outback generations for tech features. For example, the Outback received the manufacturer’s Eyesight advanced safety suite. In addition, it also included a larger new infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Later models in this generation would also get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
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Subaru Outback Sixth Generation (2020-Present)
For the sixth generation, the Outback rode its commercial success all the way to the bank. The Subaru Outback remains one of the best-selling SUVs in America and received rave reviews from critics and consumers. The sixth-generation Outback looks a lot more like the previous generation. Still, it sits on a new Subaru Global Platform intending to provide better ride quality, improved handling, and reduced noise levels.
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Subaru has heavily revised the Outback’s base engine with 90% using new parts and components. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 182 hp. However, the good news is that this generation saw the return of the turbocharged engine since the 2009 model. All Outback models were outfitted with a CVT transmission which emulates an eight-speed automatic.
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