Tow Capacities

Makes · Subaru

Subaru Outback towing capacity

Cross-year towing decision tools for the Subaru Outback. Use this page to find which years and configurations fit your trailer job; open a year page for an exact configuration Tow Check.

Years covered23 (2000–2022)
Configurations145
Highest rating in our dataset3,500 lbs
Highest payload in our dataset1,245 lbs

Figures reflect ratings currently represented in our dataset. Coverage can be partial for some years — confirm the door-jamb sticker and owner’s manual for any specific vehicle.

What are you trying to do?

I own a Subaru OutbackFind my exact towing capacityI'm choosing a Subaru OutbackFind one that can tow my trailerCompare model yearsCompare towing and payloadCheck payloadPassengers + cargo + tongue weight

Find a Subaru Outback that can tow your trailer

Matches must clear the published trailer rating when known. Where payload exists, remaining payload must also stay non-negative after passengers, cargo and tongue weight.

Subaru Outback towing history

Range chart of observed min–max towing ratings by year. Click a year to open its page.

Subaru Outback towing capacity by year

Sorted newest-first below. Use the interactive tools above to filter by trailer weight or compare two years.

YearMinimum ratingMaximum ratingMax payloadConfigurationsExplore
20222,700 lbs3,500 lbs900 lbs8Open year
20212,700 lbs3,500 lbs1,215 lbs7Open year
20202,700 lbs3,500 lbs1,216 lbs7Open year
20192,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,073 lbs6Open year
20182,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,073 lbs6Open year
20172,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,115 lbs6Open year
20162,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,102 lbs4Open year
20152,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,102 lbs4Open year
20142,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,162 lbs4Open year
20132,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,162 lbs5Open year
20122,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,196 lbs6Open year
20112,700 lbs3,000 lbs—6Open year
20102,700 lbs3,000 lbs—6Open year
20092,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,078 lbs4Open year
20082,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,085 lbs7Open year
20072,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,025 lbs9Open year
20062,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,245 lbs10Open year
20052,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,245 lbs8Open year
20042,000 lbs3,000 lbs1,125 lbs8Open year
20032,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,125 lbs8Open year
20022,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,130 lbs7Open year
20012,700 lbs3,000 lbs1,130 lbs5Open year
20002,000 lbs2,700 lbs1,130 lbs4Open year

Some years have partial catalog coverage — highest figures are the highest ratings currently represented in our dataset, not a claim of absolute manufacturer completeness.

Subaru Outback towing capacity ranges (dataset)

Observed minimum and maximum trailer ratings in our dataset for each model year. Values remain available without JavaScript; the interactive chart above enhances this view.

Which Subaru Outback years can tow my trailer?

Compare Subaru Outback model years

20212022
Min towing2,700 lbs2,700 lbs
Max towing3,500 lbs3,500 lbs
Max payload1,215 lbs900 lbs
Configurations78
Drivetrains——
Cabs——
Beds——
Axles3.90, 4.113.90, 4.11
Engines2.4 liters H-4, 2.5 liters H-42.4 liters H-4, 2.5 liters H-4
  • 2022 and 2021 share the same highest dataset towing rating (3,500 lbs).
  • 2022 shows a 315 lbs lower peak payload in our dataset than 2021.

Coverage warning: one or both years have partial catalog coverage, so differences may reflect dataset gaps rather than true product changes.

Browse Subaru Outback configurations

Showing 50 results (capped at 50).

  • 2022 Limited2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 3,500 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2022 Onyx2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 3,500 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2022 Wilderness2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 3,500 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2022 Base2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2022 Limited2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2022 Premium2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2022 Touring2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2022 Touring2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 900 lbs
    Open year
  • 2021 Limited2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 3,500 lbs · Payload 1,100 lbs
    Open year
  • 2021 Onyx2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 3,500 lbs · Payload 1,141 lbs
    Open year
  • 2021 Base2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,215 lbs
    Open year
  • 2021 Limited2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,120 lbs
    Open year
  • 2021 Premium2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,195 lbs
    Open year
  • 2021 Touring2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,078 lbs
    Open year
  • 2021 Touring2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,089 lbs
    Open year
  • 2020 Limited2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 3,500 lbs · Payload 1,100 lbs
    Open year
  • 2020 Onyx2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 3,500 lbs · Payload 1,142 lbs
    Open year
  • 2020 Base2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,216 lbs
    Open year
  • 2020 Limited2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,120 lbs
    Open year
  • 2020 Premium2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,196 lbs
    Open year
  • 2020 Touring2.5 liters H-4 · 3.90 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,078 lbs
    Open year
  • 2020 Touring2.4 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,089 lbs
    Open year
  • 2019 3.6R3.6 liters H-6 · 4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 957 lbs
    Open year
  • 2019 3.6R3.6 liters H-6 · 4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 948 lbs
    Open year
  • 2019 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,073 lbs
    Open year
  • 2019 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 982 lbs
    Open year
  • 2019 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,053 lbs
    Open year
  • 2019 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 969 lbs
    Open year
  • 2018 3.6R3.6 liters H-6 · 4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 957 lbs
    Open year
  • 2018 3.6R3.6 liters H-6 · 4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 948 lbs
    Open year
  • 2018 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,073 lbs
    Open year
  • 2018 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 982 lbs
    Open year
  • 2018 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,053 lbs
    Open year
  • 2018 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 969 lbs
    Open year
  • 2017 3.6R3.6 liters H-6 · 4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 1,003 lbs
    Open year
  • 2017 3.6R3.6 liters H-6 · 4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 994 lbs
    Open year
  • 2017 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,115 lbs
    Open year
  • 2017 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,024 lbs
    Open year
  • 2017 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,095 lbs
    Open year
  • 2017 2.5i2.5 liters H-4 · 4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,011 lbs
    Open year
  • 2016 3.6R4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 1,040 lbs
    Open year
  • 2016 2.5i4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,102 lbs
    Open year
  • 2016 2.5i4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,062 lbs
    Open year
  • 2016 2.5i4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,102 lbs
    Open year
  • 2015 3.6R4.11 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 1,040 lbs
    Open year
  • 2015 2.5i4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,102 lbs
    Open year
  • 2015 2.5i4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,062 lbs
    Open year
  • 2015 2.5i4.11 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,102 lbs
    Open year
  • 2014 3.6R3.08 · Tow 3,000 lbs · Payload 1,047 lbs
    Open year
  • 2014 2.5i4.44 · Tow 2,700 lbs · Payload 1,162 lbs
    Open year

Subaru Outback towing capacity by generation

Generation windows are reference metadata. Towing and payload figures are calculated only from years present in our dataset.

GenerationYears (catalog)Years in datasetTowing rangeHighest towingHighest payloadConfigs
2020s2020–20292020, 2021, 20222,700 – 3,500 lbs3,500 lbs1,216 lbs22
2010s2010–20192010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 20192,700 – 3,000 lbs3,000 lbs1,196 lbs53
2000s2000–20092000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 20092,000 – 3,000 lbs3,000 lbs1,245 lbs70

Subaru Outback payload capacity by year

Payload includes passengers, cargo and trailer tongue weight. It is not the same limit as maximum trailer weight.

YearMinimum payloadMaximum payloadConfigurations with payload dataExplore
2022900 lbs900 lbs8Open year
20211,078 lbs1,215 lbs7Open year
20201,078 lbs1,216 lbs7Open year
2019948 lbs1,073 lbs6Open year
2018948 lbs1,073 lbs6Open year
2017994 lbs1,115 lbs6Open year
20161,040 lbs1,102 lbs4Open year
20151,040 lbs1,102 lbs4Open year
20141,047 lbs1,162 lbs4Open year
20131,047 lbs1,162 lbs5Open year
20121,047 lbs1,196 lbs6Open year
2009954 lbs1,078 lbs4Open year
2008860 lbs1,085 lbs7Open year
2007825 lbs1,025 lbs9Open year
2006975 lbs1,245 lbs10Open year
2005975 lbs1,245 lbs8Open year
2004890 lbs1,125 lbs8Open year
2003890 lbs1,125 lbs8Open year
2002890 lbs1,130 lbs7Open year
2001905 lbs1,130 lbs5Open year
2000915 lbs1,130 lbs4Open year

Some years have partial catalog coverage — highest figures are the highest ratings currently represented in our dataset, not a claim of absolute manufacturer completeness.

How Subaru Outback towing capacity changed over time

Year-over-year changes of at least 400 lbs in the highest dataset rating:

  • 2019 → 2020: Maximum towing 3,000 lbs → 3,500 lbs (+500 lbs)

Towing capacity is not the only limit

The usable towing limit can be lower than the headline trailer rating. Depending on the vehicle and hitch, these limits can all matter:

  • Max trailer weight — published towing capacity for a configuration
  • Payload — people, cargo, equipment and tongue weight on the tow vehicle
  • GVWR — gross vehicle weight rating
  • GCWR — gross combined weight rating
  • GAWR — axle ratings (front/rear)
  • Hitch rating — hitch and receiver limits
  • Tongue weight — typically a fraction of trailer weight, counted against payload

Check an exact Subaru Outback configuration · Jump to year selection

All Subaru Outback model years

Open a year page to pick your exact configuration and run Tow Check.

Compare Subaru Outback with another model

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