Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2019 Subaru Outback

midsize car / 4-door wagon

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2019 Subaru Outback 4-door wagon
2018 Subaru Outback shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteriaRating
Small overlap front: driver-side
G
Small overlap front: passenger-side
G
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Side: original test
G
Roof strength
G
Head restraints & seats
G

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteriaRating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
GAM
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteriaRating
LATCH ease of use
G
+

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2015 model year. 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 2015.

Evaluation criteriaRating
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEN1433
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 7
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 6
Lower instrument panel (cm) 6

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEN1433
Head
HIC-15 120
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 4
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Femur (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 4
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.53
Right 0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.5
Right 0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 65
Right 43

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Subaru Outback 2.5i wagon 4wd

The Subaru Outback was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Beginning with the 2018 model year, the front-end and occupant compartment structure was reinforced to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap crash tests. The small overlap frontal crash test ratings also apply to the sedan version of the Outback, known as the Legacy, also redesigned for 2015 and similarly modified in 2018.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the passenger dummy’s head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The passenger’s space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEP1710
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Footrest (cm) 9
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 1
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 5
Right lower dash (cm) 6

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEP1710
Head
HIC-15 69
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 2.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 2
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.37
Right 0.43
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1
Right 1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 51
Right 35

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEP1710
Head
HIC-15 31
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 30
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.28
Right 0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 45
Right 32

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Legacy was redesigned for the 2015 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 2015.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTF1404
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 2
Left (cm) 3
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -3
Rearward (cm) -6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID VTF1404
Head
HIC-15 117
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 20
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 32
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.6
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.48
Maximum tibia index - right 0.55
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 67
Right 57

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium wagon 4wd with standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags

The Subaru Outback was redesigned for the 2015 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Rear passenger head protection
G
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1405
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -22.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID VTS1405
Head HIC-15 112
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 41
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 39
Average deflection (mm) 30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.76
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.61
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.5
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.3
Combined force (kN) 2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 1.0
L-M moment (Nm) 106
A-P moment (Nm) 25

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID VTS1405
Head HIC-15 215
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.2
Compression (kN) 0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 27
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 20
Average deflection (mm) 16
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.54
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.21
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.6
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.6
Combined force (kN) 2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.2
L-M moment (Nm) 42
A-P moment (Nm) 16

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2015-19 models

Tested vehicle: 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the Subaru Legacy (tested) and the structurally similar Subaru Outback.

Overall evaluation
G
Curb weight3,455 lbs
Peak force18,533 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.36

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power cloth seat

Overall evaluation
G
Dynamic rating
G
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 17
Distance below top of head (mm) -7
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 12.5
Head contact time (ms) 50
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 140

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5i Limited trim
  • 2.5i Touring trim
  • 3.6R Limited trim
  • 3.6R Touring trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
G
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

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

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the sharp right curve.

Technical measurements for this test
Evaluation criteria Measurement
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5i Limited trim
  • 2.5i Touring trim
  • 3.6R Limited trim
  • 3.6R Touring trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-19 models
G
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 117.0 m None
Straightaway left edge 53.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 89.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 54.9 m None
150m radius right curve, left edge 59.9 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 49.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 144.2 m
Straightaway left edge 136.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 89.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 81.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 79.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 63.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5i Premium trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
A
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Evaluation criteria Measurement
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5i Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-19 models
A
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 84.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 47.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 52.7 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 45.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.0 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 39.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 159.1 m
Straightaway left edge 145.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 64.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.1 m

Trim level(s)

  • 2.5i trim
  • 2.5i Premium trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
M
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

Technical measurements for this test
Evaluation criteria Measurement
Trim level(s)
  • 2.5i trim
  • 2.5i Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-19 models
M
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 84.8 m None
Straightaway left edge 47.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 52.7 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 45.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 44.0 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 39.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 159.1 m
Straightaway left edge 145.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 65.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 64.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 48.1 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-19 models

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim2.5i
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 and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

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

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim2.5i
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
Rating iconRating
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

PositionRating
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
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 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

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 4
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 83
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

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
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

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 0-2
Force (lbs) 2
Clearance angle (degrees) 81
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