Subaru X-Mode Winter Snow Test - Outback Onyx XT
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- Опубликовано: 1 июн 2024
- How well does Subaru's Dual X-Mode system work in winter, snowy, off-road conditions? In this video we take a look at the Dual-Function X-Mode System in the 2020/21 Subaru Outback Onyx XT. How it works and when to use it. We then put it to the test in fresh show; first with all-season stock tires and then with Vredestein Wintrac Pro Winter Tires.
#subaru #snowdriving #offroad
CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction
02:40 - Stock Tires Tested with X-Mode
09:53 - Vredestein Wintrac Pro Winter Tires with X-Mode
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Bro the fact that the outback made it that far on those concrete block all-seasons is impressive in itself.
Those stock tire won't last much longer than 20K miles. Our 2012 Forester was on the wear bars about then.
We got 25K miles on our factory tires and they still had tread left.
Wee seldom take our Subie’s off road.
So when the factory tires had to be replaced we had Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires installed on both our Outback and Forester. They’re Awesome tires for year round use.
They’re great on dry, wet, slush, and snow covered roads.
They’re a quiet tire and they don’t cut down on the fuel economy.
We get 5-7 feet of snow every winter here in a very mountainous area of north central WA state.
We live 5 miles from town on a private road that we have to plow and maintain ourselves.
We like the tires so much that I told my brother about them. They live in very rainy Portland Oregon. He laughed and told me that they already have them on their Outback.
Last year I told both of my brother and sister in laws about the Cross Climate 2 tires. One of them we’re needing tires so they bought them for their Outback as well. They too love them, so they too recommended them to the other brother and sister in law. This spring they put them on their Outback and love them.
They live in Montana and get as much snow as we do.
The Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires are Not designed for off roads, but are great for paved roads or logging roads.
Finally a crew that does a snow test with winter tires. I'm sick of all the reviewers who try to dog a vehicle because it wouldn't complete their test on half worn out all seasons. Good job guys.
Well said!!
True, but i still like to see performance on average, all-seasons to see its limitations because majority of drivers don't necessarily keep a stock set of winter tires available.
It's because they're not their cars to modify... They're press fleet cars that belong to the manufacturers.
@@123456789billybobjoe ok? then don't review it
@@darkjord5823 I think subscribers on RUclips would rather see A review rather than NO review
youre a boss for changing wheels / tires on an icy road to make a youtube vid.
As a 2020 Onyx owner, this is the video I've been waiting for! Really a great job on your part.
he's not. there should be winter tires on it from the beginning...it's winter.
@@Prophetli Literally no cars are sold with winter tires on and the average car purchaser won't sink in $850 for a set of nokians on a brand new car.
@@KeenxLimit okay. around where I live, pretty much everyone gets his new car with two sets of wheels (not just tires).
@@KeenxLimit where i live it is the law to have winter tires on, with big fines if you don't
Friends! I'm from Siberia. Sorry for my English! We have a winter with snow from October to May .In one night, snow can fall knee-deep(50 centimeters). And if it snows for 4 days without stopping, then it's hard for the car to go. And we all drive only on Winter wheels. Not what all-season is not suitable for snow and ice. Only winter tires can drive through the snow. And only the rubber should be lowered from the usual pressure of 2.1 to 0.7 psi . Then the car does not fall into the snow and there is more traction for the tire.All good roads! With love from Russia, Novosibirsk city!
Do we like these videos? Are you kidding?! This is good stuff!
Some would even say _great_ stuff!
I had my first experience with x-mode last weekend. My Subaru is a '21 Crosstrek Premium with General Grabber ATX all-terrain tires on 15" wheels.
I was taking a scenic drive to a fairly remote reservoir I've been to before, to check out the scenery. The road was only plowed to a certain point, but snowmobiles had packed the snow down so much that it LOOKED plowed...
I made it about 100ft before the car started to slide and sink. By the time I stopped as the road started to drop down, the car had sunk in snow up to the rocker panels, the right front a little more so. A gentle attempt to back up made the back of the car sink more as soon as the wheels rotated. There was a hill to the left and a steep drop to the right, so I couldn't turn around. My heart sank.
