Subaru Outback Safety Rating: Is It Worth Your Time?

Wendy K. L
Dec 22, 2020

When shopping for a new or used car, safety sits high on the must-have list. If a dependable crossover SUV wagon is on your radar, the 2020 Subaru Outback hits the ball out of the park with some of the highest safety ratings available.

How safe is the 2020 Subaru Outback?

The 2020 Subaru Outback received a 5-star Overall Safety Rating from the NHTSA and the highest score of “Good” by the IIHS. Combine that with 4.59-Star Owner and 4.6/10 Expert Review Ratings from Vehicle History for a winning combination.

Crash collision testing reveals a lot, but it’s not the only thing to consider. In this article, we’ll highlight crash testing from the ultimate safety resources but also examine Outback safety tech features. Our goal is the same as yours – keeping loved ones protected on the highways and byways.

2020 Subaru Outback Crash Test Rating

IIHS Test/Results

The 2020 Subaru Outback slam-dunked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety annual safety rating, earning the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award. Vehicles gather “Good” crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS in various categories, and the Outback accumulated an enviable five out of five. Some Outback trim levels slipped slightly on headlights in the IIHS crash avoidance segment but overstepped to a Good+ score for child seat anchors.

The IIHS also considered the 2020 Subaru Outback’s available safety tech features. It noted the standard daytime running lights, optional blind-spot detection, and the standard lane-departure warning and prevention.

NHTSA Test/Results

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) doled out a perfect 5 stars to the 2020 Subaru Outback in its overall safety rating. Breaking that down, it received all five stars in frontal and side crash testing. This covers all areas of the vehicle, including the driver’s position and the passenger seats in front and back.

The NHTSA star rating dipped to 4 stars in the rollover resistance crash testing. This measures the risk of an Outback rollover after the driver loses control of the vehicle. The 2020 Outback received a rollover risk rate of 18.5 percent.

U.S. News & World Report Test/Results

The annual vehicle ratings from U.S. News & World Report awarded the 2010 Subaru Outback a Safety score of 9.8. Using information compiled from the NHTSA and IIHS, they came up with a congregate Outback score reflecting one of its highest safety ratings for the year.

This topped its competitor, the 2020 Toyota RAV4, which earned a Safety rating of 9.5. The Outback stood side by side with 9.8 Safety ratings by U.S. News for the Honda CR-V and the 2020 Subaru Forrester.

2020 Subaru Outback Available Safety Tech

Subaru highlights its safety tech by pointing out improvements as well as time-proven features that evolve over the years. Following are some Outback safety tech standouts for 2020.

Driver Assistance

The Subaru Blind-Spot Detection employs radar sensors to warn drivers of blind spots, using visual indicators in the side mirrors. When you signal for a lane change, the Lane Change Assist features also use the side mirrors to alert you of an approaching vehicle. If you’re backing up, the Rear Cross-Traffic Alert gives both flashing lights and audible warnings of approaching traffic.

Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering

EyeSight Driver Assist Technology from Subaru helps you stay centered in your lane of traffic and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. It also now includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control.

Reverse Automatic Braking

When going in reverse at a slow speed, the Reverse Automatic Braking feature brings your Subaru to a stop if there’s an object behind you. This goes into effect if you fail to detect the object on your own.

Better Vision with Headlight Technology

2020 Subaru Outback headlight

LED headlights broaden the range of sight, especially around corners, and you can opt for a steering-wheel response function. High Beam Assist dims and brightens headlight beams as needed. A rear-vision camera and 180-degree front mirror let you see everything more clearly as you drive.

All-Wheel Drive Control

When maneuvering in unstable conditions, the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive kicks in to assist. If you lose control, the VDC electronic stability control intervenes to help you get back on track.

All Around Protection

The 2020 Outback is built with high-strength steel as part of the acclaimed Subaru Global Platform. It helps your vehicle absorb impact energy and protects you during a crash. It also includes a ring-shaped reinforcement frame for super protection.

People Also Ask

Here’s What Other People Also Ask About the 2020 Subaru Outback:

Which is the best engine for a Subaru Outback?

The 2.5-liter turbo-charged Subaru Boxer engine is acclaimed in the auto industry. It’s a 4-cylinder engine that produces 310 horsepower. By comparison, the 2.0-liter boxer engine comes with a choice of 152, 200, or 255 hp in a lightweight efficient design. The 2.5-liter boxer pushes forward with a responsive 182 horsepower.

Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

In September of 2019, the NHTSA issued a single safety recall for the 2020 Subaru Outback. The issue involved reduced brake performance due to a faulty or missing brake pedal mounting bracket. It stated that if the vehicle owner failed to correct the problem, it could cause deformity to the mounting area for the brake pedal. This would create a higher risk of crashing.

How Much does a 2020 Subaru Outback cost?

Subaru released its 2020 Outback with a sticker price of $27,655, which is about $335 more than the previous year’s model in 2019. With the various trim levels, most Outbacks for 2020 cost more than $30,000. The top cost easily reaches $40,000 with all the bells and whistles.

avatar Wendy K. L
Wendy L. is a full-time journalist with a secret passion for vintage Mustangs. While road-tripping the world for more than 10 years, she’s published features and content for clients such as USA Today, NBC Universal and King 5 News.
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