Used 2020 Subaru Outback for Sale near California

How much does the 2020 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 6.68% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,821 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Subaru Outback earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, ample interior space, and strong safety features. The review summary also points to impressive power and a smooth ride, which helps it feel both practical and pleasant for daily use.

The main trade-offs are the sluggish touchscreen response and the underwhelming base engine. Even so, the Outback’s wagon-like utility, standard all-wheel drive, and broad everyday appeal make it a strong fit if you want a roomy, capable family vehicle.

The share of good and great deals is 37.5%, which suggests there are still worthwhile listings to find.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free feel, with many drivers highlighting comfort, safety, and the kind of ownership experience they can count on. The expert review also emphasizes Subaru’s all-time symmetrical all-wheel drive, which is designed to deliver consistent power delivery and less disruption when conditions change.

The cost-effectiveness review also notes that Subaru’s pricing structure gives you a lot of vehicle for the money, which can help reduce ownership regret if you plan to keep the car for the long haul.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the technology and maintenance history are clean, since a well-kept example will matter more than a neglected one.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Subaru Outback?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any listing you like, even if it looks clean at first glance. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with advanced driver-assistance features. Focus on overall condition, touchscreen behavior, and how well the cabin and safety tech have been maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base 2.5i is the most stripped-down version, with dual 7-inch screens instead of the larger display found higher up the range. It still includes keyless entry, automatic climate control, LED headlights, and a strong safety feature set, but you give up some convenience and polish compared with the Premium and above.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter engine makes 182 horsepower and is paired with a CVT, while XT trims use a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque. The base engine is efficient enough for everyday use, and the turbo is the better fit if you want stronger passing power or plan to tow.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep alert and assist. Blind-spot monitoring is not standard on the Premium trim, and reverse auto braking appears higher in the range.
• Infotainment: Most trims get an 11.6-inch touchscreen, while the base trim uses dual 7-inch screens. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, but the system is known for lag, so you should test it carefully.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine returns 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

Which 2020 Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2020 Subaru Outback is offered in 7 trim levels: 2.5i, Premium, Limited, Touring, Touring XT, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT.

Here's the short version:

• 2.5i: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry price and can live with the simpler dual 7-inch screen setup. It still gives you standard all-wheel drive, keyless entry, automatic climate control, and a strong safety suite, so it covers the basics well.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. It’s the trim that makes the Outback feel much more modern without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin and more convenience features, including leather upholstery, an upgraded stereo, memory settings for the driver, and reverse auto braking. It’s also the trim where blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate become standard.
• Touring: This is the comfort-focused choice, with upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof. It suits you best if you want the most relaxed, near-luxury feel in the standard engine lineup.
• Onyx Edition XT: This is the standout if you want the turbo engine and the most rugged character. It adds heated rear seats, a front-view camera, hill-descent control, and a more aggressive X-Mode setup, making it the most off-road-capable Outback in this group.
• Limited XT: This is the right pick if you want the Limited’s upscale equipment plus the turbo engine. It’s a strong choice if you want more power without giving up the nicer cabin features.
• Touring XT: This is the top comfort-and-power combination, pairing the Touring’s premium features with the turbo engine. It makes the most sense if you want the most refined version of the Outback and are willing to pay for it.

Safety-wise, Subaru’s standard EyeSight suite is a major plus, but blind-spot monitoring is not standard on the Premium trim.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Subaru Outback?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,821 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.68% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,119, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Subaru Outback's resale value?

The current average of $20,119 sits slightly below last year's $21,558.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy at a better entry point today. For a future seller, that also means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained.

Because the Outback has broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction, well-kept examples should continue to attract buyers. If you preserve the vehicle’s condition and keep service records organized, you’ll be in a better position when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback safe?

The 2020 Subaru Outback earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Subaru’s EyeSight suite is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep alert and assist. The standard safety setup is a major strength, especially for the price, and the all-wheel-drive system adds confidence in poor weather.

One caveat is that the driver-monitoring system is a disappointment, and the review notes that EyeSight can occasionally shut off when its view is obstructed. That means you should still pay close attention to how the system behaves during a test drive.

Should I buy a 2020 Subaru Outback or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 37.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.68% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 adds a larger touchscreen and updated safety tech.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $21,448, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $20,119 average.
• It leans harder into reliability, low cost, and high resale.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter starting point because pricing has softened and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for a slightly newer model year, the 2021 is worth a look for buyers who prioritize long-term practicality over upfront savings.

How does the 2020 Subaru Outback compare to the 2020 Toyota RAV4?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2020 Subaru Outback:

• Pros: Standard all-wheel drive, Excellent value for money, Spacious.
• Cons: Sluggish touchscreen response, Underwhelming base engine.

2020 Toyota RAV4:

• Pros: Easy-to-use technology, Comfortable, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Poor fuel economy.

Our experts score the 2020 Subaru Outback 7.7/10 and the 2020 Toyota RAV4 8.7/10. The Outback stands out for standard all-wheel drive, value, and space, while the RAV4 gets the edge for easier technology and a stronger overall expert score. If you care most about comfort and standard safety features, the RAV4 has the cleaner pitch; if you want all-weather confidence and more room, the Outback remains compelling.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.