I got out, kicked snow away from the path of the wheels, got back in the car and turned on x-mode. After pulling forward a few inches RIGHT before the tires wanted to slip, and backing up a couple feet, again, before slippage, then pulling forward again to pack some tracks, the car backed up with no drama at all; x-mode smoothed out the throttle applications and kept the wheels from spinning. I'm a believer in this tech now.
A nice little real world test. Thanks.
@@meanders9221 If I still had my '18 Trek with the 6spd, the outcome probably would've been different; much more difficult to be smooth in a situation like that.
"When there was only one set of tracks, that's when X-Mode carried you." SubuJesus
Thank you for the laugh!
Bwahhhh. 💪🏽. Good on you
You're the only one that does this kinds of tests, it helps consumers a lot when making a purchasing decision. Thank you for making these videos!
It's not really hard, if you live anywhere it snows you buy a Subaru. Simple.
Here ya go ;) ruclips.net/video/902oV1rCscU/видео.html
@@submissions72 *and snow tires lol but the OG saying is:"we don't shovel, we buy Subarus"
I bought the Outdoor XT last summer and really was looking forward to winter. We have mandatory winter tires up here. Not gonna lie, this thing is the best car I've driven in snow. I'm making up all kinds of reasons to go out during snow storms. "Hey gf, you want some Tim Horton's? ... Ye-Alright see you in an hour!" ... "Huh, looks like we only have one carton of milk, better make sure we don't run out!" 😆
Bought my Forester Sport after watching your videos. All these follow up videos just confirm I made the right choice by getting a Subie
I always give you a presumptive thumbs up. It's easy to see how hard you work to provide us with realistic off-road capabilities instead of manufacturer mumbo jumbo. Thanks for all of your efforts.
Subaru Symmetrical AWD is so impressive time after time over the years.
Subaru confidence & practicality win.
Watch TFL for a real review
CVT killed what was left of Subaru
lol
@@sainttrollisko NOT true buddy, my Subby walks past Fords F350 4x4s alllll day long. And GMC no different, Hummer no difference! Subaru rules the off-road, period.!
@@lssbells ..no it doesn't. Never has there been such a delusional group of people that drive off pavement than Subaru drivers. No, your unibody AWD car isn't more capable than a body on frame 4wd vehicle with a 2 speed transfer case. Ps, your CVT is burning..I can smell it from here.
Suretrac only
I have a 1997 forester avto.
I installed the Suretrac back
locked the center differential and raised ap the body by 5 cm.
Greetings to you from Russia Novosibirsk ! All peace and quiet!
This kind of video is addictive! Thanks for changing the tires. The difference is huge with winter tires! Happy Christmas to everyone.
Winter tires for the win
Definitely but I am actually surprised that all seasons could make it.
@@4x4.tests.on.rollers it's mainly the Subaru rather than the tire
@@5taytuned550 I would say it is combination of both. Subaru wouldn't do that on summer tires and other cars probably wouldn't do that on these all seasons.
A tip that I have been taught from my instructors when driving off-road is to "keep your fuckin wheels straight". He said "stop turning your steering wheel" and it really helped with maintaining momentum as I kept trying to keep the car going in a straight line. When you turn the steering wheel you are just digging into the mud and making the situation worse for yourself.
So I watch another car review channel who continually bashes Subaru to the point where Subaru will not loan them vehicles, well that and they kind of damaged a Subaru a few years back so that didn't help matters. Ran across your channel with your Subaru testing, and night and day difference in the way you are driving and the way they are driving on the other channel, as soon as a wheel spins they let off the throttle, and bash Subaru for not being able to complete their courses, and blame the CVT for the problems....you are using the same vehicles and with your approach show the true capabilities of Subaru and the AWD system...thank you for showing a different light on the Subaru.
