How much does the 2020 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 6.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,599 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $20,708.80, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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, which points to broad appeal for used-car shoppers. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, spacious interior, and smooth ride, and they also highlight its strong safety feel and upscale character. The main trade-offs are the sluggish touchscreen response and the underwhelming base engine.

That fits the Outback’s role as a practical, wagon-like crossover with standard all-wheel drive and a value-focused mission. In the market, 28.8% of listings are marked as good or great deals, so there are still opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2020 Subaru Outback reliable?

Owners rate it 4.95/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner feedback also points to dependable everyday use, with repeated praise for comfort, safety, and a trouble-free feel over time.

The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by emphasizing Subaru’s all-time symmetrical all-wheel drive and the way the drivetrain is tuned for consistent power delivery. The cost-effectiveness discussion also frames the Outback as a car you can count on for broad usefulness without feeling overcomplicated.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about the core hardware and more about making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by heavy use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if it looks clean on the listing page. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the touchscreen, driver-assist systems, and overall interior condition, since those are the areas most likely to affect day-to-day satisfaction. Focus on how the vehicle was used and maintained, because the Outback’s appeal depends heavily on comfort, electronics, and all-weather confidence.

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 tablet-style display, and it can feel spartan compared with higher trims. 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 power liftgate. Touring adds upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.5-liter engine makes 182 horsepower and is tuned for 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: The standard safety suite 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 it becomes standard on Limited.
• Infotainment: The Outback uses an 11.6-inch touchscreen on all but the base trim, which gets dual 7-inch screens instead. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, and the system also supports DriverFocus on higher trims, though the interface can be laggy.
• 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, and Touring XT.

Here's the short version:

• 2.5i: This is the value entry point if you want standard all-wheel drive, keyless entry, LED headlights, automatic climate control, and the core safety suite without paying for extras. It makes sense if you want the lowest starting price and can live with the simpler dual-screen setup.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the 11.6-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. It’s the sweet spot if you want the modern cabin experience without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Limited: Choose this if you want a more upscale feel, since it adds leather upholstery, an upgraded Harman Kardon stereo, memory settings, reverse auto braking, and standard blind-spot monitoring and power liftgate. It suits you if comfort and convenience matter more than keeping costs down.
• Touring: This is the near-luxury choice, with upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof. It’s the right pick if you want the most polished non-turbo Outback experience.
• Onyx Edition XT: This is the most distinctive choice if you want the turbo engine plus the most off-road-capable setup, including heated rear seats, a front-view camera, hill-descent control, and a more aggressive X-Mode. It’s the best fit if you want capability and a more adventurous look.
• Limited XT: This trim pairs the Limited’s upscale equipment with the turbocharged engine, making it a strong choice if you want more power without giving up luxury features.
• Touring XT: This is the top comfort-and-power combination, adding the turbo engine to the Touring’s premium equipment. It makes sense if you want the most refined version of the Outback.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, but blind-spot monitoring is not standard on Premium and becomes standard on Limited.

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

The market looks moderate, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 28.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,599 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,708.80, 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 $21,156 sits slightly below last year's $22,712.

That softer pricing can help you buy more confidently now, but it also means future sellers may need to be realistic if the market stays competitive. The current trend suggests the Outback is holding value reasonably well, but not so strongly that you should expect a quick rebound without broader market support.

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?

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

The standard safety suite is a major strength, and it includes adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep alert and assist, and wiper-linked automatic headlights. Subaru’s EyeSight system is standard, but it can be sensitive to conditions that obstruct its view, and DriverFocus is available on higher trims.

That means you get a strong safety foundation, but you should still test the driver-assist systems carefully during your inspection. If you’re shopping a used example, make sure the safety tech works as intended and hasn’t been disabled or ignored by a previous owner.

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:

• 28.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.95/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a sixth-generation redesign with a larger touchscreen, fresh safety tech, and the familiar wagon-like character.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $22,368, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $21,156 average.
• It emphasizes reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety even more directly.

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 newer model year, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative for buyers who want the same basic formula with a slightly more polished ownership pitch.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.