Used 2020 Subaru Outback for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2020 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 6.43% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,607 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the 4.95/5 user rating points to very strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.67/10. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners repeatedly praise its comfort, spacious cabin, smooth ride, and safety features. The review summary also points to strong power and a luxurious feel, while the overview frames it as a practical choice for buyers who want wagon-like utility, standard all-wheel drive, and everyday usefulness.

The main trade-offs are the sluggish touchscreen response and the underwhelming base engine. That means you may like it most if you value space, traction, and value more than quick infotainment response or brisk acceleration.

The market also looks reasonably accessible, with 34.3% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.95/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback emphasizes reliability-adjacent strengths such as comfort, safety, and a trouble-free feel, while also describing the vehicle as one people feel good about living with over time. The expert notes reinforce that sense of dependability by highlighting standard all-wheel drive and a design focused on consistent power delivery and less disruption in normal use.

The cost-effectiveness commentary also supports ownership confidence by describing the Outback as a strong value across a wide price range. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that technology frustrations and maintenance expectations may matter more if you plan to keep the vehicle for many years.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a full records review. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the touchscreen, driver-assistance systems, and overall cabin condition, since the tech and safety features are a major part of this model’s appeal. It also makes sense to focus on how the engine and transmission feel in real driving, especially if you want stronger acceleration.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base 2.5i is fairly spartan, with dual 7-inch screens instead of the larger display and fewer comfort features than higher trims. Premium adds the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, while Limited adds leather, an upgraded stereo, memory settings, and reverse auto braking. Touring adds upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof, and the XT trims bring the turbo engine.
• Powertrain: The base 2.5-liter engine makes 182 horsepower and returns 26 mpg city and 33 highway. The 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims makes 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, and it is the better choice if you want stronger passing or towing confidence.
• Safety package: EyeSight is standard and includes wiper-linked automatic headlights, adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep alert and assist. Blind-spot monitoring is not standard on Premium, and some features move up the trim ladder.
• Infotainment: Most trims get the 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, and the camera resolution is dated.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine returns 26 mpg city and 33 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, and Touring XT.

Here's the short version:

• 2.5i: This is the value entry point if you want standard all-wheel drive, core safety tech, and the lowest starting price, but you give up the larger touchscreen and more upscale comfort features.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat without jumping too far in price.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more premium cabin, with leather upholstery, an upgraded Harman Kardon stereo, memory settings, and reverse auto braking.
• Touring: This is the comfort-focused pick, adding upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof for shoppers who want the most upscale non-turbo experience.
• Onyx Edition XT: This is the most distinctive choice if you want the turbo engine plus the most off-road-capable setup, including hill-descent control and a more aggressive X-Mode.
• Limited XT: This is for buyers who want the Limited’s upscale equipment plus the turbo engine.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end comfort-and-power choice, combining the Touring trim’s upscale features with the turbo engine.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but blind-spot monitoring and some other features still depend on trim level.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,607 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.43% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,704, 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 $21,018 sits slightly below last year's $22,462.

That decline suggests the market has cooled enough to give you a better entry point now than a year ago. For a future seller, the current pricing trend means you may not see the same immediate upside that came with stronger pricing last year. Still, the Outback’s broad appeal, standard all-wheel drive, and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand when it is time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.95/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback safe?

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

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

The standard safety suite includes EyeSight with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep alert and assist, and wiper-linked automatic headlights. Subaru also makes standard all-wheel drive part of the safety story, and DriverFocus is available on higher trims.

One caveat is that the expert notes describe EyeSight as occasionally sensitive to weather and lighting conditions, and DriverFocus is criticized for being overly intrusive and not working especially well.

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:

• 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.43% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.95/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 adds a giant new touchscreen, fresh safety tech, and new engines.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $22,229, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $21,018 average.
• It emphasizes reliability, low cost, high resale, and go-anywhere capability.

The bottom line: Choose the 2020 if you want the better current price and a strong mix of value, safety, and utility. If you are price-sensitive, the 2020 is the more compelling buy right now; if you want to spend more for a newer model-year perspective, the 2021 is the alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.