How much does the 2020 Subaru Outback cost?

Prices have softened 7.66% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,604 listings available, which gives you a meaningful pool to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $20,705.23, 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 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 consistently praise the Outback for its power, comfort, and spacious interior, and they also highlight the smooth ride and strong safety feel. The model’s utility and value for money come through clearly, especially if you want a vehicle that feels practical without giving up a premium-leaning cabin experience.

The main trade-offs are the sluggish touchscreen response and the underwhelming base engine. If you want a versatile daily driver with standard all-wheel drive and a roomy layout, the Outback fits that brief well, and 33.9% of listings are priced 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 summary points to a vehicle that feels dependable, with praise for its strong safety reputation, comfort, and overall confidence-inspiring character. That kind of feedback matters when you’re shopping used, because it suggests the Outback is the sort of vehicle owners feel good about living with over time.

The expert notes also support that impression by emphasizing the Outback’s all-time all-wheel drive, low center of gravity, and consistent power delivery. The cost-effectiveness commentary adds that Subaru’s pricing structure makes it easy to find a version that fits your needs, which can help reduce ownership stress.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the core vehicle and more about whether the tech and driver-monitoring systems have aged gracefully.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status is only a starting point. Prioritize a thorough test drive and inspection of the infotainment system, since the touchscreen lag is a known pain point. Also pay close attention to trim-specific equipment, because some desirable safety and convenience features are not standard on lower trims.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base 2.5i is more spartan than higher trims, with dual 7-inch screens instead of the 11.6-inch touchscreen, and some features like blind-spot monitoring are not standard.
• Powertrain: The base 2.5-liter engine makes 182 horsepower and returns 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway; the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine makes 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque for stronger passing and towing.
• Safety package: EyeSight 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.
• Infotainment: Higher trims get the 11.6-inch touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the system is known for lag and slow responses.
• 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:

• Base trim: The 2.5i gives you standard all-wheel drive, LED headlights, keyless entry, automatic climate control, and core driver-assistance features, but it feels sparse and uses the dual 7-inch screen setup instead of the larger touchscreen.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Premium is the best value 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.
• Premium/top trim: The Touring XT is the most upscale choice here, adding upgraded leather, ventilated front seats, and a sunroof while pairing those comforts with the turbo engine.
• Off-road trim: The Onyx Edition XT is the one to consider if you want the most trail-friendly setup, with the turbo engine, heated rear seats, a front-view camera, hill-descent control, and a more aggressive X-Mode system.

The safety package is anchored by EyeSight, and Subaru makes a strong point of including it standard even on the base trim.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,604 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.66% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,705.23, 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 $21,135 sits slightly below last year's $22,889.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim desirability rather than broad market momentum alone.

The good news is that demand should remain supported by the Outback’s strong owner satisfaction and practical appeal. Well-kept examples with the right equipment are likely to stay attractive to used buyers.

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 Subaru’s EyeSight system is included from the start. That suite brings adaptive cruise control with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep alert and assist, which gives you a strong baseline of driver assistance even on lower trims.

There are some caveats to keep in mind. The expert notes that EyeSight can be sensitive to conditions that obstruct its view, and DriverFocus is described as frustrating in practice. If you’re shopping used, make sure every safety feature works properly during your test drive, especially if you’re considering a higher trim with added driver-monitoring tech.

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:

• 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.66% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.95/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Subaru added a larger touchscreen and the turbocharged engine option this year.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $22,589, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $21,135 average.
• It adds more refined everyday practicality and keeps the same core capability.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2020 is the smarter starting point because prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model year, the 2021 is the cleaner alternative for shoppers who want to compare against the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.