SUVs Best Off-Road And For Road Trips - Why Subaru Outback Tops Both

Why is the 2022 Subaru Outback Subaru of America's best-selling model in its all-wheel-drive lineup? Subaru calls the Outback a multi-purpose vehicle that's great for commuting and doubles as an adventure vehicle for weekend outings and road trips. A new report from iSeeCars says the Subaru Outback checks both boxes and is one of the best SUVs for going off-road and taking a road trip this summer.

iSeeCars selected the best road trip cars based on reliability, fuel efficiency, cargo/passenger space, and safety. They rank the 2022 Subaru Outback the number one small SUV for a road trip this summer, giving the midsize SUV a reliability score of 8.4, a retained value score of 8.0, and a safety score of 10.0. The average new car price is $36,679, and a 3-year-old used car price is $34,433.

photo: refreshed 2023 Subaru Outback

What sets the 2022 Outback apart from the competition?

The Outback appeals to a broader audience than some SUVs because it's bigger than a traditional wagon, features more cargo capacity, has a higher ground clearance (8.7-inches), and comes standard with Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system for all-weather performance. Outback also offers X-Mode for additional off-pavement performance.

What is the price of the 2022 Subaru Outback?

Subaru of America recently raised the price of the Outback $750. The Base trim is now priced from $28,820, Premium ($31,020), Limited ($35,470), Touring ($39,370), Onyx Edition XT ($37,020), new for 2022, Outback Wilderness ($38,870), Limited XT ($39,870), and Touring XT ($41,820). Pricing includes $1,175 destination and delivery fees.

What is the 2022 Outback fuel mileage?

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.

iSeeCars also ranked the 2022 Subaru Outback as one of the top SUVs for off-road use. They say, "Outback is one of the most capable car-based crossovers, it doesn't have the ground clearance of some of the more capable SUVs, but there is a new Wilderness model that sits higher and is more adept at cow-trailing than the standard model. The Outback can hold its own with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and still serves as a daily grocery-getter and car-pooler."

What iSeeCars fails to mention is the Outback's X-Mode is not offered on other family SUVs.

The Outback's standard X-Mode comes with all trim levels and is sufficient for most customers. The 2022 Subaru Outback Onyx XT trim will safely get you to your destination if you take it off-road because of a dual-function X-Mode feature.

Also, Check-Out: The 2022 Subaru Outback Dual-Function X-Mode - How It Works And Why You Might Need It

iSeeCars says the 2022 Subaru Outback ranks one of the top SUVs for going off-road and taking a road trip this summer. Check out what's coming on the refreshed 2023 Subaru Outback in the link below.

You Might Also Like: The Refreshed 2023 Subaru Outback Full Details, Upgrades, And Images

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: Subaru USA