Does Outback have rain-sensing wipers?
Not always. Rain-sensing wipers are not universal on the Outback and are typically available only on certain trims or regional variants.
What rain-sensing wipers do
Rain-sensing wipers use a windshield sensor to detect moisture and adjust wipe speed automatically. In Subaru’s lineup, this feature is often referred to as Auto Wipers or Rain-Sensing Wipers and may appear as part of a trim, package, or via an Auto setting on the wiper stalk, depending on the model year and market.
Outback availability by year and market
Because Subaru's feature sets vary by model year and market (United States, Europe, Asia), rain-sensing wipers may be included only on higher trims or specific regional specifications, rather than across the entire Outback lineup. If you want certainty for a specific car, check the exact configuration for that year and trim.
The following notes help you verify whether a particular Outback has rain-sensing wipers:
- Check the window sticker (Monroney label) for the year and trim; look under Exterior/Convenience features for "Rain-Sensing Wipers" or "Auto Wipers."
- Inspect the wiper stalk for an "AUTO" setting. An Auto option typically indicates some level of automatic wiper operation in response to moisture.
- Consult the owner's manual's Wipers section to confirm whether rain-sensing wipers are described and how to enable them if available.
- Ask a Subaru dealer or use the official Build & Price tool for your year and trim to confirm feature availability for your vehicle.
In practice, if your Outback's documentation does not mention rain-sensing wipers, you likely do not have the sensor-based feature. You can still use the standard wiper settings, including intermittent and continuous modes, but automatic sensor-based control may not be present on that configuration.
Market-specific notes
Availability can differ by region. Some markets historically offered rain-sensing or automatic wipers on higher-trim Outbacks, while others did not list the feature at all. Always verify for your specific vehicle year and market.
Summary
The answer to whether an Outback has rain-sensing wipers is: it depends on the year, trim, and market. Not all models include the feature, but higher-trim or region-specific configurations may offer automatic wipers. To be sure, check the vehicle’s window sticker, owner's manual, or ask a Subaru dealer for the exact configuration of your Outback.
