Despite its modest sales in Japan, the Subaru Outback has received a special edition based on the Limited EX trim level. The 2025 Outback, which includes the Black Selection and three other grades, is expected to sell around 525 units monthly in Japan.
The Black Selection, priced slightly higher than the Limited EX, offers additional features like 18 inch black aluminum wheels, a black roof and grille, black bumper guards, and black fog lamp covers. The interior also features black leather and silver stitching on the door and dashboard trim, as well as black Nappa leather and silver stitching on the seats.
Both the driver and front passenger seats come with ventilation. The Black Selection is available in four colors: Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, and Magnetite Gray Metallic.
It joins the base specification, X-BREAK EX, and the top of the line Active x Black EX. To commemorate its 30th anniversary, the Outback is being showcased at the Subaru Star Square in Shibuya. The exhibition features the new Black Selection alongside earlier models like the 1995 Legacy Grand Wagon and 1998 Legacy Lancaster.
The Subaru Outback, a popular crossover in the United States, is available with a smaller engine option in Japan. Unlike the 2.5- and 2.4-liter engines offered in North America, the Japanese model features a 1.8-liter turbocharged horizontally opposed engine. Despite its smaller displacement, this engine produces impressive power and torque, delivering 177 metric horsepower and 300 newton meters of torque.
This powerful engine is paired with a Lineartronic CVT, a chain-type transmission known for its efficiency and smoothness. The CVT’s smaller pulleys and chain design contribute to a lighter weight, making the Japanese Outback slightly more agile than its American counterpart.
In terms of pricing, the Japanese Outback starts at ¥4,257,000 (approximately $29,790), which is comparable to the base price of the American model.
However, it’s important to note that the Japanese Outback offers a more compact interior with seating for only two rows, while the American model can accommodate up to eight passengers.
Despite the differences in engine size, transmission, and interior layout, both versions of the Outback share the same underlying platform, which is also used in other Subaru models like the Ascent and BRZ. This common platform provides a solid foundation for the Outback’s robust performance and reliability.
