2022 Subaru Outback Premium
2022 Subaru Outback Premium
2022 Subaru Outback Premium – Subaru’s successful formula with the 2022 Outback station wagon has been emulated by some of its rivals, but none of those imitators have managed to gain that much traction.
Slightly lifted suspensions and rugged plastic underbody panels have both been found in other wagons, such as the now-discontinued Buick Regal TourX, and we expect Ford to try it out soon on the upcoming Fusion Active.
2022 Subaru Outback Premium
The appeal of Outback lies in its adventure-ready appearance, standard all-wheel drive, and cargo-friendly cabin. Two four-cylinder engines are offered— a 2.5-liter non-turbo and a 2.4-liter turbocharged Zestier. While Outback’s handling won’t thrill driving enthusiasts, the ride is smooth and quiet, and the interior is comfortable — a combination that should satisfy families and adventure seekers traveling to the next challenge.
Subaru Outback Redesign
The redesigned outback from the bottom up for the 2021 model year, possibly for the 2022 Subaru made only three small changes: Adaptive headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and passenger seat belt warning lights and bells are now standard across the line.
Subaru outbacks have been around for more than 25 years, dividing the difference between medium-sized SUVs and station wagons. The niche has broad appeal, and the once-popular Outback has continued its successful formula for six generations.
Although most drives like a regular car, the hatchback design, decent ground clearance, and higher seating position give him SUV talent. We thought it was a successful mix. The outback is comfortable, well-appointed, and versatile, and the standard list of driver assistance makes it very attractive.
There aren’t really any other vehicles around that strike the balance of the wagon/SUV. Outback is categorized as a mid-sized SUV and therefore competes with models such as the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota 4Runner. Each has high points, from a large, usable Passport interior to serious 4Runner off-road credentials. One of these is worth a look if you’re in the market for a two-line SUV.
Subaru Outback Premium Features
We think the Premium model has the best compliment of standard and optional features for the price. Although only available with the standard 182-hp four-cylinder, upgrades to a turbocharged 260-hp engine cost at least $6000.
We don’t think improved turbo acceleration and 800 pounds of extra towing capacity are worth the money. Outback Premium comes standard with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, 4G LTE mobile hotspot, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver seats, more USB ports, and options not offered on the base model.
Among them, we’ll choose a more affordable package that adds blind-spot monitoring, a hands-free power liftgate, and passive entry with a push start button.
We were quite impressed with the redesigned Subaru Outback that we added one to our long-term test fleet to see if our impression changed lives with it day by day. We loved the comfortable Outback rides, handsome interiors, and turbocharged peppy engines.
The midlevel Premium trim offers many features at a competitive price point, but if you have a budget, we recommend stepping into the Onyx Edition XT. It packs more features than Premium trim and benefits from a more powerful turbocharged engine.
2022 Subaru Outback Premium Engine
The Outback range has a pair of flat-four-cylinder engines: the 182-hp 2.5-liter is standard and the 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter is optional. Both mate with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that mimics an eight-speed gearbox to reduce disruptive engine drones.
Of course, all Outbacks have standard all-wheel drive, which is a Subaru staple (except for rear-drive BRZ sports coupes). The standard powertrain provides humble motivation, but the Outback we tested had incredible acceleration and lazy transmission behavior. While the turbocharged version is much faster, it is plagued by the same recalcitrant transmission.
However, most Outback owners are more concerned with the limited quality of travel and off-road capabilities. With 8.7-inch ground clearance and reliable all-wheel drive, the cart is capable of navigating bad weather and even a winding road.
Likewise, the suspension provides tame travel, and the steering is accurate and manageable on the highway. However, one version of Outback doesn’t have any athleticism, which might surprise WRX fans upgrading to a more practical cart. The cart’s standard engine can also pull in 2700 pounds, while the turbocharged version can pull in 3500.
2022 Subaru Outback Models
Subaru Outback is a midsize SUV that comes in seven trim levels: base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT. All-wheel drive comes standard on every trim. Feature highlights include:
Base: | ||
---|---|---|
2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (182 horsepower, 176 lb-ft) | ||
Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) | ||
17-inch alloy wheels | ||
Turn-adaptive LED headlights | ||
Roof rails with integrated crossbars | ||
7-inch touchscreen display | ||
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration | ||
Automatic climate control | ||
Driver aids: | ||
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Subaru and the car in front) | ||
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) | ||
Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) | ||
Automatic high beams | ||
Premium: | ||
Power-adjustable driver's seat | ||
Dual-zone automatic climate control | ||
All-Weather package | ||
Heated and power-folding exterior mirrors | ||
Heated front seats | ||
A windshield wiper de-icer | ||
11.6-inch touchscreen display | ||
LED foglights | ||
Tinted rear windows | ||
Leather-wrapped steering wheel | ||
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) | ||
Hands-free power liftgate | ||
Keyless ignition and entry | ||
Sunroof | ||
Navigation system | ||
Limited: | ||
18-inch wheels | ||
Driver-seat memory settings | ||
Leather upholstery | ||
Harman Kardon audio system | ||
Auto-dimming rearview mirror | ||
Power-adjustable front passenger seat | ||
Heated rear outboard seats | ||
Rear HVAC vents | ||
Heated steering wheel | ||
Sunroof | ||
Navigation system | ||
Driver attention monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) |