Subaru celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Outback nameplate, introducing a new special edition model in its home market in Japan. The Outback “Black Selection” features a dark treatment for both the exterior and interior, without any mechanical upgrades. The Subaru Legacy Outback Black Selection is based on the flagship Limited EX trim of the pre-facelifted model which is still available in the Japanese market. The special edition rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels finished in dark metallic, combined with black accents. Blacked-out features include the grille, the roof rails, the skid plates, the fog light garnish, the mirror caps, and the Outback lettering on the tailgate. While most buyers will likely stick with the pictured Crystal Black Silica for the exterior, Subaru also offers the Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, and Magnetite Gray Metallic color options.

Inside, the only option is black, contrasting with the silver stitching. The seats are upholstered in Nappa leather, offering ventilation and heating functions, while the dashboard and doors are also wrapped in leather. Under the hood lies a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder flat-4 engine producing 175 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a Lineartronic CVT.

 

The Subaru Legacy Outback Black Selection is already available in Japan, priced at ¥ 4,499,000 (US$ 31,495), making it ¥ 99,000 (US$ 693) more expensive than the Limited EX trim it is based on. Subaru also introduced an incrementally more expensive Legacy Outback Active x Black EX trim priced at ¥ 4,510,000 (US$ 31,539), with similar features and the addition of water-repellent seat upholstery.

The first time Subaru used the Outback moniker was back in 1994, for the crossover version of the Legacy Grand Wagon. In 1999, the Outback became a standalone model in Subaru’s US lineup, something that continues up to this date. The current generation was introduced in 2019 and received a facelift in 2022 for the North American market, where it marches on despite the upcoming demise of the Legacy sedan.