This channel has set me on my course to purchased my onyx xt back in September and I love it! Been taking it on short overlanding trips where me and my group will all yell out "X MODE!!" everytime I engage it. 🤣🤣🤣👍
😂
I just bought a 2022 Outback in large part because of these videos. Great channel.
I’ve been waiting for a snow test since you got the long term Outback Onyx! Great videos! TireRack has great reviews on the Vredesteins. Really appreciate the real world tests! Previous Midwestern owner of a WRX for 17 yrs; now East Coast owner of 2021 Outback Touring XT. All your AWD and other videos are great and unbiased.
Just because you took the effort to change the tires you’ve won my subscription. Awesome video
Bro you engineer when it comes to testing cars hats off 👍
Great video and love how you took the car to the edge of its abilities without getting it into trouble.
Now I (we) know what the Subaru is really capable of off-road real situations!
Love these type of videos. I'm jealous of the various terrain you have around you to test out these vehicles. It's not obvious but I can imagine a lot of work goes into making these, or even the regular ones for that matter. But videos like this make me want to take a look at different brands when buying. Thanks for the great content and honest reviews
Man, you deserve a lot more views, subs and likes
THANK YOU for teaching how to get the most out of my subie! My wife and I have owned 6 subies since 1997, and we've spread the news throughout the extended family such that there are 6 subies in the immediate family who are all converts! DON"t leave home without one!!!!
Great review. Ive noticed on my Audi a big difference with snow tires vs All season when we go to the mountains or up in WI. A little more road noise but well worth the peace of mind.
Subaru with X-mode and winter tires=unstoppable....👌🏼
These are the type of videos that are as down to earth as it can get. Excellent job !
Very informative video. As a new owner waiting for my Crosstrek delivery, I especially liked the tip that you keep your foot in the throttle but not floored when you're in X-Mode. I'll need to know that. I really appreciate how you talk through what's going on at the same time as showing the videos. I learn a lot from these videos.
Love the video! We went directly from the dealer to the tire shop and got Falken Wildpeak AT3W all terrains on our 2021 Outback. They are slightly louder and slightly less gas mileage but good tires (and driver) make more difference than anything else in real world off pavement conditions.
Thanks for the demonstration of x-mode with winter tires. I have 2019 Crosstrek which has only basic x- mode. So far haven't needed to use but now I am eager to try it. Keep up these demos please!
This was awesome. I liked the V90 review too. For those of us who deal with winter conditions and have to run snow tires, this was more of real world test. I was out running errands in a winter storm today and my 2013 RVR in 4 Wheel Drive Lock was great, maybe not as good as X-Mode, but did the job in 8" of snow.
Your reaction was priceless!! Cool after years of driving Subarus you still get surprised says a lot. I do wish you would always include the pitch on the hills or a Picture in Picture depending on the model to view traction and pitch. Merry Christmas!
Big believer in winter tires! 74 yr. caught in winter blizzard out of town. Storm not forecast. Snow tires got us home in headlight high wet snow low visibility. No snow plows midnight New Year’s Eve. 38 mile white knuckle drive. Michigan
The weekend of February 11-15 2021, Vancouver Washington and Portland Oregon had a blizzard with more than a foot of snow. Almost non-Subaru residents were stranded in their houses for three days, especially those who live on the hills such as Prune Hill of Camas. So many different types of vehicles were abandoned on the roads, but our 2011 Tribeca and 2020 Outback were always on the road, with all season tires. My wife ended up the only person working in the whole building. Subaru rule hilly, snowy and icy roads. When we install Bridgestone Blizzak, the Subaru is the emperor of the roads, especially the upper midwest and now my new home, the northwest!
love these vids, been waiting all year for the onyx snow review
Yes I love these type of videos. Mud, snow, sand, and gravel are the best videos to showcase an AWD or 4WD vehicles real capabilities! I've been using Blizzaks for years on my Focus SVT and it can run like a rally car in the sleet and snow, I once passed a stuck AWD SUV on a steep icy sleet packed road.
Great video, adding more difficulty with snow. You made that CVT look very capable.
