2020 Subaru Outback
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr Wagon Convience/Touring/Limited, 4dr Wagon Limited Xt/Premier Xt, 4dr Wagon Premier/Outdoor Xt
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 29 combined · 26 city / 33 hwy
- Length
- 191.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,649–3,924 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 23% better than the average 2020 small SUV (23.5 MPG).
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints901 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 153 for similar models — most often about the visibility/wiper.
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Subaru Outback is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,649 lb (4dr Wagon Convience/Touring/Limited).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 33 highway), 23% better than the 2020 small SUV average of 23.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 901 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.
What changed for 2020
- Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 3.6L 6-cyl
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Outback →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Wagon Convience/Touring/Limited | 191.3 in | 74.8 in | 66.5 in | 108.3 in | 61.8 / 63 in | 3,649 lb | 56/54 |
| 4dr Wagon Limited Xt/Premier Xt | 191.3 in | 74.8 in | 66.5 in | 108.3 in | 61.8 / 63 in | 3,924 lb | 56/54 |
| 4dr Wagon Premier/Outdoor Xt | 191.3 in | 74.8 in | 66.5 in | 108.3 in | 61.8 / 63 in | 3,759 lb | 56/54 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 29 | +23% | $2,300 | 308 |
| Outback AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | +11% | $2,600 | 343 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |


Similar 2020 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Outback (this car) | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2020 Ford Explorer | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 35 |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota Highlander | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Kia Telluride | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (6)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Mar 22, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V227000 · 118,723 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Power Train › Driveline › Chain/Belt · Jul 8, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V485000 · 182 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
- Risk
- An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-22. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-955.
Power Train › Driveline › Chain/Belt · Dec 9, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V955000 · 198,255 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles. A programming error in the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) may allow the clutch to engage before the drive chain is completely clamped.
- Risk
- An improperly secured drive chain may slip and break, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will reprogram the TCU, inspect TCU data for chain slip, and visually inspect the chain guide. If evidence of chain slippage or damage is found, the transmission will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 19, 2022. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855. Vehicles previously recalled under 19V-855 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall once available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRK-21.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jul 29, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Dec 10, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V766000 · 7,741 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with "high" grade and "mid" grade multimedia navigation. The August 2020 over-the-air software update may have timed out without completing the installation, corrupting the data, and causing the rearview display to shutoff intermittently. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- The intermittent loss of the rearview image reduces the driver's visibility and increases the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the software and, if necessary, replace the Cockpit Control Module, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-20.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Sep 18, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V664000 · 3,467 vehicles
- Problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt.
- Risk
- A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware and replace the hardware or brake pedal assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUL-97.
Not every 2020 Subaru Outback is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Subaru Outback buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 313 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Electrical System — 253 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Visibility › Windshield — 64 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 5,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Subaru Outback. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Outback years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Outback | 27 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Outback | 27 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 0 | 21 |
| 2025 Outback | 28 | 192.1 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 83 |
| 2024 Outback | 28 | 192.1 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 104 |
| 2023 Outback | 28 | 192.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 89 |
| 2022 Outback | 29 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 465 |
| 2021 Outback | 29 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 298 |
| 2019 Outback | 28 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 1,036 |
| 2018 Outback | 28 | 189.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 816 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →