The fourth-generation Outback arrived with the 2009 debut of the fifth generation Legacy, marketed as 2010 model year vehicles in North America, and called the Outback worldwide.
The fourth-generation Outback was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2009.
A concept Legacy previewing size, styling, and the new EZ36 flat-6 had been shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit three months earlier, in January 2009.

Compared to the third generation, the new Outback was 50 mm (2.0 in) wider and 105 mm (4.1 in) taller, but overall length was reduced by 20 mm (0.79 in).
The wheels were pushed out towards the corners of the car, with reductions in front and rear overhangs by 90 mm (3.5 in) and a longer wheelbase, by 70 mm (2.8 in), primarily realized as increased rear passenger legroom.

The EZ30 was replaced with a new 3.6-liter EZ36, offering increased displacement with the same exterior dimensions.
The EZ36 also provided increased power using regular unleaded fuel.
The 2.5-liter EJ25 flat-4 was retained for the base model.
In Europe, the Outback was also available with the 2.0-liter EE20 turbodiesel.
The turbocharged EJ25 was dropped from the line.

Japanese dealers began selling the new Outback in May 2009.
The European debut of the Outback in August 2009 was accompanied by a press release billing the model as a pioneer in the crossover segment.

The styling was refreshed for the 2013 model year and base models switched to the 2.5-liter FB25 engine, as announced at the 2012 New York Auto Show.
The 2013 model year was also the first time Subaru's advanced driver-assistance system, a stereoscopic camera-based system branded EyeSight, was available in North America.
The fourth-generation Outback arrived with the 2009 debut of the fifth generation Legacy, marketed as 2010 model year vehicles in North America, and called the Outback worldwide. The fourth-generation Outback was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2009. A concept Legacy previewing size, styling, and the new EZ36 flat-6 had been shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit three months earlier, in January 2009.
Compared to the third generation, the new Outback was 50 mm (2.0 in) wider and 105 mm (4.1 in) taller, but overall length was reduced by 20 mm (0.79 in). The wheels were pushed out towards the corners of the car, with reductions in front and rear overhangs by 90 mm (3.5 in) and a longer wheelbase, by 70 mm (2.8 in), primarily realized as increased rear passenger legroom.
The EZ30 was replaced with a new 3.6-liter EZ36, offering increased displacement with the same exterior dimensions. The EZ36 also provided increased power using regular unleaded fuel. The 2.5-liter EJ25 flat-4 was retained for the base model. In Europe, the Outback was also available with the 2.0-liter EE20 turbodiesel. The turbocharged EJ25 was dropped from the line.
Japanese dealers began selling the new Outback in May 2009. The European debut of the Outback in August 2009 was accompanied by a press release billing the model as a pioneer in the crossover segment.
The styling was refreshed for the 2013 model year and base models switched to the 2.5-liter FB25 engine, as announced at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The 2013 model year was also the first time Subaru's advanced driver-assistance system, a stereoscopic camera-based system branded EyeSight, was available in North America.
Subaru Outback