It’s always nice to have the shiniest and newest car on the market, especially when the car that you’ve been driving is at least five years old or more. The thought of buying the newest model adds up even more when you drive a car like the Subaru Outback, as the 2021 model is all new and is more capable and tech-savvy than ever before. But if you currently own an older Outback, is it really worth it to upgrade to a new one?

The 2021 Subaru Outback is bigger and more efficient

The Subaru Outback was completely redesigned for the 2020 model year and with it came a host of changes. First of all, the new Outback rides on Subaru’s global platform making it 70 percent stiffer than its predecessor, however, the new architecture does promise a better ride quality, sharper handling, and even a quieter cabin.

Under the hood, there’s a 2.5-liter, flat-four that produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque and comes in all of the trim levels except for the ones labeled “XT.” For the Outback XT, Subaru put in an all-new turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that produces 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque and is more powerful and fuel-efficient than the previous 3.6R trim.

The new Outback is bigger as well, boasting a 1.4-inch growth lengthwise and a 0.6-inch growth widthwise. This, of course, means that there is more cargo and passenger room as legroom has increased by 1.4 inches and headroom is increased by 0.2 inches.

The Subaru Outback has a lot to offer on the inside

In addition to more width, height, and power, the new Subaru Outback also has a lot going on inside. If you opt for the highest trim level, then you’ll be pleased with the available Nappa leather seating surfaces, a Harmon Kardon premium sound system, and a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto capabilities.

There are also other creature comforts like heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and even a heated steering wheel. But let’s not forget that while you’re swaddled in comfort, you’re also swaddled in safety with the brand’s EyeSight suite of driver-assist features including automatic pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist.

Should you buy a new Subaru Outback?

After reviewing all of the fancy new features that the all-new Outback has offer, you’re probably either salivating at the thought of it or rejecting the idea altogether. But as Torque News reported, you might want to hold off if your current Outback is serving you well. If anything you can always ask yourself a few questions to find out what your best course of action is.

For example, is your current Outback in good mechanical condition or does it need repairs? If it needs thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs, then it might not be worth keeping it. However, if your current car is paid off and in good condition, then you might want to save your money for a year or two for a newer one. But if you decide to buy a new Outback, then remember to do your research and make sure to get the best deal possible by shopping around online.