Used 2020 Subaru Outback for Sale nearMadison, WI

How much does the 2020 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 7.01% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,739 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Subaru Outback earns a 4.95/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, spacious cabin, and strong safety feel, and many also like its smooth ride and practical everyday usefulness. The main trade-offs are the sluggish touchscreen response and the underwhelming base engine, which can matter if you want quicker acceleration or a more responsive interface. For you, that means the Outback makes the most sense if you value space, value for money, and a safety-focused driving experience over flashier performance or tech polish.

Good and great deals account for 36.3% of listings, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, comfortable, and easy to live with over time, with many drivers highlighting its strong safety reputation and trouble-free everyday use. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the Outback’s all-time symmetrical all-wheel drive, which helps deliver consistent power and confidence without waiting for the system to intervene. On the maintenance side, the cost-effectiveness discussion does not add a service perk here, so your long-term ownership risk mainly comes down to staying ahead of routine wear and watching for the tech and powertrain compromises that can affect satisfaction in used ownership.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with a long option list. Focus on how the touchscreen behaves, whether the driver-assistance systems work properly, and whether the cabin and exterior show signs of hard use. If you want the best ownership experience, pay close attention to trim content, because some desirable features are not standard on lower versions.

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 and a more spartan feel overall. Premium adds the 11.6-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, while Limited brings leather upholstery, an upgraded stereo, memory settings, reverse auto braking, and standard blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate. Touring adds upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof, while Onyx Edition XT adds a more rugged look and extra capability-focused equipment.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter engine makes 182 horsepower and is tuned for efficiency and everyday use, while the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims makes 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque for stronger passing and towing confidence. Both engines use a CVT, and Subaru’s tuning helps it feel more natural than many rivals.
• Safety package: EyeSight is standard and includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep alert and assist. The base trim gets that core suite, while blind-spot monitoring is not standard until higher trims, and DriverFocus is available on upper versions.
• Infotainment: The Outback uses an 11.6-inch touchscreen on most trims, while the base trim gets dual 7-inch screens. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, but the system can be laggy, and the camera resolution is not especially sharp.
• 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 entry point if you want the lowest starting price and standard all-wheel drive, but it feels the most basic inside and misses the larger touchscreen that defines the higher trims.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat without jumping all the way to luxury-oriented equipment.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale cabin, because it adds leather upholstery, a better stereo, memory settings, reverse auto braking, and standard blind-spot monitoring and a power liftgate.
• Touring: This is the comfort-focused pick, with upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof for shoppers who want the most relaxed daily-driver experience.
• Onyx Edition XT: This is the most distinctive choice if you want the turbo engine plus the most off-road-capable setup, along with heated rear seats, a front-view camera, hill-descent control, and a more aggressive X-Mode.
• Limited XT: This is the upscale turbo choice, pairing the stronger engine with the Limited’s equipment for shoppers who want more power without giving up premium features.
• Touring XT: This is the top-end comfort-and-power combination, adding the turbo engine to the Touring’s richer equipment list.

Safety content notes that EyeSight is standard, but blind-spot monitoring is not standard on the Premium trim.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,739 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.01% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.8% 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 $20,726 sits slightly below last year's $22,289.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled enough to give you better entry pricing now, but it also means future sellers may not see the same near-term appreciation that stronger markets can deliver. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in good condition, you can still benefit from the Outback’s broad appeal and practical reputation. The combination of strong owner satisfaction and steady demand for all-wheel-drive utility vehicles should help support resale value over time.

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 a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard safety suite includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep alert and assist, and wiper-linked automatic headlights. EyeSight is standard, but it can be sensitive to weather and sunlight, and DriverFocus is a notable weak point because it can be overly intrusive and frustrating in use. If you’re shopping used, make sure the driver-assistance systems function properly and that you’re comfortable with the way Subaru’s camera-based safety tech behaves in real-world conditions.

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:

• 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.01% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.95/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 update adds a larger touchscreen, fresh safety tech, and new engine choices.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $22,124, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $20,726 average.
• It emphasizes reliability, low cost, and high resale with a more mature, practical focus.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.