The Outback looks more rugged with the new Onyx Edition. It also has interior upholstery that is water-repellent.
The 2020 Subaru Outback will be on display at the New York Auto Show, to unveil the sixth generation of the brand’s hybrid station wagon/crossover. The base, premium, limited, touring, Onyx Edition XT and Limited XT trims will be available for sale this fall.
The new Outback’s XT trims have a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 260 horsepower (194 kilowatts), and 277 pound feet (376 Newton-meters). Other models have a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder that produces 182 horsepower (136 kW) or 176 lbft (239Nm) of torque. Both mills can be connected to a CVT or torque-vectoring all wheel drive.
Subaru Global Platform now powers the new Outback. According to Subaru, the new underpinnings provide a 70% increase in torsional rigidity. It can absorb 40% more energy in front and side collisions. Subaru Eyesight safety suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, is available on all trims.
The new Outback is very similar from the outside. The sixth-generation Outback doesn’t look much different than the current model, despite it being on the Subaru Global Platform. The most noticeable changes to the front include the vertically-oriented fog lights and the more chiseled styling of the headlights. Due to the bulkier bumper, larger roof spoiler and pointier taillights, the rear changes are more obvious.
These differences are even more evident on the interior, where most Outback trims gain a portrait-oriented 11.6 inch infotainment display. With heated seats, there are three settings available to the occupants. The rear features a hands-free power hatchback.
The Outback’s new Onyx Edition has a darker exterior with black trim and dark-finished 18 inch wheels. It also features a gray interior. A water-repellent fabric covers the seats to make it more comfortable away from the asphalt. There’s also a two-mode version (instead of the single one) of the X-Mode Off-roading System that allows for dirt/snow or deep snow/mud settings.