Consumer Reports Says the 2021 Subaru Outback Is the Most Satisfying 2-Row SUV
Take a look in your garage or out at your driveway. Would you say your current vehicle is satisfying to own and drive? Does it perform well in various driving conditions? Is it comfortable and safe? Does it meet your needs for hauling people and things? For thousands of Americans who drive a Subaru Outback, the answers to these questions are yes.
The 2021 Subaru Outback truly stands apart from the pack and is one of the most satisfying vehicles to own and drive. And Consumer Reports weighs in to suggest it may just be the most satisfying in the two-row SUV segment altogether. If you aren’t satisfied with your current vehicle, it might be time to test-drive the Outback.
The Subaru Outback scores well in owner satisfaction
Consumer Reports calculates and assigns scores to new model vehicles based on a few key factors. The team does put each ride through rigorous road testing and offers scores and reviews based on their findings. But scores also rely heavily on the opinions of current vehicle owners. When it comes to owner satisfaction, those who own Subaru Outback SUVs share insights and experiences. And the 2021 Subaru Outback earns a four out of a possible five.
Contributing to the overall owner satisfaction rating are a few specific categories. Based on a 0 to 100 scorecard, the Outback earns a 75 for the driving experience. The SUV gets an 82 for comfort and a 79 in value. A majority of Outback owners are clearly satisfied with their SUVs.
The sentiments behind the scores
In this latest best-of-list, Consumer Reports performs its annual evaluation, prompting members about their happiness with their vehicle selections. Five models representing both two and three-row SUVs scored the best when asked, “Would you buy this particular vehicle if you had to do it all over again?” And while each crossover listed presents unique pros and cons, those who own them still love them.
Where the Subaru Outback really shines
You don’t have to look hard to see why so many consumers are satisfied with their Subaru Outback models. The Outback has a reputation for being a smart, capable, and different alternative to the two-row SUVs in its class. The ride is comfortable overall, and handling is responsive with both the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and the 2.4-liter turbocharged engines.
Subaru promotes safety as a priority too. And the 2021 Subaru Outback comes with EyeSight, the suite of advanced driver aids, at every trim level. The Outback is a capable partner off-pavement, with its increased ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. Built-in crossbars, intuitive tech, and smart cargo also make the Outback satisfying in a variety of areas.
Definitely worth a test drive
The Subaru Outback was redesigned completely last year, but there are a few notable changes in 2021. A rear-seat reminder system, passenger seatbelt warnings, and adaptive headlights are all standard additions. And Car and Driver says there is a Wilderness model coming soon, with even more rugged extras and ground clearance.
But if you truly want a satisfying experience with a new vehicle, you won’t have any trouble carving out your best version of a Subaru Outback. Edmunds lays out the details for each of the trims. Choose from the base model, Premium, Limited, the Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and the Touring XT. Subaru offers pricing for each, but you can expect to pay between $26,795 and $39,945, depending on the equipment.
If you’re not overly satisfied with your current vehicle, you may want to take the time to sample the 2021 Subaru Outback. Thousands of Consumer Reports annual surveys can’t be wrong. And it may just be the most satisfying two-row SUV on the market today.
