Does The Subaru Outback Have A Secret No One Can Duplicate? A New Study Says Yes

What new model is the most popular in Subaru of America's all-wheel-drive lineup? A recent announcement and analysis from S&P Global Mobility in its annual Automotive Loyalty Awards says the 2023 Subaru Outback is a big winner among all Subaru nameplates. The Outback wins a segment model loyalty award among all shoppers looking for a new midsize SUV.

The study says the most significant number of midsize SUV buyers (ranking all car brands) will return to purchase a Subaru Outback. That's amazing considering the segment's top models like the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-9, and Hyundai Palisade.

photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

Additionally, in the annual brand loyalty awards, Subaru won the "Overall Loyalty to Dealer" for the first time in the S&P Global Mobility Automotive Loyalty Awards. The report says 38 percent of Subaru owners will buy their next vehicle from the same dealer—the highest of any car brand.

In the January sales report, Tom Doll, President and CEO Subaru of America, said, "As anyone who owns a Subaru knows, the customer experience continues long after the sale is completed, and we'd like to thank our retailers for upholding the highest ownership experience standards as reflected in our industry-leading net promoter score.”

photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

What is the Outback's "secret" formula for success?

What sets the Subaru Outback apart from other midsize SUVs you can buy? First, the Outback is a unique model that rides like a car yet has the utility of an SUV.

All Outback midsize SUV trim levels ride higher with extra ground clearance than most family haulers. The Outback has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, and X-Mode for all-terrain performance. The Outback also gets the highest safety scores from the IIHS.

Outback gets more awards

According to the new 2023 AutoTrader Awards, the newly-upgraded 2023 Subaru Outback is the Best Overall winner over all other SUVs you can buy this year. In the wagon/crossover category, the SUV-alternative Outback is a fantastic success story and defies the odds. While the main competition from Volkswagen (Golf SportWagen and Golf Alltrack wagon) pulled out of the U.S. market, Subaru of America is running fast with the Outback.

Outback is the best of the best

Jodi Lai, Editor In Chief, AutoTrader.ca. said, "The Subaru Outback has won the AutoTrader Award for Best Compact SUV two years running, a testament to the strong staying power of this practical, user-friendly, and adventure-ready crossover. Regarding the criteria our judges are looking for in this segment, the Subaru Outback is tough to beat."

Outback's all-terrain capability

The Outback also comes with X-Mode for added off-pavement abilities. In addition, the Outback Wilderness and Outback Onyx XT also come with Subaru's dual-function X-Mode for deep snow, deep mud, and deep sand capabilities.

What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Outback?

The 2023 Outback now comes in nine trim levels for U.S. customers; the base trim is priced from $29,620, Premium ($31,920), new Onyx Edition with a 2.5-liter engine ($34,720), Limited ($36,520), Touring ($41,070), Outback Wilderness ($39,670), Onyx Edition XT ($39,820), Limited XT ($40,920), and Touring XT ($43,520). In addition, pricing includes $1,225 destination and delivery fees.

The 2023 Subaru Outback has the highest buyer loyalty among all car brand's midsize SUV shoppers. And Subaru retailers now rank the "Overall Loyalty to Dealer" for the first time in the S&P Global Mobility Automotive Loyalty Awards.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Schumacher Subaru