The legendary Outback survived many trends in the car industry and we have no doubt it will survive the current SUVmania. Despite that today’s automotive industry is all about SUVs and crossovers, the Outback marks strong sales numbers and there is no reason to expect any unexpected moves from the Japanese manufacturer. The current generation was introduced in 2020 and the 2023 Subaru Outback will represent the fourth production year.
In the case of Subaru, the fourth production year usually means a mid-cycle update. Therefore, we expect a couple of interesting novelties for the next year. Typically for this carmaker, the changes should be rather subtle. We expect to see a couple of minor styling changes, while a couple of interior tweaks are possible too. On the other hand, the mechanical aspect of the vehicle should remain untouched.
We expect that the 2023 Subaru Outback will hit the market sometime in the second half of 2022.
2023 Subaru Outback Redesign
As we’ve just mentioned, the 2023 Subaru Outback will represent the fourth production year of the current generation, which means that we are about to see a mid-cycle refresh. We expect to see changes in typical Subaru fashion. A couple of revisions to the styling are possible, especially at the front. We could see modifications on headlights and front bumper, while the rear end could come with a few tweaks as well. Of course, new color options and wheels are expected too.
On the other hand, we don’t expect to see bigger mechanical changes. The overall layout will certainly remain the same, and we could say the same thing for the suspension setup. Therefore, you may count on the same ride quality, which is mostly about comfort and relaxed drive, but which also ensures excellent stability and strong off-road performance, thanks to the company’s legendary all-wheel-drive system.
Interior
A couple of interior tweaks are possible too. We could see things like new color schemes, new materials and even some smaller revisions on the dashboard design. However, most of the things will remain the same, which is a great thing, considering that the current model looks really nice. The dashboard looks modern, while materials and overall build quality are at a pretty high level as well.
Still, the key strength of the Outback’s interior is the amount of space and overall practicality. This car offers plenty of legroom in both rows, while the headroom is great as well. So, adult passengers accommodate with ease in both rows.
The cargo area also offers some pretty impressive numbers. You may count on about 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet in total, which is way more than you get from other wagons on the market.
Features
Naturally, this mid-cycle update should also bring novelties in terms of new standard and available equipment. Still, we don’t expect to see too much, considering that the current model already comes well-equipped. Even the most basic versions come with goodies like dual 7-inch touch screens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, HD Radio, satellite radio, a four-speaker stereo, keyless entry and automatic climate control. Additionally, you can get goodies like dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, moonroof, an 11.6-inch touch screen, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two additional USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.
Typically for Subaru, the list of standard safety features should be very long. The current model comes standard with goodies like a rearview camera, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, head-up display etc. Additionally, you can get goodies like blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, rear collision warning, front-view camera and more.
2023 Subaru Outback Engines
Changes under the hood won’t come. The base 2023 Subaru Outback will continue with a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated engine, which puts out 182 horsepower. While that’s okay for daily commuting, we are pretty sure that most drivers would rather choose the optional 2.4-liter turbo-four. This one puts out around 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque.
Of course, both engines come with a CVT gearbox, as well as with standard all-wheel drive. When it comes to fuel economy, the base engine returns around 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the turbo-four drops both ratings for about 3 mpg.
2023 Subaru Outback Release Date and Price
We expect that the 2023 Subaru Outback will hit the market sometime in the second half of 2022, though it’s still early for a more precise date. When it comes to the price, the base model should cost around 28.000 dollars. Key competitors are models like Audi A4 Allroad and Volvo V60, as well as compact crossovers like Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V etc.