We spent a long weekend putting 600-plus miles on a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness to see how it handles real-world road-trip duty—high-speed interstates, mountain passes, and a stretch of graded dirt to a trailhead—while loaded with people and gear.
The Outback Wilderness pairs a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four (260 hp, 277 lb-ft) with a CVT and Subaru’s Symmetrical AWD featuring dual-function X-Mode. Ground clearance is a generous 9.5 inches, rolling on Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires (225/65R17). Rated at 21/26/23 mpg (city/highway/combined), it also tows up to 3,500 pounds and includes a full-size spare. Inside, you get durable StarTex upholstery, an 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen, and heated seats front and rear.
Our test loop covered 612 miles from Denver to Moab and back: roughly 80% interstate (70–78 mph), 15% two-lane, and 5% washboarded dirt. Elevation ranged from 4,500 to 11,000 feet with temps between 48 and 92°F. We carried two adults, a medium dog, and about 250 pounds of camping gear. Tire pressures were set to 35 psi cold, and we ran 87-octane fuel.
We logged cabin sound with a phone-based dB meter and GPS-verified speeds. Comfort is solid for the class. The front seats offer supportive bolsters and power lumbar; after back-to-back 3-hour stints, no hot spots or lower-back fatigue. The ride skews supple, with long-travel suspension that shrugs off expansion joints and patched asphalt.
On smoother concrete, we measured 69 dBA at an indicated 70 mph, rising to 71 dBA on coarse aggregate—mostly the A/T tire hum. Dual-zone climate held 72°F consistently in 90°F heat, and the heated seats were effective on a chilly 48°F morning start. Highway capability is confidence-inspiring. The turbo four pulls cleanly up long grades; the CVT mimics stepped shifts under heavy throttle but can drone if you hold WOT.
Passing from 50–75 mph took 6.3 seconds in our best run, and sustained 7% climbs were handled without drama. EyeSight adaptive cruise and lane centering reduced workload, tracking smoothly with only occasional ping-pong in gusty crosswinds. Headlights (LED with automatic high beams) provided even coverage and a well-defined cutoff for night driving. On the 15-mile graded dirt to the trailhead, the Wilderness feels purpose-built.
X-Mode’s Snow/Dirt setting smartly meters torque, maintaining traction over washboard and shallow ruts. The 9.5-inch clearance and shortened final drive let it crawl without scraping, and the front view monitor helps cresting blind rises. Those Geolandar A/Ts bite well on loose surfaces yet remain composed on pavement. Brake performance stayed consistent after a long downhill, with no fade or odor.
The full-size spare is a road-trip confidence booster. Fuel economy for the trip averaged 26.2 mpg indicated (25.7 calculated), with best highway legs at 28 mpg and worst at 22 on steep climbs and dirt. Range between fills was 430–480 miles from the 18.5-gallon tank. Infotainment is straightforward and wireless CarPlay stayed connected, though some climate functions take two taps on the screen.
Overall, the Outback Wilderness is an easy recommendation for drivers who split time between interstate and unpaved exploring; if you rarely leave pavement, a non-Wilderness Outback (or a hybrid rival) will be quieter and more efficient.
