CompetingCars.com
2010 model year
What's new for 2010.
The 2010 Subaru Outback is completely redesigned, launching the fourth generation. This model is significantly larger than its predecessor, moving closer to a midsize SUV in terms of dimensions and interior room. It introduces the Lineartronic CVT, Subaru's first longitudinal CVT for AWD applications, which replaces the traditional automatic on 2.5i models. A new 3.6-liter H6 engine replaces the old 3.0-liter unit, providing more power on regular fuel. A standout feature is the new integrated roof rail system with crossbars that can swing into place when needed and stow away to improve aerodynamics when not in use.
Mechanical
- Introduction of the Lineartronic CVT for improved fuel efficiency.
- New 256-hp 3.6-liter H6 engine replaces the 3.0-liter H6.
- New double-wishbone rear suspension for improved ride and cargo space.
Exterior
- Significant increase in size (wider and taller) with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
- Innovative roof rack system with integrated, stowable crossbars.
Interior
- Substantial increase in rear legroom (nearly 4 inches) and hip room.
- Introduction of reclining rear seats.
Trims
Select a trim to see its specs and equipment.
2010 Subaru Outback
2.5i
- Horsepower
- 170
- City MPG
- 19
- Highway MPG
- 27
- Engine
- 2.5-liter SOHC SUBARU BOXER
- Horsepower
- 170 hp
- Torque
- 170 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous)
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual
- City / highway MPG
- 19 / 27
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 16 in
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 in
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- 2700 lb
Standard equipment
- Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Projector-beam low-beam headlights
- Roof rails with integrated and retractable cross bars
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- 60/40-split flat-folding reclining rear seatback
- Electronic parking brake with hill-holder function
- 4-speaker audio system with MP3/WMA/AAC capability
- Auxiliary audio jack
- 8 cup holders
- Cargo-area underfloor storage
2010 Subaru Outback
2.5i Premium
- Horsepower
- 170
- City MPG
- 19
- Highway MPG
- 27
- Engine
- 2.5-liter SOHC SUBARU BOXER
- Horsepower
- 170 hp
- Torque
- 170 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous)
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual
- City / highway MPG
- 19 / 27
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 in
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- 2700 lb
Adds over Outback 2.5i
- 17-inch 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
- 225/60 R17 98T all-season tires
- Foglights
- Body-color side mirrors
- 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support
- Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel
- Driver’s auto up/down power window
- Retractable/removable cargo-area cover
2010 Subaru Outback
2.5i Limited
- Horsepower
- 170
- City MPG
- 22
- Highway MPG
- 29
- Engine
- 2.5-liter SOHC SUBARU BOXER
- Horsepower
- 170 hp
- Torque
- 170 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous)
- Transmission
- Lineartronic CVT
- City / highway MPG
- 22 / 29
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 in
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- 2700 lb
Adds over Outback 2.5i Premium
- Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- 4-way power adjustable front-passenger’s seat
- All-Weather Package (Heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors)
- Dual-zone automatic digital climate control
- 440-watt 9-speaker harman/kardon premium audio system
- Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity
- Woodgrain-patterned accent trim
2010 Subaru Outback
3.6R
- Horsepower
- 256
- City MPG
- 18
- Highway MPG
- 25
- Engine
- 3.6-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER
- Horsepower
- 256 hp
- Torque
- 247 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Variable Torque Distribution)
- Transmission
- 5-speed adaptive electronic SPORTSHIFT automatic
- City / highway MPG
- 18 / 25
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 in
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- 3000 lb
Adds over Outback 2.5i
- 3.6-liter 6-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine
- 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- 17-inch 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
- Dual exhaust outlets
2010 Subaru Outback
3.6R Premium
- Horsepower
- 256
- City MPG
- 18
- Highway MPG
- 25
- Engine
- 3.6-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER
- Horsepower
- 256 hp
- Torque
- 247 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Variable Torque Distribution)
- Transmission
- 5-speed adaptive electronic SPORTSHIFT automatic
- City / highway MPG
- 18 / 25
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 in
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- 3000 lb
Adds over Outback 3.6R
- Foglights
- Body-color side mirrors
- 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support
- Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel
- All-Weather Package (Heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors)
- Driver’s auto up/down power window
2010 Subaru Outback
3.6R Limited
- Horsepower
- 256
- City MPG
- 18
- Highway MPG
- 25
- Engine
- 3.6-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER
- Horsepower
- 256 hp
- Torque
- 247 lb-ft
- Drivetrain
- Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Variable Torque Distribution)
- Transmission
- 5-speed adaptive electronic SPORTSHIFT automatic
- City / highway MPG
- 18 / 25
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Wheel size
- 17 in
- Ground clearance
- 8.7 in
- Cargo, seats up
- –
- Towing capacity
- 3000 lb
Adds over Outback 3.6R Premium
- Leather-trimmed upholstery
- 4-way power adjustable front-passenger’s seat
- Dual-zone automatic digital climate control
- 440-watt 9-speaker harman/kardon premium audio system
- Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity
- Woodgrain-patterned accent trim
The trims, side by side.