Merry Christmas ...and New year's....I have been following your videos for a while now ever since finding your forester sports review which unfortunately doesn't seem to be coming over to the UK anytime soon but keep up the informative and thorough videos and here's to a continued progression and expansion of your channel. To you and your colleagues / crew stay safe and keep well. And send over some that lovely seasonal snow....as London (UK) is a drab grey damp squib at a the moment 😉😊
This kind of car just save my family life in Texas! Thank you ...Thank you.. Thank you...!! SUBARU a 2003 outback!!
Write a letter to Subaru corporate :)
I bought mine after seeing your original review of this vehicle; how I discovered this awesome channel!
Fantastic review! I have owned two Subaru vehicles over the years. Both higher mileage (one was nearing 300k miles and now is likely close to 400-500k), and well abused over the years. They were the most reliable cars I have ever owned.
As a long-time Subaru owner, this type of product testing is informative. I have a better idea of how much OutBack I need to travel places I might drive in extreme conditions.
I love these videos. I bought a 2020 Onyx XT edition this past March and I don't ever see these type of conditions here in Maryland. So I know I'll be able to handle anything this winter will bring. I'll probably never use anything more than the standard AWD system.
Great video. Just went in to buy a Crosstrek and came home with the Outback Onyx edition. Live in Minnesota so it will get tested. Thank you for the video and excellent explanation of everything.
I have to say this is the best channel of auto in my mind. It is not like some of those channels just read the loaded sheet which can easy to find on the auto brand's website. I don't need wast my time to listen their copy. Anyway thank you so much.
Great video. I just mounted the same Vredestein Wintrac's on my 2018 Golf R ... they rip in the snow!
Thank you so much for honest, unbiased all wheel and off-road plus sharing great knowledge about mechanical aspects in your auto tests and reviews, best channel on RUclips so far!!
"Unbiased"... Not even slightly.
I can watch this a million times and still am not sure when to use deep snow...love the video
Awesome Review! Love the off roading aspect of your reviews with the technicality.
I have a 2022 Subaru Outback wilderness here in Alaska. With Hakkapallita 10 (studded) it’s completely unstoppable. 18% grade with glare ice after a melt and re-freeze in nothing. My F250 with studded snows struggles up the same incline.
Love this particular vid. I am watching it for maybe the 4TH time. I purchased a 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT in July and I am still learning about the car. But so far I will say it is a " GREAT " car. One " lil " thing I really like is the compass in the car. Yes I know that auto manufacturers have been putting them in vehicles for years now, and I have had one in my prior trucks as well. But you can " paddle " a screen on your dash that will accurately show and delineate what direction on a compass face you are heading. No, it is not delineated in actual degrees, but there is a little pointer that shows what direction on the compass face you are going. You can pretty accurately surmise in degrees your " accurate " direction of travel. All one needs to know is that north is.... 360o and east is 90o and south is 180o and back to north again. It is relatively easy to estimate 5, or 10, or ?? degrees that the pointer is pointing to. WONDERFUL !! Never had that degree of accuracy before. I love my Subaru !!! Signed, Doug.
Wanna see you guys test the New Wilderness Edition with the new X-Mode that won't disengage at 20 mph. I'm excited to see the Wilderness Forrester as well!
I'm a 2020 Onyx XT owner, great video...now I know what to look forward to.
Winter tires are a game changer. That new Outback looks awesome also.
I was waiting for another Outback video!!
This video right here, is why I own a a Subaru Outback Onyx XT. And I love it. I was on the fence before...but after watching videos on the car? Totally sold.
Yes I like these types of videos. Testing different types of tires on different types surfaces and with or without xmode.
Thank you for doing this video! And yes, please do more of them. This helped me to understand what my Xmode on my crosstrek is capable of, and a better understanding of how it can benefit me.
Just be careful. Unless you have the Crosstrek Sport with Xmode 2... it’s not on that level of wheel spin/complexity
It's a fantastic snow scene with SUBARU X MODE!
But but but TFL Tommy says Subaru CVT's are junk off road!! :) Nice review guys, can't wait to see more.
