Nice review. I sold my 06 Honda Element AWD 5 speed, which I owned from new, and bought the ‘24 Outback Touring xt. I had waited over a year for the Mazda CX70 after initially driving a CX90. I liked the driving dynamics of the Mazda, but was disappointed the CX70 was the same size as the 90. So on to the CX50. I’m 6’6” with a 36-37” inseam. I had basically one driving position in the CX50. I drove a Toyota Crown in early July, Signia was not out yet. The Crown was one driving position for me as well. Sitting in the Outback for me is far more comfortable than either of the other two. I can make numerous satisfying adjustments to my seating position. That’s important on a long drive. Being retired I bought this car for long journeys. The dealer from which I purchased had a rental program. For $35 per day with unlimited mileage you could rent a car. I rented the exact trim level Outback I purchased for one week. I found out what it was like to live with the car. Mazda allowed me a two hour test drive which I took with the CX70. It went back in 45 minutes. Mazdas are very nice driving cars for the enthusiast. I was once one and thought that is where I wanted to be. Comfort over driving dynamics won out. The Outback handles great though may be a little more vague in the steering. Ride quality is wonderful. The cabin is wonderfully quiet and the seating comfort is terrific. My wife and I are part time performing musicians so cargo capacity was really important. The Subaru offers better cargo capacity than the CX 50. I can’t compare to the Signia though they look equivalent. I bought my Outback using the Costco program on the last day of July and save close to 9% off sticker. I received a call from the Toyota dealer a day or two later saying he had 3 Signias coming , two of which had been spoken for. He asked if I wanted to get on the list. Of course I did not, but that told me that discounts off MSRP would little to none. Would I like the hybrid mpg? Yes but I only drive 5-6000 miles per year. How long would it take me to make up the difference in price for the Signia which I didnt think would offer me the same comfort? I am enamored with my Subaru. I find the power train to be very favorable and enjoy driving my car for all the previously mentioned reasons. Keep in mind I am coming from a bare bones auto. Prior to the Element I owned 5 Audis, including an A6 wagon. The Outback is as satisfying to me as my ‘02 A6 wagon.
I have a 23 Outback onyx xt with about 15k miles. I have been loving it. Super comfortable. Spacious for the kids without getting a bigger feeling suv. The back is cavernous. Great for highway cruising and taking to the mountains in all seasons.
You were absolutely spot on about the CVT behavior when accelerating “normally”. I have this exact car and it’s one of the most annoying things about it in everyday driving. 15:59
For anyone that cares: The 0-60 is around 6 Seconds. So you're literally keeping pace with a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor w/ 400hp and a Lexus IS350 AWD with 311hp. You are also about a Second Quicker than a Hybrid Tacoma 4cyl Turbo (Despite its 326hp/400-something Torque). Oh yeah I know... Pay all that extra money only to have a Subaru with a CVT be On Par performance wise. Theoretically, if you stick better wheels/tires, lift/longer travel suspension, -you are doing everything the Tacoma can do for Less, You're Getting Better Mileage than the Tacoma for Less, You are fitting more (Inside the vehicle / Occupant space) for Less. The Engine Start stop is tricky at first but if you literally come to a Stop "Easily" Light tapping of the brake -to a Stop, it doesn't initiate the Auto Start/Stop (Because the Computer will think you are in "traffic." Its only if you come to a Prominent stop, and lay the Brake into the floor at the Stop, that you will experience the Auto Start/Stop. As far as the Acceleration goes, for Subaru's CVT's, its a lot happier when you don't decompress the gas all the way, meaning, you can slow down while in traffic, and the Torque will be there as long as a slight press on the Pedal is present, otherwise taking the foot off the gas, then putting your foot back into it yes you will feel that slight initial Torque lag. For 2026, The Outback is Completely Redesigned and is more Boxy. You can find the Spy photos on Reddit. They're deleting the Huge Screen, going Digitial Cluster, and giving us back "Buttons" for HVAC, etc, etc. Still a Wagon, but Definitely more "SUV." Think "Updated Solterra Interior that makes more sense." XT Powertrain carry's over.
@andrewgus8763 Sir, go back to Google and again type in 2024 IS350 AWD. We are comparing AWD vehicles, not 2WD. Now adjust for Elevation, yes that equates to around 6 Seconds in the Lexus. I invite you to drive one and bring your own speed measurement device like I did. 👍
Thanks for the info! Friendly pointers: Decompressing the pedal would be to let your foot OFF the pedal. Also, if the Subie does everything a Tacoma does for less, what is the tow rating? I imagine that is where the Tacoma would shine vs a CVT Subie lol it's not a brag that this car is faster than a Tacoma. Tacoma's are built to work/tow/haul and, in some cases off-road. TFL has proven that Subarus don't exactly excel at off-reading. Even going up slippery inclines the CVT overheats. I can't imagine it tows anything substantial well.
Driving Sports TV has proven that Subaru's do just fine offroading. TFL is quiet biased against Subaru since they wont do business with them. Even when they had an Outback Wilderness complete their hill climb, not even in the most aggressive setting, they still tried to play it off like it was unimpressive. On the other hand they'll hype something like a current gen passport which has had its transmission overheat in multiple videos from multiple creators accomplishing while less than a Wilderness Outback. And nice cherry picking with the Tacoma, the point is is that all those vehicles mentioned are way more expensive that this vehicle and some cases can't put up better acceleration times. At sea level the turbo outback is a 5.8 sec vehicle. This is very impressive for what it is and it's cost.
@@SansooIanIt doesn't matter if AWD or not, you are not getting 6 seconds with an IS350 unless you are in eco mode. Once you reach 60mph you are not "keeping pace" with a smaller car that has more hp, better gear ratios, and a more aerodynamic design.
Just bought the non XT Outback today. For the $4k I saved and increased MPG over the Wilderness, it has plenty of pep. I'm super happy with it already! I had a 90 minute ride home and it handled Atlanta's interstates perfectly fine.
Did you test drive the XT variants at all? I tested both the 2.5 and the 2.4T and the difference is nearly night and day. CVT drone is also MUCH better in the XT because for the same amount of acceleration, it stays in the low rev-range much more. Just my 2 cents, but in any case, I'm glad you like your new car and welcome to the Subaru family!
Just got a 2025 Touring XT and think it is fantastic. My previous cars were a 2006 Honda Pilot and a 2016 Dodge Journey (silly me). Really having nothing else to compare my Outback to, this is a super premium vehicle. For a tad over $40K I believe it is an outstanding value for all of the features. Amazing passing power and ride comfort.
I have a Limited XT. To circumvent the rpm/turbo fall-off due to the CVT virtually upshifting, just put it in manual mode and use the steering wheel paddles. Much smoother result. Yes the XT mpg in the city is horrible. On the highway avereaging 70 mph with 2 people , I get 32 mpg.
I still have my 16 Forester I bought new. Waiting on the release of the new Hybrid and see how they do the first year so my next purchase will be late 2026 or early 2027
Same here! 2016 Outback bought brand new. A perfect car in Ottawa for hauling gear, kids or whatever. Still going strong but looking at either the new Outback or Signia in 2026. We'll see.
Just purchased the 2025 Outback Wilderness and love it. I looked at many cars and trucks. Each car has its pros and cons. I am surprised how some manufacturers don't fix their negatives. The cameras in the Subaru Outback are really bad. Not having a digital cluster at the price I paid is also surprising. No memory seats in the Wilderness or HUD also. BUT...I wanted a good off road capable vehicle and a car that can get me through our snow storms. I love the turbo and the blue I got. I live in Salt Lake City with the Rocky Mountains literally in my backyard. Moab and the southern deserts just a couple hours.away. So the Subaru is just the best fit. But the others are also excellent for what they do well.
I work for Subaru and to say it blows the crown signia out of the water absolutely nullifies this entire review. Insane to say that, especially in the context of the drive.
How about unbiasedly? I’ve driven both and both are fine vehicles but the Crown is nearly Lexus smooth and the Toyota Japan build quality is superlative versus the Indiana plant here for Subaru
@@jonathanratliff4780 to be clear, I am saying the signia is a better vehicle. Seems we agree is my point and I’ve always had a bias for Subarus as I work with them.
