Subaru Outback Isn’t Even Close To The Hot Forester

Which Subaru model is the hot pick with customers this fall? It's not the Subaru Outback. The Outback slips a spot in the lineup after the Crosstrek just passed it in sales. And the hot Forester is the number one selling model again, as I said in a previous report.

The 2024 Subaru Outback midsize SUV arriving now is the third-place performer in the lineup, increasing 3.4 percent in October, with 12,396 models sold compared with 11,992 in October 2022. Outback is now up 15.2 percent in the first ten months of 2023. The Crosstrek had 13,768 models delivered in October. 

photo credit: Tucson Subaru

In contrast, the hot Forester had 15,479 models delivered to customers in October, an increase of 29.5 percent. Not to worry because the Outback still leads all other models this year, with 135,277 midsize SUVs delivered to customers in 2023.

And it could get better next year. The exciting news for the Outback is a next-generation model is about to be announced. Subaru of America has not said that the new Outback will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but as I reported earlier in the week, I am predicting it will. 

Subaru of America says to get ready for the legend to be announced in LA on November 16, 2023. Subaru updated current Subaru owners and said, "We have something new coming for you at the Los Angeles Auto Show. An Iconic Subaru SUV is getting a makeover.”

photo credit: Tucson Subaru

How do I know the iconic SUV is the 2025 Subaru Outback?

Earlier this year, in a private Subaru dealer meeting, Subaru of America gave a sneak peek of the 2025 Outback to its top retailers. Here is the information I covered in January. 

Jeff Williams, owner of Williams Subaru in Lansing, Michigan, told Automotive News while attending Subaru's Auto Team America Dealer/CEO/CFO Forum that the U.S. Subaru retailers are excited about the sneak peek they had of the redesigned 2025 Outback. 

The secret reveal to its retailers could have been a working model, or it may still be on the drawing board. Either way, Subaru of America is getting its retailers excited and ready to see what's coming soon to the Outback that receives a complete redesign. 

"That's the most excited I've been about a vehicle heading here in a long time," said Williams, who declined to reveal any specifics about it. "I will say that Subaru engineers and designers seemed to have addressed every issue we've brought up with the Outback. They seemed to listen to us, which gives me confidence in how the next-generation Outback will perform in the marketplace."

So, with only two months left in 2023, the Outback is still the number one sales leader. Even though it slipped to third place in October, it will likely get new life with the announcement on November 16. Stay tuned as I will bring you the details of the legendary Subaru model when it's announced. 

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Outback story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

For additional articles related to new Subaru models, here are a few of my top stories you may enjoy. 

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I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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photo credit: main image Tucson Subaru