2018 Subaru Outback: Release date, prices, features, and specs

With the release of the 2018 edition, the Subaru Outback continues to be the brand’s best-selling model in the U.S. Originally introduced at the 2017 New York Auto Show, the 2018 model is part of the Outback’s fifth-generation, which was first unveiled in 2015. Changes for 2018 include refreshed front and rear styling and a short list of trim and feature tweaks.

The Outback is Subaru’s largest crossover, a head-of-the-family role it will cede in summer 2018 with the introduction of the significantly larger 2019 Subaru Ascent., which boasts three rows of seating for up to seven or eight passengers. The Outback, the largest of Subaru’s three crossovers, has been the sales leader in recent years, followed by the Forester compact crossover, and then the subcompact Crosstrek. It will be interesting to see if the significantly larger 2019 Ascent steals sales from the Outback or if it brings new buyers to the brand.

Unibody crossovers have taken over the U.S. buying market, attracting people who formerly bought sedans or body-on-frame SUVs.

What’s new for 2018 Subaru Outbacks

In addition to newly designed front and rear fascias, bumpers, and front grille, the 2018 Outback has new C-shaped headlights with LED daytime running lights. A new Steering Responsive Headlight feature that lets the headlights project light in the direction of turns is either standard or optional on the top two trim levels. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard with Subaru Starlink infotainment systems,and the highest-level system with GPS navigation includes TomTom navigation with three years of map updates.

2018 Subaru Outback engines

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Outbacks have one of two boxer-style engines. Four 2.5i trims – the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, and 2.5i Touring — have a 2.5-liter flat-four, which produces 175 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 174 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings for the engine are 25 mpg for city driving, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined.

Outback 3.6R Limited and 3.6R Touring trims have a more powerful and thirsty 6-cylinder 3.6L engine. The flat-six produces 256 hp at 6,000 rpm and 247 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm. EPA ratings for the 3.6L engine are 20 mpg city, 27 highway, and 22 combined.

Both engines pair with a Subaru Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. There’s no manual shift transmission offered, but when you prefer to manage the gear changes, the CVT’s paddle shift support uses preselected ratios.

2018 Subaru Outback tech

Outback handling tech

Along with the boxer engine’s low center of gravity, Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel drive provides the basis for smoother, more car-like handling than many AWD systems with equal-length half-axles. The Outback piles on stability and traction-handling technology with a combination of traction control with vehicle dynamics control, active torque vectoring, and X-Mode, all of which are standard with all Outback trims.

Active torque vectoring applies the brake to the inner front wheel during turns for smoother, sharper cornering and X-Mode, selected using a dashboard button, optimizes multiple powertrain systems including engine output, transmission ratio, and AWD engagement for improved traction on slippery surfaces.

All Outbacks also have hill descent control, brake assist for added force in hard braking, and brake override, which detects when a driver accidentally presses both the brake and accelerator pedals. The Outback’s SUV-like 8.7-inch ground clearance increases the odds of traversing most road conditions.

Outback safety tech

Subaru offers a moderate selection of passive and active safety and driver-assist tech, but you’ll have to buy one of the highest trims or deck out the vehicle with options to get all or most of the offerings.

All Outback trims have a standard rearview camera, plus a revamped tire pressure monitoring system that now includes individual tire alerts. If you choose the base trim Outback 2.5i, the discussion ends here because other safety features are unavailable, even as options. Outback Premium trims and above have access to more feature as options or standard equipment. If you want an Outback with all current Outback safety and assist goodies, you have to opt for the highest trims, the 2.5i Touring or 3.6R Touring, which differ only in the engine.

Blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package are optional on the 2.5i Premium. The 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited get blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert features standard, but the EyeSight tech package is optional. The Eyesight package, standard on the two Touring trims, includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warning, and lane-keep assist.

As mentioned above, LED steering-responsive headlights that turn as the driver steers are optional on the 2.5i Limited, and standard equipment with the 3.6R Limited and both Touring trims. Two features are standard for the Touring trims only, and optional with Limited models: automatic high-beam headlight control and reverse automatic braking that will apply the brakes if it detects an obstacle while backing up. Auto high beams are also optional with the 2.5i Premium.

Keeping track of which safety and assist features come with which trim is a challenge, so we built the table below, with standard features in bold to clarify which features are standard, optional, or not available with different trims.

How to choose a 2018 Subaru Outback

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The 2018 Outback 2.5i, starting price $25,895, is the least expensive model with few options or upgrade packages. The 2.5i has single-zone air conditioning, raised roof rails with integrated cross bars, a 6.5-inch infotainment display, and 17-inch alloy wheels

For 2018, the Outback 2.5i Premium, $27,995 to start, includes the features of the base 2.5i plus Subaru Starlink Safety and Security services, an 8-inch infotainment display, fog lights, dual-zone climate control, dual front seat and dual rear seat USB ports, an all-weather package with heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, and a power adjustable driver’s seat. The Premium trim can be upgraded with blind-spot detection/rear cross-traffic alert and Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package.

Starting at $32,695, the Outback 2.5i Limited adds leather-trimmed seats, a 576-watt-equivalent 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, power adjustable heated front passenger seat, heated rear seats, keyless access with push-button start, and a power rear liftgate. The Limited trim also includes a power moonroof and an auto-dimming rear mirror with HomeLink universal garage door opener.