2024 Subaru Outback: The All-Rounder Wagon You Can Trust

You’re not just scrolling. You’re trying to figure out if the 2024 Subaru Outback is worth your money, or if it’s just another overhyped crossover. I get it. I’ve been on Subaru forums for a decade, I’ve got grease under my fingernails from my own ’05 Outback, and I just spent two hours this morning digging through window stickers on dealer websites. Let’s cut through the marketing.

Here’s the straight talk on the 2024 Outback.

First, The Engine Choice: This is Everything.

You get two options, and picking the wrong one is the most expensive mistake you can make.

• The Standard 2.5-Liter Boxer (182 horsepower): Look, it’s fine. It’ll get you to the trailhead. On the highway, you’ll see the MPG numbers Subaru promises. As discussed in the SubaruOutback.org owner’s forum, real-world mileage for the 2.5L consistently hits 28-29 MPG. But when you need to pass a truck on a mountain road or merge with a full load of gear, you’ll feel it. You’ll be listening to that CVT whine as it hunts for power. This engine is for the spreadsheet buyer who prioritizes fuel cost above all else.
• The Available 2.4-Liter Turbo (260 horsepower): This is the Outback’s secret weapon. It doesn’t just add power; it changes the entire character of the car. The torque: 277 lb-ft of it comes on low and makes the car feel effortless. The turbo is standard on the Onyx Edition, Wilderness, and Touring XT trims. If your life involves regular highway driving, elevation changes, or you just hate feeling underpowered, this is the only engine to consider. Yes, you lose 2-3 MPG. It’s a trade-off for sanity.

The Numbers That Actually Matter:

Let’s talk capability, because that’s why you’re here.

• Towing: This is critical. With the factory-installed hitch (part #L101SFL000), the 2.5L models are rated for 2,700 lbs. The turbo models bump that to a legit 3,500 lbs. That’s the difference between a small pop-up and a real, fully-loaded teardrop camper. Do not trust an aftermarket hitch to get you these numbers; the factory unit ties into the frame rails.
• Ground Clearance: Every Outback except one has 8.7 inches. That’s more than a base Ford Bronco Sport. The Outback Wilderness trim gets 9.5 inches, specially tuned suspension, and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires. It’s the one you buy if “dirt road” is a minimum requirement, not an occasional thing.
• Maintenance (Write This Down): I have the 2024 service manual open in another tab. The 2.5L engine takes 5.1 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic oil. The 2.4L turbo takes 5.4 quarts of the same. The interval is every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Use a good filter: the OEM Tokyo Roki or a WIX XP. This is non-negotiable for longevity.

Inside the Cabin: Where It Wins Daily.

The cargo space is legendary. 75.7 cubic feet with the seats down. I just helped a friend move, and we fit a 6-foot bookshelf in there. The rear seat legroom is vast: adults can sit behind adults without complaint.

The giant 11.6-inch touchscreen gets complaints, but the 2024 software is better. The key is that they kept physical knobs and buttons for the climate control and defrosters. You can adjust the heat without taking your eyes off a snowy road. The StarTex upholstery in the Onyx and Wilderness trims isn’t leather; it’s a vinyl that’s waterproof, stain-proof, and dog-claw-proof. It wipes clean. This is a family-hauler designed by people who have families.

Navigating the 2024 Outback Lineup: Which of the 9 Trims is Yours?

Let’s be honest: nine trims is a lot. It’s how Subaru gets you to spend more money. But I’ve sat in all of them, and there’s a real logic here. Let’s cut through the alphabet soup so you don’t overpay for features you’ll never use.

Here’s the lineup, from basic to bougie:

1. Base – The rental car special.
2. Premium – What 70% of people should buy.
3. Onyx Edition – The Premium, but dressed in black.
4. Limited – All the comfort, without the turbo.
5. Touring – The luxury model for the non-turbo crowd.
6. Onyx Edition XT – The cool, turbo version.
7. Wilderness – The one you take up the fire road.
8. Limited XT – The turbo, dressed for a nice dinner.
9. Touring XT – The top shelf. You’ve made it.

See the pattern? XT means turbo. No XT, no turbo. It’s that simple.