@@smashtankful How's their reliability though? I have a friend who works at Service Dept of Subaru, he said the Older one had a lot of issue with Engine burning Oil at like 100k. The newer one CVT has quite a lot of Transmission problems. His Opinion on Subaru's reliability is they are almost as bad as Jeep.
@@steak5599 Idk what he does there, but no... Subarus are not as unreliable as Jeeps. Nowhere close. They're in general, quite reliable, but have had a couple prominent issues over the years, like any brand.
After owning four Hondas, I’m now a Mazda fan. I love my Mazda. It handles and feels way better, and its interior looks and feels more high quality for the price.
Acceleration in my 2020 Onyx XT is the same off the line. On gentle acceleration it will always do that; however, if you're just a bit more aggressive (I'm not talking flooring it), and keep the transmission in it's power ban until it hits 3rd shift point, you'll be past the point where it drops off. Something you have to get used to. I'm also getting about 28.5 in combined city/highway in the summer, winter falls off to 25 mpg or less.
I would have to pick the Toyota. The smooth drivetrain, MPG, and style. I help my elderly neighbor run errands and I use her Subaru. I like it a lot, but it feels so floaty. I actually catch myself driving super slow around corners. Maybe it’s something I would get use to if I drove it more than once a week.
@@paulholterhaus7084 I think it’s just the extra ground clearance and soft suspension. I drive a Honda HR-V, so it’s 2 inches lower with stiff suspension. I think the Crown would be a nice middle ground with driving dynamics and comfort.
Nice review here. I have an outback wilderness. Been good. Incredible in snow bad weather hands down. I never have gotten stuck. Comfortable reliable. Get up and go car. No nonsense. Affordable. Easy to maintain. Costs aren’t out of control. The only wild card right now w Subaru is they are about to launch a brand new re designed outback. I recently read where they actually delayed the launch because they spent alot of time w re design of forester. Being the outback is their bread and butter and they listen to their customers I gotta believe when this new car launches they are gonna knock it pit of ballpark. We shall see.
As a current happy owner of '22 OB (my 3rd) Touring 2.5i NA and someone who is always wondering what I'll get next I recently had a short test drive of the CSignia My impression is that the CS ride is smoother on 19" tires), than the OB (on 18" tires) & the acceleration a bit better than Subie's 2.5 NA, the interior space & comfort feels comparable (despite specs saying it has 10% less passenger volume -- I think that is probably due to somewhat less head room - I'm only 5'7"). Visibility was good and I appreciated the more forward placement of the outside mirrors & the manual controls for the HVAC. The gear petite gear selector was different but easily mastered. I hunted around a bit but never did figure out the radio controls. The cargo area with back seat up is 6" shorter & 3" narrower despite the CS being 3" longer & 1" wider than my OB. Overall, I felt the CS was more comfortable (ie more isolated from the road - a plus for some and minus for others) , peppier, & more nimble (very quick steering, flatter cornering) than my 2022 OB Touring 2.5i. The reduced caro area (25% less behind rear seat & 12% less with rear seat down accord to specs) could be a deal breaker for me from time to time, I'm hauling a lot of gear in my OB. At this point, I'll keep my 22 OB with just 13,200 miles. But come 2027, I'll do a detailed compro in between the latest OB (hopefully with a decent hybrid drivetrain by then), the Crown Sig, and the latest Hyundai Tucson & Kia Sportage hybrids offerings. Prices will definitely be a consideration. Its great to have a variety of good choices! Interesting, surprising side note is that the dealer I went to had zero RAV4 Hybrids available, but 4 CSs. Methinks the CS may be a bit pricey for the average Toyota buyer
My first thought would be to go for the Subaru, but that CVT's action would (initially) be a non-starter for me. Like most owners, I'd probably get used to it in time. But, why must I begin with lessons to be learned when I can just buy the Mazda and drive happy from the get-go? 🖖🙏
Have a 2006 Outback with 195,000 miles & original owner, and always been maintained at the Subaru dealership. Looking to purchase a new Outback in 2025.
Kirk, For $44,331, I will take the Crown Signia XLE all day every day. 🤩🤩 In the interests of fairness, I must state the Outback is miles ahead in the spare tire department. Continuing with the delicate subject of money, you said this Outback was made in Indiana, has Subaru finally succeeded in outbidding McDonald's for workers? 😉😉
Agreed. The Crown Signia is also built in Japan, and looks much more luxurious with Toyota hybrid quality and naturally aspirated with no extra wear on the engine as with turbo engines.
i have a '24 Limited XT and get 27 mpg. I love the heavy solid feel and comfort of the Subaru. Coming from Honda and Kia, this car is significantly better.
360 degree camera is on new '25 Forester, but not any Outback I know of. Wireless charger is an option for storage area under infotainment system. Auto start-stop is the Outback's most despised feature. CVT will become more responsive to throttle input as miles accumulate. I've owned two of these vehicles.
Design wise, Subaru Outback is fantastic for families with 2 kids. So much legroom in the back seat and cargo space. It really splits the difference between compact SUVs where you are cramped because they are shorter, and larger SUVs where you are cramped because you are trying to squeeze in an extra row. Subaru is in the sweet spot if you only need 5 seats. Reliability is not Toyota after 100K miles, but it's decent and not crazy difficult to maintain, plenty of cheap parts, though boxer engine is a bit of a PITA sometimes. But the lack of hybrid really hurts it for the school run cost. At $45K, it's a hard sell, IMO, but I think if you go for the Premium in the low 30s and the upfront savings pay for the gas and likely higher repairs over Toyota down the road, you are going to be happy with it for what you pay. Alternative for me is the CR-V Hybrid because they also have good rear legroom on the latest version and better MPG and perhaps reliability, though not sure about the battery degradation down the road. Crown Signia is interesting in the $45K price range. But it seems like a JDM fashion product that's an afterthought for the American market. No window tint, expensive headlights in the bumpers, no spare tire, could use higher roof line and more headroom. It's close, but not quite there.
I got my first one in 2024. Sold my Ranger. I live in northern Wisconsin and the Outback does amazing in the snow and bad roads and rough weather . Great gas mileage. I love the thing . Drove it to western Nebraska to see my folks. Just a cruiser. I don't have any kids or wife. but the back seat has plenty of space.
Unfortunately subaru are always was h.drinker with not much to go unless h.on revs😕 they have best in class awd system but totally let down by powerless in feel boxer engine and a lot of cars problems unfortunately 😕I will love outback with toyota 2.5 hybrid powertrain it will be great blend of economy and moderate performance of family suv/wagon 👍 now in 2.5 boxer is h.on service, maintenance costs as all boxers are and h.on fuel 😕
We just bought a 2025 Outback Limited XT. Love it. Mazda CX-50 was out bc of the awful placement of the cup holders. No way a big Route 44 would fit and that was a deal breaker. Crown Signia’s inventory is still too limited with no supply in our area. Plus, Outback’s can be found with few thousand off sticker price and 2.9% financing.
G'day mate. Thank you man for this video. I appreciate all the time and effort. I have the 2014 Make, 2015 Compliance Outback and I love it. Greetings from the land down under 🤝
I've had an Onyx XT for a month now (coming from Passport Trailsport). I like that it blends in and is a sleeper, almost feels like as inconspicuous as a minivan. Also, the CVTs have gotten so much better now that I feel they're a better cruiser and there's less searching for gears. The only issue I have is the one you described, around 2k rpm it can stutter or downshift, which I've learned to work around. Of course I wish there was a way to have autostart always off and break hold always on.
I was planning to get a used RX350/450h. Used prices were just too high. I ended up with a new 23 Outback Limited 2.5L. I actually think it's more comfortable than the RX for my long legs. It is a little less quiet, but for about $15,000 less, new, I'm very happy with my choice. Do I wish I got the turbo? Yes, once in a while... But lower price to purchase kept the car in budget, and it gets a little better gas mileage. But turbo would be fun. Still, GREAT car!
