10 Solid Reasons To Choose A Subaru Outback Over A Compact SUV

For adventure seekers who don't want a compact SUV, here's why the AWD Outback serves as the perfect alternative

Competent than most family cars, and more versatile than compact SUVs, the Subaru Outback is the ultimate answer for the adventure-seeking crowd. Introduced in 1994, the Subaru Outback has maintained its ubiquitously high perch on the list for one of the longest-lasting vehicles. This wagon is a depiction of a utilitarian vehicle that is also enthusiastic in challenging terrains. As a favorite of many, the Subaru Outback outdoes its competitors by a mile.

As Subaru focuses on making the wagon the best in its class vehicle, it takes on sub-compact SUVs, all while retaining a special place in the hearts of purists. Its lifted ride height and tough-looking exterior allow the Outback to blend among SUVs, but its station wagon body gives you added practicality. So, what makes the Subaru Outback the best in its class? The driving experience, top-tier safety features, or unique sense of style? Below are ten solid reasons why the Subaru Outback is a better purchase than most sub-compact SUVs.

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The Subaru Outback is a multipurpose vehicle that's great for daily commutes and doubles as an adventure vehicle for weekend road trips. This wagon appeals to a wider audience than most compact SUVs because it is relatively larger than most ordinary sub-compact SUVs. It comes with a long wheelbase and a ground clearance of 8.7 inches. The 2024 Outback Wilderness will cement Subaru's dominance in the adventure sector as it comes with a boosted 9.5 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain conquering upgrades.

Hill Descent Control(HDC) comes in handy in off-road situations. The front and rear bumpers are designed to improve approach and departure angles to easily steer clear of large obstacles. 17-inch matte-black alloy all-terrain Yokohama tires providing improved performance in the toughest trails.

Few models drive with the self-assured confidence of the Outback, that have always come equipped with Subaru's popular boxer engines. The engine's flat design is self-balancing to achieve durability and performance due to less vibration generation. This makes the Outback more stably balanced and resistant to side-to-side motion. At 182 horsepower and 176-pound feet of torque at 4,400 rpm the 2.5-litre Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) boxer engine is remarkably smooth in operation.

This is compounded by the low center of gravity. Another highlight is the CVT gearbox which has been brilliantly mated to the engine that keeps the revs relatively low at around 2,000 rpm. The driving experience is boosted by additional hardware like active torque vectoring, a feature that you don't necessarily find on a wagon. You can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Whether you’re hauling luggage or a mini-trailer, the Outback has got you covered.

Wagons were once a popular body style. However, they have fallen out of favor with many families now switching to SUVs, but the Subaru Outback retains its place as a favorite for many. Pragmatic and spacious it remains extremely germane because wagons are more aerodynamic, and thus more efficient and than higher-riding and bulkier crossovers.

The five-seater offers ample legroom with 42.8 inches in the front and 39.5 inches in the back seats coupled with 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, which is far more than what compact SUVs offer. But fold the rear-seats down and it opens up to a provide an impressive 75.6 cubic feet, ideal for those camping holidays.

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Subaru Outbacks are often on the road for decades, With some vehicles lasting beyond 250,000 miles over 20 years. Parked on the curbs of any street in America, it is not uncommon to see Outbacks manufactured two decades ago, still in great shape. The timing belt's replacement at 100,000 miles is critical in making sure that the Subaru Outback continues to stay on the road.

Since the Outback was first introduced, Subaru has made several improvements over time. If we look at the current Outback, it comes with a stylish and rugged exterior coupled with interior features such as heated front seats. The infotainment is also world-class with higher trim levels now boosting the Outback with a sunroof.

The Subaru Outback is good-looking and elegant on the outside, the rugged look given by the front bumper and round centrally placed fog lights shout aggression. The Automaker made the Outback look bold and classy depicting strength. This is one of the reasons the long-serving wagon is now toe-to-toe with big boxy SUVs in the car market.

The new Outback seems to throw out the quirky rule book of Subaru design, with a shape that's just the right amount of masculinity combined with a classic station wagon. Classy is the word that comes to mind for describing an Outback interior. The quality embodies luxury, and the interior feels solid and built to last. The Outback instrumentation is simple to use and ergonomically sound. Inside the Outback, you are pampered, so long weekend getaways are a breeze inside this vehicle.

The fifth generation Outback model comes with an updated design for the grille, front bumper, and headlights, the latest version of Subaru's Eyesight driver assistance technology, and standard wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto, among other updates. With earlier models selling for as low as $25,000 in 2021 and $40,000 for the XT models.

The all-new 2023 model starts at 28,395 and turbo power can be available for as low as $38,445 which is on par with most sub-compact SUVs. A true value for money, Subaru still maintains first place in the compact SUV category with the flagship Outback raising the bar constantly.

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Subaru vehicles have racked up 63 TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards from the IIHS since 2013. The Subaru Outback received the highest rating from IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) a 2022 Top Safety Pick + making it exceptionally safe.

As for the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the 2022 Subaru Outback received the highest honor, a 5-star rating! The Outback safety ratings from the NHTSA were an overall Safety Rating of 5 Stars. The wagon achieved the highest score in its class in child occupant protection and vulnerable road users’ safety. The new Outback's EyeSight Safety Suite also includes reversing automatic braking, rear vehicle detection, rear seat reminder, and multi-view monitors: front, rear, and side view monitor that reduces vehicle blind spots.

For a vehicle classified as a crossover SUV, the Outback is pretty fuel efficient. As a daily driver, the Subaru Outback sedan-like drivability is accompanied by decent mpg figures. Whether you’re headed into the hills or down the highway, you’ll get a very respectable 26 MPG city/33mpg highway and an estimated 29 combined mpg from the four-cylinder 2.5-Littre All-Wheel-Drive 2022 Outback.

The new 2023 Outback will give you a 2.5 MPG combined city/highway EPA rating 1mpg lower than its predecessor. However, the rugged 2023 Outback Wilderness offers 23 mpg combined city/highway a respectable EPA rating for a bold all-terrain SUV. Subaru is able to maintain better economical fuel economy due to the assistance of the Lineartronic CVT transmission.

Perhaps the most popular feature on the Outback is the drivetrain. Power is transmitted from the Subaru Boxer engine to the wheels using the standard Symmetrical All-wheel-drive. It generally improves traction while driving. All-wheel drive can send power to both the front and rear axle, unlike vehicles with front- or rear-wheel-drive.

The system's ability to distribute torque front and rear allows the Outback to stay sure-footed on tricky surfaces off the pavement. Be it on an off-road gravel trail or an icy road, compared to other Sub-Compact SUVs this makes the Outback far more competent to handle the rough stuff.

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Subaru purists are promiscuous about driving the vehicles over decades due to the reliability and versatility that comes with an Outback. Equipped with its solid build quality, and excellent safety ratings, Subaru's trusty boxer-four engines, topped with appealing go-anywhere nature from the symmetrical all-wheel drive, the Subaru Outback retains its value better than most compact SUVs. The predicted resale value after five years of ownership is 40 percent.

Lenny Waruingi is an automobile fanatic a drag racer, gear head and versatile writer. The Software Engineer is a petrol head and a speed lover and is happiest behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Evo FQ 360. He is a Tech Executive and writes for TopSpeed.com.