The Outback has been a staple of the midsize crossover class for years, for drivers who want utility and family friendliness. Over the years the Outback has been refined, the 2019 Subaru Outback and 2025 Subaru Outback are two big steps in that evolution. Here’s a comparison of the two.

Design and Exterior Features

2019 Subaru Outback: Classic and functional design for the loyal customer base. Practical dimensions and a wagon-like shape with rugged cladding, roof rails, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance for off-road adventures. Standard LED daytime running lights and a plain grille.

2025 Subaru Outback: Bolder and more modern design. Subaru has sharpened the Outback’s exterior styling with more aggressive lines, a wider grille, and adaptive LED headlights for better visibility. New aerodynamic bits, a revised roofline, and sleeker mirrors for better efficiency and looks. Plus more exterior colors and accessory packages to suit the times.

Interior Comfort and Technology

2019 Subaru Outback: Functional interior design. High-quality materials and plenty of room. Simple and user-friendly layout. Starlink infotainment system on a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, navigation, and entertainment options. The rear seats fold to expand the cargo area to 73.3 cubic feet. Subaru’s practicality at work.

2025 Subaru Outback: Tech-focused interior. Premium materials like Nappa leather and open-pore wood trim. 12.3-inch touchscreen with next-generation Starlink infotainment system with over-the-air updates. Advanced voice recognition and more connectivity options. Rear passenger legroom is increased and rear seats for long road trips.

Performance and Powertrain

2019 Subaru Outback: Two engine choices: 2.5L flat-four with 175 horsepower and 3.6L flat-six with 256 horsepower. Both engines with CVT. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive and 2,700 pounds of towing capacity.

2025 Subaru Outback: Building on that foundation. The base 2.5L engine is more efficient with 182 horsepower. Turbo 2.4L flat-four with 260 horsepower replaces the six. CVT is tuned for better response. Subaru’s all-wheel-drive now has active torque vectoring for better handling. And a plug-in hybrid option for the eco-conscious.

Safety

Safety has always been a Subaru Outback strength and the 2019 set the bar high with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. This system included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-keeping assist and sway warning. The Outback earned top safety ratings and is a family favorite.

The 2025 Subaru Outback takes safety to the next level with EyeSight 4.0 which includes 360-degree camera coverage and an AI-powered driver monitoring system. Also, automatic lane centering and intersections assist in mitigating urban driving risks. Subaru has also strengthened the structure with high-strength steel for better crashworthiness.

Off-Road

For the adventurous, the 2019 Outback was capable of off-road with symmetrical all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. X-MODE with hill descent control helped navigate steep and uneven terrain.

2025 Outback takes off-road to the next level with the Wilderness trim, designed for rugged exploration. 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and upgraded skid plates. Dual-function X-MODE adapts traction settings to different surfaces: snow to mud.

Fuel Economy and Sustainability

The 2019 Outback was competitive for its segment with up to 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for the 4-cylinder. Efficient for its time but only traditional internal combustion engines.

2025 Outback is sustainable with improved efficiency across all powertrains. The hybrid gets an estimated 35 mpg combined and electric-only mode for short distances. Subaru is reducing emissions to meet consumer and regulatory demands.

Price and Value

2019 Outback started at around $27,000 for the base and went up to almost $40,000 fully loaded. Reliability, safety, and versatility made for strong resale value.

2025 Outback starts at $30,000 and tops out at $45,000. More expensive than before but has more features, better efficiency, and the latest tech. Subaru’s warranty and reputation for durability remain the same so you can buy with confidence.

2019 vs 2025 Subaru Outback, a lot of progress in design, tech, and performance. 2019 was a reliable and practical package, 2025 takes it to the next level with features designed for today’s drivers. Subaru is evolving the Outback while staying true to its DNA of safety, durability, and versatility.