Not too shabby, and these numbers dwarf the sales of the few other wagons on the market — which come from luxury brands such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo and have a much higher price point.

Considering the mass sales of SUVs, the wagon and its lower profile remains a niche vehicle, but it’s nice to see the continued level of interest in them. And part of that interest comes from the Outback’s ability to deliver for people interested in adventures and getting off the beaten path.

I recently spent some time driving a 2024 Subaru Outback (a Touring XT trim level with the turbo engine), and I’m back to report on why wagons might be sticking around for a long while — as they continue to combine the cargo space and versatile nature of an SUV with a more car-like driving experience.

LOOKS

Lower to the ground than most SUVs, but still lengthy and full of cargo space, the Outback wagon stands out in a field of copycat SUV designs.

The Outback’s front grille is among the more rugged-looking designs you’ll find, and the overall design is more muscular than most of the popular SUVs sold today. There’s a unique lighting setup, high ground clearance, roof rails to help transport your luggage and adventure gear. The looks send a clear signal that this isn’t going to be just a grocery getter and can do much more.

My test vehicle featured an autumn green metallic paint color, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, chrome auto-folding heated power mirrors with turn signals, power moonroof, and LED headlights.

The inside is pretty simple in design but is very functional. The high quality of the comfortable leather-trimmed seating was a nice surprise, and the vehicle was roomy for all 5 passengers with plenty of leg and head room. Controls are easy to master and the center touchscreen is not overly fancy in design yet still functions effectively.

Cargo space is still impressive despite not being a traditional SUV. With both rows up, the Outback fits 32.6 cubic feet of cargo, and that number grows to 75.6 with the second row down. Those numbers are excellent, and actually even higher than some of the comparable SUVs available.

Entering and exiting the vehicle is a breeze for all due to the lower profile, and it’s easy to manipulate the seats to allow for cargo storage or passenger space as needed. It’s also easier to load the roof vs. an SUV.

What this all means is you’re losing almost nothing by choosing the Outback over a traditional crossover/SUV.

Other interior features in the Outback include: Dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a retractable cargo cover, and plenty of small storage for things like cups and phones.

HOW’S THE RIDE? 

A pair of four-cylinder engines are offered in the 2024 Outback, a base engine and the upgraded turbo option, both paired with an automatic transmission.

My test vehicle had the turbo offering, a 2.4-liter option that delivered 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, and including paddle shifters for manual control. 

The base engine is a 2.5-liter, non-turbo option with just 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, but I would recommend choosing the turbo option.

All-wheel drive comes standard on all Outback models, and off-road capability is boosted by a helpful 8.7 inches of ground clearance (this number grows to 9.5 inches on the Wilderness trim level).

Within reason, the Outback will capably handle excursions through tough weather conditions, dirt and muddy roads, and generally do well off the beaten track, just don’t confuse it for a Wrangler or Bronco or other more capable truck-based off-roaders. On city streets, it can handle difficult, pothole-filled roads without concern.

Performance is aided by a four-wheel independent raised suspension, and the vehicle features the X-MODE traction management system, and Hill Descent Control.

Even with the turbo option, the Outback isn’t the most powerful or sporty drive, but the turbo’s performance will be adequate for most people, and the ride is generally comfortable and smooth. The Outback offers solid handling, braking and cornering ability, and its wagon design means the driving experience feels like a more car-like drive quality.

The Outback’s 0-to-60 speed with the turbo engine comes in at roughly 6 seconds. It’s closer to 9 seconds with the base engine.

The luxury wagons that compete with the Outback offer higher power numbers and quicker acceleration, but are also a lot more pricey.

Towing capability with the turbo engine tops out at 3,500 pounds.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

While the base trim comes with a pair of smaller 7-inch touchscreens, most Outback models will come with the larger, vertical 11.6-inch screen for controlling music, climate, settings and more. The graphics on the Subaru Starlink Multimedia system are not as flashy or modern as some rivals, but icons are large and clear, and the system does its job well and has a fast learning curve.

Voice commands are effective in the Outback, for the most part. Commands to change radio stations by voice were well understood, but for navigation commands I sometimes had to repeat myself, especially with addresses.

Music is loud and clear in the Outback via the Harman Kardon speaker system (12 speakers, 576 watts), and drivers can connect their phones to stream music and phone calls via Bluetooth, or via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Multiple USB ports are included throughout the vehicle as well, and a four-month trial of satellite radio is included.

Safety is an area where Subaru has long been a pioneer, prioritizing the safety of its drivers and working to prevent accidents via advanced safety systems.

The centerpiece of the safety offerings on the 2024 Outback is Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist technology — which integrates systems such as pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

In an emergency, the EyeSight system can also engage features like Automatic Emergency Steering (which moves the vehicle as needed to prevent or limit impacts and damages, and functions at speeds up to 50 mph).

Other safety features include Lane Centering, Forward Collision Warning, Reverse Automatic Braking, advanced airbag system throughout the vehicle (including side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor), Whiplash Protection, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Anti-Theft Alarm & immobilizer System, Front View Monitor w/ 180-Degree Viewing Angle, and a Rear Vision Camera.

All that said, it’s no surprise that the Outback earns 5-star government safety test results.

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers listed on the 2024 Subaru Outback with the turbo engine are 22 city/29 highway/25 combined. Base engine improves numbers to 26/32/28.

I averaged 20 miles per gallon in my time behind the wheel in mostly city driving, a couple mpg less than the listed numbers. These numbers are trailing the mileage you’ll get on luxury wagon competitors, but they also come with higher price tags so it more than evens out.

The lack of competition in the non-luxury wagon space makes mileage a minimal concern, as there’s no direct rival in its price range that really beats it.

PRICE

My test vehicle was the top level Touring XT trim, and came to $44,231. Base price on the 2024 Outback starts at $30K, which is an affordable starting point for all the vehicle delivers, and definitely more affordable than the luxury wagon options.

Trim levels on the Outback include: Base, Premium, LImited, Onyx Edition, Wilderness, Touring and Touring XT.

The base model comes with an impressive amount of standard features (including the EyeSight safety features and key tech features), so you won’t miss out on much other than the turbo engine. Buyers who want the turbo engine will need to select the Onyx Edition or higher. And the Wilderness trim will be preferred by the most adventurous buyers due to its additional off-road focused features including an upgraded suspension and higher ground clearance.

Warranties are about average on the Outback, including:
— 3 Years / 36,000 Miles Basic Warranty
— 5 Years / 60,000 Miles Powertrain Warranty 
— 3 Years / 36,000 24/7 Roadside Assistance

The Outback is built in Indiana alongside other Subaru vehicles including the Ascent and the Crosstrek.

BOTTOM LINE

The Subaru Outback is the best-selling wagon in the U.S. for good reasons.

It is a well-designed, family-friendly and adventure-capable ride that keeps alive a segment many people don’t want to disappear, and has an affordable price range.

The 2024 Outback serves as an excellent alternative to SUVs for people who still want cargo space and versatility, plus some off-road capability.

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AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews. Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu