This go-anywhere Subaru continues the tradition with its ultra-reliable all-wheel drive and a high stance. Pairing todays advanced technologies like EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic emergency braking, it will surely not disappoint. The standard infotainment system uses dual 7.0-inch screens. The upper screen controls the audio, and you use the lower screen for climate control and systems, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Outback lineup features a pair of flat-four-cylinder engines: a 182-hp 2.5-liter is standard and a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter is optional. Both mate to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that mimics an eight-speed gearbox to mitigate annoying engine drone. Of course, all Outbacks have standard all-wheel drive, which is a Subaru staple.
The Outback is available in no fewer than five different trim levels for 2021: Base, Premium, Limited, Touring and Onyx Edition with Limited and Touring trims also available as XT versions featuring the more powerful turbocharged engine.
Perhaps the most impressive collection of standard equipment on the Subaru Outback begins with its Base model offerings: All-wheel drive, hill-descent control, 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights, roof rails, height-adjustable driver's seat, Tilt/telescopic steering wheel, automatic climate control, 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and EyeSight safety suite.
The next level features can be found in the Premium Trim level that includes LED fog lights, front & rear wiper de-icer system, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way-power driver's seat, heated front seats & side mirrors, Starlink infotainment system with 11.6-inch touchscreen.
Having the Premium trim already, the Onyx Edtion XT add-on to this vehicle see's even more available options like: turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, dual-function X-Mode AWD, black 18-inch alloy wheels, hands-free power tailgate, pushbutton starter, water-repellent upholstery, 8-way-power front-passenger seat, heated rear seats, Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
For those who would love to see updates to an already large and impressive list of options, the Limited Trim level offerings are exactly as requested and include: 18-inch alloy wheels, steering-responsive LED headlights, pushbutton starter, hands-free power tailgate, leather upholstery, 8-way-power front-passenger seat, heated rear seats, 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, Blind-spot monitoring (with rear cross-traffic alert), reverse automatic braking. The Limited XT up-level trim also adds: turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, power sunroof, heated steering wheel, navigation system
Last but not in the very least, the 2021 Subaru Outback Touring Trim level brings an additional refinement to this option heavy SUV that includes: Nappa leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, nav system, and DriverFocus driver-monitoring system. Paired with the XT upgrade too, you also get a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, power-folding exterior mirrors, and 180-degree front-view monitoring system.
The 2021 Outback is equipped with a host of standard and available advanced safety features that remain a staple to its reputation of safe and reliable vehicles packed into one brand. These include rearview camera, rear-seat reminder, seat belt warning for rear-seat passengers, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, and rear cross traffic alert. Reverse automatic emergency braking, Driver distraction monitoring and Front-view camera are all advanced features the consumer can option into their Outback.
The Outback was redesigned from the ground up for the 2020 model year, so for 2021 Subaru has made only three minor changes: Adaptive headlamps, a rear-seat reminder system, and a passenger's seatbelt warning light and chime are now standard across the lineup. The Outback sits on Subaru's Global Platform, which is far stiffer than the chassis it replaces, allowing the car to be both safer and better handling, without any penalty to the ride quality.
The Outback is quite affordable, particularly considering the space on offer; the Outback is not a small vehicle. Most of the safety features come standard on the base model as well, so the entry point for the line-up offers a lot of value for the money. Subaru offers a ton of options and luxury features on the Outback, so for those who want a more upscale experience, there are versions of the vehicle that can provide such a thing.
