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Used Car Expert Rating

Subaru Outback (2015 to 2021)

Expert Rating

Used car score:

59
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

59
%
E

Safety Rating:

54
%
D

Eco Rating:

-

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

58
%
B

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

Used car score:

59
%
D

This model is no longer on sale or in production, so it doesn't have a New Car Expert Rating score.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

59
%
E

Safety Rating:

54
%
D

Eco Rating:

-

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

58
%
B

Summary

The Subaru Outback is a large estate and a more rugged version of the sixth-generation Subaru Legacy (no longer sold in the UK). This model was launched in 2015, facelifted in 2018 and ended production in 2021. There is now a new version of the Outback on sale, which arrived in 2021.

The Outback occupies a rather narrow niche – aimed at buyers who want an estate and need to go off-road to a certain degree, but don’t want an SUV-style vehicle. Subaru practically pioneered this niche, but in recent years the Outback has been joined by other uprated estates. The main difference between the Outback and its rivals is that you’d probably trust the Subaru to get to places that would scare off most SUVs, while most of the rest would flinch at anything tougher than a gravel path.

The Subaru Outback received average to good reviews from most of the UK motoring media. It was particularly praised for its genuine off-roading ability and generous equipment levels, but criticised for its on-road performance and higher-than-average running costs. No longer in production, this version of the Outback holds a Used Car Expert Rating of D with a score of 59%.

It was replaced by a new model in the summer of 2021 – the new model looks very similar but is based on an all-new platform underneath.

Key specifications

Body style: Estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £33,770 on-road

Launched: Spring 2015
Last updated: Spring 2018
Replaced: Summer 2021

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2014
Date expired: January 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 85%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 73%

The Subaru Outback was crash tested by Euro NCAP back in December 2014, achieving a full five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2021 as the 2 Outback no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Subaru Outback to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 2.5-litre petrol automatic

Overall score: 1 stars
Date tested: February 2019
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 6.5 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 1.8 / 10

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

As of May 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Subaru Outback to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Outback, we’ll publish the score here.

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Subaru Outback, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi A4 allroad | Skoda Octavia Scout | Subaru Levorg | Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer | Volkswagen Passat Alltrack | Volvo V60 Cross Country

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The Subaru Outback received average to good reviews from the UK motoring media. It occupies a narrow niche and is genuinely capable in all conditions.Subaru Outback (2015 to 2021)