How much does the Subaru Outback cost in today's market?

Used Subaru Outback prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Subaru Outback's current nationwide average price is $23,433, and its year-round low is $21,364.91. That puts the model's pricing in a fairly tight band for shoppers comparing different model years. Recently, prices have come down for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Subaru Outback a good car?

Yes — the Subaru Outback is a strong pick if you want a practical, comfortable used vehicle with broad appeal. The all-generations owner rating is 4.63/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise the Outback for its reliability, spacious interior, all-wheel drive capability, safety, and cargo room. Across the model years, that combination shows up again and again as the reason buyers keep coming back to it.

Expert reviews rate the 2015 and 2018 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs called out in recent expert coverage center on the base engine's modest power, CVT behavior, and infotainment systems that can feel less polished than the rest of the vehicle. Even so, the Outback's mix of utility, comfort, and confidence keeps it appealing for everyday use.

28.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Subaru Outback models reliable?

Owners and experts consistently point to the Subaru Outback's comfort, practicality, safety, and all-wheel-drive confidence as core strengths. The model's long-running appeal also comes through in owner feedback, which repeatedly highlights spaciousness, ride quality, and everyday usefulness.

• Owners rate the Subaru Outback between 4.33 and 4.96 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk is best managed by choosing a well-documented example with a clean history and a strong maintenance record.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is solid at 82% — always verify the vehicle history report.

Older model years carry meaningfully higher accident rates, so always verify the vehicle history report on pre-2020 models.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced safety features
• Infotainment: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both operate wirelessly
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates the new Outback will return as much as 27 mpg in combined driving (25/31 mpg city/highway) for the base engine and 24 mpg combined (21/29 mpg city/highway) for the turbocharged XT models. The Wilderness brings up the rear with a 23-mpg combined rating (21/27 mpg city/highway).

Which Subaru Outback trim should I buy?

The 2026 Subaru Outback offers these trims:

• Premium: The entry-level trim starts at $36,445 and gives you the redesigned Outback's new SUV-like shape, a 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and Subaru's EyeSight suite. It suits you if you want the best-value way into the new generation.
• Touring: This trim adds several niceties and driver assists, including a surround-view camera system, hands-free automated highway driving assist, active lane-change assist, and highway pre-curve speed control. It suits you if you want the most advanced comfort and assistance features.
• Wilderness: This trim raises ground clearance to 9.5 inches and adds all-terrain tires and electronically controlled suspension dampers. It suits you if you want the most adventure-ready version.

What Subaru Outback do most buyers choose?

The Subaru Outback years with the most listings are 2024, 2025, and 2023.

Those higher-volume years tend to be the most popular used picks because they give you more inventory to compare and more chances to find the right trim, mileage, and price. They also sit close enough to the current generation to feel modern while still offering used-car value.

What is the Subaru Outback's resale value?

Most model years are down year over year, which is good news if you're shopping used because it means prices have generally softened. The declines are fairly consistent across the lineup, with newer models still showing meaningful drops. That gives you a broad set of years to compare if you're trying to balance budget and freshness.

The 2025, 2017, and 2016 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Subaru Outback safe?

• 2026: 7/10
• 2025: 9/10
• 2024: 9/10
• 2023: 9/10
• 2022: 9/10
• 2021: 9/10
• 2020: 8/10
• 2018: 10/10
• 2016: 10/10
• 2015: 10/10

All 2026 Outbacks come with Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep and lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, automatic emergency steering, emergency stop assist, haptic steering wheel alerts, a driver condition monitor, adaptive headlights, and automatic high beams.

For the safest used buy, the 2015, 2016 and 2018 models all post the highest confirmed score of 10/10.

Should I buy a used Subaru Outback now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2025 model is at −4.05% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −6.31%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 29.6% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 29.9%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2024 model has the most listings at a current average price of $29,133. The Subaru Outback offers a roomy cabin, strong cargo space, and a comfortable ride that make it easy to live with every day.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: The base powerplant is a 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder "boxer" engine that produces 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while XT models go with a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer-four, increasing output to 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.
• Tech: A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel allows the driver to customize what information is displayed, while a 12.1-inch infotainment touchscreen is placed higher on the dashboard to reduce distraction.
• Safety: All 2026 Outbacks come with Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep and lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, automatic emergency steering, emergency stop assist, haptic steering wheel alerts, a driver condition monitor, adaptive headlights, and automatic high beams.
• Starting price: The 2026 Subaru Outback has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $36,445 (including $1,450 in destination fees) for the Premium trim, which is now the entry-level model.

If you're buying used today, the 2024 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for 2027 inventory to mature.

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