Verdict
B
Estate · Japan · 1996-Present
Subaru Outback
Subaru Outback — spec data and generation history.
Years
1996-Present
Generations
6
Segment
Estate
Subaru's lifted-Legacy estate - the original outdoorsy crossover before the term existed. BG (1996-1999) launched it. BH (1999-2003), BP (2003-2009), BR (2009-2014), BS (2014-2019), BT (2019-Present) carried the formula forward. UK gets Outback in mild-hybrid e-Boxer form on the current BT generation - 2.5 boxer petrol with electric assist, 167 bhp, AWD as standard. Earlier UK cars got 2.0/2.5 petrol and the boxer diesel option (BR/BS). The Outback is the rural / equestrian / dog-walker default - permanent symmetrical AWD, X-Mode rough-road system, raised ride height, big estate boot. Niche but loyal customer base. The BT looks like a mid-SUV but is still a proper jacked-up estate underneath.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
BR 2009-2014 → BS 2014-2019
MPG +5 mpg
Cabin tech Step-change
BS 2014-2019 → BT 2019-Present
Drivetrain e-Boxer hybrid
No diesel Removed
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1996-1999
BG
→
2.5 NA - 165 bhp, 0-62 in 9.5s.
Verdict
C
BHP
165
0–60
9.5 s
Top
124 mph
MPG
22 mpg
Used
$900-$3,800
- + Original lifted-Legacy estate
- + Permanent AWD
- − Rust kills them
- − EJ25 head gaskets
1999-2003
BH
→
3.0 H6 - 209 bhp, 0-62 in 8.4s.
Verdict
C
BHP
209
0–60
8.4 s
Top
130 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$1,900-$5,700
- + 3.0 H6 EZ30 flat-six in top trims
- + Bigger cabin
- − EJ25 head gaskets
- − H6 thirsty
2003-2009
BP
→
3.0 H6 - 245 bhp, 0-62 in 8.0s.
Verdict
B
BHP
245
0–60
8.0 s
Top
137 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$3,200-$7,600
- + Twin-cam EZ30 H6 the spec to want
- + 5-speed auto debut
- − EJ25 head gasket
- − Power steering fluid leaks
2009-2014
BR
→
2.0D Boxer Diesel - 148 bhp, 0-62 in 9.7s.
Verdict
B
BHP
256
0–60
7.5 s
Top
144 mph
MPG
39 mpg
Used
$5,700-$13,000
- + Boxer diesel finally available
- + Lineartronic CVT debut
- − EE20 timing chain failure on diesels
- − CVT shudder
2014-2019
BS
→
2.5 NA - 173 bhp, 0-62 in 10.2s.
Verdict
B
BHP
173
0–60
10.2 s
Top
124 mph
MPG
33 mpg
Used
$10,000-$23,000
- + Eyesight ADAS standard
- + Cabin step on BR
- − Boxer diesel timing chain still
- − CVT drone
2019-Present
BT
→
2.5 e-Boxer - 167 bhp, 0-62 in 10.2s.
Verdict
B
BHP
167
0–60
10.2 s
Top
120 mph
MPG
28 mpg
Used
$30,000-$48,000
- + Subaru Global Platform stiffness
- + X-Mode dual-function for soft / deep snow
- − No diesel UK
- − Mild-hybrid only - no PHEV / BEV
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1996-1999 - BG
- Rust on rear arches
- EJ25 head gaskets
- Front strut top mounts
1999-2003 - BH
- EJ25 head gasket
- Subframe corrosion
- Steering rack knock
2003-2009 - BP
- EJ25 head gasket persists
- Power steering fluid leaks
- Wheel bearings
2009-2014 - BR
- EE20 boxer diesel timing chain
- CVT shudder
- Diff bushes
2014-2019 - BS
- Boxer diesel timing chain (still)
- CVT failure (rare)
- Eyesight calibration
2019-Present - BT
- e-Boxer 12V auxiliary battery
- CVT cold-start shudder
- Eyesight after windscreen replacement
Rivals
Volvo V60 Cross Country · Audi A4 Allroad · Volkswagen Passat Alltrack · Skoda Octavia Scout