2021 Subaru Outback Review

The 2021 Subaru Outback is an interesting pick when it comes to a full-sized SUV. It’s in a competitive price range, it offers ample features, and it’s great for families.

Does it stand out compared the competition, though? Today we’re breaking it down in our 2021 Subaru Outback review.

2021 Subaru Outback Review

Design

There’s no mistaking the 2021 Outback for anything but a Subaru. The front grille design, the soft lines along the body and the general aesthetic all give it away for being a Subaru. That’s neither a compliment nor a condemnation: Subaru has a distinct look. Fans of this design will like the Outback, and those who find it dorky will continue to do so here.

New Features

This year is mostly an iterative upgrade over 2018, though the new model comes with some new bells and whistle. Namely, the EyeSight driver assist suite is now standard. More standard safety features is never a bad thing! Along with that, the base 2.5i trim now has more USB ports for everyone to charge their devices.

What You’ll Love

The cabin is huge and comfortable, and you’ve got tons of space to put all your stuff. On top of that. The vehicle offers great visibility, sporting very small blind spots. You’d be hard-pressed to get into an accident in the Outback, between all of the standard safety features.

The loading heights for the cargo and roof are also notably lower than on other SUVs. In short, the Outback is short! That’s not new for Subaru, however, as their cars are, by-and-large, rather squat.

What You Won’t Love

Unsurprisingly, the 2021 Outback doesn’t sport a terrible great engine. The acceleration is lackluster and the handling is okay at best. That said, you’re not likely to be considering the outback for competitive street racing, so these drawbacks might not matter to you.

Bottom Line

In its class, the Outback is what you’d expect. It’s a spacious, comfortable SUV with ample safety features and a somewhat silly appearance. It sports a sub-par engine, middling handling and bad acceleration. But, then, what do you expect for an SUV that starts at $26,345?

If you’ve got a big family that you need to get around town safely, and in comfort, then the Outback is a great pick. If you’re looking to impress your buddies with the speed and handling of your new ride, well, you already weren’t thinking about picking up an SUV.