2017 Outback Touring...note new Brilliant Brown color, sleek roof rails, and unique wheels



Touring model with unique Java Brown seating.


Executive Summary

The first 2017 Outbacks are arriving at Planet Subaru now!  Learn more about ordering a 2017 Subaru Outback from Planet Subaru. 

Don't expect huge changes from last year's model.  Subaru introduced an all-new Outback for the 2015 model year so Subaru did not make substantial modifications in this third model year.  Dimensions, sheet metal, and most specifications are identical. Subaru builds most of its vehicles, including Outback, on a five-year "product cycle."  They typically engineer modest changes into the fourth year, when we usually see revised headlights, taillights, bumper covers, interior gauges, and other relatively inexpensive modifications that keep the vehicle looking fresh.  We expect to see those changes on the 2018 model.  

Subaru does make incremental changes annually, however.  The 2017 Outback is the first Subaru model to use HFO-1234yf air conditioner refrigerant, which poses less of climate change risk than the current industry standard, HFC-134a.

Also new for 2017 is a new Touring trim level, never before offered on an Outback.  See pictures above. As the new flagship model, the 2017 Outback Touring features a dark gray grille and 18-inch wheels with dark gray accents and a machined finish. Low-profile roof rails in a silver finish along with lower cladding and Outback badging in chrome accentuate the unique styling of this model.   

Outback Touring models are available in both the 2.5-liter, 175-hp, 4-cyl and the powerful 3.6-liter, 256-hp, 6-cylinder engines.  Brilliant Brown is added to the exterior color options while all Touring interiors feature a new Java Brown perforated leather-trimmed upholstery, door panels, and armrests with contrasting ivory stitching.  Refinements including a unique woodgrain interior finish and piano-black switch panel accents complete the signature look.  A heated steering wheel, never before offered on a Subaru, is also standard on Touring trim.

Debuting on the 2017 Outback model line, Reverse Automatic Braking helps the driver avoid a possible collision when the vehicle is moving in reverse. The system uses four ultrasonic sonar sensors located in the rear bumper cover and can automatically stop the vehicle.  Subaru's highly-rated EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology along with Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are standard and are paired with the new High Beam Assist feature. This system works in conjunction with EyeSight to automatically switch the headlights between the high and low settings when an oncoming vehicle is detected.



 Planet-exclusive Subaru Outback gallery.  Click to enlarge.





Outback Colors
(Not pictured is Brilliant Brown with Java Brown interior, but it appears in photos at top of this page).
Java Brown interior is standard on Touring models.

Interior colors are noted in parentheses (B=black, I=ivory)




2017 Subaru Outback changes:

 
 





Eyesight
Subaru keeps adding capability to its acclaimed suite of driver assistance technologies.  For 2017, Subaru adds Reverse Automatic Braking and High Beam Assist.   		  The system already included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision forward braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic alert.  
 






 
Interior Space
These dimensions remain the same.  		   
108.1 cubic feet passenger volume


  
Rear legroom 38.1 inches


 
35.5 cubic feet cargo space with seats up.  Dawg sets you back a few cubic feet.


 
73.3 cubic feet with seats down.
Adding space or making substantial changes to the interior takes a lot of money and engineering resources, so Subaru usually undertakes this project only once every five years.
 






 
Cost

 See current pricingSubaru typically increases prices annually to keep up with inflation.. 
 





Engines and Fuel Economy
The 2.5 liter displacement in the standard engine does not change.      		 

Continuously variable
automatic transmission:
 25 city, 32 highway

No manual offered.
 

 

Go Go Motor Option
Optional six pot has 256 horsepower, but gets pretty good fuel economy because of the advanced transmission. 		 
Optional 3.6 liter
six cylinder
with high torque Lineartronic
Continuously Variable
Transmission
20 city, 27 highway
Subaru sells a diesel in world markets but we will not see that engine stateside. Pipe dreamers hoping for the return of a turbocharged engine can keep dreaming. 
 



What equipment do you get with each model?





Take a deep dive into 2017 Outback:

The fifth generation Subaru Outback, the World's First Sport-Utility Wagon®, continues as a segment leader after more than 20 years. Equipped as standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, raised ground clearance, X-Mode, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, the roomy Outback is a master of outdoors-oriented activities and everyday family hauling.

Offered in four trim levels, starting with an MSRP of $25,645, Outback comes standard with a 2.5-liter Boxer engine and Lineartronic CVT with manual mode and paddle shifters. The Outback 2.5i achieves 25 mpg city/32 mpg EPA-estimated fuel economy, among the highest for midsize crossovers with all-wheel drive.

The Outback 2.5i models feature STARLINK 6.2" Multimedia with today's most in-demand user technologies, including: 6.2-in. single-touch gesture display, AM/FM stereo with HD Radio®, single-disc CD player, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod® control, iTunes® Tagging, a USB port and auxiliary input jack. Smartphone integration features Aha™ and Pandora®, along with STARLINK cloud applications iHeartRadio®, Stitcher, Calendar, Music Player, News and Weather. The screen also provides the display for the standard rear vision camera.

