Subaru Outback trim comparison

2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness vs Touring

The Outback Wilderness starts at $41,710 while the Touring is $42,280. That $570 gap buys 6 meaningful differences.

The short answer

This trim jump changes the engine from 2.4L flat 4 Turbo to 2.5L flat 4. Everything else is secondary to whether that powertrain difference matters for how you drive.

Start with the Wilderness if the 2.4L flat 4 Turbo already feels sufficient for the way you drive. Step up to the Touring only when the 2.5L flat 4 powertrain is the reason you are moving higher in the lineup.

Think about this as a monthly tradeoff, not just a sticker gap. The Touring adds about $11/month on a typical 60-month loan, or around $660 more overall with interest. The payment only makes sense if that different powertrain matters to the way you actually drive, tow, or live with the vehicle.

$570
Price Gap
+78 HP
HP Diff
+5 MPG
MPG Diff
Trim navigation

Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.

Compare another trim against Touring Touring stays locked on this side. Pick a different trim for the other slot without leaving the exact head-to-head route.
Compare another trim against Wilderness Wilderness stays locked on this side. Use this row to test the next trim up or down while keeping the exact pair page intact.
Lower-price trim
Starts at $41,710
VS
Higher-price trim
Starts at $42,280
Base / Value: Wilderness
Clear Upgrade: Touring

Who notices the difference

The higher trim starts to make more sense when you are specifically shopping for the stronger powertrain, not just more trim content.

When both feel the same

Both the Wilderness and Touring share the same continuously variable-speed automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.

The upgrade math

You are paying $570 for 5 measurable differences, which works out to about $114 per change.

Key Differences at a Glance

This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.

MSRP
$41,710
vs
$42,280
Engine
2.4L flat 4 Turbo
vs
2.5L flat 4
Horsepower
260 hp
vs
182 hp
Fuel Economy
23 MPG combined
vs
28 MPG combined
All-weather floor mats for the 2025 Subaru Outback Check prices on Amazon (paid link)

Every Difference, Side by Side

This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 6 specification differences, 1 shared.

Engine Biggest
Wilderness2.4L flat 4 Turbo
Touring2.5L flat 4
Fuel Economy
Wilderness23 MPG combined
Touring28 MPG combined
Curb Weight
Wilderness3,922 lbs
Touring3,781 lbs

Full Specification Comparison

Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.

Spec Wilderness Touring
Pricing
MSRP$41,710$42,280
Powertrain
Engine2.4L flat 4 Turbo2.5L flat 4
Horsepower260 hp182 hp
Torque277 lb-ft176 lb-ft
Transmissioncontinuously variable-speed automaticcontinuously variable-speed automatic
DrivetrainAWDAWD
Fuel Economy
City MPG2126
Highway MPG2632
Combined MPG2328
Fuel Tank18.5 gal18.5 gal
Annual Fuel Cost (EPA)No published data$1,550/yr
Dimensions
Curb Weight3,922 lbs3,781 lbs
Wheelbase108.1"108.1"
Length191.3"191.1"
Width74.6"73.0"
Height66.9"66.1"
Safety
NHTSA Overall5/5 stars5/5 stars
Warranty
Bumper-to-Bumper3yr/36k3yr/36k
Powertrain5yr/60k5yr/60k
Corrosion5yr/unlimited5yr/unlimited
Roadside Assistance3yr/36k3yr/36k

Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.

2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness vs Touring Questions Shoppers Ask

Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Subaru Outback lineup, the Subaru brand hub, the Midsize Sedans, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.

How much more does the 2025 Outback Touring cost than the Wilderness?

The Touring starts at $42,280 compared to $41,710 for the Wilderness. That is a $570 difference, or approximately $11/month more on a 60-month loan.

Do the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness and Touring have the same engine?

No. The Wilderness uses a 2.4L flat 4 Turbo (260 hp, 277 lb-ft), while the Touring has the 2.5L flat 4 (182 hp, 176 lb-ft). Both pair with the same continuously variable-speed automatic.

Do the 2025 Outback Wilderness and Touring have the same drivetrain?

Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.

Is the 2025 Outback Wilderness or Touring safer?

Both share the same Subaru Outback platform with an overall 5-star NHTSA safety rating. Safety ratings are model-level and identical across trims. The trim choice affects comfort and features, not crash protection.

What warranty does the 2025 Subaru Outback come with?

All 2025 Subaru Outback trims, including both the Wilderness and Touring, come with Subaru's standard warranty: 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper and 5yr/60k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.

Is the 2025 Subaru Outback Touring worth $570 more than the Wilderness?

The $570 buys the 2.5L flat 4. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the Wilderness does the same job for less.

Which 2025 Subaru Outback trim gets better fuel economy, the Wilderness or the Touring?

The Touring is the more efficient of the two at 28 combined MPG, versus 23 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.

Breaking Down the $570 Gap

The Touring earns its premium. For $570 more, you get the 2.5L flat 4 engine (+-78 hp), making this one of the more straightforward upgrade decisions in the Outback lineup.

How the Wilderness and Touring Feel Different

Moving from the Wilderness to the Touring means a different engine entirely. That means -78 more horsepower and -101 more lb-ft of torque.

Fuel Economy Comparison

The Outback Touring gets 5 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $326 per year or $1,630 over five years of ownership.

The Short Version

$570 more for the Outback Touring gets you 5 real differences. At $11/month more, the question is whether those specific changes are things you will use regularly.

Trim-Matched Accessories

These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.

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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2025 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Subaru or any dealership.

Page updated 2026-03-18. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.

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