Subaru Outback — model-year timeline & key facts
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Compiled from the Subaru Outback deep-research dossier; researched 2026-09-21. UNVERIFIED flags from the source research are preserved verbatim.
Key facts
| Powertrain | ICE |
|---|---|
| Power | 180 (2.5L) / 260 (2.4T) |
| Range | N/A |
| Battery | N/A |
| 0–100 km/h | UNVERIFIED |
| Fast charge | N/A |
| New price US | $34995-$47995 + $1450 dest (2026; Base trim killed) |
| New price EU | UNVERIFIED (sold in EU as 2.5L only) |
| New price CN | UNVERIFIED |
| Used price signal | Falling on 2023-2025: 2021 ~$22261; 2022 ~$24009; 2023 ~$26341; 2024 ~$28971; 2025 ~$32314 avg asking (CarGurus Sept 2026) |
| Value call | Buy 2024 (late sorted gen-6, warranty, falling prices); turbo if you merge with conviction |
| Sweet-spot year | 2024 |
| Years to avoid | 2020 (launch pile); 2026 (first-year redesign risk + price jump) |
| Reliability flag | YELLOW (2020 launch pile documented; 2021-2025 sorted; 2026 unproven redesign) |
| Biggest risk | 2020 electrical/CVT/windshield pile on the used market; 2026 first-year risk |
| Community verdict | The default adventure wagon; buy a 2024 turbo and skip 2020 |
Model-year timeline 2021–2026
| Year | Generation / changes / reliability / used prices |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Gen 6 carryover · 2.5L 182 hp / 2.4T 260 hp; CVT; AWD std · First refined year; 2020 fixes rolling in via software · CVT drive-chain recall (July 2022) covers 2020s; windshield extended warranty · ~$22,261 avg ($21,912–$23,953) |
| 2022 | +Wilderness trim (9.5" clearance, turbo std, AT tires) · Same · Solid; windshield cracking still reported (~$1,400 replacements at ~11k miles) · Windshield class-action coverage; July 2022 CVT recall · ~$24,009 avg ($24,005–$26,218) |
| 2023 | Facelift (new front fascia, more cladding) · Same · Sorted; infotainment software matured · No major new recalls · ~$26,341 avg ($26,341–$28,333) |
| 2024 | Carryover · Same · Among the most reliable years of gen 6 · No major new recalls · ~$28,971 avg ($28,476–$30,910) |
| 2025 | Final year of gen 6 · Same; Base started $29,995 · Same as 2024; remaining cars may carry factory warranty · No major new recalls · ~$32,314 avg ($32,314–$33,925) |
| 2026 | ALL-NEW gen 7: boxy styling, 12.1" horizontal screen, physical HVAC, 12.3" cluster · Carryover 2.5L (180 hp) / 2.4T (260 hp); CVT; no hybrid · Too early for data; first-year redesign risk · None to date · New: $34,995–$47,995 (+$1,450 dest) |
Sweet-spot year: 2024
Years to skip: 2020 (launch pile); 2026 (first-year redesign risk + price jump)