Name: Subaru Outback (2015 - 2021) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Subaru Outback
Rating: 59.0

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

Image gallery

Media reviews

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

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: SE Lineartronic
“It’s certainly not perfect, but if you need a reasonably-priced, well-equipped family car that simply must be capable off-road, the Subaru Outback is unbeatable.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“Other off-road estates talk the talk, but the Subaru Outback is genuinely capable in the rough.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic SE Premium
“The quirky Subaru lacks the glitz and glamour of premium rivals, yet its no-nonsense approach and clever engineering make it an interesting alternative to the mainstream. A softer ride wouldn’t go amiss, but this practical and well-equipped car deserves to find more buyers.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic
Score: 6 / 10
“The groundswell of goodwill propping up Subaru in the UK might be taxed a tad less by a conventional transmission and a more cosseting ride.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Subaru Outback is a practical family car and it’s also good off-road – but rivals are more stylish.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Subaru Outback is a tall family car with a spacious cabin and grippy four-wheel drive, but alternatives are better to drive, cheaper to run and come with posher-feeling interiors.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Subaru Outback is really meant for buyers who genuinely rely on their car in all conditions. For those who want rugged looks, but who drive in friendlier environments, there are cheaper alternatives on the market both in term of running costs and price.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Tough and hunky family estate that’ll take you anywhere…”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic
“If the family is swelling in size, and you need something which will deliver your nippers to the centre spot of a boggy rugby pitch without sinking in the mud, this is the car for you.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic SE Premium
Score: 6 / 10
“While the 2018 updates don’t change the Outback dramatically, they do add extra appeal to what remains a solid long-term ownership proposition for those able to make use of its all-weather credentials.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A likeable Swiss Army knife. A bit bland but will shrug off anything thrown at it.”
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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

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.