I have a 25 Outback Premium. I paid $29,800 for it plus fees and tax and reg. My biggest complaint is the rolling Ipad on wheels. Its easy to get distracted trying to toggle multiple screens for the a/c.
The Outback is really nice and off-road/snow/ice capability are important to me, but I am waiting for the new hybrid model hopefully coming out next year!! Looking at the RUclips off-road reviews, the Subaru has a much better than the AWD competition.
Looked at Signia vs Outback. owned a 2017 Limited 3.6 R Outback Unfortunately they don't make the flat 6 anymore. I chose to buy another Outback. One thing you don't mention is I routinely including this purchase can negotiate $4,000-5,000 dollars off the sticker for an outback. Service costs are also extremely inexpensive Had no issues with the 2017 Outback for 75,000 miles and have a good local dealer.
@@wespotter6985 Capital subaru Greensboro NC- Flow in Burlington is also a large volume dealership that has good discounts In my case the dealership wanted my 3.6R last of the 6 cyclinder outbacks and mine had really low miles
Hard to call these wagons since they are just slightly lowered SUVs. The Corolla touring, Mazda6 Elite Estate, VW golfwagon, and Audi A3-A6 estate are true wagons. They sell great in Europe. Shame we don’t have them here as much.
This generation of Outback is built on the Legacy sedan platform. It is a lifted wagon. The seating postion, belt line, and greenhouse height are all lower than in the Mazda and Toyota.
@@shikcheese3234 whyever should platform matter? the mazda 5 shared a platform with the mazda 3, but no one called it a hatchback, or a wagon. it might've been a class all unto itself, but there was no question it was a minivan. If subaru wanted to make a lifted wagon, the outback would be 5 feet or shorter, like the V60 cross country, or the A4 allroad, or the E450 all-terrain. instead, the outback is a foot taller than a V60, and much too tall for easy roof access for i'd argue the vast majority of people.
I think the Outback just cateres to a different crowd. Its got more clearance, more space than the Signia. You can actually take it off road. The Signia, not so much, better for smooth on road motoring
I have an Outback Wilderness and I really like it. I hate the touch screen though…it slows down in cold weather and it controls everything (HVAC, X-Mode, Etc.). On the plus side it has a volume knob.
The weird acceleration character, with the revs dropping off at 15 mph, drove me crazy! I traded in my Outback after two months for a Forester. A lot slower, but it accelerates like a normal car.
We bought the xle, and I thought the headlights were a problem until I discovered the manual adjustment wheel on the dash for the angle. Now no problems.
@@jonlawrence2350 Found that dial the other night and helped greatly but still a little low. Also when going over hills you don’t see the road even slightly on top until you are on top. Hard to explain.
My n/a 2.5 does just fine with acceleration (2017) truth be told I haven’t driven an XT though. I’m thinking that your loaner car hasn’t been broken in yet because the mpg should much better than 22.
I drove both today and went with the NA as well. Better long term reliability, better MPG, and saved me at least $4k. And I am perfectly fine with the performance. Great pep. I'd be getting pulled over all the time with the XT!!
My wife had a 21’ Crosstrek and the start/stop feature was insanely horrible. I swear I’d cut that thing off when I got in the car and it’d still shutter off the car
@@rightlanehog3151 not new and not with 4WD, a base model with 4WD as the only option starts at $44,030, in order to get a 4Runner with all the same creature comforts as the OB you would need the 4Runner Limited which starts at $53,425 with 4WD as the only option. and thats assuming you can find one, there are 0 4Runner Limited within a 500 Mile radius of me. The cheapest 4Runner is a TRD Sport thats 471 miles away. Seattle, Portland and Boise are all within that 500 Mile Radius so they aren't that easy to find.
It was a Plymouth superbird based on the Plymouth roadrunner. The superbird Came out in 1970 in response to the dodge charger Daytona that came out in 1968. The cars were Built as nascar race cars originally but back then they had to build production versions to be able race them in Nascar thats Only reason they where ever built.
The Charger Daytona was in the 1969 model year, but you are correct on the year of the Superbird. My profile picture shows my devotion to 1970 Plymouths.
Kirk - you neglected to discuss a few items. The Signia does not have a spare tire. Its sunroof does not open. It does not have the 8.7" ground clearance. that the Outback has. The windows in the Signia are short so the visibility is not as good. The Signia has a smaller rear cacrgo area. I agree that Subaru needs a hybrid bc 18 mpg city in real world with the turbo is not very good. I speculate that the Signia's maintenace costs will be much less than the Outback. No rear driveshaft or differential; the brakes will likely last longer; the engine does not need to be lifted to change the spark plugs; Toyota quality is better than that of Subaru'. Bottom line - therer is no perfect car.
The Outlander is a genuine rugged, full off road vehicle whereas the ones you compare it to are from it. The extra complexity (and cost) are only worth it if you need it.
Spending $50k on a car and talking about saving money from fuel efficiency. Many reviewers keep glomming onto the hybrids for fuel economy, which would make full sense if the point of the vehicle is to save money. However, when you're reaching over $45 or $50k, how important is the 50 bucks you save per month? And yes, in my use case, I spend $150 on gas per month in a non-hybrid ICE vehicle. Since hybrids have a higher up-front cost, I feel the masses are being duped by marketing into repeating "hybrid, hybrid, hybrids" when it actually makes little financial sense to those who don't drive tons of miles. Also, no lacklustre Toyota hybrid system in the Outback please. I for one like the grumbly boxer which Subie's known for.
Owned Honda , . Mazda and Toyota. Subaru outback bought in Nov 22. New Touring 2.5. Rather prefer non turbo for MPG. It's a good vehicle for it's got comfortable seats. Lots of space for gear. All wheel drive is great. Honda has its value , but we have up in poor seats. Toyota was solid and seats also sucked. Mazda we loved and would buy again. But the dealership experience was poor. So far Subaru dealership experience good 👍. Only complaint info system is a bitch to use in sun it's just unusable. Sure wish we could pass on the technology field. Buttons work better than the screen.
As outdoorsy, and nature minded as Subaru owners are, I'm suprized there hasn't been more and more hybrids over the years. Couple here and there for compliance, but would love more.
They just announced that their will be new hybrid variants of the Crosstrek & forester. I imagine a hybrid outback will come out shortly after the new generation is launched
@@ross2358 I think a plug in or hybrid Crosstrek is gonna be a hidden jewl used car for $9k one day. No one knows they exist, but easy for those who do to set up search alerts on sites.
Subaru head units are troublesome as they delaminate after some time. My 2019 Outback had that problem and from what I hear it’s still a problem in their new models. I replaced mine with aftermarket but with these new 11” screens you’ll just have to replace with a factory one that will likely delaminate again…
I had the same delaminating problem with my 2018 Outback 3.6R Touring. The head unit became nearly unusable. It took my Subaru dealer nearly 2 years to get the replacement, which has been working just fine. That frustrating issue made me look at the Signia. I think it's nice, but overpriced and will wait for the Outback hybrid.
wow i never really liked subaru newer subarus atleast but i think i can ignore the cvt now in a seemingly car you'd want a 6-7 speed trans yk they did so well but another thing i dislike is the infotainment tbh i love it but i hate the intergration of ac controls into it
would have seriously considered this tank with the n a engine if it weren't for the sketchy CVT and the "high Tech" screen with no physical climate dials. what a shame.
The NA subarus have that weird behavior from a stop as well. I have a 2024 impreza RS and it behaves similar. Leaving a stop light it will rev up to about 2500-3000 with light throttle, then it will fall and hold at 2000rpm. It think it is trying to get better fuel economy, but it is annoying.