Yes please. May I please have some more?...of this style video that is. Well worth the effort you put into it. Same is true of your last one where you nearly got stuck on the mountain in the pick up truck. Makes you want to see what will happen next.
Really some good stuff here! Big thanks!!!
Having just started my Subaru life, in a 2020 Forester e-boxer, and it made me all happy on X-mode Snow/Dirt, especially the automated decent creeping downhill. Wow it slowed down, but initial speed scared me a bit! Not yet needed to apply the "deep snow/mud". In Sweden we have to "wear" at least Snow+Mud spec'd tires from nov to mars, many even use spikes, but not me. Spikes are too painful for the roads in 85% of the times, so the spikes are just wasted before they get engaged in real ice.
Off to the real country roads tomorrow!
Thx for your test with all season and real winter tyres of the new Subaru Outback XT 2021. It convinced me to order it for our common Ukrainian Solar-PV sites of 375 MW, for our SOWiWA UKRAINE, in 2022.
You did a real great job. Take care and stay healthy, Ulrich
You're one of the only testers that thinks outside the box and understands how you have to keep things equal otherwise it isn't a fair comparison. Also, some testers who are comparing different vehicles, don't even mention what tires the different vehicles have on.
You just can't beat Subaru's AWD system! I used to have the 1997 Legacy Outback wagon and that car out performed many modern AWD uphill snow covered street any day of the week... I know because I have out climbed those modern SUV that slided back down the hilly street where I live.
really great, can't wait to take our Onyx XT up to the mountains for some snow driving.
I used X-Mode going up and down a snowy mountain trail and just wow. The X-mode is amazing for downhill descent it helped to gain traction, slow down the climb, and safely brought us down to the ground. I used the standard all season tires the Outback comes with.
Pssst... you were on the ground the whole time. 😉
Thank you more Subaru Outback video please! Maybe with the new infotainment update or test the turbo!
Just discovered you’re vids; they are great.
Subaru Forester Sport, Limited, and Touring now include dual x-mode too!
Yeah he tested the forester sport, guess he forgot
So does my new Forester Premium.
Fabulous video I always wondered what would happen with winter tires thank you so much :-)
Impressive video.... Xmode is pretty remarkable on its own...and with the right tires, its unstoppable
Thank you so much for making these videos! They have helped a lot in my decision making process!
Good test, and that's why I love my Subi with snow tires 👍💛🚙❄
Thank you for changing the tires. I despise channels where they take vehicles with front/rear/center lockers off-road with all-season tires and act surprised when it gets stuck.
I very rarely drive in the snow but I enjoy these videos 😄
Excellent video :) .. im here envious of the spots you've chosen. Almost everything is closed these days in i90 area.
I appreciate that youre wearing the LL Bean jacket in what would had been labeled the LL Bean trim in older model Subarus.
Love it! That is a lot of work. More, yes 👍🏼
Nice video, thanks for it. It's really hard work to film all this
Love your videos. I got to use my X-mode one on my 4,600 mile roadtrip with my 2021 onyx xt with my Falken Wildpeaks A/T Trails
Fantastic review! Fantastic! Thank you! I'm loving this Onyx!
There is a tire that is in between the "All Season" and the softer, more wear prone "Winter Tire" in tractability. It is called the "All Weather" tire. It is for those who don't want the hassle of switching back and forth with seasonal changes. But close to both properties for those who want the the same wear durability in Summer and close to the soft Winter tire traction in bad snow. It has the same warranty of 60,000 to 65,000 miles as the longer wearing All Season Tires.
I have Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires on my '15 Forester 2.5 Cvt.Size 225/60r17.Excellent in heavy rain on highways and very good on snow and ice..
I am running Michelin CrossClimate on my Outback. They are incredible in rain & snow.
@@mess0965 That's good to hear.
the best video I got for Christmas
This video convinced me to get the Outback Onyx XT. Perfect for Vermont winters. Added bonus: the turbo really zooms when you hit interstate.
