Is The 2020 Subaru Outback All New Or Just A Warmed Over Wagon? Review And Pricing Info

The price can jump quite a bit depending on which model you buy

Base models start off a few hundred dollars more expensive.

The 2020 Subaru Outback and Subaru Legacy sport new looks, more technology, a new engine and a higher price than before. The new Outback crossover kicks off at $27,655 while the Legacy sedan starts at $23,645. Both start more expensive, though the increase is modest on the base models, at $335 for the Outback and $215 for the Legacy.

2020 Subaru Outback

For your money, you do get more standard equipment than in the 2019 models. Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance suite comes standard across all models. An 11.6-inch touchscreen display is also available on all models apart from the base trims. 2020 models also get features like auto stop/start — love it or hate it — as standard fare.

The 2020 Subaru Outback And Legacy Get A Price Hike
A new 11.6-inch touchscreen display is front and center in both the 2020 Subaru Outback and Legacy. [Photo: Subaru]

The base engine remains a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. Power has increased from the 2019 model, however. The revised powerplant makes 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, up 7 horsepower and 2 lb-ft from 2019. Fuel economy has also marginally improved. The 2020 Subaru Outback manages 26 City / 33 Highway / 29 Combined mpg. The Legacy, on the other hand, gets 27 City / 35 Highway / 30 Combined mpg.

2020 Subaru Legacy. [Photo: Subaru]

Subaru’s top-of-the-range engine is now a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer unit. The old 3.6-liter engine is gone. The new engine shared with the Ascent manages 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. That’s up 4 horsepower and 30 lb-ft over the old six-cylinder unit. Fuel economy gains are more profound here, with the Outback managing 4 mpg better with the new engine.

Both still mate up to a Lineartronic CVT gearbox, although you can manually shift through eight speeds now instead of six.

2020 Subaru Outback pricing

The 2020 Subaru Outback sees a new Onyx Edition XT trim, complete with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. The rest of the trims are familiar. They range from Base through Premium, Limited and Touring. On the XT models, there’s just Onyx Edition, Limited and Touring.

Here’s a breakdown of the 2020 model’s price increase over last year. 2020 prices include an increased $1,010 destination fee (up from $975 for 2019):

Trim2020 MSRPChange
Base Outback$27,655+$335
Premium$29,905+$485
Limited$34,455+$635
Touring$38,755+$985
Onyx Edition XT$35,905— (New)
Limited XT$38,755+$2,765
Touring XT$40,705+$735

There is one major price jump there with the Limited XT. However, there is a new trim level with the turbocharged engine. So, apples to apples, the Onyx Edition is closer on price to the old 3.6R Limited.

2020 Subaru Legacy pricing

The 2020 Subaru Legacy also sees one new trim level in the Touring XT. Before, the old 3.6-liter engine was only available in Limited trim. Apart from that, you still have the Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring.

Prices on the 2020 Subaru Legacy include a $900 destination fee.

Trim2020 MSRP Change
Base Legacy$23,645+$215
Premium$25,895+$315
Sport$27,845+$165
Limited$30,645+$515
Limited XT$35,095+$2,665
Touring XT$36,795— (New)