Loyalty Reward: The 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT

The 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT.

Love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru, it appears.  The love owners have for the pioneering crossover has earned it the IHS Markit (formerly Polk Automotive) Loyalty Award in its vehicle class  (mid-size CUV) for the fourth year in a row.   And return customers will find a vastly improved Outback for 2020.

They (and we) would have told you there wasn't anything wrong with the 2019 Outback, but Subaru found ways to improve it. 

The 2020 Outback Touring XT  is powered by a new 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine with 260 horsepower.  Mated to a high-torque Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission, it gets an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon in the city, 30 on the highway.  That figure is also helped by standard automatic stop/start.  The old Outback's 3.5-liter V6 only managed 256 horsepower, 20 mpg city and 27 highway. 

Maximum cargo volume is up 2.4 cubic feet over last year's model and there's an extra inch of interior room between the rear wheel wells.

And it's not just room for stuff.  There's an extra cubic foot of passenger space volume, as well.

The base price for the base model 2020 Subaru Outback is $26,645.  Here's what's standard for that price:

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with EyeSight Assist Monitor
• 2.1A USB ports (dual) in front center console 
• 4.2-inch LCD color combination meter
• 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with armrest
• Active Torque Vectoring 
• Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering 
• Auto Start/Stop ignition
• Automatic Climate Control
• Electronic parking brake
• LED headlights: low and high beams
• Power doors, windows and exterior mirrors 
• Rear vision camera with washer
• Security system with engine immobilizer
• Single-mode X-Mode 
• Sound insulation windshield 
• Steering wheel with audio, Bluetooth® and cruise control switches
• Tire Pressure Monitoring

Our tester was the top-of-the-line Outback Touring XT.  The base price for that model is $39,695, but it adds all of the following as standard equipment:

• SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation with 11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen; new on-screen controls for audio, HVAC, X-MODE and vehicle features; combination meter integration; smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay™, Android™ Auto and new STARLINK SmartDeviceLink™ apps; Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity; AM/FM stereo; SiriusXM® All Access Radio and SiriusXM, Traffic and Travel Link®; HD Radio®; over-the air updates; and TomTom Navigation 
• DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System
• Ventilated front seats • 180-degree Front View Monitor
• High-torque Lineartronic CVT with 8-speed manual mode 
• 2.1A USB ports (dual) in rear center console
• 10-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory (includes power lumbar support)
• 8-way power passenger seat
• 12V power outlet in rear center console
• 18-inch alloy wheels: black with machine finish
• All-Weather Package (includes three-mode heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer)
• Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist 
• Cargo area tie-down hooks (8)
• Dark tint privacy glass
• Dual tailpipe outlets
• Exterior mirrors: auto power-folding with integrated turn signals and satin chrome finish, two-position memory and passenger-side auto tilt for reverse  • Exterior pillar trim: chrome and black chrome silica finish
• Front door sound-insulation glass
• Hands-Free Power Rear Gate
• HVAC: positive temperature coefficient heater for fast cabin heating
• Illuminated inner door handles
• Keyless Access with Push-Button Start
• LED headlights: Automatic Height Adjustment; Steering Responsive Headlights 
• LED Fog lights
• Power windows: all windows include auto up/down
• Perforated Nappa leather-trimmed upholstery
• Power Moonroof
• Rear center console A/C outlets
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Roof rails (black) with tie-down points in silver finish and integrated retractable cross bars in silver-finish 
• Single-touch lifting cargo cover
• Shifter handle: leather-wrapped
• Steering wheel: Heated, high-grade leatherwrapped 
• STARLINK Connected Services 

And that's that---add $1,010 destination and delivery charge and the bottom line on the window sticker reads $40,705.

Yes, that's a heady figure for a Subaru (and this is from a guy whose first review of an Outback asked if we might someday see---gasp!---a $30,000 Outback).  But it's a solid vehicle, packed with features and it comes with the best review of all---repeat buyers.  If you're looking for a mid-size crossover---and especially if all-wheel drive is a priority---the 2020 Subaru Outback is a stellar choice.