Subaru is one of the few prominent manufacturers (along with Porsche) that use the flat engine. The base Outback has a 2.5 L flat 4 (or boxer 4) engine developing 175 hp and 174 pounds-feet of torque. It feels underpowered in the almost 3600 pounds Subaru station wagon. However, it's nothing you can't live with, and it delivers excellent fuel economy too. The other engine is a 3.6L flat 6 developing 256 hp and 247 pounds-feet of torque.
It has more than sufficient power, and it perfectly complements the agile handling of the Outback. It delivers all those power in a smooth manner and does not suffer from low-speed coarseness experienced in a 2.5 L engine.
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Models
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Subaru Outback 2.5i
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Santa Fe Sport
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Honda CR-V
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VW Golf Alltrack
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MSRP
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$ 25,895
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$ 22,200
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$ 24,150
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$ 21,580
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Engine
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2.5 Liter flat 4
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2.4 Liter Inline 4
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2.4 Liter Inline 4
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1.8 Liter Inline 4
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Transmission
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6-speed CVT automatic transmission
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6-speed automatic transmission
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CVT automatic transmission
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6-speed shiftable automatic transmission
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Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
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Front-Wheel Drive
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Front-Wheel Drive
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All-Wheel Drive
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Power
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175 hp @ 5800 rpm
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185 hp @ 6000 rpm
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184 hp @ 6400 rpm
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170 hp @ 4500 rpm
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Torque
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174 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
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178 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
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180 ft-lbs. @ 3900 rpm
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199 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm
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The Sante Fe comes with the most powerful engine, and the output figures shine to a high 185 horsepower. The Honda CR-V is nearly identical with just a single horsepower less than the first liner in the segment. However, Santa Fe lacks an important aspect that the Subaru Outback proudly possesses. It is the presence of an All-Wheel Drive, which makes every terrain fall under its feet.
Acceleration
The base engine is slow - very slow. It's slowest in segment, taking 9.4 seconds for reaching 60 mph from standing start. The Golf Alltrack, for comparison, can do the run in 7.5 seconds. The much more powerful 3.6L boxer-6 engine equipped Outback, however, can sprint from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds.
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Model
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Subaru Outback 2.5i
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Santa Fe Sport
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Honda CR-V
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VW Golf Alltrack
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0-60 MPH
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9.4 sec
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8.3 sec
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9.3 sec
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7.5 sec
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Quarter mile
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17.2 sec
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16.4 sec
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16.0 sec
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15.9 sec
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Top Speed
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139 mph
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127 mph
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130 mph
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130 mph
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Car with the highest top speed is reserved for the Subaru Outback only. The 2.5 Liter Flat 4 engine is imposing and helps to achieve a decent top speed. The Honda CR-V and the Volkswagen Golf marginally lacks behind with a few figures deficit stopping at 130 mph respectively.
Ride and Handling
The Outback rides with composure at slow or high-speed thanks to the stiffened suspension setup. However, it's still capable of gobbling up those rough spots to keep your family comfortable. Even off-road driving is smooth thanks to the high sidewall tires on 18-inch wheels. The Outback possesses surprising agility within tight spaces, making city driving effortless.
Braking
The Subaru Outback braking performance is average in the class. The 2018 Outback has 12.4-inch brake rotors up front and 11.8 rotors at the back. The Outback takes 126 feet to stop from 70 mph. That's more than the VW Golf Alltrack, which takes 122 feet. The poorest performer here is the Hyundai Santa Fe sport taking 139 feet to stop from 60 mph.
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Model
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Outback 2.5i
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Santa Fe Sport
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Honda CR-V
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VW Golf Alltrack
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Brake pads-front(in)
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12.4
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12.6
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11.1
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11.3
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Brake pads Rear(in)
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11.8
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11.9
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10.2
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10.7
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Curb weight(lbs)
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3622
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3624
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3307
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3120
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60-0 MPH
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126 ft.
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139 ft.
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116 ft.
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122 ft.
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The brake pedals are responsive and adapt well to the circumstances. This helps to make a complete stop within a small distance. The feeling from the brake pedals is spongy so it does not provide adequate confidence to trust it. However, there is nothing to fear as it performs well above expectations.
Hauling and Towing Capacity
The Subaru Outback towing capacity is independent of the engine you choose - 2,700 pounds. The VW Golf Alltrack can tow only up to 1,500 pounds (and doing so voids the warranty!). The Santa Fe Sport can tow 2,000 pounds or 3,500 pounds depending on trim.
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Model
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Subaru Outback 2.5i
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Santa Fe Sport
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Honda CR-V
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VW Golf Alltrack
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Towing Capacity(lbs.)
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2700
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2000
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1500
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1500 (voids warranty)
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The 2018 Subaru Outback can tow up to 2,700 lbs. When compared this can be put to be the best in the rival segment as the near best towing capacity that is offered is 2000 lbs by the Hyundai Sante Fe. The Honda CR-V and the Volkswagen Golf come with the same towing capacity of 1,500 lbs which is much lesser than what the Outback delivers.
