Makes · Subaru · Subaru Outback
2021 Subaru Outback towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 2,700 – 3,500 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
7 configurations
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What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2021 Subaru Outback tow?
Across 7 configurations with published ratings, 2021 Subaru Outback towing capacity ranges from 2,700 lbs to 3,500 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2021 Subaru Outback can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 2,700 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,500 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 7 of 7
Highest-rated example: Limited — 3,500 lbs
Lowest-rated example: Touring — 2,700 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2021 Subaru Outback. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited | — | — | — | 4.11 | 3,500 lbs | 1,100 lbs |
| Onyx | — | — | — | 4.11 | 3,500 lbs | 1,141 lbs |
| Base | — | — | — | 3.90 | 2,700 lbs | 1,215 lbs |
| Limited | — | — | — | 3.90 | 2,700 lbs | 1,120 lbs |
| Premium | — | — | — | 3.90 | 2,700 lbs | 1,195 lbs |
| Touring | — | — | — | 3.90 | 2,700 lbs | 1,078 lbs |
| Touring | — | — | — | 4.11 | 2,700 lbs | 1,089 lbs |
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.90 | 2,700 lbs | 4 |
| 4.11 | 2,700 – 3,500 lbs | 3 |
2021 Subaru Outback payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 1,078 – 1,215 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 7
Highest-payload configurations
- Base — 1,215 lbs
- Premium — 1,195 lbs
- Onyx — 1,141 lbs
- Limited — 1,120 lbs
- Limited — 1,100 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2021 Subaru Outback dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.90 | 2,700 lbs | 2,700 lbs | 4 |
| 4.11 | 2,700 – 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | 3 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Axle ratios: 3.90, 4.11
- Published towing range: 2,700 – 3,500 lbs
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Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited XT 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,500 lbs | 3,926 lbs | 1,100 lbs | 260 | 277 | 4.11 | 108.1 |
| Onyx Edition XT 4dr All-wheel Drive | 3,500 lbs | 3,885 lbs | 1,141 lbs | 260 | 277 | 4.11 | 108.1 |
| Base 4dr All-wheel Drive | 2,700 lbs | 3,635 lbs | 1,215 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.90 | 108.1 |
| Limited 4dr All-wheel Drive | 2,700 lbs | 3,730 lbs | 1,120 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.90 | 108.1 |
| Premium 4dr All-wheel Drive | 2,700 lbs | 3,655 lbs | 1,195 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.90 | 108.1 |
| Touring 4dr All-wheel Drive | 2,700 lbs | 3,772 lbs | 1,078 lbs | 182 | 176 | 3.90 | 108.1 |
| Touring XT 4dr All-wheel Drive | 2,700 lbs | 3,937 lbs | 1,089 lbs | 260 | 277 | 4.11 | 108.1 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.