It may sound counterintuitive, but the most capable SUV you can buy is actually a wagon. The 2023 Subaru Outback checks all the boxes that many people buy SUVs for: plenty of room, cargo-carrying versatility, standard all-wheel drive and extra ground clearance. It also has an undeniably rugged look and vibe. Outback then goes beyond checking the usual boxes. It actually exceeds the space, versatility and ground clearance of similarly priced crossover SUVs, while boasting the wagon-specific advantage of a low roof that makes it easier to load things (and yourself) onto the lid.
In other words, the Outback is a great choice for those who actually intend to take their outdoor adventure vehicle on an outdoor adventure. One reason is that it is very popular in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, Colorado, and Alaska. It's rare to see one without some kind of accessory rack on top, while the bumpers or windows will inevitably be decorated in stickers from national parks or outdoor brands.
Last year, Subaru doubled down on the Outback's outback popularity by introducing the even more rugged Outback Wilderness. Owners were already raising their Outbacks even higher off the ground and fitting all-terrain tires, so Subaru essentially thought they'd have a version like this from the factory for 2023, complete with unique styling. will present The rest of the outback line gets a face. Although. The Wilderness is certainly the best Outback, but its unique prowess has its downsides (on-road handling, fuel economy), so don't write off the regular version as your go-to, SUV-besting wagon.
What's new for 2023?
Every Outback but Wilderness has been redesigned for 2023 (before and after photos above). The grille is larger, the LED foglamps are rounder and more pronounced, and it's all bracketed by a large, black grille like you'll find on the new Solterra EV. From our perspective, it's a bit much and just makes Wilderness that much more visually appealing. Other updates include the Onyx Edition, which is now available with the base 2.5-liter engine in addition to the previously standard 2.4-liter turbo. The top-of-the-line Touring trim gets a rearview camera mirror and an additional EyeSight camera that enhances the forward collision warning system's pedestrian and bicyclist detection. An updated version of Subaru's StarLink 11.6-inch touchscreen interface is also included in all but the base trim. It also includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the ability to use what3words location recognition for the navigation system. This will make it much easier to navigate to a specific location off the grid.
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