Subaru’s 2018 Outback continues its one-wagon fight against SUVs

By Stephen Edelstein April 12, 2017

The Subaru Outback has achieved the near-impossible, surviving the onslaught of SUVs that killed nearly every other wagon. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive and some plastic body cladding, Subaru is able to market the Outback as an SUV alternative. It has made for a profitable niche, but how does Subaru improve on that success?

Debuting at the 2017 New York Auto Show, the 2018 Subaru Outback gets some of the same styling tweaks as the 2018 Legacy that debuted in Chicago in February, plus more tech features. Overall, these make for relatively small changes to the current-generation Outback, which has been on sale since the 2015 model year. Will it be enough to keep Subaru’s sales champ sharp?

The 2018 Outback gets revised front and rear styling, but the new look isn’t a dramatic departure from the previous version. The most noticeable change is a new set of headlights with Subaru’s “Konoji” LED daytime running light signature. The Outback is basically a jacked-up Legacy wagon, sporting an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance. That’s a good amount even for a real SUV.

Subaru also added more safety tech for 2018, including a standard rearview camera on all trim levels and steering-responsive headlights that turn as the driver steers. This feature was previously available on fog lights. The Outback gets Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system with new 6.5 or 8.0-inch touchscreens, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Two USB ports have sprouted from the rear of the center console so rear-seat passengers can plug in.

1 of 9

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

2018 Subaru Outback — Albert Khoury/Digital Trends

The Outback is essentially unchanged mechanically. The base engine remains a 2.5-liter flat-four, which produces 175 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. A 3.6-liter flat-six is optional, with 256 hp and 247 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are teamed with CVT automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive. Subaru did say that it retuned the Outback’s suspension for 2018 to improve ride quality.

The 2018 Outback is one of two Subaru models debuting at the 2017 New York Auto Show. The other is the redesigned 2018 Crosstrek which, as another car disguised as an SUV, is more or less the Outback’s little sibling. The Outback goes on sale this summer, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

The 10 best car battery brands in 2024

How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.

Cars

Tesla’s fix for faulty Cybertruck pedal is simpler than you might think

Tesla Cybertruck

Less than five months after handing over the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla has had to recall the electric pickup to fix an issue with the accelerator.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall impacts Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024. This suggests that all -- or almost all -- of the 3,878 Cybertrucks being recalled are those that have been manufactured to date.

Cars

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2024 vs. Mach-E 2023: What’s new in Ford’s electric Mustang?

Blue Ford Mustang Mach-E on a rooftop

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the best EVs for the price, offering a solid range, sleek design, and pretty good tech on the inside. In recent years, it has gotten even cheaper -- thanks in large part to a price war between it and the Tesla Model 3. And, the company just took the wraps off of the latest and greatest version of the Mach-E, labeled as the 2024 model.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E is notably different from the 2023 iteration in some meaningful ways. So much so that we decided to take a look at the two head-to-head -- to see if it was better to pay for the 2024 model or save some cash on any remaining 2023 stock.
Design
The Mustang Mach-E looks relatively unique -- in a good way. And thankfully, Ford has largely kept the overall design the same for the 2024 model, at least when it comes to the more consumer-focused models. The car retains the slatted taillights and crossover size. It also offers a large selection of colors, including the very blue Grabber Blue Metallic, as well as Rapid Red Metallic. It's a good selection of colors, and there should be an option for most buyers.