I had the 2025 Subaru Outback for a week to see if it lives up to its name. The Outback refers to 70% of Australia with environmental extremes, so that’s pretty intense. It did seem well-equipped to handle the bush, but it also had a few ups and downs. 

Is the 2025 Subaru Outback worth buying? 

Yes, the 2025 Subaru Outback is an excellent option to consider for a comfortable ride, tons of space, and solid off-roading capabilities. I was surprised by its abundance of passenger space and cargo space. Also, the interior is quite upscale for price. 

What are potential Subaru Outback drawbacks? 

• I kept slipping on the all-weather mats in wet and muddy conditions. I was in running shoes or hiking shoes the entire week. 
• The tech could use more physical controls and an upgraded camera. The view is a bit blurry. 
• The base engine is underwhelming. 

How does the Outback drive? 

I had an Outback with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It’s surprisingly peppy and ready to go. It helps the Outback accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The base engine takes about 8.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. 

If you want to take it easy, it’s an excellent option for laid-back jaunts around town. The continuously variable transmission is smooth and responsive to traffic needs and the brakes are confident. 

It has standard AWD and a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, so it’s ready to go off the pavement. In areas with slick mud, I couldn’t get the Subaru Outback to slip or slide. 

It’s well-balanced and well-controlled in slippery situations. It doesn’t have the heft around curves that taller mini-vans and SUVs sometimes exhibit. 

The Outback doesn’t feel as large as it looks. It’s agile with an 18.05-foot turning radius. I only had to correct my parking once. 

It’s supposed to get an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and up to 29 mpg on the highway, but I hovered around 21.7 mpg. I also spent time off-roading and idling for photoshoots, though. 

Is the 2025 Outback comfortable? 

Yes, the 2025 Subaru Outback is comfortable. It has a smooth ride over most surfaces and quickly dampens largerimpacts. However, on gravel roads, things get pretty bumpy. 

The interior is quiet at highway speeds aside from an occasional engine drone. The seats in the front and rear are spacious and well-padded for hours of comfort. 

Also, the automatic climate control automatically adjusts to keep you warm on frigid mornings and cool on sweltering afternoons. The ventilated seats are a bit weak, but the heated seats and steering wheel are on the money. 

How much space does the Outback have?

The 2025 Outback offers 32.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and up to 75.6 cubes in total. It’s cavernous, and the seats fold flat for a level cargo floor. The rear hatch opens wide with a low liftover height for convenience. 

But space for personal items is limited. The center console and glove box are tight. There is a narrow shelf above the glove compartment that’s slightly helpful. 

The roof rack isn’t too high to access and has a 700 lbs static load. That’s great for rooftop tents and cargo. It can only tow up to 2,700 lbs, but the Wilderness model can tow up to 3,500 lbs. 

Does the 2025 Outback have a nice interior? 

I had an Outback Limited model, which is on the higher end with a $35,995 MSRP. The interior is impressive with upscale materials such as leather upholstery and leather-wrapped surfaces. 

Shades of brown, blue, and black blend together well, with textured patterns and accent stitching. There are a few silver and glossy black plastic accents, but they don’t take away from the upscale feeling. 

However, the sunroof is a bit small. My model didn’t have a panoramic option that many rivals have made standard. 

Does the Outback have good tech? 

The Subaru Outback is advanced and well-equipped with modern features. However, the 11.6-inch touchscreen controls most of the features. Many drivers prefer more physical buttons and dials. 

Also, the menu structure is a bit confusing. The camera quality is a little weak, but the 360-degree view is helpful. 

The digital gauge cluster has analog gauges but provides helpful information. It can display a compass or miles to empty. 

Plus, it gives you data about the automatic start and stop system. It tells you how long your engine is turned off during each drive and how much fuel you’re saving. 

The safety features such as rear cross-traffic alert or lane departure warning are responsive. The system beeps and provides a light on the dashboard. The alerts are subtle but could get annoying. 

Overall, the Outback could survive in the actual Outback. It’s practical and well-rounded to provide confidence, comfort, and peace of mind. Plus, it’s versatile and capable.