In addition to STARLINK, Premium trim adds the All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer), dual zone automatic climate control system, 10-way power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift handle, electroluminescent instrument panel with LCD color display, auto up/down front windows, illuminated overhead console and front door pull handles and body-color side mirrors. Premium trim also offers an optional Power Rear gate with  height memory.

Premium, Limited and Touring trims have a standard STARLINK 7.0" Multimedia Plus with a high-resolution 7-in. LCD screen featuring multi-touch gesture controls, Bluetooth hands-free SMS text messaging and dual USB ports. These trims offer Sirius XM satellite radio with Travelink information including weather and sports. There is a 4-month free trial on these services.

The Limited trim Outback is priced from $32,390 and steps up the luxury with perforated leather-trimmed upholstery, heated rear seat backs and cushions, rear-seat air conditioner outlets, 4-way power front passenger seat, a harman/kardon® 575-watt equivalent amplifier and harman/kardon surround 12-speaker audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, turn-signal side mirrors and woodgrain-pattern matte-finish interior accent trim. HID low beam headlights and multi-reflector halogen high beams come standard on Outback Limited while automatic HID low beam height adjust control comes standard on EyeSight-equipped Limited models.

New for 2017, a flagship Outback 2.5i Touring model debuts featuring a dark gray grille insert and 18-in. wheels with dark gray accents and machined finish. Low-profile roof rails in a silver finish along with lower cladding and Outback badging in chrome accentuate the unique styling of this model. Brilliant Brown Pearl is added to the exterior options while all Touring interiors feature a new Java Brown leather-trimmed upholstery, door panels and armrests with contrasting ivory stitching. Refinements including a unique woodgrain interior finish and piano- black switch panels accents complete the signature look. A heated steering wheel is also standard on Touring trim. Touring models are also available with a 256-horsepower 3.6 liter, 6-cylinder Boxer engine teamed to a high-torque Lineartronic CVT with manual mode and paddle shifters. Outback Touring models are priced from $35,995.

Subaru Outback earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ rating with the available Subaru-developed EyeSight system. The EyeSight system partners multiple safety technologies to act as a 'second set of eyes' for the driver. The system includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure and Sway Warning as well as Lane Keep Assist.

New for 2017, Limited and Touring trim models receive Reverse Automatic Braking, which detects object when reversing and automatically triggers an alert and brakes the vehicle to avoid a collision and High Beam Assist as standard, in addition to Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security systems to continue to provide two packages that are among the most affordable in the industry. The STARLINK Safety Plus package includes SOS Emergency Assistance, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, Maintenance Notifications, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and Diagnostic Alerts.

For even greater peace of mind, the STARLINK Safety Plus & Security Plus Package adds Stolen Vehicle Recovery Service, Vehicle Security Alarm Notification, Remote Lock/Unlock, Remote Horn and Lights and Remote Vehicle Locator.

The Outback is built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) in Lafayette, IN.
 

Outback Links:
  • See current pricing and trim levels.
  • Visit our Outback Center with pics and links.
  • Peruse a fancy dynamic Outback Brochure. 
  • Watch an Outback pulling out of a glacier.
  • Review Insurance Institute for Highway Safety test results
  • See Outback's top three outward visibility ranking


Search for your Outback or place a factory order:



    






Dad's Outback from Planet keeps going.  Childhood does not.  Pictured are brothers Evan and Lucas Whitemyer, on their "first day of school" together many years ago, and their last "first day of school" together.  




Outbacks through the years:

Originally introduced in 1995, the first Outback was basically just a Legacy wagon with two tone paint and a little cosmetic differentiation.  In 1996, Subaru produced the Outback that you would recognize today, with aggressive cladding, raised suspension, and bigger engine.  1997 saw the first Outback Sedan, a vehicle unlike anything sold at the time.  It was available all the way through 2007.   

 
2015+
This latest generation is slightly larger in every dimension, and the upscale interior abounds with technology and infotainment functions.  Airbag count rises to eight with the addition of seat cushion airbags that deploy from the flat part of the seat to hold front occupants in place during an accident.
 
 
2010 through 2014
Sales went through the roof with the introduction of a larger Outback, close in size to traditional sport utility vehicles but a heckuva lot more economical and responsible.  Continuously variable transmission debuts and causes steroidal fuel economy gains.  Eyesight appears in 2013. 
 
 
2005 through 2009
 In 2005, we welcomed a quieter, more upscale Outback, even though the size remained pretty much the same.  Six airbags were standard.  Subaru offered a turbocharged XT model only on this generation. 
 
 
2000 through 2004
 This generation ironed out the wrinkles in the previous version, especially in the interior, formerly an expanse of hard plastic and curious ergonomics.  Hood scoop from the Techno-Brutal era of Japanese auto styling goes away and no one misses it.  First optional six cylinder arrived in 2001, along with Vehicle Dynamics Control.
 
 
1995 through 1999
 Arguably, Subaru created the "crossover" segment by building a car with the sport utility capabilities of a truck.  No wonder that "Subaru" comes quickly to mind when people think rugged, practical, and economical.  This was a functional car, but not a pretty one.  Dual sunroof model, also known as the "Double Bubble," appears in 1998. 
 


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