Subaru has given its best-selling model a full redesign. On the surface, the 2020 Subaru Outback doesn't look radically different from the model it replaces, but dig a little deeper and you'll find major improvements under the sheetmetal and inside the cabin. Read on for eight things you need to know about the new Outback.
The design has been updated, but you might not notice
You may have to look closely to see the design changes on the new Outback. Gray cladding covers more of the front end and also takes on a bolder look at the side and rear. Subaru replaced the round foglamps of the previous model with vertical stacks on either side of the front fascia. One of the other few noticeable changes is the updated taillight design. The visual updates are relatively small, and outdoor adventurers will be glad to hear the Outback boasts the same 8.7 inches of ground clearance as the previous model.
You can get it with a turbo!
Once again, Subaru is offering a 2.5-liter flat-four as the base engine. But Subaru says 90 percent of the parts are new, and output increases 7 hp and 2 lb-ft over the previous unit. The automaker also claims you can travel more than 600 miles on a single tank with this engine.
Gone is the optional 3.6-liter flat-six. Instead, the Outback now offers a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four as the upgrade engine. The turbo mill comes from the Ascent, allowing the Outback to produce the same 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque as its larger crossover sibling. All Outbacks come with a CVT with a simulated eight-speed manual mode function with paddle shifters.