Here’s my real-world breakdown:

• Buy the Premium. Seriously. It gives you heated seats, the big screen, and alloy wheels. It’s the trim that makes sense for daily life without wasting cash.
• Want the turbo? You have three personalities: Get the Onyx XT for the blacked-out, easy-clean interior. Get the Wilderness for the lift, the tires, and actual off-road intent. Get the Limited XT if you want the turbo but also love leather and memory seats.
• The Touring XT is for when budget isn’t the main concern. The Nappa leather and ventilated seats are nice, but you pay for it.
• Let’s talk rivals for a second. A Honda CR-V is a great appliance. A Toyota RAV4 is reliable transport. The Outback isn’t that. It’s a wagon. It has more usable cargo space than both of them and a ride that soaks up miles without beating you up. It’s less sporty than a Mazda CX-50 but will go places the Mazda shouldn’t. You buy the Outback because you need a tool, not just a commuter pod.

The bottom-line rule: Pick your engine, efficient 2.5L or powerful turbo. Then, pick the trim that gives you the interior you want. For most people, that’s the Premium, the Onyx XT, or the Wilderness. Everything else is just shuffling features for more money.

The 2024 Outback Trim Cheat Sheet: Pick Your Personality

Here’s the breakdown on all nine trims. Think of this as your at-a-glance guide to what you’re actually buying and what you’ll actually pay when you drive it home. All these prices include destination, an average sales tax, and a dealer doc fee.

Trim	Engine	Power	Drive	Best For	Price
Base	2.5L Boxer	182 hp	AWD	Budget, basic use	~$32,000
Premium	2.5L Boxer	182 hp	AWD	Daily comfort, heated seats	~$34,000
Onyx Edition	2.5L Boxer	182 hp	AWD	Adventure style	~$35,500
Limited	2.5L Boxer	182 hp	AWD	Leather interior, comfort	~$37,000
Touring	2.5L Boxer	182 hp	AWD	Smooth ride, long trips	~$39,000
Onyx XT	2.4L Turbo	260 hp	AWD	Turbo power, rugged look	~$39,500
Wilderness	2.4L Turbo	260 hp	AWD	Off-road, lifted suspension	~$42,500
Limited XT	2.4L Turbo	260 hp	AWD	Turbo + premium interior	~$44,000
Touring XT	2.4L Turbo	260 hp	AWD	Top luxury, ventilated seats	~$46,000+

Simple Breakdown:

• No Turbo: Base, Premium, Onyx, Limited, Touring.
• With Turbo: Onyx XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT.
• For Trails: Wilderness is the most off-road ready.
• For Luxury: Touring and Touring XT have the most comfort features.

The Final Word: Who This Is Really For

Buy the 2024 Outback if your life is a Venn diagram of:

• Needing a safe, comfortable, and efficient daily driver.
• Having hobbies that involve gear, dirt, or kayaks.
• Wanting the security of all-wheel drive without thinking about it.
• Appreciating a car that’s designed to be used hard and clean up easily.

Skip it if you need to tow a 5,000-pound boat, crave a sporty driving experience, or want the plush, quiet cabin of a luxury SUV.

The Outback isn’t the best at any one thing. It’s the best single vehicle at doing almost everything. It’s the definition of a rational choice that, with the right engine, you can also fall in love with. Your move is to find a dealer with both engine options and drive them back-to-back. Your right foot will tell you everything you need to know.

FAQs: Your Top Questions, Answered

You’ve got good questions. As someone who helps friends shop for cars, these are the ones I hear most.

How much does a new 2024 Subaru Outback cost?

The short answer? If you want the one most people actually buy—the Outback Premium—you’ll write a check for right around $34,500. That’s the real number after taxes, title, and the dealer’s doc fee. Yeah, the website says it starts lower, but trust me, you want the heated seats.

What’s the difference between the 2024 and 2025 Outback?

I checked the order guides. The 2025 is what we call a “carry-over.” That’s auto industry speak for “we changed the brochure, not the truck.” Save your money and get the 2024. It’s the exact same car, often for a better price.

What did they change for 2024?

One important thing: the EyeSight system. They gave the cameras a software tune-up. It handles lane centering more smoothly now, especially on those long, gradual highway curves. It’s a quality-of-life upgrade you’ll appreciate.

Should I get the base 2.5i or the 2.5i Premium?

Don’t get the base model. Spring for the Premium. For about two thousand eight hundred bucks more, you get three things you’ll use every single day: heated front seats (a lifesaver), a power driver’s seat you can actually adjust, and the big 11.6-inch screen that makes the interior feel modern. It’s the trim that makes sense.