Subaru Outback review for Colorado buyers

The Outback for Colorado buyers

Why the Outback fits Colorado so well

The Outback is one of the most common answers to the Colorado car question, and the reasons are easy to verify: all-wheel drive is standard on every one, ground clearance is 8.7 inches across the lineup, and the low wagon roof makes loading a roof box or bikes much easier than on a taller SUV.

That clearance number matters more than it sounds. It's the same figure Subaru quotes for the Forester and Crosstrek, and it's more than the 7.8 to 8.2 inches Honda lists for the current CR-V. Unplowed cul-de-sacs, rutted county roads and that last stretch to a trailhead are where it shows up.

What you give up is towing capacity and third-row seating. If you need either, the Outback is the wrong tool. If you're a couple or a family of four with a lot of gear, it's hard to beat. Browse current options on our used vehicle listings, or tell us what you want and we'll find a specific Outback for you.

Snow, I-70 and the Traction Law

AWD helps you go. It doesn't help you stop or turn, and Colorado's rules now reflect that. Under the current CDOT Traction Law, which is in effect on I-70 between Morrison and Dotsero from September 1 through May 31, your tires need at least 3/16 inch of tread and a winter, all-weather or M+S rating, or you need chains or an approved traction device. Fines start at $100 plus a $33 surcharge.

So when you shop a used Outback, look at the tires as hard as the car. If the car is on worn all-seasons, budget for a proper winter or all-weather set if the tread is near the limit. Our guide to buying a used car for Colorado winters covers what to look for.

X-Mode is standard on every Outback in this range. It changes throttle, transmission and stability control behavior for slippery or loose surfaces, and adds Hill Descent Control. Some trims get a dual-mode version with separate Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings; on the 2020 launch it was exclusive to the Onyx Edition XT, so check the console of the car you're looking at.

2.5, 3.6R or turbo: picking an engine for altitude

This is the decision that matters most in Colorado. The 2.5-liter four is the volume engine and it's fine around town, but with 175 to 182 hp it has no reserve once you're climbing toward the Eisenhower Tunnel with four people and a cargo box. Naturally aspirated engines also lose some power in thin air, and a turbo makes up much of that loss.

From 2020 on, the 2.4-liter turbo makes 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. That low-rpm torque is what you feel on a grade. It costs a few mpg: EPA rates the 2020-2022 turbo at 26 mpg combined versus 29 for the 2.5, and 2023-2025 at 25 versus 28.

On 2015-2019 cars, the 3.6R six (256 hp) was the power option. It's smooth and strong but rated at only 22 mpg combined. If you find a well-kept one, it's a solid mountain car, just factor the fuel cost.

For towing, the turbo is rated at 3,500 pounds, the most of any Outback. That's enough for a small teardrop or utility trailer, not a family travel trailer. Read towing a camper in the mountains before you hook up anything near the limit.

The CVT question

Every Outback since 2015 uses a CVT, so you can't avoid it. What you can do is check coverage. Subaru extended the CVT portion of its powertrain warranty from 5 years/60,000 miles to 10 years/100,000 miles on 2015 through 2019 Outbacks and on 2020 turbo models, through a series of service bulletins. Subaru says the extensions weren't in response to a specific condition.

That coverage runs from the original in-service date, so a 2015 or 2016 is out of time or nearly there, while a 2019 or 2020 turbo may still have a year or more. Ask a Subaru retailer to run a coverage inquiry on the VIN before you buy.

On 2020 and 2021 models, make sure recalls 21V955 and 22V485 were completed. Both fixed a transmission control unit programming error that could let the CVT's drive chain slip and break.

Wilderness: worth it for Colorado?

The Wilderness (2022 and newer) is the trim built for Colorado use. It comes only with the turbo, adds 9.5 inches of clearance, all-terrain tires, and the 3,500-pound tow rating, and on the 2026 model it gets better approach, departure and breakover angles than the rest of the lineup.

The tradeoff is fuel economy. EPA rates the Wilderness at 23 to 24 mpg combined versus 25 to 26 for other turbo Outbacks, mostly due to the all-terrain tires and lift. If you drive dirt roads to trailheads or campsites every weekend, it's worth it. If your Outback mostly sees I-25, a Limited XT on good winter tires gets you most of the way there.

Hail is the other Colorado factor. Outbacks are common on lots after storm season, and a car with repaired or unrepaired hail damage can be a good deal or a headache. See our notes on hail damage and used cars.