Test drove the Onyx XT but went with the 2025 Premium. Tons of options available for the price. Drives as good or better than my wife's Lexus RX350. The Outback is practical, reliable, spacious, and holds value.
my local dealer is discounting new premiums for 28500... I looked at kbb trade in on one with 5k miles and it ranges 25-27k... easily the best no brainer purchase!
2024 Premium owner (my 3rd Outback) here. The interior is a big upgrade over my old 2013... much nicer materials, quieter and generally more "luxurious" ride (the big sidewall tires really make the ride smooth). Android Auto works great and overall really happy for the price I got @34k (with moonroof package). Keyless entry and start are nice at the price point. I recently did an 800 mile road trip, and didn't feel a bit fatigued. Starlink is laggy on start up which is annoying, but I am getting adjusted to the screen and using the "subaru voice control" button to control the climate control hands free. I used the adaptive cruise control on much of the trip, but I found myself constantly fighting the lane keep assist to keep the car where i wanted it in my lane. I hit 29.6 mpg for the entire road trip, but the mpg gauge never went over 30mpg. What i would like to see in the Premium : Auto Start/Stop permanent disable, front parking and rear backup *alert* (aka a beep when objects are close), and a powered passenger seat.
I agree with most of your analysis with a few caveats. I own a 2024 Outback Limited my sixth Subaru. The interior quality, leather, heated seats and ride comfort are outstanding! Infotainment not so much, laggy and the built in navigation is dated. Apple Car play solves much of this. Also, MPG not as advertised. Over 10,200 miles I’ve averaged only 22.7 mpg! I have gotten 30mpg on highway but low 20’s in town. Disappointed in that, I would have opted for the XT turbo had I known!
I have the OB Onyx package and I get 20-24 mpg. Twice looked at by the dealership and they said nothing was wrong and will therefore do nothing. The national Subaru folks, which took five weeks (!) to process my complaint said the same thing. Never again!
If you're buying this vehicle, you're not buying it for its speed or acceleration, if you're looking for those aspects, then buy a Mustang or a vett.... this is a car/SUV that you are buying for versatility, comfort, utility, and capability, on top of reliability, it is not going to kill you off the line or in the quarter mile because it is not meant for that, sure a Mustang is going to kick the crap out of an outback off the line and down the road, but do that same race in about 8 inches of snow and let's see who comes out on top then, or even on a dirt road for that matter, I just bought a 2025 outback premium and I absolutely love everything about it except for that stupid auto start/stop feature if you want to call it that, and it's not just the outback. It's most new cars these days.... I find that feature to be both annoying and a starter killer (which you will be replacing more often) I don't care what they say. The starter is not designed to keep starting and stopping 20 or more times every time you go out., thank God I can at least turn it off, but I have to remember to do that every time I start it... The comfort is great., the ride is great, and just the overall vehicle in general, is great, and I highly recommend it along with consumer reports (which I wholeheartedly trust)
Turbo=more issues. Not many Outback buyers care if they can go 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. I'm awaiting my new 2025 Outback, first things on my want-list "no-turbo" & "heated seats w/winter package".
Test drove the Onyx XT but went with the 2025 Premium. Tons of options available for the price. Drives as good or better than my wife's Lexus RX350. The Outback is practical, reliable, spacious, and holds value.
If I was to trade my full size truck id go for one of these 4 sure.
my local dealer is discounting new premiums for 28500... I looked at kbb trade in on one with 5k miles and it ranges 25-27k... easily the best no brainer purchase!
Where at? They're going for $31k in VA.
2024 Premium owner (my 3rd Outback) here. The interior is a big upgrade over my old 2013... much nicer materials, quieter and generally more "luxurious" ride (the big sidewall tires really make the ride smooth). Android Auto works great and overall really happy for the price I got @34k (with moonroof package). Keyless entry and start are nice at the price point. I recently did an 800 mile road trip, and didn't feel a bit fatigued. Starlink is laggy on start up which is annoying, but I am getting adjusted to the screen and using the "subaru voice control" button to control the climate control hands free. I used the adaptive cruise control on much of the trip, but I found myself constantly fighting the lane keep assist to keep the car where i wanted it in my lane. I hit 29.6 mpg for the entire road trip, but the mpg gauge never went over 30mpg. What i would like to see in the Premium : Auto Start/Stop permanent disable, front parking and rear backup *alert* (aka a beep when objects are close), and a powered passenger seat.
In Europe they cost like 50k usd, and they co.e woth the 2.5 169 hp engine. No wonder they have big succes in us, and no so great here...
Decisions, Decisions! I am checking these out this weekend.
did you buy one?
Great review & I really in love to afford this.
I agree with most of your analysis with a few caveats. I own a 2024 Outback Limited my sixth Subaru. The interior quality, leather, heated seats and ride comfort are outstanding! Infotainment not so much, laggy and the built in navigation is dated. Apple Car play solves much of this. Also, MPG not as advertised. Over 10,200 miles I’ve averaged only 22.7 mpg! I have gotten 30mpg on highway but low 20’s in town. Disappointed in that, I would have opted for the XT turbo had I known!
I have the OB Onyx package and I get 20-24 mpg. Twice looked at by the dealership and they said nothing was wrong and will therefore do nothing. The national Subaru folks, which took five weeks (!) to process my complaint said the same thing. Never again!
Waiting for April - 2026 updates.
If you're buying this vehicle, you're not buying it for its speed or acceleration, if you're looking for those aspects, then buy a Mustang or a vett.... this is a car/SUV that you are buying for versatility, comfort, utility, and capability, on top of reliability, it is not going to kill you off the line or in the quarter mile because it is not meant for that, sure a Mustang is going to kick the crap out of an outback off the line and down the road, but do that same race in about 8 inches of snow and let's see who comes out on top then, or even on a dirt road for that matter, I just bought a 2025 outback premium and I absolutely love everything about it except for that stupid auto start/stop feature if you want to call it that, and it's not just the outback. It's most new cars these days.... I find that feature to be both annoying and a starter killer (which you will be replacing more often) I don't care what they say. The starter is not designed to keep starting and stopping 20 or more times every time you go out., thank God I can at least turn it off, but I have to remember to do that every time I start it... The comfort is great., the ride is great, and just the overall vehicle in general, is great, and I highly recommend it along with consumer reports (which I wholeheartedly trust)
But Mike…you make good videos! 👍🏻
Moonroof and navigation are not worth $1600
Best band for the buck is the Onyx Turbo or Onyx Ascent !
24 Onyx XT is by far the best Subaru I've ever owned. None of the 5 were bad, it's just the XT reaches a new high in joy to drive
They would sell so many more of these if they offered the turbo in the Premium trim.
Nope. The people who buy them don't want the turbo.
That's exactly to whom they market them.
Turbo=more issues. Not many Outback buyers care if they can go 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. I'm awaiting my new 2025 Outback, first things on my want-list "no-turbo" & "heated seats w/winter package".
@@ed-gw3ov I got mine in September.
SOA bought my 2023 under the lemon law. Wooooo.
Overconfident talking with hands off steering wheel!! One concerning distracted driver!! I’ll exit freeway if I see you coming 😂