2025 Subaru Outback vs 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness

Subaru fans are fiercely loyal to the brand, and for good reason. For those familiar with Subaru's iconic symmetric AWD systems and legendary capabilities, there is a high level of trust in their faithful Scoobies to get them to places way further offroad than other offerings in the family SUV market.

This brings us to the subjects of our article, the latest 2025 Subaru Outback and its offspring, the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness.

These models are more off-road oriented for those unfamiliar with Subaru Wilderness SUVs. They offer taller ground clearance, excellent approach, departure, and break-over angles, plus low gearing to maximize traction and further features that make them even more capable off the beaten track than their regular counterparts.

Stay with us as we share the differences between these two models.

What's New For 2025?

Subaru last updated the Outback model in 2023 with new exterior styling, some upgraded interior finishes, better infotainment, plus more safety features.

For 2025, everything remains as is aside from the addition of a Power moonroof, the DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System, navigation, plus a 360-degree heated steering wheel now standard on the Limited trim.

A completely new Subaru Outback is expected in 2026.

The 2025 Subaru Outback is available in nine trim packages: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and range topper Touring XT trim.

Exterior Differences

The "regular" Outback models continue with their immediately recognizable and distinctive body design. The 2025 model year features a more aggressive and angular front fascia with its wider grille, redesigned headlights, and new-look front LED fog lights from the last refresh.   

Across the trim lineup, exterior features such as LED steering responsive headlights, a rear spoiler, front and rear windshield wiper de-icers, and  18-inch alloy wheels in various trim-dependent finishes wrapped in all-season tires.

Standard roof rails with integrated and retractable crossbars are seen with a 150-pound maximum capacity and integrated tie-down points.

The Outback is 191.9 inches long, 74.2 inches wide, and 66.1 inches high. The Outback's tracks measure 61.8 inches/62.8 inches front and rear.

The standard four-wheel independent raised suspension offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2025 Outback Wilderness, being the more off-road oriented Wilderness model, is fitted with Wilderness trim exclusive exterior equipment such as:

• LED fog lights in a hexagonal style
• Folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals in black
• Roof rails with integrated tie-down points and Anodized Copper-finish accents offering 200 pounds dynamic maximum capacity and 700 pounds static maximum capacity

The Wilderness rides on 17 x 7.0-inch aluminum alloy wheels in a matte black finish that is wrapped in 225/65 R17 Yokohama all-terrain tires for enhanced off-road traction.

The Wilderness measures in at a slightly shorter 191.3 inches long, wider at 74.6 inches, and taller at 66.9 inches high. The Outback Wilderness wheels are also farther apart, with a wheel track measuring 62 inches/63 inches front and rear.

The enhanced ground clearance of  9.5 inches, courtesy of the longer front and rear shock absorbers with increased suspension travel, enables owners to adventure further off the blacktop.

Interior Differences

The 2025 Subaru Outback cabin is functional yet comfortable, and it is built with quality materials. High seating provides a great outward view, which is especially useful for off-road excursions.

Dual-zone climate control on all trims, except the Base trim with standard air conditioning, keeps passengers cool.

Just some of the key standard interior features are:

• Keyless Access with Push-Button Start
• Auto-on/off wiper-linked headlights
• Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control
• Heated front seats
• Steering wheel controls
• Trip computer
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Electronic parking brake

Upper trims receive creature comforts, such as a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats.

The cabin of the Wilderness Edition offers all the standard creature comforts plus contrast stitching and Anodized Copper-finish accents, making for some exclusive style.

The seating features advanced StarTex® upholstery and further convenience equipment, including the LED-lit cargo area plus a heated steering wheel.

Passenger and Cargo Space

The Outback can accommodate up to 32.6 cubic feet of cargo, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the reclining 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatback rear seat lowered.

Infotainment

The Subaru's standard STARLINK multimedia system takes care of the Outback's infotainment needs. It features dual 7.0-inch high-resolution LCD touch-screen multi-touch gesture displays on the Base trim or, depending on the trim, an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus or 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation system.

The standard features include Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, SiriusXM® and Travel Link®, an AM/FM stereo, HD Radio®, a USB-A input port, Bluetooth® audio streaming, hands-free phone and text messaging connectivity, and a 3.5mm auxiliary jack.

The Base trim offers four speakers, and the Premium trims offer six speakers, while the balance of trims features a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers.

Engines and Drivetrains Difference

All 2025 Subaru Outback Non-XT trim levels use the 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer four-cylinder engine, which produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque.

The Outback Wilderness and all XT trim levels are equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and torque of 277 pound-feet

All Outback models are standardly equipped with a Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission, which features an eight-speed manual shift mode and steering wheel paddle shift control switches.

The Wilderness model features a drivetrain with revised transmission gearing and a shorter final drive ratio for improved low-speed climbing.

The standard dual-function X-MODE on the Outback lineup has been retuned for the Wilderness with settings for dirt/snow and deep snow/mud that allow additional wheel slip to power through adverse conditions.

Safety and Driver Assistance Differences

For the 2025 model year, the Outback in all trim levels, including the Wilderness model, offers a long list of standard safety equipment that includes:

• Vehicle Dynamics Control
• Full suite of airbags
• 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System
• Brake Assist
• Traction Control System
• Rear-Vision Camera

The 2025 Outback offers Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technology with trim-dependent features like automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Purchase your 2025 Subaru Outback at Granite Subaru

Check out the exciting 2025 lineup of Subaru Outback trims plus the enhanced off-road Wilderness model at the Granite Subaru dealership located in Hudson, NH.

Granite Subarus's dedicated team is ready to assist you with an extensive range of both new and pre-owned Subaru cars and SUVs.