Top Safety Pick

2024 Subaru Outback

midsize car / 4-door wagon

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use	+

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Optional rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

The driver-side small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2020.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1914
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Footrest (cm)	3
Left toepan (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Parking brake (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Upper dash (cm)	1
Lower instrument panel (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN1914
Head
HIC-15	131
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.59
Right	0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.5
Right	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	58
Right	119

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

The passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2020.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics The dummy’s head contacted the right side of the frontal airbag but began to move into the gap between the frontal and side curtain airbags, leaving the head vulnerable to contact with forward structure. The inflated side curtain airbag has sufficient forward coverage to protect the head from contact with side structure and outside objects.
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1929
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Footrest (cm)	3
Right toepan (cm)	2
Center toepan (cm)	1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Upper dash (cm)	3
Right lower dash (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1929
Head
HIC-15	76
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	19
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	20
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.33
Right	0.40
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.6
Right	1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	29
Right	48

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP1929
Head
HIC-15	73
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	17
Maximum Nij	0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Femur (kN)
Left	0.3
Right	0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.36
Right	0.38
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.0
Right	1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	25
Right	44

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2020 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

The moderate overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the Legacy, known as the Outback, also redesigned for 2020.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1922
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	3
Left (cm)	6
Center (cm)	7
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-1
Rearward (cm)	0
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	2

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1922
Head
HIC-15	228
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm)	33
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.3
Femur force - right (kN)	1.0
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.44
Maximum tibia index - right	0.75
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.4
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	54
Right	51

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2023-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Subaru Outback 4wd

The Subaru Outback was redesigned for the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head approached the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt moved from the ideal position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

During rebound the rear passenger dummy's head moved outside of the side curtain airbag and contacted the rear window door trim. The head protection is inadequate and puts the head at risk of possible contact with outside objects.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2309
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	5
Left (cm)	9
Center (cm)	11
Right (cm)	8
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	2
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	2
Rearward (cm)	-2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2309
Head
HIC-15	195
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.30
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	1.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.35
Right	0.56
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.3
Right	2.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	50
Right	56

Test ID	CEF2309
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	28
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.8
Compression (kN)	0.2
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	40
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	4.2
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.7
Right femur compression	0.3

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Subaru Outback Premium wagon 4wd

The Subaru Outback was redesigned for the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2220
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2220
Head
HIC-15	69
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	24
Lateral force (kN)	0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	39
Average deflection (mm)	32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.00
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.90
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2220
Head
HIC-15	387
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.3
Compression (kN)	0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	46
Lateral force (kN)	2.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	36
Average deflection (mm)	32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.04
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.69
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	3.8

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2023-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	112.9 m	None
Straightaway left edge	65.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	84.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	65.1 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	69.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	53.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	130.3 m
Straightaway left edge	126.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	94.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	79.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	70.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	66.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard EyeSight

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 6 mph.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2.7 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph and a warning was issued 1.1 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	Premium
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor, a single lower anchor and the ability to borrow the second anchor from another position.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation	+ extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim	Premium
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	1 dedicated anchor and 1 that can be borrowed from seat 1
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	99
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	100
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	84
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	93
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	67 dB
Difference between background and signal	16.2 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	54 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	66 dB
Difference between background and signal	12.4 dB
Dominant audio frequency	584 Hz