I’m still not a big fan of the Infotainment that Subaru has in their vehicles. I wish the infotainment screen is horizontal and I wish the software is leas laggy.
being an owner of a 2017 Outback 2.5... If the CX-50 turbo has more traditional 'gears' like you said, I'm picking the Mazda. I owned a 2016 WRX before the Outback, and i got better MPG out of the Rex than I did the Outback on a trip to DC and back (Western CT starting point, avoiding NYC and NJ). the 2017 Outback is rated for i think 27mpg highway, and my most recent trip, i got quite literally that, no better, no less. The WRX was rated lower, and got nearly 30mpg, on the same route, with pretty similar traffic. (I've kept a spreadsheet on my PC for gas prices/mpg/etc since 2009) When you mentioned how the CVT likes to upshift early, Kirk, it does the same in my 7y.o. non-turbo Outback. When accelerating from 0, at about 10mph, it's already trying to get to lower torqued simulated 'gears' to try to that better mpg. I'm constantly fighting the CPU/CVT for the torque to get up and going. I use manual mode a lot to try to simulate driving a manual, but it doesn't give the same experience for obvious reasons. My gripe with Subaru. they're too complacent with 'what sells' and not offering what returning buyers want. If the Global Platform is capable of being equipped with a Manual, like in the 2022+ WRX, why can't the other models the platform shares? (waiting for the "cuz it's less than 3% of sales" or w.e responses) - I will say this. "If they build it, People will buy it." I miss driving a manual, and anything New, the less options there are for a manual, leaving me with the only Manual Suv/wagon being a Bronco... Should Subaru make an Outback XT in a 6MT with the newer Eyesight that's setup for Manuals, I would be interested in inquiring. But, for now, i'm paying off this 2017 Outback instead..
I drive both Subie's and Mazda's...........I can verify that Mazda's engines are better and Mazda's transmissions are better......For Many Years I prefered Subie's ground clearance and Their AWD..........But Mazda has caught up in these regards and Mazda's Today are the one to beat...............Paul
I like Toyota Crown Insignia limited but ended up bought the Outback touring (no XT) because of better deal and discount on price (41K OTD) AND a 2.9% int./72mo. I love the brown Napa leather interior! The Outback also has digital rearview mirror, power folding side mirrors, and driver monitoring. It doesn't have 360degree camera, only 180degrees (front view camera). The Subaru Eyesight Safety system is better than my wife's Highlander platinum. It's so sensitive which is I like. About Hybrid, I live in TX, gas is cheap and most of my daily commute is 80% on highway, hybrid will benefit only in city driving or when you offen get stuck in traffic, not in my case, so I don't need to carry a 200lbs battery on my car and save $$$$.🙂 So far I like my Outback, very quiet cabin and suspension. This will be my first Subaru in my life.
Still a good design generally, except that infotainment is unacceptably slow. iPad 15 years ago was much faster. Amazing that they can get away with this nonsense. And that Subaru engine is so old it ought to be sold in a museum. It really should get much better gas mileage. It cannot even claim to be durable because of its time-tested nature. I do like the idea of not having a sunroof.
The infotainment system must be a USDM thing because the EU version is just fine. Also there is nothing wrong with the engine. No hybrid, no turbo, it has been refined over the years so it will last longer way longer than other things. When Subaru retired the popular EJ it was 30 years old. Cars equipped with it are still on the road.
Subaru will be so much better with Toyota hybrid technology. Not shocking they don’t have it yet after seeing how antiquated the interior is. Probably a great thing for older customers though.
@@matthewhuszarik4173We’re saying it’ll be better AFTER they implement Toyota tech because it’ll have Toyota tech, but in the form and pricing of a Subaru.
OMG, a Husky in Florida? You'd better have the AC on all day every day, otherwise, the dog would risk overheating. I'd pick the Subaru if I'm driving off pavement (or on broken pavement) a lot; otherwise, I'd get the Toyota for its efficiency and because I like the wagon look. The Mazda is a good car, too, but the CX-5 is better value than the CX-50.
Great review, Kirk! Which one would you say feels most planted and close to the ground in your driving position? I prefer the feeling of a low, sedan-like car. I like that the Signia has a lower ground clearance, but it looks like you still sit up a bit higher.
I’ll answer that; have the Signia and also have had an outback loaner for well over a month. The Toyota feels more planted but not much lower. If I drove highways on a daily basis I would definitely choose the Signia. The land tracing on the Signia is fantastic.
@@WatchTheJoeChannel that is a great answer, thank you! If it feels well planted, then I think I could handle the extra height compared to my Corolla.
You can get a well equipped non turbo Outback with most of the features of the $44k cars for around $33k. If i wanted a performance car... i would probably spend $45k on a 480hp Mustang GT.
Except the Crown looks way better (the outback is really unattractive) and unfortunately the Lafayette plant cannot compete with any Japanese plant in terms of build quality and fit and finish of models they produce.
If you do a lot of highway driving, it actually does pretty good, but the typical city commute it does suck. If your looking for a good foul/cold weather companion, its excellent.
It’s laughable to claim the Outback is better than the Crown Signia - not nearly as good gas mileage, louder interior, not as refined on the interior, etc. The Outback also continues to look like an Outback - the design is tired ASF. Ridiculous.
How do you manage a Huskey in such a hot climate? Why are you wearing a hat? Toyota is much nicer interior in my opinion. Agree with your exterior comments as well. Subaru almost has a generic appearance., And I do like 360 camera as you point out. I favor Toyota, maybe Mazda second.
I have a 2021 subaru outback. What a disappointment from water entering the passenger side door, torn drivers side seat less than 30,000 miles, peeling rim , rattling interior noises,terrible infotainment system Bluetooth keeps disconnecting. I will not buy again or recommend anyone to buy. 🔥
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice review. I sold my 06 Honda Element AWD 5 speed, which I owned from new, and bought the ‘24 Outback Touring xt. I had waited over a year for the Mazda CX70 after initially driving a CX90. I liked the driving dynamics of the Mazda, but was disappointed the CX70 was the same size as the 90. So on to the CX50.
I’m 6’6” with a 36-37” inseam. I had basically one driving position in the CX50. I drove a Toyota Crown in early July, Signia was not out yet. The Crown was one driving position for me as well. Sitting in the Outback for me is far more comfortable than either of the other two. I can make numerous satisfying adjustments to my seating position. That’s important on a long drive. Being retired I bought this car for long journeys. The dealer from which I purchased had a rental program. For $35 per day with unlimited mileage you could rent a car. I rented the exact trim level Outback I purchased for one week. I found out what it was like to live with the car. Mazda allowed me a two hour test drive which I took with the CX70. It went back in 45 minutes. Mazdas are very nice driving cars for the enthusiast. I was once one and thought that is where I wanted to be. Comfort over driving dynamics won out. The Outback handles great though may be a little more vague in the steering. Ride quality is wonderful. The cabin is wonderfully quiet and the seating comfort is terrific.
My wife and I are part time performing musicians so cargo capacity was really important. The Subaru offers better cargo capacity than the CX 50. I can’t compare to the Signia though they look equivalent.
I bought my Outback using the Costco program on the last day of July and save close to 9% off sticker. I received a call from the Toyota dealer a day or two later saying he had 3 Signias coming , two of which had been spoken for. He asked if I wanted to get on the list. Of course I did not, but that told me that discounts off MSRP would little to none.
Would I like the hybrid mpg? Yes but I only drive 5-6000 miles per year. How long would it take me to make up the difference in price for the Signia which I didnt think would offer me the same comfort?
I am enamored with my Subaru. I find the power train to be very favorable and enjoy driving my car for all the previously mentioned reasons. Keep in mind I am coming from a bare bones auto. Prior to the Element I owned 5 Audis, including an A6 wagon. The Outback is as satisfying to me as my ‘02 A6 wagon.
I have a 23 Outback onyx xt with about 15k miles. I have been loving it. Super comfortable. Spacious for the kids without getting a bigger feeling suv. The back is cavernous. Great for highway cruising and taking to the mountains in all seasons.
Same here. Just got a 25 Onyx (not an XT)
You were absolutely spot on about the CVT behavior when accelerating “normally”. I have this exact car and it’s one of the most annoying things about it in everyday driving. 15:59
For anyone that cares: The 0-60 is around 6 Seconds. So you're literally keeping pace with a 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor w/ 400hp and a Lexus IS350 AWD with 311hp. You are also about a Second Quicker than a Hybrid Tacoma 4cyl Turbo (Despite its 326hp/400-something Torque).
