The 2020 Subaru Outback has been named to Autotrader’s 10 Best Cars for Dog Lovers list. The Outback, known for its reliability and suitability for families of all shapes, sizes and breeds, was chosen for its versatility on and off-road, allowing for safe, pup-friendly adventures.
“At Subaru, we’re committed to not only improving the lives of pets, but also to creating vehicles that keep our furry friends safe and comfortable on all of their adventures,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. “Being included in Autotrader’s list of Best Car for Dog Lovers really exemplifies the work we do to ensure our vehicles are a good fit for every member of the family, including the four-legged one.”
Autotrader’s list, released in honor of National Dog Day on August 26th, evaluated vehicles that have features aimed at keeping both humans and dogs safe – including large rear doors, low cargo floors and more. Vehicles named to the list offer the comfort, convenience and safety features to accommodate every two-legged and four-legged passenger. To learn more about the Best Cars for Dog Lovers of 2020, visit https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/best-cars-for-dogs.
Both on and off the road, Subaru is a company committed to pet safety and well-being. The Subaru Loves Pets initiative is dedicated to helping improve the lives of dogs and other animals in communities nationwide. The automaker’s commitment to pets is one part of its Love Promise company vision. For more information about Subaru Loves Pets, please visit www.subaru.com/pets.
Here’s What’s New:
- The Outback is fully redesigned for 2020
- New 11.6-inch tablet-style interface for the infotainment system
- Two available engines, including a 260-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder
- Part of the sixth Outback generation introduced for 2020
Pros & Cons
- Spacious and comfortable cabin
- Optional turbocharged engine makes excellent power
- Loading the roof or cargo area is easier compared to most SUVs
- Above-average off-road ability
- Small-item cabin storage is compromised by big center touchscreen
- Bumpy ride quality with turbocharged XT models
- Small climate-control touchscreen buttons can be hard to use
Based on its dimensions, the 2020 Subaru Outback is classified as a midsize SUV. But when viewed from the side, you’ll probably think the Outback has a distinct wagon look to it, albeit a rugged one. Whatever you call it, though, the Outback is one of the most versatile, capable and comfortable vehicles in its class. And for 2020, the Outback is completely redesigned.
Powering this new Outback are one of two new engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine and a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The turbocharged engine is particularly appealing given its boost in power and fuel economy compared to the Outback’s old non-turbocharged six-cylinder. Both engines come standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Subaru has done a nice job tuning the CVT’s operation to make it imperceptible in most driving.
Along with standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic braking, the Outback now gets an advanced DriverFocus system that uses an infrared monitor to detect if the driver is distracted or sleepy. The system can also “recognize” you by scanning your face when you get in and then set the seats and mirrors to your personal preferences.
Off-road, the Outback is just as trail-friendly as it has ever been. The 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive system mean that gravel and dirt roads are no issue. You can even take on the tougher stuff by using the Outback’s X-Mode system that operates hill descent control and selectable traction-control modes for snowy or muddy conditions.
There are a few drawbacks, such as a bit of intrusive cabin noise at highway speeds and a newly available 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen that looks great but can be tricky to use at times. But otherwise, this new Outback is impressive. The seats are abundantly comfortable, cargo space is competitive, and features are plentiful. Before you choose to buy any other midsize SUV, be sure to take the 2020 Outback for a test drive.
