The passenger compartment of the Outback remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy numbers showed good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. Subaru showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Dummy readings of the driver's chest compression indicated marginal protection for this body area. Analysis of the deceleration of the impact trolley during the test, and analysis of the deformable barrier after the test, revealed that the Outback would be a moderately benign impact partner in a frontal collision. Apart from the rear passenger's chest, protection of which was marginal, all critical body regions of both occupants were well protected. In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good and the car scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. In the more severe side pole impact, protection of all critical body areas was good and the car scored maximum points. The Outback is not equipped with a far-side counter-measure such as a centre airbag. Tests showed excursion (the extent to which an occupant is thrown to the other side of the car in a side impact) was adequately controlled. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.  The Outback has a post-collision braking system, designed to prevent secondary impacts, and an advanced eCall which automatically alerts the emergency services in the event of a serious accident.

In the frontal offset test, the Outback provided good protection to all critical body regions of both the 6 and 10 year dummies. However, in the side barrier test, protection of the chest of the 10-year dummy was rated as poor, based on high decelerations recorded during the impact, although all other body regions were well protected. The Outback is equipped with an automatic passenger airbag disabling system. Sensors detect whether a person is sitting in the seat, and leave the airbag enabled, or a CRS is fitted, in which the airbag is disabled. The system was shown to work robustly and was rewarded. All of the restraint types for which the Outback is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

The bonnet provided predominantly good protection to the head of a struck pedestrian, with areas of poor protection recorded only on the stiff windscreen pillars. The bumper offered good protection at all test locations to a pedestrians' legs and protection of the pelvis was also good across the width of the car. The Outback has an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system which can detect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other vehicles. In Euro NCAP's tests, the system worked very well, with collisions avoided in most test scenarios. However, the system to avoid reversing collisions with pedestrians did not perform well, and was rated as poor.

The 2021 Outback has a seatbelt reminder system, including occupant detection in all seating positions, as standard. It is also equipped with a system which monitors the driver's state of alertness, directly, by assessing eye movement, and indirectly, from steering inputs which can provide indications of fatigued or impaired driving. A camera-based lane support system gently corrects the car's path if it is veering out of lane, and also intervenes in some more critical situations. The same camera is used for the speed assistance system, which recognises the local speed limits, allowing the driver to set the limiter appropriately. The AEB system worked well in Euro NCAP's tests, with collisions with other vehicles avoided in most test scenarios.