Oh yeah I know... Pay all that extra money only to have a Subaru with a CVT be On Par performance wise.
Theoretically, if you stick better wheels/tires, lift/longer travel suspension, -you are doing everything the Tacoma can do for Less, You're Getting Better Mileage than the Tacoma for Less, You are fitting more (Inside the vehicle / Occupant space) for Less.
The Engine Start stop is tricky at first but if you literally come to a Stop "Easily" Light tapping of the brake -to a Stop, it doesn't initiate the Auto Start/Stop (Because the Computer will think you are in "traffic." Its only if you come to a Prominent stop, and lay the Brake into the floor at the Stop, that you will experience the Auto Start/Stop.
As far as the Acceleration goes, for Subaru's CVT's, its a lot happier when you don't decompress the gas all the way, meaning, you can slow down while in traffic, and the Torque will be there as long as a slight press on the Pedal is present, otherwise taking the foot off the gas, then putting your foot back into it yes you will feel that slight initial Torque lag.
For 2026, The Outback is Completely Redesigned and is more Boxy. You can find the Spy photos on Reddit. They're deleting the Huge Screen, going Digitial Cluster, and giving us back "Buttons" for HVAC, etc, etc. Still a Wagon, but Definitely more "SUV." Think "Updated Solterra Interior that makes more sense." XT Powertrain carry's over.
Newest Lexus IS350 gets 0-60 in less than 5.4 secs. Not sure how you are keeping pace with that.
@andrewgus8763 Sir, go back to Google and again type in 2024 IS350 AWD. We are comparing AWD vehicles, not 2WD. Now adjust for Elevation, yes that equates to around 6 Seconds in the Lexus. I invite you to drive one and bring your own speed measurement device like I did. 👍
Thanks for the info!
Friendly pointers: Decompressing the pedal would be to let your foot OFF the pedal.
Also, if the Subie does everything a Tacoma does for less, what is the tow rating? I imagine that is where the Tacoma would shine vs a CVT Subie lol it's not a brag that this car is faster than a Tacoma. Tacoma's are built to work/tow/haul and, in some cases off-road. TFL has proven that Subarus don't exactly excel at off-reading. Even going up slippery inclines the CVT overheats. I can't imagine it tows anything substantial well.
Driving Sports TV has proven that Subaru's do just fine offroading. TFL is quiet biased against Subaru since they wont do business with them. Even when they had an Outback Wilderness complete their hill climb, not even in the most aggressive setting, they still tried to play it off like it was unimpressive. On the other hand they'll hype something like a current gen passport which has had its transmission overheat in multiple videos from multiple creators accomplishing while less than a Wilderness Outback. And nice cherry picking with the Tacoma, the point is is that all those vehicles mentioned are way more expensive that this vehicle and some cases can't put up better acceleration times. At sea level the turbo outback is a 5.8 sec vehicle. This is very impressive for what it is and it's cost.
@@SansooIanIt doesn't matter if AWD or not, you are not getting 6 seconds with an IS350 unless you are in eco mode. Once you reach 60mph you are not "keeping pace" with a smaller car that has more hp, better gear ratios, and a more aerodynamic design.
Just bought the non XT Outback today. For the $4k I saved and increased MPG over the Wilderness, it has plenty of pep. I'm super happy with it already! I had a 90 minute ride home and it handled Atlanta's interstates perfectly fine.
Did you test drive the XT variants at all? I tested both the 2.5 and the 2.4T and the difference is nearly night and day. CVT drone is also MUCH better in the XT because for the same amount of acceleration, it stays in the low rev-range much more. Just my 2 cents, but in any case, I'm glad you like your new car and welcome to the Subaru family!
Just got a 2025 Touring XT and think it is fantastic. My previous cars were a 2006 Honda Pilot and a 2016 Dodge Journey (silly me). Really having nothing else to compare my Outback to, this is a super premium vehicle. For a tad over $40K I believe it is an outstanding value for all of the features. Amazing passing power and ride comfort.
I have a Limited XT. To circumvent the rpm/turbo fall-off due to the CVT virtually upshifting, just put it in manual mode and use the steering wheel paddles. Much smoother result. Yes the XT mpg in the city is horrible. On the highway avereaging 70 mph with 2 people , I get 32 mpg.
SUBARU! I have a 2016 Outback for 8 years now it is really good.
I still have my 16 Forester I bought new. Waiting on the release of the new Hybrid and see how they do the first year so my next purchase will be late 2026 or early 2027
Same here! 2016 Outback bought brand new. A perfect car in Ottawa for hauling gear, kids or whatever. Still going strong but looking at either the new Outback or Signia in 2026. We'll see.
2024 Limited XT here, love the turbo!
Outback is the best bang for your buck for its size class. I’m keeping mine until I can’t get parts for it anymore.
Just purchased the 2025 Outback Wilderness and love it. I looked at many cars and trucks. Each car has its pros and cons. I am surprised how some manufacturers don't fix their negatives. The cameras in the Subaru Outback are really bad. Not having a digital cluster at the price I paid is also surprising. No memory seats in the Wilderness or HUD also. BUT...I wanted a good off road capable vehicle and a car that can get me through our snow storms. I love the turbo and the blue I got. I live in Salt Lake City with the Rocky Mountains literally in my backyard. Moab and the southern deserts just a couple hours.away. So the Subaru is just the best fit. But the others are also excellent for what they do well.
I was happy with the performance of the non turbo and bought one today.
I appreciate both the aux cord connection AND the CD player!
I work for Subaru and to say it blows the crown signia out of the water absolutely nullifies this entire review. Insane to say that, especially in the context of the drive.
How about unbiasedly? I’ve driven both and both are fine vehicles but the Crown is nearly Lexus smooth and the Toyota Japan build quality is superlative versus the Indiana plant here for Subaru
@@jonathanratliff4780 to be clear, I am saying the signia is a better vehicle. Seems we agree is my point and I’ve always had a bias for Subarus as I work with them.
@@smashtankfulvoting for the Signia as well
@@smashtankful How's their reliability though? I have a friend who works at Service Dept of Subaru, he said the Older one had a lot of issue with Engine burning Oil at like 100k. The newer one CVT has quite a lot of Transmission problems. His Opinion on Subaru's reliability is they are almost as bad as Jeep.
@@steak5599 Idk what he does there, but no... Subarus are not as unreliable as Jeeps. Nowhere close. They're in general, quite reliable, but have had a couple prominent issues over the years, like any brand.
After owning four Hondas, I’m now a Mazda fan. I love my Mazda. It handles and feels way better, and its interior looks and feels more high quality for the price.
Couldn’t agree more. Honda’s are very simple with their design, but Mazda really does feel like a luxury brand without the price.
You are moving in the right direction,next your car should be Subaru)
Acceleration in my 2020 Onyx XT is the same off the line. On gentle acceleration it will always do that; however, if you're just a bit more aggressive (I'm not talking flooring it), and keep the transmission in it's power ban until it hits 3rd shift point, you'll be past the point where it drops off. Something you have to get used to. I'm also getting about 28.5 in combined city/highway in the summer, winter falls off to 25 mpg or less.
I would have to pick the Toyota. The smooth drivetrain, MPG, and style. I help my elderly neighbor run errands and I use her Subaru. I like it a lot, but it feels so floaty. I actually catch myself driving super slow around corners. Maybe it’s something I would get use to if I drove it more than once a week.
My Outback drives just fine around corners..........Maybe You need a race car.........I don't............Paul
@@paulholterhaus7084 I think it’s just the extra ground clearance and soft suspension. I drive a Honda HR-V, so it’s 2 inches lower with stiff suspension. I think the Crown would be a nice middle ground with driving dynamics and comfort.
Nice review here. I have an outback wilderness. Been good. Incredible in snow bad weather hands down. I never have gotten stuck. Comfortable reliable. Get up and go car. No nonsense. Affordable. Easy to maintain. Costs aren’t out of control. The only wild card right now w Subaru is they are about to launch a brand new re designed outback. I recently read where they actually delayed the launch because they spent alot of time w re design of forester. Being the outback is their bread and butter and they listen to their customers I gotta believe when this new car launches they are gonna knock it pit of ballpark. We shall see.
