The Subaru Outback enjoys a large collection of brand loyal drivers who can’t get enough of this unusual vehicle. It is designed to suit a variety of driving needs. It has a reputation for being handy to drive, making it a good commuter vehicle. It’s rugged, making it a solid vehicle for families who crave outdoor adventures. It is a hardworking, reliable vehicle that retains a high resale value.

The best thing about the Subaru Outback is that Subaru consistently produces an outstanding product. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking at a used 2012 Outback or have your heart set on a 2020 or 2021 version, you’ll be very happy with the Outback.

The Subaru Outback in 2012

From the moment it hit the market, the 2012 Subaru Outback was touted as the perfect family vehicle. It was the ideal combination of affordability, reliability, and space that the average family needed for their daily commutes.

With 34.3 cu. ft. of interior space, passengers can ride around in comfort. When additional space was needed for transporting cargo or pets, all the driver had to do was lower the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, creating 71.3 cu. ft. of cargo.

Special features such as a USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and iPod compatibility made commutes pleasurable. Even if you in the market for a used car, the 2012 Outback is a great option.

People who drive used cars have found that the 2012 Subaru Outback is as sound a purchase now as it was nine years ago. U.S. News recently listed it as one of the top 15 used cars you can purchase. When you check out Consumer Reports, you will discover that it’s a reliable vehicle. The organization has awarded the vehicle three out of five stars for both reliability and customer satisfaction.

When Consumer Reports originally took the 2012 Outback out for a road test they basically described the vehicle as pleasant. It didn’t necessarily wow them, but they had no real complaints either. They noted that the vehicle handled routine and some rough driving easily, but that it lacked the power for extreme driving conditions.

The review also noted that while the Outback was responsive, its handling was a bit clunkier than expected, that it handled more like an SUV than a station wagon. They were pleased with how well the suspension handled rough driving conditions.

The condition of the 2012 Subaru Outback you’re considering plays a major role in both the vehicle’s purchase price and how happy you are with the purchase. Seek out cars that aren’t rusty, that come with detailed maintenance records, and that receive your mechanic’s nod of approval.

Subaru continues to deliver a great product

Subaru has not let up when it comes to making sure that the Outback is at the top of its game. The vehicle continues to be ideal for both drivers who want a reliable SUV to serve as their daily commuter and those who want a fun SUV that they can use for exciting outdoor adventures.

While the exterior hasn’t changed much, Subaru tweaked the design. Drivers noticed the improved chassis and suspension refinement as soon as they took the vehicle down a rough road.

“I’m not exaggerating,” Motor Trend features editor Christian Seabaugh reported after test-driving the 2020 Outback, “when I say that I literally didn’t feel the bumps on broken pavement,” 

One of the changes Subaru made to the 2020 Outback was subtle but also exactly the type of thing drivers adored. Subaru installed the same roof rack they’d previously used, but they added rubber bottoms to the foldable crossbars which reduced the odds of paint getting scratched when drivers attached skis, kayaks, and luggage to the rack.

Should you purchase a new 2021 Subaru Outback?

Since 2020 was a redesign year for the Subaru Outback and the vehicle was well-received no one expected Subaru to make many changes to the 2021 Outback.

According to Car and Driver, the few changes that were made involved installing a rear-seat passenger reminder system, adaptive headlights, and making sure that the passenger’s seatbelt warning system came standard on all models.

If you’re interested in parking a 2021 Subaru Outback in your garage, you have five different trim options to choose from. The price ranges $26,795.