Subaru Outback turbo 2025 review: Sport Touring XT | Is this new high-riding wagon the family pick?

The 2025 Subaru Outback is looking to spice things up with a new special edition, the Sport Touring XT. Based on the high-riding wagon's full-time flagship, the Touring XT, the part-time variant ups the visual drama for a relatively small premium of $500.

So, what exactly does the Outback Sport Touring XT bring to the table? Well, it gets dark metallic 18-inch alloy wheels, a black rear roof spoiler, exclusive Geyser Blue paintwork, green exterior trim and black rear badging. That's all sounds attention-grabbing, to say the least. Inside, black water-repellant upholstery is the headline act.

In this expert review, CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Emily Agar and her family of three spend a week living with the new Outback Sport Touring XT to find out if not only the special edition is worth upgrading to, but also if a high-riding wagon can be a better buy than a five-seat large SUV in this day and age.

#Subaru #Outback #Review
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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:25 Pricing and features
01:15 Design
02:24 Practicality
04:51 Under the bonnet
05:15 Driving
07:09 Efficiency
07:56 Safety
08:25 Ownership
08:50 Verdict
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CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[asanka]

I almost bought it... hands down the best looking wagon out there... That blue looks great in the sun...

[electricdiesel]

Subaru Outback XT Sport Touring should be known as Outback GT Sport Touring with 2.4 intercooled turbo needs 206 kw of power as the WRX.

[jeremyhill]

I like these but feel Subaru has missed a massive trick by not bringing the Wilderness spec model available into the US to Australia. Has a factory lift, more powerful engine etc. Would have sold like hot cakes here where people love that adventure look.

[anthonyovering]

Man the international outbacks look much better than the North American ones 😢

[erhanuzdilli]

Where is the bonnet scoop for the intercooler??

[Mark-lm]

Why do Subaru reviewers never mention the superior safety of the AWD system is the price you pay for a higher full consumption.

[monstamowing]

Should be scored for what it is, not as a family hauler. People who buy these know that thirst comes with the de-tuned WRX engine. In addition, failed to mention that the boxer engine sit lowers than a inline or v setup - providing a lower centre of gravity for handling and crash safety.

Should also mentioned that it lacks a bonnet scoop like the WRX, however, it features a hidden internal scoop which directs air to the top mount intercooler.

Yes, there is no 360 camera or front sensors. But you do have a front camera, and a left side camera if you press the camera button.

Lastly, its drive modes with X-Mode should of been mentioned.

[Northern-San]

This car is great, and has amazing features. However in countries like South Africa, they have followed the same horrible pricing strategy like Honda and have priced themselves out of the market.

This car goes for the same price as a Toyota Fortune 2.8GD6 4x4 VX, Pajero Sport Exceed, Ford Everest 2.0BiTurbo XLT... Subaru is good, but this is Africa they are not so good as to demand same prices as those cars.

[Greg-kj]

The Subaru lineup is looking fairly bland-generic, has lost the magic of earlier years....

[TisaraM]

Interesting....no digital dash, no front parking sensors, no 360 parking view and a thirsty motor, and it still get 8.5/10.

[cw]

NOPE. LOL. Terrible steering--- WAY TOO HEAVY. And that infotainment screen is a disaster! Bring back physical buttons!

There are better cars out there.