Used Subaru Outback for sale: everything you need to know

The Subaru Outback is an all-too-rare off-road estate that combines the handling of all wheel drive with the spaciousness and boot-space of a longer car.

First launched back in 1994 as an SUV in a growing market, the Outback has gone from strength to strength over the years of development and was the manufacturer's second best-selling SUV in 2020.

Now offering a winning combination of reliability, versatility and comfort, this is what Suaburu calls its crossover, that is as comfortable on the mud as on tarmac. It comes with a 2.5-litre petrol engine as standard and smart features like LED auto headlights, reversing camera, 18-inch alloys and more.

Key rivals for the Subaru Outback include the Volvo V60 Cross Country estate and the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack.

Should you buy a used Subaru Outback? 

The Subaru Outback is a good comfortable crossover SUV or all wheel drive estate, which can be seen by its popularity both new and used.

This model proves that you don't need a high ride position – and all that wobble when cornering – to get the best of an all wheel drive off-road capable vehicle.

Models from 2020 on come with permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive, EyeSight driver assistance tech, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, plus keyless entry and push button start, reversing camera, power-folding heated door mirrors and front grille and side view cameras.

The engine is a standard 2.5 litre Boxer which is designed to lie flat so it's less top heavy for better handling and offers plenty of power delivered intelligently through the four wheels. This comes with a CVT automatic gearbox and offers X-Mode with Hill Descent Control for off-road as well as smart on-road features like blind spot monitoring, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alerts.

There are three trim options to pick from: Limited, Field and Touring. Offering price points to suit a range of needs and premium features for greater comfort beyond the off-road smarts.

The Subaru Outback offers an impressive safety tech selection too, making it family friendly off and on road. All that tech and high-build quality means it has good residual value too, making it a decent investment for longer term ownership. Plus with that impressive 561 litres of boot space, it's ideal for families and beyond.

The previous-generation Subaru Outback is also a great car to buy used if you’re looking for savings over a new model. It’s a really desirable choice in a competitive class. 

A Subaru Outback not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What’s the best used Subaru Outback model to buy?

The Subaru Outback is a fairly simple car to kit out as it comes in three variations of Limited, Field and Touring – all of which feature the same 2.5-litre petrol engine.

The Limited version comes with 18-inch alloys, LED adaptive headlights, keyless entry, auto wipers, reversing camera, and lots of safety features.

Step up to the next level in the Field trim and you get more off-road suitable features. There's water-repellant seat upholstery to ensure internal longevity, plus you get a black trim on the bumpers and front fascias for a more premium look. You also get sat nav built-in as standard here.

Go for the top-end Touring trim and that gets you an upgraded Harman/Kardon audio system with 11-speakers, subwoofer and amp. There are also satin chrome door finishes, roof rails with silver built-in cross bars, machined alloys, auto power folding mirrors, a smooth leather wrapped steering wheel and a sunroof.

Engine choice is simple, as there isn't any. But this is a good thing as you get that specifically designed 2.5L Boxer petrol capable of 169 BHP. That equates to about 33 MPG in the real-world, which isn't anything to get excited about – but when you consider this is a sizeable auto with all-wheel drive, it's not terrible either.

Used Subaru Outback fuel economy and performance

• Subaru Outback 2.5i petrol: All three models feature the same petrol engine that gets you 169 BHP delivered to the four-wheel drive system via an automatic gearbox. That will get you a 0-60mph time of 10.2 seconds and a CO2 emission figure of 193 g/km. The top speed of this 8-gear car is 120 mph and the official fuel consumption is 33 mpg.

What used Subaru Outback trim levels are available?

The current Subaru Outback has three trim levels available: Limited, Field and Touring. All are well-equipped, with higher-end trims adding more comfort features.

• The Subaru Outback Limited is the entry-level trim and is the most affordable to buy or lease. It’s available with a decent variety of eight colour options.
• The Subaru Outback Field is the mid-level trim, with an upgraded exterior and more premium seat covers.
• The Subaru Outback Touring is the most premium version with an enhanced sound system, sun roof and more refined touches inside and out.

Used Subaru Outback dimensions and boot size

The Subaru Outback’s dimensions are: 

• Length: 4870mm 
• Width: 1875mm 
• Height: 1675mm 
• Ground clearance: 213mm

The Subaru Outback’s boot size is: 

• 561 litres

Used Subaru Outback road tax

The Outback sits in the range for road tax of the current flat rate in the UK which puts it at an annual charge of £180 for models 2020 and after.

This charge changes for older models where the engines vary and the CO2 emissions are higher. For Outbacks between 2015 and 2021 that tax can range from £180 up to £240 per year. Go further back for 2003 to 2014 and you can expect between £240 and £675 per year.

How much is it to insure a Subaru Outback? 

The Subaru Outback starts at insurance group 18 for the current range, and rises all the way up to group 23 for the older models.

Read our full Subaru Outback review