Finally, The Outback Achieves Greatness! (Subaru Outback Turbo XT Touring 2023 Review)

On-road AND off-road review of the 2023 Subaru Outback XT Touring with turbo engine, including price, features, handling, ride, build quality and fuel economy.

The Subaru Outback is a large family station wagon that has been upgraded recently with an updated turbo engine. It competes with the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Volvo V60 Cross Country and a number of midsize and large SUVs with five seats. The new Outback Turbo can tow 2400kg and it produces 183kW of power (245 hp).

Time codes:
0:00 - What is the Subaru Outback?
0:12 - XT Touring price and specs
0:31 - Fuel economy test
0:50 - Outback Sport vs Touring
1:00 - In this video
0:18 - Budget Direct
1:24 - Sapphire blue & black nappa leather
1:47 - Beige and black interiors
2:00 - Nappa leather seats
2:18 - High driving position
2:30 - It’s a station wagon
2:43 - Steering wheel
2:54 - Analogue gauges
3:13 - Vertical touchscreen
3:20 - Wireless Apple CarPlay
3:25 - Harman-Kardon stereo
3:36 - Climate buttons
3:50 - Driver monitoring system
4:10 - Gear shifter
4:17 - Storage
4:30 - Build quality
4:46 - Big five-seater
4:58 - Fits three adults
5:05 - Back seat space
5:15 - Headliner quality fault
5:25 - Rear air vents and USB
5:35 - Armrest
5:48 - Back seat recline
6:18 - Chrome styling
6:30 - XT turbo badge
6:38 - Tow bar and 2400kg towing
6:48 - Tow test coming soon
7:00 - Power tailgate
7:10 - 522 litres of boot space
7:22 - Full size spare wheel and tyre
7:30 - Cargo blind
7:43 - Flip-down folding rear seats
7:58 - Fuel economy
9:00 - Premium petrol required
9:10 - Servicing plan
9:22 - Comprehensive insurance
9:35 - Warranty
9:42 - A comfortable touring car
10:20 - Turbo improves the Outback
10:35 - WRX engine
10:45 - Retuned suspension
11:15 - Touring trim benefits
11:40 - Polished dynamics
11:47 - Lower engine tune than USA
12:15 - 183kW/350Nm performance
12:30 - 0-100km/h test
13:06 - Braking test
13:28 - Comfort-orientated tune
13:40 - Ride quality
14:05 - Outback vs Passat differences
14:18 - Handling
14:35 - Tyres and grip
15:05 - Safety features
15:30 - Side cameras
15:40 - No hybrid or EV options yet
16:10 - Electric Outback in future?
16:38 - Off-roading capability
17:18 - Ground clearance
17:38 - X-Mode
18:00 - Off-road Outback mods
18:30 - Verdict

As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct.

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[Airtayjay]

I have to strongly disagree with your comments about the gauge cluster and infotainment system. I would 100% prefer analog gauges and HVAC to digital controls any day of the week. I don't mind a smaller screen for CarPlay, but I don't want to be relying on a screen for vital car controls. In my opinion a high-end vehicle like this should certainly be using higher-quality analog controls instead of a screen. They will last longer and are much more satisfying to use. Big screens do NOT equal luxury.

[LargeGSX]

I've had my XT Touring since March. Absolutely love it. I took it into the Watagans a couple of weeks ago, the X-mode faux lockers work so bloody well off road, made it up some tracks you wouldn't think possible in an AWD car. Economy wise I can't get it to do worse than 10.0L per 100km.

[truthandjustice]

I am willing to risk ridicule and say this the best allrounder for money you can buy. The perfect car for us being outdoorsy people that does plenty dirt roads and need some space. Having that brilliant comfortable suspension is a boon. The turbo is what we have been waiting for. My kinda car. If I was 18 I would obviously not buy this.

[australianmade]

I now have my XT sport. It’s my first Subaru and first CVT. I can confirm both are great and I’m not really sure about the CVT fuss.
The car drives beautifully and is very quiet.
I’m still getting use to the eyesight systems and stop start as I’ve never had them. But they are also great.
The touch screen is as simple as and IPad and even my 10 year old intuitively knew how to work it straight off the bat.
I’ve come from a ranger then hilux and honestly I prefer the station wagon and the petrol motor over the diesels. It’s also cheaper to fuel and I am averaging 8.1 for 50/50 driving with a Thule box.

[ArthurKusumadjaja]

Great review Tom! Also, I would like to thank the team for their effort of doing the time coding, well done!

[AxnerSaab]

Having worked on these, I can say they are great cars. Difficult to repair but reliable and handy dandy.

[AP-ccuw]

Great review! I've got an Outback Wilderness (in Canada) and it's really the ideal family all-rounder, while also being a bit unique and incredibly capable off-road for a unibody wagon. Would recommend it to anyone with a growing family, or if you have a 1 car garage and like getting a bit off the beaten trail.

[_chipchip]

Analogue gauges any day. Digital displays offer what exactly? Just another screen to break.

[mical]

We have had our touring XT now for 3 months and can report 4 major faults. At 2 weeks old the infotainment system shut down and froze. Much the same time had all sorts of warnings lights going on and off. This got fixed at the one month new car check up. Needed a factory reset of system due to software glitch. Then at 2 months I took the car back to dealer with a failed electric tailgate and a constant creaking sound coming from the roof area. They identified faulty roof rails. Both parts (tailgate motors and roof rails) had to come from Japan so car was off road due to tailgate for two weeks. Subaru fixed and now 2 weeks later there is another fault with infotainment system with some graphics appearing then disappearing constantly. Very disappointing for a $63k car. This car was was going to see me through to retirement but will now be selling before the warranty expires, if it lasts that long.

[Isayso]

I just traded my '23 Premium for the Touring XT. 🎉
Wowsers.. what a rocket! And the cooled seats in this Las Vegas heat...!

[leedaq]

Australian market deserves Subaru wilderness

[classicgator]

I think I'd prefer the upcoming Forester in the hopes of more modern tech such as digital driver display and HUD. How long is this Outback compared to the Forester? I currently drive a Ford Ranger but looking to downsize a little as I don't go hard off-road any more. Just want mild off-road capability and comfort with modern technology.

[Mike_]

The Australian Outback front end look so much better than the American models, love it!

[XQzMEH]

Love the Outback. I'm glad they still make it in the midst of the current SUV-mania. Although it does make me lament Mazda's missed opportunity to come out with a competitor. Case in point: the Mazda 6 Wagon - raise the ride height and give it a more rugged suspension, then stick the proven 2.5T and combine it with the AWD that the CX-5 has and you have a decent, more luxurious raised-wagon option. Sure, it probably wouldn't be as capable as the Outback but it would do all you would require from it while looking absolutely stunning (despite it's age).

[ALH-dt]

I prefer the more aggressive Sport exterior with the black accents and wheels, but the Touring interior for the seats and stereo in particular. Why can't we have the Touring with an optional sport pack? Frustrating that for $61K I wouldn't get the car I absolutely want.

[henrykuang]

Thanks Tom, appreciate your review. Have you got some information on the Subaru outback 50 years edition outback 2023 for Australia? thank you!

[MrJBL]

Well looks like I’m getting a Subaru Outback touring XT!

[TimMurdoch-tt]

You also didn’t mention the button on the tailgate that acts as a PIN code entry if your keys are inside the car. Great for surfers

[steveallen]

Up to 4, 800 rpm the power and torque is equal to the WRX, it’s just turned down a bit above 4, 800.

[jesserowlingsify]

No gas struts for the bonnet? Bit low rent! My 2016 3.6 Outback has em...