2023 Subaru Outback Arrives With More Style And More Tech

The 2022 New York Auto Show will go down as the "great SUVs get even better" show. Case in point, the 2023 Subaru Outback arrives sporting some subtle exterior updates, tech upgrades inside, and improvements to an already impressive suite of safety technology. America's best-selling wagon (Subaru calls it a crossover) just got even more appealing. Let's start with the exterior changes.

Every trim besides the rugged Wilderness model gets a more prominent grille, redesigned LED headlights and fog lights, and more aggressive front bumper. We particularly like the new headlights, which remind us of the all-electric Subaru Soltera. It also receives wider wheel arch cladding to pair with the more aggressive overall styling.

Engine choices remain the same this year, though the Onyx Edition is now available with both options instead of just the more powerful turbocharged unit. The base engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four, punching out 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. XT models and the Wilderness come standard with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft, while the Onyx Edition gets it optionally. All engines send their power out to Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel drive through a continuously variable transmission.

Every Outback gets Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard, now with a wider field of view, updated control software, and an electric brake booster. The Touring trim adds a Wide-Angle Mono Camera that can recognize pedestrians and bicycles sooner. This model also gets a new LCD Smart Rear-View Mirror.

Inside, the Outback gets a healthy dose of technology with the latest Starlink infotainment system. It lives on an 11.6-inch touchscreen that features standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto with full screen display, plus a new what3words navigation feature. Subaru says it improved the touchscreen's usability for audio, HVAC, X-MODE, and other features.

Subaru will offer the 2023 Outback in Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims when it arrives in Fall 2022. Pricing should become available closer to launch.