I was going to wait to buy this car after all your test, but you sold me on your 800 mile trip. Ended up buying exact same model same color and options lol. I’m just glad to see the capability of my car. Keep up the great work love the videos!
Everyone here in Northern Michigan already knows about Subaru abilities in Winter. It is the most popular vehicle next to the 4x4 truck. We have had 4 Subaru's in the last 25 years. The last Chevy we owned was a Trail Blazer. That vehicle HAD to be in 4x4 to even move as soon as snow touched the roads. The tires for it cost way more that the best snow tires on a Subaru. No other tire would work. Even used a Subaru fetches a good resale value. Our salesman for the last 24 years told me they sell every Subaru as soon as it is posted. We got lucky buying this last Outback. It was exactly what we wanted. The salesman told me it hadn't even been out on the lot for 20 minutes. He already had a buyer for our Forester before we left the dealership.
@@scottfirman This car is my first brand new car, so it was very special for me but I did buy it with the intention to go camping and other off road adventures. I have however been seeing a lot of videos on RUclips recently were they can modify them and go on even more difficult terrain. Which is exiting for me.
Link please
I've had my 2017 Outback a little over a year. Last winter I used my all seasons. It did the job, but I didn't feel the control I wanted. I just bought studded snows. Can't wait to play! LOL
We've had a Subaru XV for about a year and seeing what these amazing vehicles can do under extreme conditions gives us confidence we made the right choice...
Awesome that you changed out to snow tires and tried it a second time! That does a good comparison for sure!
However, in my experience, fresh snow like that has more traction than once a vehicle or two goes through. It was definitely more slippery when you went through with the snow tires. But it does an even better job of demonstrating how much better they work.
I took my Forester on a seasonal highway run like this one winter and surprised a lot of people in Jeeps with how well it did. Obviously in situations where ground clearance was important, the Subaru didn't do so well -- like 3' of unplowed snow, but for most of it up to a foot, the Subaru did awesome. Running snow tires, of course.
great video, have the same Outback XT as you, except gold wheels wrapped in WS90's - handles snow like a champ
Thank you for putting up these videos!
This just made me feel very good about my purchase. Even on all seasons it did very well. Pretty cool
Loved this video and glad I stumbled across your channel. I've been looking for reasons NOT to buy the XT and so far I haven't found one other than the price. Looking to move from a My18 CR-v to a more rounded vehicle, and after driving the XT Touring I really needed/wanted more info on it's offroad usability. This video is the answer as I already know this thing is great on tarmac, but on rural and mountainous rounds it looks way capable as well.
Great work and great test. Thank you, this really helps me in my decision
We live in Vermont, and we have had 5 Subarus. None of ours has X-mode, but I can envision that we will have it on out next Outback. Studded tires are always a great thing when going up our mountains or trying to stop on ice. Thanks for the video .
I actually prefer the older subarus that had no cvt and no xmode or anything else. They did just fine!
We have two without xmode either They do great in the snow and whatever weather is dished out. CVT is better then what people give them credit for. I’ll have to look at studded tires should we ever need them, but Subarus hold their own
Very nice video. It is interesting to see how efficient are the winter tires in these difficult conditions. Many thanks.
Great video. These results come as no surprise to those of us that run snow tires in the winter, but perhaps to those on the fence, or even those that would never consider snow tires for the winter...this demonstrates the limitations of all-season tires. Here is my argument for snow tires over all-seasons, Would you wear your walking shoes through the snow and on ice, or would you get some boots for the snow and ice? Obviously money is a factor, but I think when you decide to drive a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds on public roads you have a responsibility to take all the safe precautions you can. I've heard reasons of "I can't afford them", "Where would I put them?", "How do I transport them to be put on without getting the tire smell in the car?", and possibly the worst one, "I just drive slower when it's bad out". Tires are literally the ONLY thing connecting you to the ground. If more people had them (at least here in the US) we would have fewer accidents, and a lower usage of emergency services like Police and EMT's. Kudos for changing the wheels for the testing!
impressive - cool vid and nice choice on the Onyx xt in that blue color