The 2020 Subaru Outback is pulling off what no other wagon has done. Why is the Outback popular and how does it compare with the top-selling SUVs?
The 2020 Subaru Outback just moved up into the top-10 Best selling SUVs list for the first time all year. The Outback is considered a wagon and offers a car-like ride, but it competes well with the new SUVs. It's a top pick for shoppers who want the best characteristics of an all-wheel-drive SUV.
The Outback is pulling off what no other wagon has done. Last month, the Outback, with 16,755 sales, passed the Ford Escape SUV (15,855 sales) to move into ninth place in the top 10 SUV sales. It wasn't far behind the Jeep Wrangler (18,258), Jeep Grand Cherokee (19,060), and Ford Explorer (19,942).
Photo credit: Adventure Subaru
Subaru created a niche market with the SUV-alternative Outback and it's not slowing down. The Subaru Outback has a "go-anywhere" attitude with standard all-wheel-drive and offers shoppers another choice in the mid-size SUV segment.
How does the Outback compare with an SUV?
The Outback offers a more car-like ride and handling if you don't want the bulky feel of a larger SUV. The Outback offers 8.7-inches of ground clearance, which is more than many SUVs, and Outback has superior fuel mileage. EPA estimates are 26/33 city/highway mpg and 29 combined with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, also better than many SUVs.
Photo credit: Adventure Subaru
What is the price of the Outback?
The 2021 Outback comes in seven trim levels, base starts at $27,845, Premium ($30,095), Limited ($34,645), Onyx Edition XT ($36,195), Touring ($38,545), Limited XT ($39,045), and Touring XT ($40,995). Pricing includes $1,050 destination.
The Outback Premium trim hits the sweet spot for price and features
The Premium trim features standard all-wheel-drive, X-Mode, EyeSight driver assist safety tech, and cloth upholstery. It gets upgrades for families like the all-weather package with heated exterior mirrors, 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats, and windshield wiper de-icer.
Does Subaru offer special financing on Outback?
Subaru is still offering no-interest financing for 63 months on 2020 Outback and 0.9 percent financing on 2021 Outback models. They also provide the best lease deals on "select" base trims. Subaru has extended the deals through November 30, 2020, but will likely continue them through the end of the year.
According to data from Automotive News (by subscription), Subaru offers $1,627 incentive outlays per vehicle for retailers to sell their cars, but they don't advertise them. Savvy shoppers who know this can negotiate and get the best deal.
Subaru builds the SUV-alternative 2021 Outback at the U.S. plant in Lafayette, Indiana, and ramped up production this summer. Shoppers should have a good selection of all trims this fall and winter.
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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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