2005 model year
What's new for 2005.
The 2005 Subaru Outback is fully redesigned for its third generation, offering a more powerful and refined lineup. The most significant addition is the 2.5 XT trim, which features a 250-hp turbocharged engine derived from the Impreza WRX STI. The interior is completely overhauled with a more premium design and higher-quality materials. The chassis is also improved with a longer wheelbase and wider track, enhancing stability and ride comfort. This generation moves the Outback further upmarket, competing more directly with entry-level luxury crossovers.
Powertrain
- Introduction of the 250-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged engine in the 2.5 XT trim.
- 3.0-liter H6 engine power increased to 250 hp.
Interior
- All-new premium interior design with available dual-zone climate control.
- Introduction of the panoramic dual-panel moonroof.
Mechanical
- New 5-speed automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT manual control.
- Chassis redesigned for improved handling and safety.
Trims
Select a trim to see its specs and equipment.
2005 Subaru Outback
2.5i Wagon
- Horsepower
- 168
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 26
- Engine
- 2.5-liter SOHC Subaru Boxer
- Horsepower
- 168 hp
- Torque
- 166 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous)
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- City / highway MPG
- 20 / 26
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Standard equipment
- Projector beam low-beam headlights
- Fog lights
- Heavy-duty raised fully independent suspension
- Heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer
- Black-finish raised roof rails with cross bars
- 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support
- 4-stage heated front seats
- 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatback
- Keyless entry system
- 6-speaker audio system with single-disc CD
- Manual CFC-free air conditioning
- Under-floor storage tray
2005 Subaru Outback
2.5i Limited Wagon
- Horsepower
- 168
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 26
- Engine
- 2.5-liter SOHC Subaru Boxer
- Horsepower
- 168 hp
- Torque
- 166 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous)
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- City / highway MPG
- 20 / 26
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Outback 2.5i Wagon
- Panoramic tilt/sliding dual-panel moonroof
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic digital climate control
- 6-speaker audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD player
- Body-color door handles and side mirrors
2005 Subaru Outback
2.5 XT Wagon
- Horsepower
- 250
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 26
- Engine
- 2.5-liter DOHC Turbocharged Subaru Boxer
- Horsepower
- 250 hp
- Torque
- 250 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous)
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- City / highway MPG
- 20 / 26
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Outback 2.5i Wagon
- Aluminum-alloy hood with functional scoop
- Performance-design front seats
- Perforated leather-wrapped 3-spoke MOMO steering wheel
- Sport-design electroluminescent lighting
- Reinforced 5-speed manual transmission with dual-mass flywheel
- Body-color door handles and side mirrors
2005 Subaru Outback
2.5 XT Limited Wagon
- Horsepower
- 250
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 26
- Engine
- 2.5-liter DOHC Turbocharged Subaru Boxer
- Horsepower
- 250 hp
- Torque
- 250 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous)
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- City / highway MPG
- 20 / 26
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Outback 2.5 XT Wagon
- Panoramic tilt/sliding dual-panel moonroof
- 8-way power driver's seat and 4-way power front passenger seat
- Perforated leather-trimmed upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic digital climate control
- 6-speaker audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD player
2005 Subaru Outback
3.0R VDC Limited Wagon
- Horsepower
- 250
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 26
- Engine
- 3.0-liter DOHC Subaru Boxer
- Horsepower
- 250 hp
- Torque
- 219 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (VDC)
- Transmission
- 5-speed adaptive electronic automatic with SPORTSHIFT
- City / highway MPG
- 20 / 26
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Outback 2.5 XT Limited Wagon
- Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system
- Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive
- Body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals
- Wood and leather-wrapped 3-spoke MOMO steering wheel
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- 7-speaker premium audio system with subwoofer
- Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
2005 Subaru Outback
3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon
- Horsepower
- 250
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 26
- Engine
- 3.0-liter DOHC Subaru Boxer
- Horsepower
- 250 hp
- Torque
- 219 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (VDC)
- Transmission
- 5-speed adaptive electronic automatic with SPORTSHIFT
- City / highway MPG
- 20 / 26
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Outback 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon
- L.L.Bean-embossed two-tone perforated leather-trimmed upholstery
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass
- Specially embroidered floor mats
2005 Subaru Outback
3.0R Sedan
- Horsepower
- 250
- City MPG
- 20
- Highway MPG
- 26
- Engine
- 3.0-liter DOHC Subaru Boxer
- Horsepower
- 250 hp
- Torque
- 219 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (VDC)
- Transmission
- 5-speed adaptive electronic automatic with SPORTSHIFT
- City / highway MPG
- 20 / 26
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- –
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- –
Adds over Outback 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon
- Sedan body style
- Power tilt/sliding glass moonroof
- Rear-center armrest with trunk pass-through
The trims, side by side.
Scroll sideways to see every trim →
"Optional" means the feature needs an upgrade or package.
