The Subaru Outback is a SUV built from 2005 to 2026 over 6 generations. Most were assembled in the United States — 99.8% of those on record. Between 1996 and 2027 it grew 14 cm longer and gained 240 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Outback is
The Subaru Outback is a SUV that Subaru built from 2005 to 2026 — 22 model years. Our measurements put it at 6 generations, the current one starting in 2020. It has been offered with 4-cyl, V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Subaru range: Forester, Baja, B9 Tribeca.
Where the Outback is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 8,105 Outbacks on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 4S4, 454, 4SB, 4S3 | 2005-2025 |
Check your own: the first three characters of its VIN decide which line above it belongs to. What every character in a Outback VIN means →
Outback generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-1997 | 472 cm | 263 cm | 1465 kg | - | - |
| 1998 | 455 cm | 258 cm | 1359 kg | -17 cm | -106 kg |
| 1999 | 464 cm | 263 cm | 1417 kg | +9 cm | +58 kg |
| 2000-2009 | 476 cm | 265 cm | 1581 kg | +12 cm | +164 kg |
| 2010-2019 | 477 cm | 274 cm | 1595 kg | +1 cm | +14 kg |
| 2020-2027 | 486 cm | 275 cm | 1705 kg | +9 cm | +110 kg |
Between 1996 and 2027 the Outback gained 14 cm in length (+3.0%) and 240 kg in weight (+16.4%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced. Full dimensions by year →
Subaru Outback tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Subaru Outback have? Power & range
The Subaru Outback is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.6L 6-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.6L · 6-cyl | CVT | AWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Subaru Outback tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Subaru Outback is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Outback's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The Outback by the numbers
What the federal and market records say. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Outback | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 158 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 8,509 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $959/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 4,253 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Subaru Outback?
The Outback is a SUV, built from 2005 to 2026 across 6 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, V6.
Where is the Subaru Outback made?
Across 8,105 cars in our records the split is: the United States (99.8%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the Outback have?
6 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2020. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Outback grew 14 cm longer and gained 240 kg.
What is the Subaru Outback warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Outback reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Outback?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.