3,500 lbs
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Factory option
Class II
The Subaru Outback was introduced in the mid‑1990s and is known for combining car‑like ride and handling with wagon practicality, standard all‑wheel drive, and light off‑road capability.
What is the towing capacity of the 2020 Subaru Outback?
The 2020 Subaru Outback can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Towing capacity varies by engine, with the turbocharged 2.4L offering maximum capacity.
Contents
How Much Can the 2020 Subaru Outback Tow?
The 2020 Subaru Outback can tow a maximum of 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged 2.4L engine. Base models with the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine are rated for 2,700 pounds.
Actual capacity depends on your specific trim level, engine, and whether you have the factory tow package installed. You can always reach out to your local Subaru dealership to confirm towing specs for your specific vehicle.
2020 Subaru Outback Towing Capacity by Trim Level
Here are the towing capacities for each 2020 Subaru Outback trim level:
| Trim | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
| Base (2.5L) | 2,700 lbs |
| Premium (2.5L) | 2,700 lbs |
| Limited (2.5L) | 2,700 lbs |
| Touring (2.5L) | 2,700 lbs |
| Onyx Edition XT (2.4L Turbo) | 3,500 lbs |
| Limited XT (2.4L Turbo) | 3,500 lbs |
| Touring XT (2.4L Turbo) | 3,500 lbs |
Towing Capacity by Engine
2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-Cylinder naturally aspirated
Towing capacity: 2,700 pounds
This 182-horsepower engine comes standard on Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring trim levels.
2.4L SUBARU BOXER 4-Cylinder turbocharged
Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
The turbocharged 260-horsepower engine is available on Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims.
| Engine | HP | Max Tow |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-Cylinder naturally aspirated | 182 hp | 2,700 lbs |
| 2.4L SUBARU BOXER 4-Cylinder turbocharged | 260 hp | 3,500 lbs |
2020 Subaru Outback Payload Capacity
Payload data is not available for this vehicle.
Payload is the maximum weight you can carry inside the vehicle, including passengers and cargo.
2020 Subaru Outback Tow Package
Does the 2020 Subaru Outback have a tow package?
Yes, the 2020 Subaru Outback offers a factory tow package as an option. The package includes a hitch receiver with trailer hitch cap.
The factory setup uses a 2-inch receiver with 4-pin standard wiring. Subaru does not offer 7-pin wiring from the factory.
The hitch ball mount is sold separately and the hitch ball is not included with the factory package.
What class hitch does the 2020 Subaru Outback use?
The 2020 Subaru Outback uses a Class II hitch rated to 3,500 pounds. Standard ball sizes are 1-7/8 inch or 2 inch depending on your trailer tongue weight.
Class II hitches handle most small to medium trailers and recreational equipment.
- VEHICLE FITMENT— (NOTE:This trailer hitch requires trim panel according to the instructions.) Compatible with 2020-2025 Subaru Outback, 2020-2025 Subaru Legacy. Please check vehicle compatibility before purchase.
- VERSATILE DESIGN — This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver (not compatible with vertical hanging bikes / bike racks that require the bikes to be hung / mounted vertically).
- HEAVY DUTY TOWING CAPACITY — Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): 3,500 lbs. Tongue Weight (TW): 350 lbs. (limited to lowest-rated towing component).
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT — This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays.
- RIGOROUS SAFETY TESTING — Trailer hitches are tested to exceed SAE J684 and V-5 standards. these hitches ensure maximum safety and reliability while hauling.
Can you install an aftermarket hitch on the 2020 Subaru Outback?
Yes, aftermarket Class III 2-inch receivers are available with 3,500 pound capacity. These aftermarket options may offer different mounting points or features than the factory hitch.
2020 Subaru Outback trailer hitch installation
Installing a trailer hitch on the 2020 Outback typically requires basic tools and can be completed in your driveway. Most installations involve bolting the hitch to existing mounting points under the rear bumper.
What Can You Tow With a 2020 Subaru Outback?
Travel trailers and RVs
- Pop-up campers — Most pop-ups weigh 1,500-3,000 pounds and fit within the Outback’s capacity.
- Small travel trailers — These typically weigh 2,500-5,000 pounds, so only the lightest models work with the Outback.
- Mid-size travel trailers — At 5,000-8,000 pounds, these exceed the Outback’s 3,500-pound limit.
- Large travel trailers — Weighing 8,000-14,000 pounds, these are far too heavy for the Outback.
Boats
- Jon boats/small fishing boats — At 300-800 pounds with trailer, these easily fit within capacity.
- Bass boats — Most bass boats weigh 1,500-2,500 pounds with trailer and work well with the Outback.
- Pontoon boats — These typically weigh 2,000-4,500 pounds, so only smaller pontoons fit the weight limit.
- Ski/wakeboard boats — At 3,000-5,500 pounds, only the lightest models stay within the 3,500-pound limit.
- Cabin cruisers — These boats weigh 6,000+ pounds and exceed the Outback’s towing capacity.
Utility trailers
- Empty utility trailer — These weigh 800-1,500 pounds empty and leave plenty of capacity for cargo.
- Loaded landscaping trailer — At 2,000-3,500 pounds loaded, these fit within the maximum capacity.
- Loaded equipment trailer — Weighing 3,000-5,000 pounds, only lightly loaded versions work with the Outback.
Recreational equipment
- Single motorcycle with trailer — At 800-1,500 pounds total, this combination works well with the Outback.
- Single ATV with trailer — Weighing 1,200-1,800 pounds, this fits comfortably within capacity.
- Two ATVs with trailer — At 2,500-3,500 pounds, this setup reaches the maximum towing limit.
- Personal watercraft with trailer — Most PWCs with trailer weigh 1,000-1,800 pounds and work well.
2020 Subaru Outback Towing Capacity vs Competitors
Here’s how the 2020 Subaru Outback compares to similar vehicles:
| Vehicle | Max Tow |
|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 Adventure/TRD Off-Road 2020 | 3,500 lbs |
| Mazda CX‑5 2020 | 3,500 lbs |
| Ford Escape 2.0L EcoBoost 2020 | 3,500 lbs |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 3,500 lbs |
| Honda CR‑V 2020 | 1,500 lbs |
| Volkswagen Tiguan 2020 | 1,500 lbs |
The Outback matches the towing capacity of other top competitors in the compact SUV segment.
2020 Subaru Models Towing Capacity
Here’s how the 2020 Outback compares to other Subaru models:
| Model | Max Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Ascent | 5,000 lbs |
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 3,500 lbs |
| 2020 Subaru Legacy | 2,700 lbs |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 1,500 lbs |
| 2020 Subaru Crosstrek | 1,500 lbs |
| 2020 Subaru Impreza | 1,500 lbs |
Looking for a different year? See our Subaru Outback towing capacity guides:
2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Data Accuracy
We source towing specifications from official manufacturer documentation and owner’s manuals. Actual capacity may vary by specific configuration, so verify with your dealer or owner’s manual before towing.