New Subaru Outback Gets a Refresh Outside and Upgrades Inside; How Much Will it Cost Consumers?

The 2018 Subaru Outback gets a mild refresh outside and upgrades inside. How much will the improvements cost?

The newly-refreshed 2018 Subaru Outback is coming this summer with refreshed styling, an updated, quieter cabin and improved driving dynamics. Subaru of America has released pricing on the SUV-alternative Outback and the mid-cycle updates come with a small bump in price for all trim levels.

Offered in four trim levels, the base 2.5i Outback has a starting MSRP of $25,895 (+$250). The 2.5i Premium starts at $27,995 (+$300), 2.5i Limited $32,695 (+$305), 2.5i Touring $36,490 (+$495), 3.6R Limited $35,395 ($+400), and 3.6R Touring $38,690 (+$495). Pricing does not include destination and delivery ($915).

Here’s what consumers will get with the refreshed 2018 Outback wagon. All trims come standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 8.7-in. of ground clearance, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control and Hill Holder, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to take the Outback to the back country on the weekend and also making it a capable family hauler during the week.

Here’s what’s new

The Outback for 2018 is now quieter inside and it also gets refreshed styling. It gets new headlights and redesigned door mirrors with improved aerodynamics and reduced wind noise. All Outback trim levels now include a tire pressure monitoring system with individual wheel pressure display. The cabin is quieter with the addition of noise-reducing laminated front side glass and side mirrors that are more aerodynamic.

Also for 2018, a new safety system automatically locks the doors at 12.5mph and unlocks when the vehicle is placed in park and driver’s door is opened. The system will also automatically unlock all doors in the event of airbag deployment.

Inside, the Premium trims now come with a new 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and dash panel with silver stitching. Premium trim models also offer additional option packages including Driver Assist Technologies and navigation. Blind Spot Detection/ Rear Cross Traffic Alert and High Beam Assist are available with EyeSight packages. New refinements on the Touring models include a unique woodgrain interior finish and piano-black switch panels accents to complete the top-of-the-line trim.

Outback comes standard with a 175 horsepower, 2.5-liter Boxer engine and Lineartronic CVT automatic transmission with manual mode and paddle shifters, as well as standard 17” Alloy wheels. Subaru hasn’t revealed what engineers did underneath, but they say they’ve improved the Outback’s driving dynamics.

The newly-refreshed 2018 Subaru Outback is coming this summer with refreshed styling, an updated, quieter cabin and improved driving dynamics with a small bump in price. The Outback wagon is built in the U.S. at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The refreshed 2018 models will begin arriving in showrooms this summer.

Photo credit: Subaru