Subaru Outback Generation 3 (2015–2019)

Subaru Outback Generation 3 (2015–2019) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Subaru Outback — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 2 2010–2014 —
Model-year brochures (5)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Generation 3 2015–2019 —
Model-year brochures (5)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Generation 4 2020–2025 —
Model-year brochures (9)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Generation 5 2026–present —
Model-year brochures (2)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Outback

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Subaru 2.5L Boxer (FB25/EJ25) 2010–2026 8 models 209
Subaru 2.4L 4-cylinder 2020–2026 5 models 45

Subaru Outback fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Subaru Outback prices by year → · Jeep Wrangler vs Subaru Outback · Ford Explorer vs Subaru Outback · Honda CR-V vs Subaru Outback

About this generation

The fifth-generation Outback released in 2014 for the 2015 year model with the sixth generation Legacy, still badged the Legacy Outback for Japan. The sixth-generation Legacy was previewed as a concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2013; the Legacy sedan was premiered at Chicago in February 2014, with the Outback following at New York Auto Show in April 2014. An unrelated Legacy-based "sports tourer" wagon, the Subaru Levorg, was shown in 2013 and first sold in 2014.

Elsewhere, the Outback became a free-standing model line of its own, independent of the Legacy, thus bringing greater product differentiation between the two. Subaru billed the exterior styling evolution as being shaped by the concept of 'more Outback', claiming to combine the strengths of passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles and capitalizing on the brand recognition gained from selling the Outback since 1995. EyeSight was offered for the first time in the European market on the new Outback.

Chassis stiffness was improved for the fifth-generation Outback. To reduce aerodynamic drag, the side view mirrors were mounted on the sheet metal of the front doors rather than the base of the A-pillar, as was the case with previous models. From 2018, some world markets also offered Subaru Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) that allow a driver to leave their high beam switched on at all times, and in combination with EyeSight, adjust a series of shutters that cover portions of the high beam light projection to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers whilst maintaining visibility of the rest of the road, or to "draw a box" of low beam around a lead vehicle that adjusts left and right working with SRH in line with that vehicle's movement.

Other additions include front and side cameras along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the ability to change the color of the combination meter illuminated rings to one of eleven different colors. The fifth-generation Subaru Outback started to be classified as a 'crossover', with the body and wheelbase set larger than previous models. Other technical changes such as the larger 3.6L EZ36 engine have pushed it into this classification.

The Outback received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, an ASV+ rating from JNCAP, and five stars from NHTSA. The fifth-generation Outback retained the same 2.5-litre FB25 and 3.6-litre EZ36 engines from the 2013 refresh; the FB25 was slightly revised to improve mid-range torque. In China, the uplevel engine was a turbocharged 2.0-litre FA20F instead of the EZ36. In the United States, the Outback was only offered with a single transmission choice, Subaru's continuously variable transmission branded Lineartronic.

In Canada, a manual transmission was available with the 2.5-litre Base and Touring models until 2017. Model available as of December 2, 2014, the fifth generation Subaru Outback was officially launched in Southeast Asian region. The fifth generation Outback debuted in the 2015 Manila International Auto Show in the Philippines. Motor Image Group, the distributor of Subaru automobiles in Southeast Asia, releases the four-cylinder variant of the Outback.

The Subaru Outback is available in South Africa in two derivatives, the lower 2.5i-s ES and the 3.6R-S ES as the flagship. The car does not make use of the new FB25 but rather the old N/A EJ25. The 2.5l engine produces at 5800 rpm and at 4000 rpm and the 3.6R engine produces at 6000 rpm and at 4400 rpm. All derivatives are equipped with the Subaru Eyesight System.

Source: Wikipedia — Subaru Outback — Fifth generation (BS; 2014), CC BY-SA.

Market by model year

Year Units for sale Median price Vs newest Avg mileage
2015 420 $11,496 63% 121,865 mi
2016 591 $13,275 73% 112,131 mi
2017 620 $14,839 81% 104,474 mi
2018 880 $16,900 92% 91,738 mi
2019 727 $18,295 100% 84,094 mi

Inventory and price data refreshed daily; last updated .

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2015 5 509 Visibility/Wiper, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other
2016 4 642 Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Visibility/Wiper
2017 4 917 Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other
2018 3 812 Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other
2019 3 1,034 Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper, Unknown Or Other

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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