We’ve secured the keys to a 2025 Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT for three months, and I’ll be the one living with it day to day. As a cyclist, the Outback immediately strikes me as a strong candidate for the ideal cyclist’s companion.
Our car is finished in Autumn Green Metallic and comes fitted with a few optional genuine accessories, including a tow bar, a tow bar-mounted Thule Velocompact two-bike carrier, and a cargo tray. While I haven’t had the chance to test the bike rack just yet, I’ll report back on it in a future update.
This generation of Outback is nearing the end of its lifecycle – the boxy next-generation model was just revealed at the New York motor show. But even with a new one on the horizon, this XT variant still feels like a compelling package for those after a spacious all-wheel-drive wagon with a bit of extra punch under the bonnet.
For my daily needs – mainly commuting and weekend cycling adventures – the Outback has proven to be more car than I actually need, in a good way.
As someone living in the inner suburbs of Melbourne with a relatively tight garage, I appreciate the wagon body style over a taller, bulkier SUV. It makes navigating driveways and car parks much easier while still offering plenty of useable space inside.
One of my key needs is transporting a road bike, and the Outback nails this. With the rear seats folded down, a full-size road bike fits easily inside without needing to remove either wheel. It’s secure from thieves and vandals, sheltered from the elements, and leaves me with space for my gear. The electric tailgate opens and closes quickly, which is a nice quality-of-life touch.
The Outback also comes standard with roof rails for those who prefer a rooftop bike rack setup. However, Subaru has kindly supplied a tow bar-mounted Thule Velocompact rack, which I’ll be trying out soon – it’s a more accessible option for loading heavier bikes like e-MTBs.
How does the Subaru Outback compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Subaru Outback against similarly sized vehicles.
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How much does the Subaru Outback cost?
The model on test here starts from $53,690 plus on-road costs, and is the penultimate variant in the local range.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Subaru Outback AWD | $44,190 |
| 2025 Subaru Outback AWD Sport | $48,690 |
| 2025 Subaru Outback AWD Touring | $52,490 |
| 2025 Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT | $53,690 |
| 2025 Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT | $57,490 |
As mentioned, our long-termer is fitted with a number of genuine accessories, with pricing detailed below based on figures published on Subaru’s online configurator.
Fitted accessories:
- Cargo tray: $187.81
- Tow bar: $1401.31
- Thule tow bar-mounted bike carrier (2 bikes): $1097.65
*Quoted pricing is RRP including fitment as per the Subaru Australia online configurator
To see how the Subaru Outback lines up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What is the Subaru Outback like on the inside?
The interior of the Outback is a pleasant place to be. But while the design is functional and easy to live with, some of the aesthetic elements – like piano black trims – already show light scratches and may not age well.
That said, soft-touch materials are applied generously throughout the cabin, and the overall fit and finish gives off a more premium feel, especially with the contrast green stitching in our Sport XT model.
The seats are a highlight – they’re comfortable and plenty adjustable, with power lumbar support that’s a godsend for my lower back, particularly after long cycling sessions.
The trim may not be Nappa leather, but it’s still a solid, water-repellent material that feels luxurious, especially when paired with heated seats.
The large, vertically oriented touchscreen is responsive and easy to use, with large icons and logical menus.
Thankfully, Subaru has retained physical buttons for the temperature controls, though full climate functions are accessed through a less intuitive touch menu. It’s a bit convoluted at first, but with regular use should become second nature.
Wireless Apple CarPlay works well and was easy to pair initially, but I’ve noticed it sometimes takes up to 30 seconds to reconnect when I start the car – a minor annoyance when you’re in a hurry to load navigation.
The interface doesn’t take up the full screen, but that’s by design, as permanent shortcuts for functions like climate and safety settings remain visible.
Audio quality is impressive, even though this variant doesn’t have branded speakers. The lack of wireless phone charging is a bit of a letdown, but the inclusion of a high-output 3.0A USB-C port makes up for it somewhat.
