2020 Subaru Outback XT Touring Review

by Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel

The 2020 Outback XT Touring is going to make you want to do just that, go touring. And if that means encountering harsh weather, dirt roads, and picky passengers, then fear not, the XT has got you covered, inside and out. The thoughtful redesign of wildly popular family car sits upon a new stronger frame: longer (191.3 inches), a bit wider (73 inches wide), and has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches for the off-road situations.

Power. The Outback XT is powered by Subaru's 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, coupled with their legendary all-wheel-drive and a CVT transmission. The 277 pound-feet of torque created has, as you can imagine, many uses - not the least of which is an increase of towing capacity to 3,500 pounds.

Let's get comfortable. With seating for five, the tall passengers will appreciate very good leg room and head room. The front seats get 10-way power adjustability, an additional 2.4 cubic feet has been added to the cargo area which also includes a hands-free liftgate. The driver gets a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear-lever combination. Remote levers help with folding the rear seats which themselves possess a recline feature, heating and a pair of USB ports. The Java Brown Nappa upholstery blends well with the brushed aluminum accents, and so the overall effect is both pleasent to the eyes and the limbs.

Convenience. The Touring XT has the complete package of all available safety and convenience tech. An 11.6-inch touchscreen, WiFi, a 10-way power-adjustable ventilated driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable ventilated front passenger seat and heated rear seats, and a sunroof. A Harman Kardon audio system with 12, yes, 12 speakers.

Safety. Subaru considers safety a major concern and that continues with eight airbags, including front, side, curtain and seat-cushion. The STARLINK emergency system alerts help in the event of a crash. Automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and reverse automatic braking are also included.

About Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, Eye View, and Lane Centering. These driver assistance technologies are some of the most productive new features to enhance both safety and comfort in the driving experience. With Eye View, the driver is reminded not to let their gaze wander away for too long from the road. The Adaptive Cruise Conrol sensors keep watch on the vehicle in front of you and automatically adjusts your vehicle's speed to maintain your preselected car length distance. On long distance drives, your right foot & leg will be most grateful. The Lane Centering watches the lines on either side of your driving lane and will gently nudge the car back to the center of your lane. You must keep you hands on the steering wheel, but your grasp can be light and relaxed, another boon during the long drives.

The ride. The quiet, cozy ride is enhanced with the knowledge that not only do you have the turbo, when needed, but more importantly you have the confidence of asymentric all wheel drive to handle rain, ice, or snow. And last, but not least, there is a calmness that comes with driving one of the more reliable vehicles on the road today.