It can be difficult to know whether a new vehicle will turn out to be reliable or not. Luckily for us, there are experts whose knowledge can help determine whether a car is worthy of the investment. Automaker Subaru prides itself on safety and reliability, so how reliable is its newest 2020 Subaru Outback? Is the Outback a dependable choice?

Will the newest 2020 Subaru Outback be a reliable car?

The experts at Consumer Reports combine extensive data and technical expertise to compile helpful information for owners and shoppers. They can also predict the reliability and satisfaction new models will bring. The new 2020 Subaru Outback receives a good predicted reliability rating of four (out of five) from Consumer Reports, using past reliability ratings and current features as a guide. There are no current owner-reported issues with the 2020 Outback, but there is one NHTSA-issued recall regarding a missing/loose bolt in the brake pedal.

Using 12 expert reviews, U.S. News reports that the 2020 Subaru Outback’s reliability will be slightly above-average, catching a predicted reliability rating of 3.5 (out of five) from J.D. Power and Associates. But in order to predict how reliable the newest Outback will be, experts can’t just rate the quality of its build. The proof of the Outback’s reliability lies in its past models.

The trusted reliability of the Outback

Consumer Reports compiles data from owners and elsewhere to point out trouble areas in every model year. Looking back at the Outback’s reliability history, there’s proof that you can’t go wrong with a Subaru. The Outback’s reliability scores have excelled in a variety of potential trouble categories like major and minor engine issues, transmission problems, engine cooling, drive and fuel systems, electric system, climate system, brakes, exhaust, and more. There a few areas which may cause owners problems, such as in-car electronics, power equipment, and body integrity.

As an auto brand known for its reliability and safety, Subaru and its lineup receives some of the brand reviews of any other on the market. According to Subaru, it’s been chosen as Kelley Blue Book’s Most Trusted Brand for five years straight, as well as holds the title as the lowest five-year cost-to-own for all brands. Subaru is also named the number-one in brand loyalty by J.D. Power and Associates. In regards to the Outback, however, it holds the “Highest Model Loyalty in its class for three consecutive years,” is the best-selling all-wheel drive vehicle in its class for the past decade, and the winner of IIHS’ (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick award winner. Subaru reports that 98% of Outbacks “sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today.”

What sets the Subaru Outback apart from the competition

Consumer Reports gives the new Subaru Outback its official recommendation and ranks it as number-one among wagons. It receives a high overall rating of 87 (out of 100) and an even-higher road test score of 91. Though most road test areas received a high four-out-of-five rating, some areas received perfect scores. The 2020 Subaru Outback’s transmission, ride comfort, driving position, front-seat comfort, and climate system all received a score of five-out-of-five.

The 2020 Subaru Outback is rated second-best among all wagons by U.S. News, receiving impressive overall scores in every category. Based on “21 pieces of research and data elements,” U.S. News gives the newest Outback an overall score of 8.2. But the 2020 Outback scored extremely-high in most categories, including critics’ and safety ratings of 8.2 and 9.9, respectively. U.S. News doesn’t find too much wrong with the Outback, stating that “Subaru took much of what has made the car so popular over the years and enhanced it.”