Subaru Outback Towing Capacity

The Outback is Subaru's midsize wagon-style crossover, and while it is not typically thought of as a tow vehicle, it handles light duty towing for outdoor recreation. Two engine options create a clear split: the naturally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder is rated at 2,700 lbs, and the turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder (available in XT trims and the Wilderness) reaches 3,500 lbs.

At 2,700 to 3,500 lbs, the Outback sits at the light end of the towing spectrum. It can manage a small utility trailer, a pair of jet skis, a lightweight popup camper, or a compact teardrop trailer. Full-size travel trailers and larger boats are beyond its capability. If those are your targets, the Ascent at 5,000 lbs or a midsize truck is a better fit.

Every Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive. Subaru does not publish payload, GCWR, or tongue weight data for the Outback, so those fields are unavailable in our data. Curb weight is published and ranges from 3,641 lbs for the base model to 3,946 lbs for the Touring XT, making the Outback roughly 500-900 lbs lighter than the Ascent.