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Used car guide
Used Subaru Outback: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Subaru Outback from 2010 to 2025, across 3 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $5,000 to $31,000), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2010, 2015–2019, 2021–2025. Look harder at or skip 2011–2014, 2020.
2020–2025 Subaru Outback
A spacious wagon with all-wheel drive and plenty of room for people and gear.
Years to target: 2021–2025. Look harder at or skip: 2020. It has a strong reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $20,500 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~75,000 |
| 2021 | $22,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~60,000 |
| 2022 | $24,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~50,000 |
| 2023 | $26,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~40,000 |
| 2024 | $29,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~30,000 |
| 2025 | $31,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~20,000 |
Worth knowing
- 2020: owner complaints spike (897, mostly the visibility and wipers).
- The touchscreen can be slow or glitchy, so confirm software updates, and the base 2.5-liter feels sluggish when loaded.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the Premium: it adds the large touchscreen, a power driver seat and dual-zone climate over the base. EyeSight adaptive cruise is standard, and XT trims add a turbo engine.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2020).
- Adaptive cruise control: standard from the start of this generation (2020).
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from 2023.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota RAV4 2022 · $29,000
- Toyota Venza 2022 · $29,000
- Toyota Prius 2023–2025 · $28,500–$29,000
Find one near you
2015–2019 Subaru Outback
A comfortable, spacious all-wheel-drive wagon with a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines.
Years to target: 2015–2019. It has a strong reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $11,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~125,000 |
| 2016 | $12,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~110,000 |
| 2017 | $15,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2018 | $16,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2019 | $18,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~80,000 |
Worth knowing
- Owners often report batteries draining and windshields that crack easily, and the CVT should feel smooth with no hesitation or judder.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the 2.5i Premium with EyeSight: it adds a power seat, heated seats and adaptive cruise with automatic braking. CarPlay arrived for 2017, and the Limited adds blind-spot monitoring.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: optional from 2015, never standard in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2015, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Honda CR-V 2014–2016 · $13,000–$15,500
- Acura RDX 2016 · $15,000
- Toyota RAV4 2014–2015 · $13,500–$15,000
Find one near you
2010–2014 Subaru Outback
A roomy lifted wagon with standard all-wheel drive and good ground clearance.
Years to target: 2010. Look harder at or skip: 2011–2014. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $5,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~160,000 |
| 2011 | $5,500 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~155,000 |
| 2012 | $6,000 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~145,000 |
| 2013 | $6,500 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~135,000 |
| 2014 | $7,500 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~125,000 |
Worth knowing
- Skip 2011–2014. The 2.5-liter engine in these years is known for burning oil. Check the oil level and ask about consumption tests.
- 2011: owner complaints spike (651, mostly the transmission).
- The 3.6-liter models use a conventional automatic and sidestep the oil issue, while the 2.5-liter CVT can whine or shudder with age.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the 2.5i Premium: it adds a power driver seat and nicer trim over the base, with heated seats on many. EyeSight arrived as an option on 2013 and 2014 Limited models.
On the test drive
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and feel for shudder or hesitation when pulling away. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: optional from 2013, never standard in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2013, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Honda Insight 2011 · $5,000
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.