Subaru Outback Towing Capacity: Can This Crossover Handle a Trailer?

Curious about the subaru outback towing capacity? This guide provides ten essential strategies to optimize its towing potential, from engine choices to practical setup tips. Perfect for towing trailers, boats, or outdoor gear, these insights ensure Outback drivers haul safely and efficiently on any journey.

Safety Warning: Towing is hazardous. Secure trailers properly, verify weights, and use safety chains to prevent accidents or vehicle damage.

1. Know the Base Towing Capacity

The 2025 Subaru Outback offers a base towing capacity of 2,700 pounds with its standard 2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder engine. This capacity suits light towing tasks like small trailers or jet skis, ideal for casual adventures or weekend getaways.

Base towing is versatile. Here’s what it covers.

• 2,700-pound capability. Tows small campers or bikes, costing $0-$200 to hitch.

• Standard 2.5L engine. 182 horsepower, available on Base, Premium, and Limited trims.

• Tongue weight limit. Supports 270 pounds, ensuring safe balance, costing $0 to check.

• Practical use. Hauls 5×8-foot trailers for camping, saving $100-$300 on rentals.

2. Unlock Maximum Towing Capacity

The subaru outback towing capacity reaches 3,500 pounds with the 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine in Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims. This supports larger trailers or boats for more ambitious trips.

Max capacity is robust. Here’s how to achieve it.

• 3,500-pound limit. Tows 17-foot campers or boats, saving $200-$1,000 on rentals.

• Turbo engine. 260 horsepower, standard on XT trims, costing $3,000-$7,000 extra.

• Class II hitch. Required for 3,500 pounds, costing $200-$500 to install.

• AWD standard. Enhances traction for towing, included across all trims.

3. Essential Towing Accessories

Towing with the Outback requires a Class II hitch, ball mount, and wiring harness. Optional accessories like a trailer brake controller improve control for heavier loads, ensuring a safe towing experience.

Accessories ensure reliability. Here’s what you need.

• Class II hitch. Supports 2,700-3,500 pounds, costing $200-$500 to add.

• Wiring harness. Powers trailer lights, costing $20-$100 for installation.

• Ball mount. Secures trailer connection, costing $20-$50 to replace.

• Brake controller. Optional for loads over 2,000 pounds, costing $0-$300.

4. Engine Performance Impact

The Outback’s two engines—2.5L SUBARU BOXER (182 horsepower) and 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER (260 horsepower)—drive its towing capabilities. The turbo engine maximizes towing, while the base engine balances efficiency for lighter loads.

Engines shape towing. Here’s their impact.

• 2.5L BOXER. 182 horsepower, 176 lb-ft torque, tows 2,700 pounds, standard on lower trims.

• 2.4L turbo. 260 horsepower, 277 lb-ft torque, tows 3,500 pounds on XT trims.

• CVT transmission. Ensures smooth towing shifts, standard across all models.

• Fuel efficiency. Drops to 14-17 MPG towing, costing $40-$80 per 300-mile trip.

5. Trim-Specific Towing Capabilities

The Outback’s trims—Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, and XT variants—offer towing capacities from 2,700 to 3,500 pounds. XT trims with the turbo engine excel for heavier loads, while others suit lighter towing.

Trims affect performance. Here’s how they differ.

• Base and Premium. Tow 2,700 pounds with 2.5L engine, costing $0-$500 for hitch.

• Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness. Tow 3,500 pounds with turbo, costing $3,000-$7,000.

• Limited and Touring XT. Tow up to 3,500 pounds with turbo upgrade, costing $5,000-$10,000.

• Verify setup. Check trim and engine via VIN, costing $0, to confirm capacity.

6. Balancing Payload and Towing

The Outback’s payload capacity, up to 1,200 pounds, complements its towing ability. Balancing payload and towing weight is critical to stay within the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for safe operation.

Balance prevents damage. Here’s how to manage it.

• 1,200-pound payload. Carries 30 40-pound bags in cargo area, costing $0.

• Towing reduces payload. A 3,500-pound trailer lowers cargo capacity, requiring checks.

• GCWR limits. Ranges from 6,000-7,000 pounds, avoiding $1,000-$3,000 in damage.

• Weigh loads. Use a scale ($0-$20) at truck stops to ensure compliance.

7. Choosing Compatible Trailers

The subaru outback towing capacity supports lightweight trailers and small campers. Selecting the right trailer ensures safe and efficient towing, tailored to your adventure or utility needs.

Select trailers carefully. Here’s what fits.

• Light trailers. 1,000-2,000-pound jet skis or bikes, hitching in 10-20 minutes.

• Small campers. 2,000-3,500-pound trailers, costing $1,500-$8,000 to buy.

• Heavy loads. 3,500-pound boats, needing turbo engine, costing $200-$500 for hitch.

• Check weights. Verify trailer weight to avoid $500-$2,000 in vehicle damage.

8. Leveraging Towing Safety Features

The Outback includes Trailer Stability Assist, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and X-MODE to enhance towing safety. These features improve control, especially on uneven or slippery surfaces, for novice and experienced towers.

Safety boosts confidence. Here’s what’s available.

• Trailer Stability Assist. Automatically brakes to stabilize trailers, standard on all trims.

• Symmetrical AWD. Enhances traction for towing, standard, costing $0.

• X-MODE. Optimizes AWD for rough terrain, standard, saving $100-$300 in repairs.

• Inspect connections. Check hitch and chains before towing, costing $0, preventing accidents.

9. Managing Fuel Economy Impact

Towing reduces the Outback’s fuel efficiency, dropping from 26 MPG city to 14-17 MPG with heavy loads. Planning for reduced MPG is essential to manage trip costs effectively.

Fuel impacts budgeting. Here’s the effect.

• Base efficiency. 26 MPG city without towing, dropping to 14-17 MPG with 3,000 pounds.

• Cost increase. Heavy towing adds $40-$80 per 300-mile trip in fuel costs.

• Plan routes. Avoid steep grades to save 1-2 MPG, costing $0 to map.

• Monitor usage. Use trip computer to optimize fuel, saving $20-$50 per trip.

10. Optimizing Real-World Towing

The Outback excels in real-world towing, from weekend camping to light utility tasks. Proper setup and planning ensure success, with owners reporting reliable performance across various loads.

Real-world towing shines. Here’s how to optimize it.

• Recreational gear. Tow 1,500-pound bikes or jet skis, hitching in 10-20 minutes, costing $0-$200.

• Campers. Haul 2,500-3,500-pound trailers, like teardrops, taking 20-40 minutes.

• Utility trailers. Tow 2,000-pound trailers for gear, saving $100-$400 on rentals.

• Avoid overloading. Exceeding 3,500 pounds risks $1,000-$3,000 in suspension damage.

Conclusion

The subaru outback towing capacity, from 2,700 to 3,500 pounds, powers adventures with trailers, boats, or gear. Tow safely with careful planning. At STUCK, our towing service in Las Vegas provides 24/7 support, ensuring Outback drivers get reliable help for any towing challenge!