It’s really no secret by now that the average price of a new car has surpassed $50,000. I mean, I talk about it all the time. But I talk about it all the time because it sucks.
Well, at this point, the headline is often a continued price increase for vehicles heading into 2027, driven by President Trump’s tariffs, regulatory mandates, and advanced technology. It’s enough to make you weep when you hear of a new Chinese EV heading to Europe (and Canada).
But not this time.
Subaru Outback is actually cheaper in 2027
Now that’s a refreshing headline.
The new price of the base trim Subaru Outback will be $34,540 (including destination fee). The 2026 was $36,445 when new. So, it’s not a huge change, but we’ll take anything at this point. You save just about enough to fill your tank!
“The return of an entry-level Subaru Outback trim for 2027 underscores our commitment to providing consumers with affordable, safe, and reliable vehicles,” said Jeff Walters, President and COO of Subaru of America, Inc. “Now, more than ever, we’re focused on offering vehicles designed to meet the budget and needs of families and new car buyers looking for value and capability.”
The base Outback has a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 180 horsepower, an automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. It’s… Not impressive. Car and Driver called the steering “numb” and the handling “loose.” MotorTrend called it “sluggish.” I mean, the lower price was meant to help the Outback compete against the likes of SUVs like the Honda Passport and Toyota 4Runner. And those aren’t exhilarating rides either.
The Outback is better suited to weekend trips and off-road adventures. It’s no Jeep, but it can handle some mildly challenging terrain. And the interior is comfortable, quiet, and spacious enough for most road trips. Plus, you have a ton of ugly plastic cladding that protects the Outback and gives it a more rugged appearance. It has more personality and off-roading capabilities than some of its competitors.
However, you probably want to go with the Subaru Outback Wilderness. This trim starts at $45,540, which is $1,000 cheaper than last year. You’ll get 9.5 inches of ground clearance, adaptive dampers, all-terrain tires, and a 260-horsepower turbocharged engine. This is the one to get if you want to actually go off-roading. And hey, the Toyota 4Runner is over $70,000 if you go with the Trailhunter trim, so that’s a huge plus to sticking with the Wilderness.
I’ve always admired Subaru for never being afraid to stand out. That’s quite valuable to me in a sea of boring, safe vehicles. It currently has three new manual offerings, which is sadly quite bold in 2026, when only 1% of cars have manual transmission. The Trailseeker, its electric Outback basically, is also a bit more capable than your average EV. So, the 2027 Subaru Outback may not be perfect. But I am glad Subaru is trying to make driving an SUV fun and cheap.
“We aim to create cars that can be enjoyed more casually,” said Chief Technology Officer Tetsuro Fujinuki back in June 2026.
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