To see how the Subaru Outback lines up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Being the XT, this Outback gets a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol ‘boxer’ engine under the bonnet.
| Specifications | Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L 4cyl Boxer turbo-petrol |
| Power | 183kW at 5200-6000rpm |
| Torque | 350Nm at 2000-4800rpm |
| Transmission | CVT auto |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1696kg – tare |
| Fuel economy – claimed | 9.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 63 litres |
| Fuel requirement | 95 octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions – claimed | 204g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capacity | 2400kg |
To see how the Subaru Outback lines up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
How does the Subaru Outback drive?
I’ve really grown to enjoy the turbocharged Outback.
There’s a healthy surge of torque that makes overtaking and freeway driving effortless, and the CVT works well to keep things smooth and responsive.
Pop it into S mode, and the throttle response sharpens up noticeably, which is great when you need quick acceleration.
Over approximately 2700km of mixed urban and freeway driving so far, I’ve been averaging around 11.0–11.3L/100km.
That’s higher than Subaru’s official claim of 9.0L/100km, but consistent with what we observed during our initial testing of this model.
The suspension setup deserves praise too. It soaks up bumps impressively well, which is great not just for occupant comfort but also for carrying a bike in the boot. Nothing to complain about here.
Subaru’s adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous steering remain among the best in the business. The system smoothly maintains a set distance from the car ahead, even performing firm braking when required – complete with an LED warning if the vehicle in front slows abruptly.
The lane-keeping assistance works reliably when road markings are clear, helping centre the car in its lane with minimal ping-ponging within your lane.
The driver monitoring system, which alerts you if it thinks you’re distracted or drowsy, is very sensitive – especially if you’re wearing sunglasses – but it can be disabled via the safety menu.
There was one moment of concern when the Subaru EyeSight driver assistance system threw up several warning symbols on the instrument cluster after the car had been parked in direct sunlight. Fortunately, these disappeared once I got the car moving again, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Another small quirk: the indicator stalk operates with an old BMW-style toggle that doesn’t latch in place. It takes some getting used to but becomes second nature after a while.
To see how the Subaru Outback lines up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
Of the three distinct trim levels, the Sport is the mid-range offering.
2025 Subaru Outback AWD equipment highlights:
- 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 4.2-inch trip computer
- DAB+ digital radio
- Cloth upholstery
- Body-coloured mirrors
- Roof rails with integrated cross bars
- Grey 18-inch alloy wheels
- Dual-zone climate control
- Paddle shifters
- Six-speaker sound system
- Four cargo hooks in the boot
- Automatic windscreen wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Outback AWD Sport + Sport XT add:
- Water repellent sports seat trim
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Front- and side-view cameras
- Black exterior highlights
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Satellite navigation
- Dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels
Outback AWD Touring + Touring XT add:
- 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with CD player
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Manually-adjustable driver’s seat thigh support extender
- Electric sunroof
- Heated steering wheel
- Silver roof rails with integrated cross bars
- Gloss finish 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black interior
- Optional Black/Ivory interior: $NCO
- Optional Tan interior: $590
To see how the Subaru Outback lines up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
Is the Subaru Outback safe?
The Subaru Outback has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2021.
| Category | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 91 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 84 per cent |
| Safety assist | 96 per cent |
Standard safety equipment includes:
- AEB (forward and reverse) with pedestrian/cyclist/junction assist
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver attention monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Traffic sign recognition
To see how the Subaru Outback lines up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Subaru Outback cost to run?
The Outback is covered by Subaru Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
| Servicing and Warranty | Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 12 months – standard 3 years – included with Service Plan |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | Up to 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $2676.66 |
To see how the Subaru Outback lines up against its rivals, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Subaru Outback
So far, the Subaru Outback AWD Sport XT has proven to be a near-ideal daily driver for someone like me.
It’s practical, spacious, comfortable, and surprisingly quick. As a cyclist, it ticks a lot of boxes for transporting bikes and gear with minimal fuss.
I’m looking forward to using it on longer cycling trips soon – especially with the bike carrier in play – and will report back with further updates.
Interested in buying a Subaru Outback? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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