Subaru Outback Towing Capacity
The 2027 Subaru Outback is rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs, according to Subaru's published specifications. Rated configuration: Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT (2.4L turbo). Other configurations are rated lower, so confirm your exact rating by VIN or on the door-jamb label.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-05 · 13 manufacturer sources
2027 max towing
3,500 lbs
2027 max payload
—
Years covered
2016–2027
Subaru Outback towing capacity by year
| Model year | Generation | Max towing | Max payload | Max-tow configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 7th gen (2026–present) | 3,500 lbs [1] | — | Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT (2.4L turbo)2.5-liter Base, Premium, Limited and Touring rated 2,700 lbs. |
| 2026 | 7th gen (2026–present) | 3,500 lbs [3] | — | Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT (2.4L turbo)2.5-liter Premium, Limited and Touring rated 2,700 lbs. |
| 2025 | 6th gen (2020–2025) | 3,500 lbs [4] | — | XT and Wilderness models (2.4L turbo)3,500 lbs with 350-lb tongue weight; 2.5-liter models 2,700 lbs with 270-lb tongue weight. |
| 2024 | 6th gen (2020–2025) | 3,500 lbs [5] | — | XT and Wilderness models (2.4L turbo)3,500 lbs with 350-lb tongue weight; 2.5-liter models 2,700 lbs with 270-lb tongue weight. |
| 2023 | 6th gen (2020–2025) | 3,500 lbs [6] | — | XT and Wilderness models (2.4L turbo)3,500 lbs with 350-lb tongue weight; 2.5-liter models 2,700 lbs with 270-lb tongue weight. |
| 2022 | 6th gen (2020–2025) | 3,500 lbs [7] | — | XT and Wilderness models (2.4L turbo)Wilderness debuted for 2022; 2.5-liter models 2,700 lbs with 270-lb tongue weight. |
| 2021 | 6th gen (2020–2025) | 3,500 lbs [8] | — | XT models (2.4L turbo)3,500 lbs with 350-lb tongue weight; 2.5-liter models 2,700 lbs with 270-lb tongue weight. |
| 2020 | 6th gen (2020–2025) | 3,500 lbs [9] | — | XT models (2.4L turbo)3,500 lbs with 350-lb tongue weight; 2.5-liter models 2,700 lbs with 270-lb tongue weight. |
| 2019 | 5th gen (2015–2019) | 2,700 lbs [10] | — | All trims (2.5i and 3.6R)Subaru's 2019 spec sheet lists 2,700 lbs with 200-lb tongue weight for both 2.5i and 3.6R. |
| 2018 | 5th gen (2015–2019) | 2,700 lbs [11] | — | All trims (2.5i and 3.6R) |
| 2017 | 5th gen (2015–2019) | 2,700 lbs [12] | — | All trims (2.5i and 3.6R) |
| 2016 | 5th gen (2015–2019) | 3,000 lbs [13] | — | 3.6R Limited2.5i, 2.5i Premium and 2.5i Limited rated 2,700 lbs. |
— = not published in a manufacturer source we could verify; we leave it blank rather than estimate.
2027 Subaru Outback towing capacity by configuration
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Axle | Max towing | Payload | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 4.111 | 2,700 | — | [1] |
| Premium | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 4.111 | 2,700 | — | [1] |
| Limited | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 4.111 | 2,700 | — | [1] |
| Touring | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (180 hp) | AWD | 4.111 | 2,700 | — | [1] |
| Wilderness | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (260 hp) | AWD | 4.444 | 3,500 | — | [1] |
| Limited XT | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (260 hp) | AWD | 4.111 | 3,500 | — | [1] |
| Touring XT | 2.4L turbocharged SUBARU BOXER 4-cyl (260 hp) | AWD | 4.111 | 3,500 | — | [1] |
Ratings in lbs, as published by the manufacturer for the 2027 model year.