As a current happy owner of '22 OB (my 3rd) Touring 2.5i NA and someone who is always wondering what I'll get next I recently had a short test drive of the CSignia My impression is that the CS ride is smoother on 19" tires), than the OB (on 18" tires) & the acceleration a bit better than Subie's 2.5 NA, the interior space & comfort feels comparable (despite specs saying it has 10% less passenger volume -- I think that is probably due to somewhat less head room - I'm only 5'7"). Visibility was good and I appreciated the more forward placement of the outside mirrors & the manual controls for the HVAC. The gear petite gear selector was different but easily mastered. I hunted around a bit but never did figure out the radio controls. The cargo area with back seat up is 6" shorter & 3" narrower despite the CS being 3" longer & 1" wider than my OB.
Overall, I felt the CS was more comfortable (ie more isolated from the road - a plus for some and minus for others) , peppier, & more nimble (very quick steering, flatter cornering) than my 2022 OB Touring 2.5i. The reduced caro area (25% less behind rear seat & 12% less with rear seat down accord to specs) could be a deal breaker for me from time to time, I'm hauling a lot of gear in my OB.
At this point, I'll keep my 22 OB with just 13,200 miles. But come 2027, I'll do a detailed compro in between the latest OB (hopefully with a decent hybrid drivetrain by then), the Crown Sig, and the latest Hyundai Tucson & Kia Sportage hybrids offerings. Prices will definitely be a consideration. Its great to have a variety of good choices!
Interesting, surprising side note is that the dealer I went to had zero RAV4 Hybrids available, but 4 CSs. Methinks the CS may be a bit pricey for the average Toyota buyer
My first thought would be to go for the Subaru, but that CVT's action would (initially) be a non-starter for me. Like most owners, I'd probably get used to it in time. But, why must I begin with lessons to be learned when I can just buy the Mazda and drive happy from the get-go?
🖖🙏
Have a 2006 Outback with 195,000 miles & original owner, and always been maintained at the Subaru dealership. Looking to purchase a new Outback in 2025.
Outback hybrid 2025.
Kirk, For $44,331, I will take the Crown Signia XLE all day every day. 🤩🤩 In the interests of fairness, I must state the Outback is miles ahead in the spare tire department.
Continuing with the delicate subject of money, you said this Outback was made in Indiana, has Subaru finally succeeded in outbidding McDonald's for workers? 😉😉
The Forester is built in Japan and is better than Outback for Quality...............Paul
Agreed. The Crown Signia is also built in Japan, and looks much more luxurious with Toyota hybrid quality and naturally aspirated with no extra wear on the engine as with turbo engines.
i have a '24 Limited XT and get 27 mpg. I love the heavy solid feel and comfort of the Subaru. Coming from Honda and Kia, this car is significantly better.
360 degree camera is on new '25 Forester, but not any Outback I know of. Wireless charger is an option for storage area under infotainment system. Auto start-stop is the Outback's most despised feature. CVT will become more responsive to throttle input as miles accumulate. I've owned two of these vehicles.
Design wise, Subaru Outback is fantastic for families with 2 kids. So much legroom in the back seat and cargo space. It really splits the difference between compact SUVs where you are cramped because they are shorter, and larger SUVs where you are cramped because you are trying to squeeze in an extra row. Subaru is in the sweet spot if you only need 5 seats.
Reliability is not Toyota after 100K miles, but it's decent and not crazy difficult to maintain, plenty of cheap parts, though boxer engine is a bit of a PITA sometimes. But the lack of hybrid really hurts it for the school run cost. At $45K, it's a hard sell, IMO, but I think if you go for the Premium in the low 30s and the upfront savings pay for the gas and likely higher repairs over Toyota down the road, you are going to be happy with it for what you pay.
Alternative for me is the CR-V Hybrid because they also have good rear legroom on the latest version and better MPG and perhaps reliability, though not sure about the battery degradation down the road.
Crown Signia is interesting in the $45K price range. But it seems like a JDM fashion product that's an afterthought for the American market. No window tint, expensive headlights in the bumpers, no spare tire, could use higher roof line and more headroom. It's close, but not quite there.
I have never owned a Subaru, you might have just convinced me to take the plunge. Great review!
Great cars, i own 2 but they get horrible mpg. My legacy 3.6 gets 23 and my outback 2.5 gets 25. Not even close to best in class
I got my first one in 2024. Sold my Ranger. I live in northern Wisconsin and the Outback does amazing in the snow and bad roads and rough weather . Great gas mileage. I love the thing . Drove it to western Nebraska to see my folks. Just a cruiser. I don't have any kids or wife. but the back seat has plenty of space.
Next year some Subarus will have a Toyota derived hybrid option.
Unfortunately subaru are always was h.drinker with not much to go unless h.on revs😕 they have best in class awd system but totally let down by powerless in feel boxer engine and a lot of cars problems unfortunately 😕I will love outback with toyota 2.5 hybrid powertrain it will be great blend of economy and moderate performance of family suv/wagon 👍 now in 2.5 boxer is h.on service, maintenance costs as all boxers are and h.on fuel 😕
We just bought a 2025 Outback Limited XT. Love it. Mazda CX-50 was out bc of the awful placement of the cup holders. No way a big Route 44 would fit and that was a deal breaker. Crown Signia’s inventory is still too limited with no supply in our area. Plus, Outback’s can be found with few thousand off sticker price and 2.9% financing.
G'day mate. Thank you man for this video. I appreciate all the time and effort. I have the 2014 Make, 2015 Compliance Outback and I love it. Greetings from the land down under 🤝
I've had an Onyx XT for a month now (coming from Passport Trailsport). I like that it blends in and is a sleeper, almost feels like as inconspicuous as a minivan. Also, the CVTs have gotten so much better now that I feel they're a better cruiser and there's less searching for gears. The only issue I have is the one you described, around 2k rpm it can stutter or downshift, which I've learned to work around. Of course I wish there was a way to have autostart always off and break hold always on.
I was planning to get a used RX350/450h. Used prices were just too high. I ended up with a new 23 Outback Limited 2.5L. I actually think it's more comfortable than the RX for my long legs. It is a little less quiet, but for about $15,000 less, new, I'm very happy with my choice. Do I wish I got the turbo? Yes, once in a while... But lower price to purchase kept the car in budget, and it gets a little better gas mileage. But turbo would be fun. Still, GREAT car!
Glad it worked out for you!
I have a 25 Outback Premium. I paid $29,800 for it plus fees and tax and reg. My biggest complaint is the rolling Ipad on wheels. Its easy to get distracted trying to toggle multiple screens for the a/c.
I love my 2024 Touring XT.
The Outback is really nice and off-road/snow/ice capability are important to me, but I am waiting for the new hybrid model hopefully coming out next year!! Looking at the RUclips off-road reviews, the Subaru has a much better than the AWD competition.
Looked at Signia vs Outback. owned a 2017 Limited 3.6 R Outback Unfortunately they don't make the flat 6 anymore. I chose to buy another Outback. One thing you don't mention is I routinely including this purchase can negotiate $4,000-5,000 dollars off the sticker for an outback. Service costs are also extremely inexpensive Had no issues with the 2017 Outback for 75,000 miles and have a good local dealer.
5 grand off? Where, please update
@@wespotter6985 Capital subaru Greensboro NC- Flow in Burlington is also a large volume dealership that has good discounts In my case the dealership wanted my 3.6R last of the 6 cyclinder outbacks and mine had really low miles
Hard to call these wagons since they are just slightly lowered SUVs. The Corolla touring, Mazda6 Elite Estate, VW golfwagon, and Audi A3-A6 estate are true wagons. They sell great in Europe. Shame we don’t have them here as much.
Yep.
This generation of Outback is built on the Legacy sedan platform. It is a lifted wagon. The seating postion, belt line, and greenhouse height are all lower than in the Mazda and Toyota.
