Best Used Large SUV for 2022

This year’s winner of the large SUV category of carsales Best Used Cars for 2022, proudly presented by Bingle, is none other than the 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i – another newcomer to the podium this year.

Over the past four years, this category has been won by a different vehicle every time, starting with the 2012 Toyota LandCruiser Prado in 2018, the 2013 Land Rover Discovery 4 in 2019 and the 2014 Ford Territory in 2020.

All these winners are very different in nature, telling us much about the ‘broad church’ that is the large SUV segment.

The Subaru Outback 2.5i that has won this year is another entry-level model, but it’s not just affordability that has earned it top spot this time around.

The new fifth-generation model released in 2015 was roomier, quieter and more comfortable, offering improved infotainment and safety for lower cost when new.

The raised-wagon packaging of the Outback means it’s suitable for some basic off-roading, but without being tedious in shopping centre car parks.

And while its braked towing capacity of 1500kg falls well short of what heavier-duty SUVs can manage, the Outback’s all-round ability will better meet the needs of buyers who aren’t planning to tackle the Birdsville Track.

The RedBook analysis of the Outback added up to 36.1 points, with the judges’ score of 41 lifting the Outback’s total to 77.1 out of 100 points.

On release in 2015, the Outback 2.5i was priced at $35,990 plus on-road costs. As a used car in 2022, this variant of the Outback is still worth $23,536.

After testing the entire range for the Outback’s local launch, carsales senior journalist Feann Torr offered these comments: “There’s lots to like about this new Outback. It’s more affordable, is five-star ANCAP safety-rated, comes with capped-price servicing for the life of the vehicle, is easier and more fun to drive, as well as more luxurious, more advanced, roomier and more efficient.”

You can read more about the 2015 Subaru Outback in our launch review here.

“The Subaru is a fabulous all-rounder. It is by far the most competent and capable off-road, its superior ground clearance and responsive AWD system ensuring it gets across rugged terrain confidently. The cabin presentation is the most cohesive and high quality we have yet seen in a Subaru” – Bruce Newton, carsales senior journalist

“Despite its typically edgy styling, the Outback doesn’t leap out at you. Yet it’s properly packaged and nicely refined for families in the market for a car-like SUV that really nails it for safety and can cope towing or negotiating milder off-road conditions” – Ken Gratton, carsales technical editor

Reducing the price and flinging more equipment into a larger overall package worked wonders for Subaru’s sales of the new Outback in 2015.

Whereas the previous model sold fewer than 2500 units the year before, the new Outback racked up nearly 11,000 for its first full year on sale in Australia.

Despite its larger dimensions, the new model was slightly more economical too – yet another reason for the fifth-generation Subaru Outback 2.5i deserving its win in the large SUV category of carsales Best Used Cars for 2022, proudly presented by Bingle.

Find a used 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i

Honourable mentions:

The base-grade Kia Sorento Si scored 27.8 points from RedBook and 39 points from the judges for a total of 66.8
RedBook value: $24,700

“The Sorento is impressive and by no means a bad choice. And Kia wins the game on this front with seven years’ breakdown assistance, warranty and capped-price servicing” – Bruce Newton, carsales senior journalist

“The Kia’s heavily suppressed NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and pragmatic ride and handling balance are good, solid reasons for placing it on a family car buyer’s shopping list, but there are plenty of other virtues to justify a closer look” – Ken Gratton, carsales technical editor

The Ford Territory TX AWD scored 25.8 points from RedBook and 38 points from the judges for a total of 63.8
RedBook value: $25,236

“Shame the world-class Territory diesel couldn’t crack the export market and maybe survived a little longer” – Cliff Chambers, carsales used-car buying expert

“Great all-round home-grown family-friendly favourite, with the diesel engine providing abundant torque, and costing little to run” – Ross Booth, RedBook data services director

What makes a car eligible for carsales Best Used Cars?
• Less than six years old
• Standard side curtain airbags
• Standard Bluetooth
• Standard electronic stability control (mandated for 2014)
• Standard reversing camera for SUVs

How did RedBook weight the categories for scoring?
• 10 per cent for resale
• 10 per cent for ANCAP rating
• 20 per cent for cost of ownership
• Five per cent for service intervals
• Five per cent for number of days for vehicle to sell

Read all about carsales Best Used Cars for 2022 here