What lowers your Outback's real towing limit
- Engine decides the rating: Subaru rates 2.4-liter turbo Outbacks (Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT) at 3,500 lbs and 2.5-liter trims at 2,700 lbs for 2020–2027.
- For 2020–2025, Subaru's spec sheets pair the 3,500-lb rating with a 350-lb trailer tongue weight and the 2,700-lb rating with 270 lbs.
- Before the turbo arrived, the 2016 3.6R Limited was rated 3,000 lbs, while Subaru's 2017–2019 specs list 2,700 lbs for every trim, the 3.6R included.
- On the 2027 Outback, Subaru's spec sheet gives the Wilderness a 4.444 final drive versus 4.111 on the other trims (axle ratios in the configs table come from that sheet, s2).
The maximum rating assumes a specific, lightly loaded configuration. Three other limits apply on every tow, and the first one you hit is your real limit:
- Payload. Passengers, cargo, accessories and the trailer's tongue weight all count against payload. The payload figure on your door-jamb Tire and Loading Information placard is the one for your exact vehicle.
- Tongue weight. A conventional trailer typically puts 10–15% of its weight on the hitch, so a 5,000-lb trailer adds roughly 500–750 lbs to the truck or SUV. The hitch receiver has its own tongue-weight limit, printed on the receiver label.
- GCWR. The gross combined weight rating caps the loaded vehicle plus the loaded trailer. Every pound of passengers and cargo added to the vehicle comes off the trailer weight you can pull at GCWR.
Always stay within the lowest of these limits for your specific vehicle.
Check your exact Outback tow rating by VIN
The table above shows the range. Your VIN pins down engine, drivetrain and cab; your window sticker adds the axle ratio and tow package.
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FAQ
What is the towing capacity of the Subaru Outback?
The 2027 Subaru Outback is rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped (Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT (2.4L turbo)). Source: 2027 Subaru Outback Specs & Trim Levels. Lower-rated configurations tow less — the by-configuration table on this page lists each published rating.
Which Subaru Outback model year tows the most?
Among the model years on this page with a manufacturer-published rating (2016–2027), the highest maximum is 3,500 lbs, first published for the 2027 model year (Wilderness, Limited XT, Touring XT (2.4L turbo)).
How do I find my Subaru Outback's exact towing capacity?
Check the certification label on the driver's door jamb for GVWR and the Tire and Loading Information placard for payload, then match your engine, drivetrain, cab/bed and axle ratio to the manufacturer's table. CarWhere's VIN lookup resolves engine, drivetrain and cab from the VIN; the window sticker lists the axle ratio and tow package.
Sources
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2027 Subaru Outback Specs & Trim Levels" https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/2027/specs-trim.html (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2027 Subaru Outback Specifications and Equipment (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=51123 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2026 Subaru Outback Specs & Trim Levels" https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/2026/specs-trim.html (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2025 Subaru Outback Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=43416 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2024 Subaru Outback Specifications (PDF)" https://s3.amazonaws.com/subarumedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/attachments/24MY_Outback_Specs_-_FINAL.pdf (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2023 Subaru Outback Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=38210 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2022 Subaru Outback Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=34051 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2021 Subaru Outback Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=31607 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2020 Subaru Outback Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=28841 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America Media Center, "2019 Subaru Outback Specifications (PDF)" https://media.subaru.com/view-spec.do?bFileId=24276 (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2018 Subaru Outback Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2018/OBK (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2017 Subaru Outback Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2017/OBK (accessed 2026-11-05)
- Subaru of America (subaru.com), "2016 Subaru Outback Compare Specs (trim comparison PDF)" https://www.subaru.com/services/vehicles/pdf/trimComparison/2016/OBK (accessed 2026-11-05)
Methodology: ratings transcribed from official manufacturer specifications, press materials and towing guides; figures we could not verify in a manufacturer source are left blank. Cite this page: CarWhere Research, "Subaru Outback Towing Capacity," carwhere.com/towing-capacity/subaru/outback, updated 2026-11-05.