@@shikcheese3234umm the outback and legacy have shared platforms for several generations now ... all the way back to the 2013 models i believe...
@@shikcheese3234 whyever should platform matter? the mazda 5 shared a platform with the mazda 3, but no one called it a hatchback, or a wagon. it might've been a class all unto itself, but there was no question it was a minivan. If subaru wanted to make a lifted wagon, the outback would be 5 feet or shorter, like the V60 cross country, or the A4 allroad, or the E450 all-terrain. instead, the outback is a foot taller than a V60, and much too tall for easy roof access for i'd argue the vast majority of people.
@@truckercowboyed2638 all the way back to the very first Outback. It’s literally called a “Legacy Outback” in Japan and in the US in the past.
I think the Outback just cateres to a different crowd. Its got more clearance, more space than the Signia. You can actually take it off road. The Signia, not so much, better for smooth on road motoring
is the Layback or Levorg coming to US?
I have an Outback Wilderness and I really like it. I hate the touch screen though…it slows down in cold weather and it controls everything (HVAC, X-Mode, Etc.). On the plus side it has a volume knob.
The weird acceleration character, with the revs dropping off at 15 mph, drove me crazy! I traded in my Outback after two months for a Forester. A lot slower, but it accelerates like a normal car.
VW Alltrack with a GTI turbo: 30cu/ft, 33mpg, real dual-clutch transmission, AWD, 0-60 in 4.6s. Still waiting for someone to beat it.
I heard Kirk start laughing after asking does it compare to the Signia then saying it gets 23 MPH-🤣🤣🤣🤣
Got the signia XLE and love it. The headlights suck on the signia though on the XLE.
We bought the xle, and I thought the headlights were a problem until I discovered the manual adjustment wheel on the dash for the angle. Now no problems.
@@jonlawrence2350 Found that dial the other night and helped greatly but still a little low. Also when going over hills you don’t see the road even slightly on top until you are on top. Hard to explain.
@@WatchTheJoeChannel the cutoff line does get short at times. Auto level would be handy, but we didnt feel the Limited was worth the extra cash.
My n/a 2.5 does just fine with acceleration (2017) truth be told I haven’t driven an XT though. I’m thinking that your loaner car hasn’t been broken in yet because the mpg should much better than 22.
23 is the real number I saw and it's rated at 22 in town
I drove both today and went with the NA as well. Better long term reliability, better MPG, and saved me at least $4k. And I am perfectly fine with the performance. Great pep. I'd be getting pulled over all the time with the XT!!
My wife had a 21’ Crosstrek and the start/stop feature was insanely horrible. I swear I’d cut that thing off when I got in the car and it’d still shutter off the car
Toyota is more efficient but this appeals to the senses. It’s more rugged and capable.
For $43K you can get a 'rugged and capable' 4Runner SR5.
@@rightlanehog3151haha. Not in the real world.
@@rightlanehog3151 not new and not with 4WD, a base model with 4WD as the only option starts at $44,030, in order to get a 4Runner with all the same creature comforts as the OB you would need the 4Runner Limited which starts at $53,425 with 4WD as the only option. and thats assuming you can find one, there are 0 4Runner Limited within a 500 Mile radius of me. The cheapest 4Runner is a TRD Sport thats 471 miles away. Seattle, Portland and Boise are all within that 500 Mile Radius so they aren't that easy to find.
Do you see many Outbacks in Florida?
Tons
It was a Plymouth superbird based on the Plymouth roadrunner. The superbird Came out in 1970 in response to the dodge charger Daytona that came out in 1968. The cars were Built as nascar race cars originally but back then they had to build production versions to be able race them in Nascar thats Only reason they where ever built.
The Charger Daytona was in the 1969 model year, but you are correct on the year of the Superbird. My profile picture shows my devotion to 1970 Plymouths.
With the transmission it needs time to learn. Also makes it harder for the computer when factoring in turbo lag.
Kirk - you neglected to discuss a few items. The Signia does not have a spare tire. Its sunroof does not open. It does not have the 8.7" ground clearance. that the Outback has. The windows in the Signia are short so the visibility is not as good. The Signia has a smaller rear cacrgo area. I agree that Subaru needs a hybrid bc 18 mpg city in real world with the turbo is not very good. I speculate that the Signia's maintenace costs will be much less than the Outback. No rear driveshaft or differential; the brakes will likely last longer; the engine does not need to be lifted to change the spark plugs; Toyota quality is better than that of Subaru'. Bottom line - therer is no perfect car.
Awesome!!!
The non-turbo Outback is so slow compared to it's competition. But yes, I do agree the Outback has the softest cushy ride among them all.
Every manufacturer is obsessed with rubber band tires on giant 20 inch wheels which give you uncomfortable rides
24 OB premium … I live at sea level and seldom feel underpowered… although I see that complaint a lot
that auto-start feature is just evil.. whoever decided that was good needs a reality check
No 360 cam is really disappointing! 😢
I had a neutral view of Mazda as a brand going in but I was not impressed after driving a CX-50 for a few days as a rental.
The Outlander is a genuine rugged, full off road vehicle whereas the ones you compare it to are from it. The extra complexity (and cost) are only worth it if you need it.
The 2023 outback in japan still has more advanced features than the 2025 outback over here though.
Spending $50k on a car and talking about saving money from fuel efficiency. Many reviewers keep glomming onto the hybrids for fuel economy, which would make full sense if the point of the vehicle is to save money. However, when you're reaching over $45 or $50k, how important is the 50 bucks you save per month? And yes, in my use case, I spend $150 on gas per month in a non-hybrid ICE vehicle. Since hybrids have a higher up-front cost, I feel the masses are being duped by marketing into repeating "hybrid, hybrid, hybrids" when it actually makes little financial sense to those who don't drive tons of miles.
Also, no lacklustre Toyota hybrid system in the Outback please. I for one like the grumbly boxer which Subie's known for.
Let hear about the CX-50 hybrid! Subaru is safer with all the visibility big windows, to be traffic aware + accident avoidance.
Owned Honda , . Mazda and Toyota. Subaru outback bought in Nov 22. New Touring 2.5. Rather prefer non turbo for MPG. It's a good vehicle for it's got comfortable seats. Lots of space for gear. All wheel drive is great.
Honda has its value , but we have up in poor seats. Toyota was solid and seats also sucked. Mazda we loved and would buy again. But the dealership experience was poor. So far Subaru dealership experience good 👍. Only complaint info system is a bitch to use in sun it's just unusable.
Sure wish we could pass on the technology field. Buttons work better than the screen.
As outdoorsy, and nature minded as Subaru owners are, I'm suprized there hasn't been more and more hybrids over the years. Couple here and there for compliance, but would love more.
They just announced that their will be new hybrid variants of the Crosstrek & forester. I imagine a hybrid outback will come out shortly after the new generation is launched
@@ross2358 I think a plug in or hybrid Crosstrek is gonna be a hidden jewl used car for $9k one day. No one knows they exist, but easy for those who do to set up search alerts on sites.
Subaru head units are troublesome as they delaminate after some time. My 2019 Outback had that problem and from what I hear it’s still a problem in their new models. I replaced mine with aftermarket but with these new 11” screens you’ll just have to replace with a factory one that will likely delaminate again…
I had the same delaminating problem with my 2018 Outback 3.6R Touring. The head unit became nearly unusable. It took my Subaru dealer nearly 2 years to get the replacement, which has been working just fine. That frustrating issue made me look at the Signia. I think it's nice, but overpriced and will wait for the Outback hybrid.
Just read that Subaru is working on a hybrid version. Interesting.
Thank you for the compare to other cars ... !
wow i never really liked subaru newer subarus atleast but i think i can ignore the cvt now in a seemingly car you'd want a 6-7 speed trans yk they did so well but another thing i dislike is the infotainment tbh i love it but i hate the intergration of ac controls into it
video title needs a correction! keep up the good work 😊
You got it. Thanks!
would have seriously considered this tank with the n a engine if it weren't for the sketchy CVT and the "high Tech" screen with no physical climate dials. what a shame.
The NA subarus have that weird behavior from a stop as well. I have a 2024 impreza RS and it behaves similar. Leaving a stop light it will rev up to about 2500-3000 with light throttle, then it will fall and hold at 2000rpm. It think it is trying to get better fuel economy, but it is annoying.
Super annoying!!!
I thought it will come completely new Outback for 2025 or is this a 2024?
you will be blown away by the 2026 Outback
Is anything Known about it yet? Other than it will be hybrid?
You buy a Subaru when you live close to the sky, to see the stars ✨
I’m still not a big fan of the Infotainment that Subaru has in their vehicles. I wish the infotainment screen is horizontal and I wish the software is leas laggy.
being an owner of a 2017 Outback 2.5... If the CX-50 turbo has more traditional 'gears' like you said, I'm picking the Mazda.
I owned a 2016 WRX before the Outback, and i got better MPG out of the Rex than I did the Outback on a trip to DC and back (Western CT starting point, avoiding NYC and NJ). the 2017 Outback is rated for i think 27mpg highway, and my most recent trip, i got quite literally that, no better, no less. The WRX was rated lower, and got nearly 30mpg, on the same route, with pretty similar traffic. (I've kept a spreadsheet on my PC for gas prices/mpg/etc since 2009) When you mentioned how the CVT likes to upshift early, Kirk, it does the same in my 7y.o. non-turbo Outback. When accelerating from 0, at about 10mph, it's already trying to get to lower torqued simulated 'gears' to try to that better mpg. I'm constantly fighting the CPU/CVT for the torque to get up and going. I use manual mode a lot to try to simulate driving a manual, but it doesn't give the same experience for obvious reasons.
My gripe with Subaru. they're too complacent with 'what sells' and not offering what returning buyers want. If the Global Platform is capable of being equipped with a Manual, like in the 2022+ WRX, why can't the other models the platform shares? (waiting for the "cuz it's less than 3% of sales" or w.e responses) - I will say this. "If they build it, People will buy it." I miss driving a manual, and anything New, the less options there are for a manual, leaving me with the only Manual Suv/wagon being a Bronco... Should Subaru make an Outback XT in a 6MT with the newer Eyesight that's setup for Manuals, I would be interested in inquiring. But, for now, i'm paying off this 2017 Outback instead..
Ill take a Crown 👑 Signia based on looks and resale
🙌🙌
Also mpgs are almost doubled
Is there a car that can make everyone happy at this price point. ?
I drive both Subie's and Mazda's...........I can verify that Mazda's engines are better and Mazda's transmissions are better......For Many Years I prefered Subie's ground clearance and Their AWD..........But Mazda has caught up in these regards and Mazda's Today are the one to beat...............Paul
I like Toyota Crown Insignia limited but ended up bought the Outback touring (no XT) because of better deal and discount on price (41K OTD) AND a 2.9% int./72mo. I love the brown Napa leather interior! The Outback also has digital rearview mirror, power folding side mirrors, and driver monitoring. It doesn't have 360degree camera, only 180degrees (front view camera).
The Subaru Eyesight Safety system is better than my wife's Highlander platinum. It's so sensitive which is I like. About Hybrid, I live in TX, gas is cheap and most of my daily commute is 80% on highway, hybrid will benefit only in city driving or when you offen get stuck in traffic, not in my case, so I don't need to carry a 200lbs battery on my car and save $$$$.🙂
So far I like my Outback, very quiet cabin and suspension. This will be my first Subaru in my life.
Honda doesn’t make wagons as they hate enthusiasts
Dog owner/ drummer..xc70 owner..perfect next car
Who else thought Kirk put “Crown Sigma” in the title of the video?
Still a good design generally, except that infotainment is unacceptably slow. iPad 15 years ago was much faster. Amazing that they can get away with this nonsense. And that Subaru engine is so old it ought to be sold in a museum. It really should get much better gas mileage. It cannot even claim to be durable because of its time-tested nature. I do like the idea of not having a sunroof.
The infotainment system must be a USDM thing because the EU version is just fine. Also there is nothing wrong with the engine. No hybrid, no turbo, it has been refined over the years so it will last longer way longer than other things. When Subaru retired the popular EJ it was 30 years old. Cars equipped with it are still on the road.
Toyota
The CVT automatically puts the Suburu in 3rd
That's what it feels like !
I don't trust Subaru's CVT. Anyone have an opinion on that? Which auto maker has the most reliable CVT?
The Crown Signia is a hybrid, so it has an eCVT.
Auto stop/start is an absolute plague. When will it end!
Subaru will be so much better with Toyota hybrid technology. Not shocking they don’t have it yet after seeing how antiquated the interior is. Probably a great thing for older customers though.
Their interior is new. It’s meant for the screen to be integrated into the dash like that. I think I like that better.
Subaru is adopting Toyota’s hybrid technology. So I don’t see how it could be better.
@@matthewhuszarik4173We’re saying it’ll be better AFTER they implement Toyota tech because it’ll have Toyota tech, but in the form and pricing of a Subaru.
Toyota interior is better
Toyota serviceability
Toyota is better overall
🙌🙌
Not anymore.
OMG, a Husky in Florida? You'd better have the AC on all day every day, otherwise, the dog would risk overheating.
I'd pick the Subaru if I'm driving off pavement (or on broken pavement) a lot; otherwise, I'd get the Toyota for its efficiency and because I like the wagon look. The Mazda is a good car, too, but the CX-5 is better value than the CX-50.
Great review, Kirk! Which one would you say feels most planted and close to the ground in your driving position? I prefer the feeling of a low, sedan-like car. I like that the Signia has a lower ground clearance, but it looks like you still sit up a bit higher.
I’ll answer that; have the Signia and also have had an outback loaner for well over a month. The Toyota feels more planted but not much lower. If I drove highways on a daily basis I would definitely choose the Signia. The land tracing on the Signia is fantastic.
@@WatchTheJoeChannel that is a great answer, thank you! If it feels well planted, then I think I could handle the extra height compared to my Corolla.
You can get a well equipped non turbo Outback with most of the features of the $44k cars for around $33k. If i wanted a performance car... i would probably spend $45k on a 480hp Mustang GT.
XT isn't a performance car. The base engine is unacceptably slow.
@@KirkKreifels Slow for who?
Except the Crown looks way better (the outback is really unattractive) and unfortunately the Lafayette plant cannot compete with any Japanese plant in terms of build quality and fit and finish of models they produce.
The Outback would be so much better when a hybrid. The underwhelming fuel economy is the only thing that’s hurting it.
If you do a lot of highway driving, it actually does pretty good, but the typical city commute it does suck. If your looking for a good foul/cold weather companion, its excellent.
THumps up, but I stopped at CVT. I know, I know, it's not your fault, but I am just not interested in CVT. Thanks, Subaru.
I CAN'T SEE THE DIRT IN THE VIDEO
We don't have dirt in Florida, only sand...and I'm not planning to visit the gators today
Worth only $30k.
Five likes and I feel famous🎉❤
Agree that Subarus are just boring and a little dated. Good review, but I kept getting distracted by the Bronco in the background!
get the wilderness that's subarus forte.
😊
It’s laughable to claim the Outback is better than the Crown Signia - not nearly as good gas mileage, louder interior, not as refined on the interior, etc. The Outback also continues to look like an Outback - the design is tired ASF. Ridiculous.
How do you manage a Huskey in such a hot climate? Why are you wearing a hat? Toyota is much nicer interior in my opinion. Agree with your exterior comments as well. Subaru almost has a generic appearance., And I do like 360 camera as you point out. I favor Toyota, maybe Mazda second.
The better question is how does a husky handle five little kids jumping on him
I have a 2021 subaru outback. What a disappointment from water entering the passenger side door, torn drivers side seat less than 30,000 miles, peeling rim , rattling interior noises,terrible infotainment system Bluetooth keeps disconnecting. I will not buy again or recommend anyone to buy. 🔥
Subaru really needs a hybrid drive train the gas mileage is deplorable with all wheel drive.