The 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring stands out as a versatile and reliable wagon, perfectly blending the practicality of an SUV with the comfort of a car. If you're looking for a vehicle that can handle both your daily commute and weekend adventures, the Outback 2.5i Touring is definitely worth considering. In this comprehensive review, we'll dive deep into what makes this model year special, exploring its key features, performance, interior, technology, and overall value. Buckle up, guys, because we're about to take a detailed ride!

Performance and Handling

When it comes to performance, the 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring offers a balanced and capable driving experience. The heart of this model is its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers a respectable 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While it might not be the most powerful engine in its class, it provides adequate acceleration and smooth power delivery for everyday driving situations. Whether you're merging onto the highway or navigating city streets, the Outback 2.5i Touring feels confident and responsive.

One of the standout features of the Outback is its standard symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. This system ensures that power is distributed evenly to all four wheels, providing enhanced traction and stability in various weather conditions. Whether you're driving on snow-covered roads, wet pavement, or gravel trails, the Outback's all-wheel-drive system gives you the confidence to tackle challenging terrain. The vehicle's X-Mode feature further enhances its off-road capabilities by optimizing the engine, transmission, and braking system for maximum traction in slippery conditions.

The Outback's suspension is tuned for comfort, providing a smooth and compliant ride on both paved and unpaved roads. It soaks up bumps and potholes with ease, minimizing discomfort for passengers. The steering is light and precise, making it easy to maneuver the Outback in tight spaces. While it's not a sports car, the Outback handles surprisingly well for a vehicle of its size, with minimal body roll in corners.

The 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring also comes standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While some drivers may be hesitant about CVTs, Subaru's implementation is one of the best in the industry. It mimics the behavior of a traditional automatic transmission, providing smooth and seamless gear changes. The CVT also helps to improve fuel efficiency, allowing the Outback to achieve respectable gas mileage figures. You can expect to get around 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is pretty good for a vehicle with all-wheel drive.

Interior Comfort and Design

Stepping inside the 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring, you'll be greeted by a well-appointed and comfortable cabin. The Touring trim offers a premium interior with high-quality materials and thoughtful design touches. The seats are upholstered in soft leather, providing excellent support and comfort for long drives. The front seats are heated and ventilated, ensuring that you stay comfortable in any weather condition. The driver's seat also features power adjustments and memory settings, allowing you to find the perfect driving position.

The Outback's interior is spacious and airy, with plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats can comfortably accommodate three adults, making it a great choice for families. The rear seats also recline, allowing passengers to relax and enjoy the ride. The Outback also has a generous cargo area, with 32.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Folding down the rear seats expands the cargo area to 75.7 cubic feet, providing ample room for luggage, groceries, or outdoor gear.

The dashboard is well-organized and easy to use, with intuitive controls and a large touchscreen display. The Touring trim comes standard with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which is one of the largest in its class. The touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate, with clear graphics and a user-friendly interface. It integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to access your smartphone apps, music, and navigation on the go.

The interior of the 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring is also remarkably quiet, thanks to Subaru's efforts to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). The Outback's sound insulation effectively blocks out road noise and wind noise, creating a serene and relaxing driving environment. Whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a long road trip, you'll appreciate the Outback's quiet and comfortable cabin.

Technology and Safety Features

The 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring is packed with advanced technology and safety features that enhance your driving experience and provide peace of mind. As mentioned earlier, the Touring trim comes standard with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, which serves as the central hub for the vehicle's infotainment system. The touchscreen integrates seamlessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to access your smartphone apps, music, and navigation on the go. It also features a split-screen display, allowing you to view multiple apps at the same time.

The Outback also comes standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist system, which includes a suite of advanced safety technologies. EyeSight includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features work together to help prevent accidents and keep you safe on the road. Adaptive cruise control maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically adjusting your speed to match the flow of traffic. Lane departure warning alerts you if you start to drift out of your lane, while lane keeping assist gently steers you back into your lane. Automatic emergency braking can detect pedestrians and other vehicles in your path and automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision.

In addition to EyeSight, the 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring also comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. Blind-spot monitoring alerts you if there's a vehicle in your blind spot, while rear cross-traffic alert warns you of approaching vehicles when you're backing out of a parking space. Reverse automatic braking can detect objects behind you and automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision.

The Outback also features a DriverFocus distraction mitigation system, which uses a camera to monitor the driver's eyes and detect signs of drowsiness or distraction. If the system detects that the driver is not paying attention to the road, it will issue an alert to remind them to focus on driving. This feature can be especially helpful on long road trips or when driving late at night.

Overall Value and Conclusion

The 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring offers exceptional value for its price, combining practicality, comfort, and advanced technology in a single package. It's a versatile vehicle that can handle both your daily commute and weekend adventures. With its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and standard all-wheel-drive system, the Outback is a great choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The Touring trim adds a touch of luxury with its leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and premium audio system.

While the 2.5-liter engine may not be the most powerful in its class, it provides adequate performance for most driving situations. The CVT transmission is smooth and efficient, helping the Outback achieve respectable fuel economy figures. The Outback's standard EyeSight driver-assist system is a standout feature, providing a comprehensive suite of safety technologies that can help prevent accidents.

Overall, the 2022 Subaru Outback 2.5i Touring is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile and reliable wagon. It offers a compelling combination of practicality, comfort, technology, and safety, making it one of the best vehicles in its class. If you're in the market for a new wagon, be sure to give the Outback 2.5i Touring a test drive. You won't be disappointed!