If you enjoy going on long road trips with your loved ones, then the 2024 Subaru Outback is the ideal vehicle for you. It mixes the characteristics of SUVs and station wagons, enhancing their benefits while minimizing their downsides. Besides offering plenty of cabin space for passengers and cargo room in the back for their luggage, the Outback is also powerful and secure enough to help you tow a small or medium-sized trailer with you on your trips. This article explores the 2024 Outback's impressive towing performance. What Is Towing Capacity?
What Is Towing Capacity?
Before exploring the 2024 Subaru Outback towing capabilities, it's important to fully understand just what towing capacity is. The most straightforward definition is that a vehicle's towing capacity is the maximum weight it can safely tow in a trailer. To calculate it, you need to know your vehicle's weight, as well as the combined weight of the vehicle, its trailer, and all the cargo it carries, including passengers and gas. The vehicle's towing capacity is this combined weight minus its own weight. For safety reasons, you should avoid getting within 10% of the vehicle's maximum towing capacity.
Some factors that will affect a vehicle's towing capacity include:
Engine power and transmission: A powerful engine can make a huge difference when it comes to towing. Also, towing puts a lot of strain on your transmission, so a heavy-duty transmission will help prevent any premature damage.
An appropriate hitch: Having the right hitch for what you're planning on towing can make the whole process easier and safer.
Trailer brakes: The heavier a trailer is, the harder it is to slow it down by solely using your vehicle’s braking system. You need trailer brakes for heavier trailers, as they’ll greatly reduce your braking distance.
Engine Options and Towing
The 2024 Subaru Outback's towing capacity greatly depends on your engine choice. All Outback vehicles have Subaru's famous boxer engine, with an architecture that keeps the entire vehicle balanced while minimizing vibration. The two engine choices for the 2024 Outback and their respective towing capacities are: 2.5-Liter Boxer Four-Cylinder The basic powertrain choice on the Basic, Premium Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims includes a dependable 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine paired with a smooth continuously variable automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It can produce up to 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque while also getting a respectable 28 mpg in combined city/highway traffic. With this engine, you can safely tow up to 2,700 pounds, meaning that you can go on a journey with a decently sized camper, a trailer with a snowmobile, or a trailer with a couple of motorbikes. Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder The second engine option on the 2024 Subaru Outback — available in the Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT trims — is a turbocharged 2.4 liter with an output of up to 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Having a superior power output naturally means more towing capacity, and it does so without compromising too much on fuel efficiency. With this engine, you can safely tow up to 3,500 pounds. If you're planning on taking a heavier trailer with you on your trips, you may want to consider this engine choice.
Essential Towing Equipment
There are also other features besides raw power that make your towing safer and more effective. Some of the most useful towing features and accessories on the 2024 Subaru Outback include:
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Appropriate trailer hitches: Having the right hitch can make a huge difference when towing. Outback models have specifically designed trailer hitches to handle the 2,700-pound tow rating of the standard powertrain or the 3,500- pound rating on the turbocharged version.
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All-wheel-drive systems: Keeping your car balanced while carrying a heavy load is much more effective when you're in full control of all four wheels. Subaru's all-wheel-drive system helps improve stability and traction on any road surface.
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X-MODE: This innovative feature from Subaru works alongside the all-wheel drive system to improve traction and performance on challenging terrains. Driving in slippery conditions or on steep hills is even more difficult with a trailer attached but this system makes it much easier.
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Advanced driver-assistance features: Systems like lane-keep assist, rear-cross traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, and blind-spot detection are useful in any situation but particularly helpful when towing a trailer.
Discover the 2024 Subaru Outback’s Towing Abilities at Ciocca Subaru
The 2024 Subaru Outback is the vehicle for you and your adventures. You can discover this for yourself by visiting us at Ciocca Subaru of York and taking it for a test drive. Our knowledgeable staff will be here for you to answer all your questions to help you make an informed decision. Contact us today by calling us or via our website and schedule your test drive.
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