The Subaru Outback is a little hard to pigeonhole. While based on Subaru's Legacy station wagon, it has steadily taken on more SUV-like properties over the years to become a true crossover chimera. Sure it has all the cargo and passenger room one would expect from a typical station wagon, but it also offers the increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive that define the SUV category. This has proved to be a winning combination for the Outback, which outsold the Forester and Crosstrek in 2023 to become Subaru's most popular model at over 160,000 units.
The Outback returns with a host of upgrades for 2025, especially when it comes to the Limited trim. The well-rounded trim already represented one of the lineup's best values; still, for 2025, it adds some compelling new features, including a power sunroof, an 11.6-inch infotainment display, and an optional turbocharged 260-hp 2.4-liter engine that'll have you jonesing for a test drive of a Subaru Outback for sale near Poughkeepsie. What else does the 2025 Outback have to offer? We'll dive into its advanced safety systems, cutting-edge tech, and ample interior and explore two of our favorite trims as we explore some of the highlights of Subaru's popular station wagon...
Putting a Premium on Comfort and Functionality
The Outback's interior prioritizes functionality with a no-nonsense design that's made to withstand the rigors of daily life, but that's not to say the crossover doesn't know how to dress for the occasion. The Outback's upper trims employ a range of premium materials, including Nappa leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and Anodized Copper highlights on the steering wheel, shift knob, and gauge cluster. The Wilderness and both Onyx Edition trims are treated to Subaru's StarTex water-repellent upholstery, which is the perfect pairing for these sporty and rugged trims.
Interior tech has become the newest arms race in today's automotive industry as brands work to outdo each other with the latest in comfort, convenience, and entertainment tech, and Subaru is no exception. Most versions of the 2025 Outback have an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment display that can easily connect to your smartphone thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection ensures no one is burning through the data plan, while six USB ports and wireless charging keep everyone's devices juiced up.
Those who appreciate a little carpool karaoke should look into the Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, which all feature a 12-speaker, 576-watt Harman Kardon audio system. These models are also available with a voice-activated navigation system that can guide you through the Queen City of the Hudson without the distractions that can come from trying to input an address as you're driving down the road.
The Outback doesn't just provide one of the most well-appointed cabins in its class; it's also one of the more spacious midsize two-row models on the market. This is nothing new for the Outback (which has prioritized passenger and cargo space since it first hit the market back in 1994), but Subaru hasn't been resting on its laurels when it comes to the popular crossover, subtly expanding the cabin to provide a roomy ride with plenty of room for all. Just take the 2025 Outback's legroom, for example.
With 42.8 inches in the first row and 39.5 inches in the second, the Outback gives every passenger plenty of room to stretch out, relax, and enjoy the ride. While the backseat of some two-row models might be a little too cramped for the average adult, the Outback can easily accommodate grown-ups—and growing teens—on longer rides. The same is true of the front row, where the Outback outpaces the Honda Passport by almost two inches in terms of legroom.
Cargo space is another area where the Outback excels, besting the Chevy Blazer and Volvo V60 Cross Country by more than 11 cu.ft. when the second row is folded down. The Outback also uses its cargo space wisely with tie-down hooks, fold-flat rear seats, and under-floor storage in the trunk that makes the crossover even more accommodating than the numbers might suggest. It's this sort of practicality that's long-drawn drivers to Subaru vehicles, which can seamlessly shift from daily drivers to expansive cargo haulers with a few simple adjustments.
Nine Trims, Endless Fun
Subaru knows there's no one-size-fits-all solution when you're in the market for your next vehicle. While some drivers value affordability and efficiency, others are looking for a more luxurious ride or one that can tackle challenging terrain. With nine trims on offer for 2025, the Subaru Outback is about as versatile as it comes, allowing drivers to choose a trim that fits their unique desires. The sheer number of Outback trims makes it difficult to outline the differences between each one, but we thought we'd take this opportunity to highlight two of the most intriguing: the rugged Wilderness and the luxurious Touring XT.
We'll start with the Wilderness, which was added to the lineup for the 2022 model year. Subaru has always been known for crafting hard-working vehicles that are just as much completing a pilgrimage to Rossi's Deli as they are tackling challenging terrain, but the Wilderness builds on this reputation with an arsenal of off-road-ready features. Subaru hasn't simply slapped a new badge on the Wilderness and called it a day; the company has thoroughly designed the Outback to meet the needs of those who prefer to explore the road less traveled.
The Wilderness features a dual-function X-MODE system with custom settings for dirt/snow and deep snow/mud, as well as improved ground clearance that should help drivers avoid off-road obstacles while providing a lofty vantage point that increases visibility.
