3 New 2022 Subaru Outback Upgrades Are Revealed Ahead Of Its US Launch
Subaru revealed new upgrades for the 2022 Subaru Outback ahead of its launch in the U.S. market. Subaru Australia announced its new Outback, and it comes with new engine upgrades, improvements in safety technology, and increased towing capacity. These improvements will likely come in the U.S. specification 2022 Outback when it's revealed sometime this spring.
The Outback is in the third year of its lifecycle after the wagon's full remodel in 2020. The 2022 Outback model year change will bring new upgrades. The Australian-spec model gets a "90 percent new" 2.5-liter direct-injection Boxer engine with more power and more torque than the previous engine.
Photo credit: Competition Subaru
The 2021 Outback 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The 2022 Outback 2.5-liter powerplant will come with 185 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. That's 7 percent more power and 4.2 percent more torque than the previous engine.
The new 2.5-liter Outback engine should also get improvements in fuel mileage compared with the 2021 engine. It currently has an EPA estimated 26/33 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg.
Photo credit: Irvine Subaru
Subaru will also increase the towing capacity of the 2022 Outback. Current models offer 2,700 lbs for the 2.5-liter engine and 3,500 lbs with the 2.4-liter turbocharged XT models. The 2022 Outback will come with 4,400 lbs of towing capacity. The Australian-spec Outback also offers dual-function X-Mode on the 2.5-liter variant. The U.S.-built models only get it on XT trims.
Next-generation EyeSight X
Look for the 2022 Outback to get the next-generation EyeSight X driver-assist technology. It will feature a new lane-centering function, autonomous emergency steering, and emergency lane keep assist.
It also comes with a new speed sign recognition with an intelligent speed limiter, lane departure warning with steering wheel vibration, lane departure prevention, and a pre-collision braking system with expanded support for collision avoidance at intersections.
The 2022 Outback will get a new passenger seat cushion airbag. Subaru says in the event of a frontal collision, this airbag is designed to push up the seat's front section, helping to prevent forward movement at the waist.
The new airbag can prevent the body from sinking below the seatbelt and improve the restraint protection performance, reducing chest injuries. Suppressing the front passenger's leg movement minimizes contact with the instrument panel and can reduce leg injuries.
Photo credit: LP Aventure
The 2022 Subaru Outback will get new 2.5-liter engine upgrades with more power. The 2022 model change will also bring increased towing capacity and improvements in safety technology. Look for Subaru to make the announcement this spring. Stay tuned.
You Might Also Like: Subaru will bring a new 2022 Outback Wilderness Edition to U.S. customers. You can read our full report here.
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: main image - Subaru of Portland, Competition Subaru, Irvine Subaru, LP Aventure