Compact SUVs · BS generation
Good choice About average
It scores 50 out of 100 for reliability compared with other compact and small SUVs. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $12,545 to own, including $2,344 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Subaru Outback.
Reliability
50/100
About average
Repairs, 5 years
$2,344
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$7,286
28 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$15,796
$13,900 – $17,691, estimate
Recalls
3
on record
Owner complaints
816
filed with NHTSA
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Legacy, Outback, and BRZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, a software issue may cause the audio display system to not initialize, resulting in the camera display remaining blank. If this occurs, the rearview image will not display while backing up the vehicle. As a result, the vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.
Of the years we rate, the 2023 scores best (88/100) and the 2020 worst (25/100).
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated yet |
| 2026 | Not rated yet |
| 2025 | Not rated yet |
| 2024 | 68/100 |
| 2023 | 88/100 |
| 2022 | 44/100 |
| 2021 | 60/100 |
| 2020 | 25/100 |
| 2019 | 34/100 |
| 2018 | 50/100 |
| 2017 | 38/100 |
| 2016 | 49/100 |
| 2015 | 69/100 |
Not especially. It scores 50 out of 100, about average for compact and small SUVs; the 2015, 2023 and 2024 scored better.
It scores 50 out of 100 against other compact and small SUVs from 2015 to 2024, which is about average. Based on 816 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $2,344 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $12,545 over 5 years: $2,915 in lost value, $2,344 in repairs and $7,286 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $15,796 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2023 scores best (88/100) and the 2020 worst (25/100).
3 recalls on record with NHTSA.