Every state has its own roads and driving conditions. For example, how you’d drive in Texas is not how you’d drive in California, nor is it how you’d drive in North Dakota or Mississippi. Likewise, New Jersey residents have a unique set of requirements and expectations to brave the roadways, highways, and city streets of the Garden State. If you’ve been researching new or used vehicles for a future upgrade, and you’ve been perusing possible Subaru Outback sales in the Newark area—for example—you might want to consider certain models based on your driving habits, New Jersey’s roadways, and your finances.
The Subaru Outback is a fairly long-running nameplate in the auto industry, so there are a lot of different models to choose from throughout its rich six generations of being on the market. There are also different kinds of Subaru models available for different kinds of driving expectations, so if you were shopping for an Outback, here are six models you might want to consider depending on your budget and how you usually drive.
No. 6: 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i
Part of the issue with driving in and throughout New Jersey is having to deal with a vehicle that can keep up with the complicated lifestyle that comes with New Jersey roadways. That means having a vehicle that can handle regular maintenance from all the trudging over countless potholes and dealing with ragged and sometimes unkempt streets, especially throughout Newark. That means that buying an older Subaru like a 2005 comes with pros and cons in the spending department because, while it may be cheap to purchase, you will have to consider the long term maintenance costs on an older vehicle.
Still, you can find a 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i for extremely low prices on the used market, and that makes it quite the catch for those who are looking for a reliable family vehicle, especially for those living in and around the downtown areas of New Jersey. The solid gas mileage and low cost of entry mean you get a vehicle that won’t break the bank, and the third generation offers enough style and interior comfort features to make it appealing enough for those who need a basic station wagon to get to and from destinations. The all-wheel drive also means it’s a good all-around pick for handling and responsiveness, making it quite viable for those looking for a quality Outback.
No. 5: 2000 Subaru Outback Base
If financing really is your biggest drawback to buying a family vehicle, the upfront cost of a 2000 Subaru Outback Base is probably the most feasible route you could go. Of course, it’s already more than 20 years old at this point, and that means the mileage will be high. Also, the second-generation Subaru Outback models were not the most luxurious of station wagons at the time.
However, if looks aren’t a big deal to you, and you can settle for only the base features available with the Outback, then the 2000 Subaru Outback is a good way to go to save as much money as possible. Once again, the all-wheel drive means it can at least navigate through the various streets of New Jersey no matter the weather conditions, whether those be the most unforgiving of winters, windy autumns, wet springs, or construction-heavy summers. And with a fuel economy of 22 MPG in the city and up to 27 MPG on the highway, you can make some decent travel time in the classic Outback, should you want one of the cheapest Outback options available.
No. 4: 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R
If your shopping criteria are themed more around getting to and from your destinations in and around New Jersey as efficiently and quickly as possible, then a really good option would be the 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R. This particular model may not be the most fuel-efficient, but the 2013 model did receive some updates to be more economical with its fuel consumption. Plus, the larger flat-6 engine nets you up to 256 hp at 247 lb-ft of torque. Like all other Outback models, the 3.6R is an all-wheel drive vehicle, so it affords you a lot of traction control and great handling for maneuvering around the city.
The powerful engine and updated appearance of the fourth-generation Outback also mean you can find a great-looking iteration of this station wagon crossover that’s both efficient and visually appealing for those who want it. If you need a vehicle that can get you to and from your destination with haste, and can make its way through the winters and rainy weather of New Jersey, the 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R is a great way to go. The lower price of the vehicle also makes it a good pick for those who want a quality Outback for cheap.
No. 3: 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i
One of the big focal points of driving a vehicle in New Jersey is having to deal with the stop-and-go traffic in the inner city. Many Jersey residents have to deal with the rush hour and congestion that comes with the morning commutes across US Highway 1, as well as dealing with a lot of the backed-up bumper-to-bumper grind throughout the New Jersey Turnpike when coming home from work. This can absolutely zap your gas mileage as you’re sitting there just waiting for what seems like an eternity to get to your destination.
Fuel economy becomes a huge selling point for a vehicle in a scenario like that, and thankfully the 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i is a perfect solution if you’re in need of a family-sized wagon that also nets you gas mileage and great handling when dealing with New Jersey’s unpredictable traffic. The 2015 Outback was completely redesigned and offers a lot of interior room and up-to-date infotainment, along with a fuel economy rating of up to 25 MPG in the city and up to 32 MPG on the highway. This means you get some great travel mileage out of the 2015 Outback, whether passing through the city or heading down the shore.
No. 2: 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness
This might seem like the odd one out on this list; not only is it a newer model year Subaru, but also an off-road themed Subaru Outback. New Jersey may be known for its urban sprawls and congested city streets, packed highways, and tailgate-inducing turnpikes—specifically in the northern two-thirds of the state—but there are also some great vacation spots, campgrounds, beaches, and forests to visit throughout. And if you happen to live in an area where you can frequently visit these places off the paved road—particularly in the south, around the Pine Barrens—why not go with a vehicle engineered for this kind of off-road adventure?
The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness offers the same roomy interior for family-oriented travel, but with improved ride height, a sturdier suspension, and all-terrain tires. With the 2.4L Boxer Engine powering the vehicle and the ability to travel more handily off-road, the 2022 Outback Wilderness is a great vacation vehicle for small and medium-sized families. Sure, it may be more costly than some of the other Outbacks on this list, but if you are looking for something different, the Wilderness is a great way to go.
No. 1: 2020 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium
If you’re shopping for newer models while scouring the available Subaru Outback sales around Newark, you’re going to want to check out the 2020 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium. It’s a culmination of all the previous Outback updates packed into a well-rounded package. What you give up in price, you more than make up for with its features. So if you’re shopping on a budget, you have the other previous model years to fall back to, but if you can afford some leeway in your finances, a 2020 model year Subaru Outback is a great way to go.
With improved fuel economy, including up to 33 MPG on the highway, the latest in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology, Bluetooth support, the standard integration of the EyeSight safety assist, and the all-wheel drive functionality, the 2020 Outback is a fully-featured crossover wagon. It looks great; it has some great capabilities, should you plan on going camping or fishing or away on a weekend vacation; and it can handily navigate New Jersey roadways with its top-of-the-line suspension and handling. That’s not to mention that the sixth-generation Outback looks really sleek and gives you plenty to appreciate stylistically.
