Subaru Outback Ground Clearance: What to Know
2020 Subaru Outback by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
As you search for the right off-road vehicle to fit your needs, it’s essential to consider ground clearance. This is one area that some consumers fail to include in their research into off-road vehicles. That’s why we’re taking a close look at the Subaru Outback’s ground clearance.
This is one off-roading ride that excels in its class. Newer Outback models have gained added ruggedness and a litany of innovative features to help enhance your outdoor adventures.
However, these features don’t mean a thing in the off-roading world if the ground clearance isn’t up to par. So, what is the Subaru Outback ground clearance, and is it enough to ensure a worthwhile ride over the rocky terrain?
Why Does Ground Clearance Matter?
Car owners and salespeople tout ground clearance as one of the more important measurements of a vehicle, but does it really matter?
Also called “ride height,” ground clearance is the measurement of space between the ground and your Subaru’s lowest part – of course, not including the tires that are meant to touch the ground. The lowest point can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle; it can be the front spoiler, front valance, radiator, etc.
There’s more to ground clearance than the ability to drive over a speed bump at your local supermarket quickly. The higher the ground clearance, the more likely the underneath of your vehicle will be protected from scratches and other low obstacles.
The higher ground clearance is designed for off-road driving and carrying heavy loads for the Subaru Outback. The extra ground clearance comes in handy if you’re living in rural areas with dirt roads and other rough terrains. The Outback’s higher ground clearance prevents your oil pan, catalytic converter, and brake lines from getting punctured by a stump or stone.
Higher ground clearance means that your center of gravity is higher, which means you’re prone to roll over. This significantly affects how your vehicle handles.
Subaru Outback Ground Clearance and More
The Subaru Outback ground clearance measures in at a generous 8.7 inches. While this isn’t relatively as high as, say, Toyota’s Tacoma, it’s still pretty impressive. As such, you should have no trouble escaping to the remote outdoors and climbing over rough terrain.
With 8.7 inches, potential hazards are made short work of, as the Outback is capable of holding its own. The added ground clearance is an excellent addition, as previous models didn’t measure this high.
The last model to feature lower ground clearance was in 2009, with a decent clearance of 8.4 inches. But ever since then, Subaru Outback models from 2010 and on have boasted 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
It’s a solid improvement that makes all the difference in the Outback. What’s more, it opens the doors for the vehicle to enjoy new locations. In addition, Subaru upgraded the suspension, which is a big deal when you’ve got the ground clearance that this vehicle has.
As you’ll see, climbing over terrain is much more comfortable compared to past models, as you don’t feel the jarring effect that plagues many off-road vehicles on (and off) the road today.
The latest Subaru Outback also comes equipped with Yokohama all-terrain tires, allowing it to handle itself on various surfaces efficiently. On that note, it’s worth pointing out that the Outback is more than capable of driving over flat surfaces, as well.
This gets to be an issue for many off-road vehicles. Some previous Outback models struggled to adapt to different surface types at times. However, that’s a thing of the past in the recent Outback models.
As such, you can freely navigate over rough and smooth terrain without missing a beat. And since the Subaru Outback ground clearance got the benefit of sitting higher ever since 2010, it’s able to bring you a more diverse driving experience, both off-road and on.
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Advanced Features
Today, the Subaru Outback comes with mighty impressive features under the hood. So we need to consider what these features are and how they complement the Outback as you take it to your favorite off-road locales.
Modern Outback models come equipped with Subaru’s proprietary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Thanks to the added benefit of this advanced feature, you’ll be able to make short work of even the most hostile terrain.
Subaru claims that its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system allows you to explore even the roughest and bumpiest surfaces. As a result, you can explore grounds and landscapes that once seemed impassable.
And if you do run into trouble that even the Subaru Outback ground clearance can’t penetrate, activating the X-MODE with Hill Descent Control will ensure that you have the added control drive over rugged terrain.
However, there are times when the transmission feels like it could be better. This could pose an annoyance on the open road. But when you’re taking your Outback to less than friendly locations, you need a responsive transmission at all times.
If you find that it’s not as responsive as you’d like, we found that the X-MODE with Hill Descent Control works well to give you the extra confidence to get over and around any areas posing a threat.
On that note, we will say that the SUBARU BOXER engine left us mightily impressed. If it wasn’t for this powerful addition, we’re not sure we would have made it to where we did. It’s a great engine, to be sure. However, it would have been even better if the transmission were able to keep up.
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Need More Ground Clearance?
If you find that 8.7 inches aren’t enough for what you’re planning, there are other options to consider. If you’re a fan of the Outback and prefer to stick with this model vehicle, we recommend checking out the Subaru Outback Wilderness model.
You get a jaw-dropping 9.5 inches of ground clearance when you upgrade to the Wilderness model. But that’s not all this model has up its proverbial sleeve. On top of the massive upgrade in ground clearance, you’re also getting a significant improvement in the vehicle’s suspension.
What’s more, Subaru added skid plates to the Wilderness. The Outback’s undercarriage is protected from impacts, scuffs, and scrapes, thanks to these. Yes, the 9.5 ground clearance is an incredible upgrade.
But because you have so much more clearance underneath, you might be tempted to see just how far you can take your vehicle. As such, you might hit objects underneath as you navigate various rough terrain.
However, thanks to these new skid plates, you needn’t worry about damage to your Outback’s underside. Along with the added clearance comes new modes that you can select from the driver’s seat.
These new modes are “Mud” and “Snow.” With them at your disposal, you can select the mode that best accommodates your driving conditions. In doing so, you can look forward to a smoother, smarter ride.
The Snow mode ensures that you have the necessary traction to ensure safe travels wherever you’re going. And if you’ve decided to take your Outback mudding, it is well equipped to handle just about anything you throw at it.
These upgrades are, of course, an additional cost. But depending on what you’re going to be doing, they could be well worth it.
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