carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $18,760–$25,044 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2013 Subaru Outback at 7.0/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.7/10, while Technology at 5.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.7/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.7/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $18,760–$25,044, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Subaru Outback sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 7.1/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 13 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2013 Subaru Outback is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2013 Subaru Outback ranks #2010 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $18,760 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 48%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Outback model years we've scored, the 2013 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $32,748 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $32,748 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $31,795 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $30,841 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $29,887 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $28,933 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $27,979 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $27,025 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $26,071 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $25,118 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $24,164 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $23,210 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V008000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of… |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V007000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,… |
| Parking brake 13/09/2018 · 18V626000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 09/01/2019 · 19V009000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 02/01/2020 · 20V003000 | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
Showing 5 of 12 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
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