Subaru has revealed the 2023 Outback at the New York auto show, showing off its mildly updated styling, and upgraded driver assistance systems.
The Subaru Outback receives a few minor styling tweaks for the 2023 model year while retaining a classic look that remains handsome. There’s extended plastic body cladding that adds more protection when taking the lifted wagon offroad, a larger grille that extends into new half-split headlights, as well as new fog lights. Around the back, the Outback looks to be identical to the outgoing model.
The 2.5-liter boxer engine remains unchanged, and still pumps out 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque in naturally aspirated guise, and 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque when turbocharged. Both engines are connected to a CVT transmission with an 8-speed manual mode function, sending power to Subaru’s venerable full-time all-wheel-drive system.
The Onyx Edition, which was a turbo-only trim in the outgoing model, is also now available with the naturally aspirated engine, and that might bring a small price drop too.
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Perhaps the highlight of the 2023 Outback is the upgraded technology it gets. Top-of-the-line Touring trim models will feature a new wide-angle mono camera, which adds to the dual-camera setup of the EyeSight system, to improve the detection of pedestrians and cyclists. A new automatic emergency steering system is also available on trim levels with blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, and uses a combination of EyeSight and auto-braking to avoid accidents under 50 mph.
The Starlink infotainment system has also been updated to the latest version, accessible through the portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen. New “What Three Words” geolocation technology debuts on the 2023 Outback, which can easily mark a precise location on a trail or scenic area using just three words.
Overall, the Outback hasn’t changed much since the 2022 model, but that’s a good thing. As the old saying goes: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The current Outback is priced at $28,320, and the 2023 model will likely see a price increase of a few hundred dollars when it becomes available. Subaru will announce pricing and availability for the 2023 Outback in the near future.