7 of 7 trims
| Trim | 2.5i Wagon | 2.5i Limited Wagon | 2.5 XT Wagon | 2.5 XT Limited Wagon | 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon | 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon | 3.0R Sedan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City / Hwy / Combined (MPG) | 20 / 26 / 22 | 20 / 26 / 22 | 20 / 26 / 22 | 20 / 26 / 22 | 20 / 26 / 22 | 20 / 26 / 22 | 20 / 26 / 22 |
| Horsepower | 168 hp | 168 hp | 250 hp | 250 hp | 250 hp | 250 hp | 250 hp |
| Seating capacity | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| 2.5i Wagon | 2.5i Limited Wagon | 2.5 XT Wagon | 2.5 XT Limited Wagon | 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon | 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon | 3.0R Sedan | |
| Drivetrain | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (VDC) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (VDC) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (VDC) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 5-speed manual | 5-speed adaptive electronic automatic with SPORTSHIFT | 5-speed adaptive electronic automatic with SPORTSHIFT | 5-speed adaptive electronic automatic with SPORTSHIFT |
| Name | 2.5-liter SOHC Subaru Boxer | 2.5-liter SOHC Subaru Boxer | 2.5-liter DOHC Turbocharged Subaru Boxer | 2.5-liter DOHC Turbocharged Subaru Boxer | 3.0-liter DOHC Subaru Boxer | 3.0-liter DOHC Subaru Boxer | 3.0-liter DOHC Subaru Boxer |
| Type | 4-cylinder horizontally opposed | 4-cylinder horizontally opposed | 4-cylinder horizontally opposed | 4-cylinder horizontally opposed | 6-cylinder horizontally opposed | 6-cylinder horizontally opposed | 6-cylinder horizontally opposed |
| Displacement l | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated | turbocharged and intercooled | turbocharged and intercooled | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Fuel injection | sequential multi-port | sequential multi-port | sequential multi-port | sequential multi-port | sequential multi-port | sequential multi-port | sequential multi-port |
| Horsepower | 168 | 168 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 |
| Horsepower RPM | 5600 | 5600 | 6000 | 6000 | 6600 | 6600 | 6600 |
| Torque lb ft | 166 | 166 | 250 | 250 | 219 | 219 | 219 |
| Torque RPM | 4000 | 4000 | 3600 | 3600 | 4200 | 4200 | 4200 |
| 2.5i Wagon | 2.5i Limited Wagon | 2.5 XT Wagon | 2.5 XT Limited Wagon | 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon | 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon | 3.0R Sedan | |
| City MPG | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Highway MPG | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| 2.5i Wagon | 2.5i Limited Wagon | 2.5 XT Wagon | 2.5 XT Limited Wagon | 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon | 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon | 3.0R Sedan | |
| Length (in) | 188.7 | 188.7 | 188.7 | 188.7 | 188.7 | 188.7 | 186.2 |
| Width (in) | 69.7 | 69.7 | 69.7 | 69.7 | 69.7 | 69.7 | 69.7 |
| Height (in) | 63.2 | 63.2 | 63.2 | 63.2 | 63.2 | 63.2 | 59.1 |
| Wheelbase (in) | 105.1 | 105.1 | 105.1 | 105.1 | 105.1 | 105.1 | 105.1 |
| 2.5i Wagon | 2.5i Limited Wagon | 2.5 XT Wagon | 2.5 XT Limited Wagon | 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon | 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon | 3.0R Sedan | |
| Wheel size (in) | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Wheel material | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy |
| Wheel finish | Silver | Silver | Silver | Silver | Silver | Gray | Silver |
| Tire spec | 225/60 R16 97H performance all-season | 225/60 R16 97H performance all-season | 225/55 R17 95V high-performance all-season | 225/55 R17 95V high-performance all-season | 225/55 R17 95V high-performance all-season | 225/55 R17 95V high-performance all-season | 225/55 R17 95V high-performance all-season |
| 2.5i Wagon | 2.5i Limited Wagon | 2.5 XT Wagon | 2.5 XT Limited Wagon | 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon | 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon | 3.0R Sedan | |
| Abs standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ring shaped reinforcement frame | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags description | Dual-stage front, side curtain, and front side-impact | Dual-stage front, side curtain, and front side-impact | Dual-stage front, side curtain, and front side-impact | Dual-stage front, side curtain, and front side-impact | Dual-stage front, side curtain, and front side-impact | Dual-stage front, side curtain, and front side-impact | Dual-stage front, side curtain, and front side-impact |
| 2.5i Wagon | 2.5i Limited Wagon | 2.5 XT Wagon | 2.5 XT Limited Wagon | 3.0R VDC Limited Wagon | 3.0R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon | 3.0R Sedan | |
| Projector beam low-beam headlights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fog lights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heavy-duty raised fully independent suspension | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Black-finish raised roof rails with cross bars | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4-stage heated front seats | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatback | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keyless entry system | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6-speaker audio system with single-disc CD | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manual CFC-free air conditioning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Under-floor storage tray | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Panoramic tilt/sliding dual-panel moonroof | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leather-trimmed upholstery | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dual-zone automatic digital climate control | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6-speaker audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD player | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Body-color door handles and side mirrors | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aluminum-alloy hood with functional scoop | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Performance-design front seats | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Perforated leather-wrapped 3-spoke MOMO steering wheel | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sport-design electroluminescent lighting | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reinforced 5-speed manual transmission with dual-mass flywheel | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8-way power driver's seat and 4-way power front passenger seat | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Perforated leather-trimmed upholstery | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) All-Wheel Drive | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wood and leather-wrapped 3-spoke MOMO steering wheel | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 7-speaker premium audio system with subwoofer | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio controls | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| L.L.Bean-embossed two-tone perforated leather-trimmed upholstery | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - |
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - |
| Specially embroidered floor mats | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - |
| Sedan body style | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes |
| Power tilt/sliding glass moonroof | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes |
| Rear-center armrest with trunk pass-through | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes |
