Refreshed Subaru Outback Still Beats The Competition In Cargo Space

With summer road trips coming soon, how much cargo space does the refreshed 2023 Subaru Outback have compared to other vehicles in its category? Customers want a vehicle that can haul a lot of gear, regardless of the SUV’s actual size. The SUV-alternative 2023 Outback offers a lot of space and all-wheel-drive for off-pavement excursions.

The Outback is a family vehicle that offers all-terrain capabilities like only two other vehicles can offer. A report from AutoGuide says the new Outback wins its segment and continues to provide the most cargo capacity. In the Wagon/Crossover category, the 2023 Subaru Outback has 75.7 cubic ft. of cargo-carrying capability.

photo credit: Timmons Subaru

The report says, “The Outback has an extra 11.7 cubic feet of space over the next closest rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain, and much more than that over the Volvo V90 Cross Country and Audi A6 allroad.”

The 2023 Subaru Outback comes with 32.5 cubic feet of cargo-carrying ability with the seats up and offers 75.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Outback also has ample space for people, 109 cubic feet, and 39.5 inches of rear legroom.

Outback scores highest among 2-Row SUVs

In a recent Consumer Reports (by subscription) study, they picked the seven-best midsize 2-Row, and 3-Row SUVs that are the roomiest, most comfortable, and have ample cargo room. They fit your family and your groceries, sports equipment, and luggage when you take road trips.

Consumer Reports ranked the 2022 Subaru Outback the best in the non-luxury 2-Row Midsize SUV category. In its scoring, CR measured interior space and calculated cargo room by checking how many suitcases and duffel bags could fit in the back. They also had their testers of various shapes and sizes repeatedly get into and out of the front and rear seats.

The Outback also ranked high in safety technology, reliability, and excellent fuel efficiency.

What is the 2023 Outback fuel mileage?

The Outback gets better fuel mileage this summer than other SUVs with high gas prices. AAA says the average price is $4.12 as of the time of this report.

The EPA fuel mileage rating of the 2022 Outback XT 2.4-liter turbo is 23/30 city/highway mpg and 26 combined mpg. The estimated fuel economy of the standard 2.5-liter engine is 26/33 mpg city/highway and 29 combined mpg.

The EPA says the new 2022 Outback Wilderness gets an estimated 22/26 city/highway mpg and 24 combined mpg. The 2021 Outback XT with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine gets an EPA estimated 23/30 city/highway mpg and 26 combined mpg.

What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Outback?

Subaru of America has not announced pricing on the refreshed 2023 Outback. It will get a price increase over the 2022 models below.

The 2022 Outback comes in eight trim levels; the base trim is priced from $27,845, Premium ($30,270), Limited ($34,720), Touring ($38,620), Onyx Edition XT ($36,270), new for 2022, Outback Wilderness ($38,120), Limited XT ($39,120), and Touring XT ($41,070). Pricing includes $1,125 destination and delivery fees.

Our take

The 2023 Subaru Outback is the best in the Wagon/Crossover category for its cargo space but also offers standard all-wheel-drive, 8.7-inches of ground clearance, a car-like ride, and fuel efficiency.

The 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness trim level offers cargo space and more off-pavement all-terrain capabilities for customers wanting to get further away this summer.

You Might Also Like: Why The New 2023 Subaru Outback Onyx Is Now Your Best Pick Over Wilderness

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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