In order to allow the Wilderness to better withstand the bumps, dings, and scrapes that can come with off-road driving, the trim has been outfitted with a front skid plate and robust cladding that'll protect the paint job from debris. The Wilderness also gains Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, StarTex water-repellent seating, and Anodized Copper accents that immediately set the crossover apart, as well as hexagonal LED fog lights that'll keep you exploring well after the sun has gone down.
At the top of the 2025 trim ladder, you'll find the Outback Touring XT. Providing a clever fusion of performance and luxury, the Touring XT is a well-rounded trim that doesn't ask drivers to make any sacrifices. Like the Wilderness, the Touring XT comes standard with a potent 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that offers a notable improvement over the base offering.
Providing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, the turbocharged Boxer engine doesn't just allow the Outback to speed from zero to sixty in 5.8 seconds; it also ups the crossover's maximum towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. That's an 800-lb improvement over the Outback's standard engine, giving drivers the opportunity to bring along a small camper, trail, or whatever other adventure gear they might need for a long weekend of off-the-grid fun.
Most importantly, that level of performance doesn't come at the cost of efficiency, with the Touring XT delivering an EPA-estimated 29 MPG on the highway. Of course, the range-topping trim also includes all the high-end materials and features one would expect from a luxury model. From Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery with contrasting stitching to heated and ventilated front seats, a 180-degree Front View Monitor, power-folding mirrors with a satin chrome finish, integrated turn signals, and body-color door handles with chrome inserts, it's tough to mistake the opulent Touring XT for any other trim in the Outback lineup.
Putting Safety First
Subaru is probably best known for its standard AWD, which makes it such a popular choice among the outdoorsy, but the brand's reputation for safety would have to place a close second. Subaru not only boasts a 9.5/10 safety rating from US News & World Report and a trophy case full of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick awards, but it's also ranked as one of the safest car brands based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This impressive record can largely be credited to superior engineering, but Subaru has also stepped up its game in recent years with the introduction of some interesting new safety technology.
The centerpiece of this safety focus is Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver assistance tools. EyeSight uses an array of cameras and sensors to improve safety, comfort, and convenience, leveraging the latest in automotive tech to enhance drivers' confidence and protect their passengers. The EyeSite suite comes standard with all the expected advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist; it also includes rarer tools like emergency evasive steering, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The system clearly works a treat, as all EyeSight-equipped Subaru models earn the highest possible rating for front crash prevention from the IIHS.
The Outback's impressive safety resume gets a bump for 2025 as Subaru brings the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System to the Limited trim. First introduced in 2019, DriverFocus has been steadily making its way onto a range of Subaru models. The system has won plenty of praise in its brief time on the market, including being recognized as the Best Safety Innovation by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. So how does it work? Distraction Management Systems (DMS) have become an increasingly popular way of helping vehicles to offset the potential for inattentiveness made possible by today's hands-free driving systems, but DriverFocus improves on the established formula with a few novel tricks.
While most DMS track driver attention by monitoring the way they interact with the steering wheel, DriverFocus takes a more direct approach. The system used advanced facial recognition technology to track eye and head movement and detect signs of distraction and fatigue. If a driver is judged to be inattentive for more than three seconds, the DriverFocus system provides audio and visual cues to snap them back to attention. DriverFocus can also bring the vehicle to a stop if the warnings aren't heeded and even contact emergency responders through the Outback's StarLink-connected services technology. DriverFocus can be configured to differentiate between five individual drivers, measuring facial features to ensure a safe, distraction-free ride no matter who is behind the wheel.
Crossover Excellence: The 2025 Outback
The 2025 Subaru Outback is a study in functionality, merging its robust design and standard AWD with a spacious interior to create an adaptable crossover unlike anything else on the market. The Outback has come a long way from its station wagon roots, improving its ground clearance and making some important additions to its list of off-road features.
The Wilderness trim represents a new high point as far as off-road functionality is concerned, with Subaru treating its high-selling model to a host of heavy-duty upgrades that include skid plates, extra cladding, all-terrain tires, extra ground clearance, and more. The Outback's interior is another high point that, between its 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen infotainment display, 576-watt Harman Kardon audio system, spacious seating, and competitive cargo room, make the Outback an alluring choice for any drivers who value comfort and convenience. The EyeSight ADAS suite and the new DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System round out the Outback's tech portfolio and prove that Subaru is well ahead of the curve when it comes to modern safety technology.
If you want to get up close and personal with the 2025 Subaru Outback or explore our wide selection of new and used Subaru models, come by Ruge's Subaru and learn why we've become such a popular choice for drivers across the Hudson Valley.