Scroll sideways to see every trim →
"Optional" means the feature needs an upgrade or package.
6 of 6 trims
| Trim | 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City / Hwy / Combined (MPG) | 19 / 27 / 22 | 19 / 27 / 22 | 22 / 29 / 24 | 18 / 25 / 20 | 18 / 25 / 20 | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| Horsepower | 170 hp | 170 hp | 170 hp | 256 hp | 256 hp | 256 hp |
| Seating capacity | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited | |
| Drivetrain | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Continuous) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Variable Torque Distribution) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Variable Torque Distribution) | Subaru Symmetrical AWD (Variable Torque Distribution) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | Lineartronic CVT | 5-speed adaptive electronic SPORTSHIFT automatic | 5-speed adaptive electronic SPORTSHIFT automatic | 5-speed adaptive electronic SPORTSHIFT automatic |
| Name | 2.5-liter SOHC SUBARU BOXER | 2.5-liter SOHC SUBARU BOXER | 2.5-liter SOHC SUBARU BOXER | 3.6-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER | 3.6-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER | 3.6-liter DOHC SUBARU BOXER |
| Type | 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 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Valvetrain | 16-valve with i-Active Valve Lift System | 16-valve with i-Active Valve Lift System | 16-valve with i-Active Valve Lift System | 24-valve with Dual Active Valve Control System | 24-valve with Dual Active Valve Control System | 24-valve with Dual Active Valve Control System |
| Horsepower | 170 | 170 | 170 | 256 | 256 | 256 |
| Horsepower RPM | 5600 | 5600 | 5600 | 6000 | 6000 | 6000 |
| Torque lb ft | 170 | 170 | 170 | 247 | 247 | 247 |
| Torque RPM | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4400 | 4400 | 4400 |
| Fuel type | Unleaded gasoline (87 octane) | Unleaded gasoline (87 octane) | Unleaded gasoline (87 octane) | Unleaded gasoline (87 octane) | Unleaded gasoline (87 octane) | Unleaded gasoline (87 octane) |
| 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited | |
| City MPG | 19 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Highway MPG | 27 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited | |
| Length (in) | 188.2 | 188.2 | 188.2 | 188.2 | 188.2 | 188.2 |
| Width (in) | 71.7 | 71.7 | 71.7 | 71.7 | 71.7 | 71.7 |
| Height (in) | 65.7 | 65.7 | 65.7 | 65.7 | 65.7 | 65.7 |
| Wheelbase (in) | 107.9 | 107.9 | 107.9 | 107.9 | 107.9 | 107.9 |
| Ground clearance (in) | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited | |
| Towing capacity lb | 2700 | 2700 | 2700 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 |
| 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited | |
| Wheel size (in) | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Wheel material | steel | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy | aluminum-alloy |
| Wheel finish | with covers | 6-spoke | 6-spoke | 6-spoke | 6-spoke | 6-spoke |
| Tire spec | 215/70 R16 99S all-season | 215/70 R16 99S all-season | 215/70 R16 99S all-season | 215/70 R16 99S all-season | 215/70 R16 99S all-season | 215/70 R16 99S all-season |
| 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited | |
| Airbags count | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Abs standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brake assist | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rollover sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vdc standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traction control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited | 3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited | |
| Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control System (TCS) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Projector-beam low-beam headlights | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roof rails with integrated and retractable cross bars | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 60/40-split flat-folding reclining rear seatback | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic parking brake with hill-holder function | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4-speaker audio system with MP3/WMA/AAC capability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auxiliary audio jack | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8 cup holders | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cargo-area underfloor storage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 17-inch 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 225/60 R17 98T all-season tires | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Foglights | - | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| Body-color side mirrors | - | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support | - | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel | - | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| Driver’s auto up/down power window | - | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| Retractable/removable cargo-area cover | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Leather-trimmed upholstery | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| 4-way power adjustable front-passenger’s seat | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| All-Weather Package (Heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, heated side mirrors) | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-zone automatic digital climate control | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| 440-watt 9-speaker harman/kardon premium audio system | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| Woodgrain-patterned accent trim | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes |
| 3.6-liter 6-cylinder SUBARU BOXER engine | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dual exhaust outlets | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |