The 2024 Subaru Outback Continues to Deliver | MotorWeek Road Test
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- In a world that’s SUV crazy, it’s easy to forget that the @Subaru Outback has been delivering capable and comfortable all-weather and all-road capabilities to adventure-loving Americans for years. In fact, it’s now well into its 6th generation. So, it’s time for us to check in with the latest #Outback and find out what’s new. #SubaruOutback #Subaru
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Subaru and decent tires = unstoppable in weather
I went from a beater 92 GMC pickup to a 24 Outback Touring XT, it is an awesome car. Only 13000 miles, still on honeymoon. I use just about any excuse to go for a drive. Slept in it on a west coast road trip, plenty of room.
How times have changed.
In the early days, John used to call 11-second 0-60 cars fast. Now the 6-second sprint doesn't 'feel fast'.
Gotta love MotorWeek still chuggin along with John Davis at the helm still. Always watched this show as a kid in the 80's and now I'm 52. Miss the late Pat Goss's segment though.
I don't miss him. He became nothing more than a paid product pusher in his last couple of decades.
I have owned 2005 Outback, 2013 Outback, and just got the 2024. It is not the most exciting car... but for a family that does not want a minivan or huge suv, it should considered. If you have young drivers in your house, there is no better car for them to drive in my opinion. The EyeSight system works really well, and if you get the blind spot alerting, the car will attempt to steer out of the lane to avoid a rear end collision if the lane is clear. The only compliant I have so far is the engine start/stop feature... it works, but is a little too "unrefined" on restart.
I'm glad you are still around for Motor week like it used to be...👍❤️👍
I have a 24 touring xt and really enjoy it ! Great car, super comfortable.
The infotainment system is a little laggy but the car it replaced had no system so its better than that one.
I wish the autodimming side mirrors was standard for the touring package but it isnt and its easily forggoten because they have an autodimming rearview mirror.
I have a 2024 XT and my only complaints are some wonky infotainment behavior at times and poor city gas mileage in the winter.
Minus the required use of the Infotainment jumbo screen that wreaks havoc on the safety ratings, this car would have been first in its class. Wish Subaru would have heeded the warnings by consumers and auto experts on minimizing the use of touch screen applications in autos, they could have kept their safety ratings higher then. 😢
It’s called Infotainment Fatigue and some car manufacturers are also going back to physical HVAC knobs, enough of those Jumbotron screens, it’s a car after all not a home movie theater.
The response time is terrible as well.
I think of all the car review channels out there, Motorweek is still one of my favorites. Short, sweet and to the point of things that really matter.
We look forward to seeing how the upcoming Crown Signia competes with upper trims of the Outback.🤩
A minute's worth of commentary/feedback about the use-ability of Outback's controls & touchscreen etc would be helpful.
Yeah that close-up on the screen really showed how bad it was.
@@Khrrck having to take my eyes off the road to change the temperature might honestly be a deal-breaker for me. I'm looking to buy a new car later this year, and while the Outback is on my list to consider, I'd lean heavily towards a design that still includes rotary controls for the audio and HVAC.
I have 24,000 miles on my 23 Limited. The screen is great. Yes, occasionally a little slow to respond... But the negativity about the climate controls are, in my opinion, completely unnecessary. How often are people changing the automatic climate controls? There are dedicated physical buttons to make it warmer or cooler. There are dedicated physical buttons to turn on/off the front and rear windshield defoggers. What more do you need to adjust frequently? Plus, everything else is always accessible at the bottom of the screen. It's well laid out and works well. I was concerned about this, only because it seems every online car review seems to hate it. I like it a lot. The large screen for Android Auto/Apple car play is great. Plus, as people have pointed out ways to improve it, Subaru has made those changes and updated them "over the air." You won't see that happening with physical buttons.
I have a 2024 outback wilderness. My only gripe with the car is infotainment lag and the lack of interior color options for wilderness trim.
Needs more mechanical HVAC knobs
Just test drove one everything is on the big screen no knobs for the controls keeping my 09 for now
Love my Outback XT!
Fast as a WRX with room for the wife and kids plus huge storage!
The redesigned 2025 Outback should be coming soon. Let’s hope they do it justice and a powerful hybrid option would be nice too.
Their hybrid history is a bit unsavory. The last one got worse MPG than the NA powerplant.
@@trekster9269 And they're coming out with a new hybrid in '25 (late '24) using the Toyota hybrid system. That takes care of the "unsavory" issue.
Why do you act like you have so much invested in Subaru? Is there really that little to your life? This is the hill you choose to die on? @@eskieman3948
Are they coming out with a remodel in 2025?
Definitely not fast as wrx.
Great listening to John as i have since the show started.
I have a 2020 Outbreak. Lots to like in this wagon.
A long term test of the Outbacks touchscreen may reveal it's deficiencies. It's distracting and requires too many touches at times let alone its easy to turn on AC or heated seats.
Love my 2016 outback
Love my Outback!
Love my 23 Limited XT! The infotainment is a little laggy in its first 20-40 seconds of startup, but so is my computer, so… yeah. Not a big deal and a simple system for anyone to jump in my car and figure out.
First subaru ever worked on was a GL10 4 door Lubbock, Texass backwards
305k miles on my 93 loyale wagon
I understand why they don't offer a manual version, but I just can't do cvt. Can't stand the drone of them. Otheriwse tempting choice.
too bad they didn't offer a 2 step height adjustable suspension (at least manually), for on and off road driving...
I love my 23 limited.
I have owned two Outbacks (2010 and 2017) and except for a battery that died in the second one a few weeks after I bought it, I have never had any repairs...just required maintenance. The battery was replace free of charge. They are great in the snow and get decent gas mileage (I have had the normal aspirated versions). Power is adequate, but not outstanding. Comfortable, safe and efficient automobile with good capacity.
I have a '22 Outback Wilderness and it's soooo good. I previously had a '16 MB GLA and the Outback is much more comfortable, spacious, and powerful.
Did anybody else see that two second lag when he pushed the radio button !😂😂
Infotainment sucks on my 2023 OB Touring, slow like molasses, doesn’t always responds to tactile commands and sometimes it just doesn’t recognize your smartphone like stepping out to the convenience store and back, your phone won’t connect anymore till next time you turn off the car.
They must have installed a processor that was available during the Cold War. and not something that can handle that 11.6” monstrosity of a screen.
Yea, that 2 seconds is vital to life when you need your radio to light up. 😁
👋😂👉Here in Tucson there’s a billion of those roaming around everywhere!! I specially see them when going up Mt. Lemmon!
wow that lag on the touchscreen is real. Guy touched the "radio" icon took like 3 secs to respond.
That’s on a good day.
Who cares if you have to wait a few seconds,at 75 years old,I have owned plenty of junks,tires,bad,batteries bad,exhaust systems bad,radiators bad,should I go on,you poor little cry babies!I know it in your DNA,one more reason they should of never done away with the military draft,a lot of whiners out there!
Two thoughts someone might find useful. Regarding the infotainment that a prior comment noted as a safety issue, it is not laggy everytime one uses it. It is occasionally laggy. If one uses the the hands free technology included (verbally ask the infotainment to do something - change radio to x station, call y person, message z person), any safety issue that might exist from the occasional lag is pretty much eliminated. One other thought reguarding the comment concerning the huge, ugly roof rack, I would venture a guess that they are not aware of the functionality of it. It actually has the crossbars built into it (unconnect, swing them over, and attach)! If one actually uses the roof rack, they will undoubtedly appreciate the usability and ingenuity of the system! Personally, I think it looks great too, but admittedly beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I’m thinking about getting this one and the same color.
Looks like a vehicle my grandmother should be driving
1:23 - Mr. Davis is correct. It's a wagon. Outback buyers lie to themselves if they believe the marketing.
Great family car! 👍🏻
So what was new for 2024? You forgot to say that
They're great cars. Probably the best value in class
The base engine is a 10 second 0-60 on a good day.
No S/I drive choice and the X-Drive has only 2 choices. All make me a bit sad with my 2023 limited.
did they fix battery draining issue and windshield cracking mode?
That’s a feature. 😂
by the looks of it , its a mandatory experience by all subaru owners@@RabbiJesus
??? Got to let negativity go……..
keep smoking the reefer @@martinr8278
Hard to let consistent battery drain negativity go when reliability falls off so drastically; replacement batteries are of little solace when you are stuck somewhere remote or even at home repeatedly. Dealers have had no fix.
Have a 24 Touring XT. LOVE IT. Also have a 19 3.6R for wife ... sweet.
I own one. So far I like it, quite, luxury and bunch of bells and whistles that I still need learn from it. I'm 58yrs old and this is my first Sublie. My reason to switch to Subaru from Toyota is its Safety, reliable, and value for money. I left Toyota fans because of ridiculous prices and their quality is about to go South.
Gorgeous car!
A doggy window on the rear would do wonders for this outback
The Outback was launched as a sedan and wagon in 1997...
Fuel mileage?
I range from 22-29 with 24--26 being my average with smarter daily routes and keeping my foot in check. Really closer to the 22 if I'm all city, and honestly get the 28-29 with all highway. Took it on a 1000 mile trip from PA to Florida and was getting 28 most of the waydown, and on the way back up about 25 with some extra weight, heavier traffic, heavy footed sprints to pass and more up hill.
I don’t like the CVT transmission otherwise good car
I still would go for the standard edition, $41K is a little steep even with the turbo
Where’s the road test? I could’ve gotten more info from reading the brochure. That SUCKED!
If they put the 6 speed from the wrx I'd buy one 100%
Subaru was one of the last hold outs because of comments like yours, it cost them millions in lost sales. They even wrote an article on it a few years back. Turns out that statistically your demographic doesn't have the expendable income required to qualify it as a product line. (we want it, but can't buy it new)
I wonder how people would react if Subaru considered turning the next-gen Outback from a lifted wagon based on the Legacy sedan into a real yet boxier off-road 4x4 SUV aimed after the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Land Rover Defender.
That seems like the roles the Forester and Crosstrek are already providing, both of which also offer Wilderness trims. As far as any beefier than that, moving forward, Subaru is not going to make a body on frame vehicle, or a vehicle with a solid rear axle, or a vehicle with a two-speed transfer case. It'll compete with the Bronco Sport, but never the Bronco. They are enjoying tons of sales by leaning into the "car based offroader" market with their Wilderness models.
In Seattle, this “Les-wagon” has more cache’ then a Range Rover!! 🤷🏼♂️🙄🤔. ……they should come with matching “North Face” vests!! 😂🙄😂🙄
They did that with LL Bean.
God that front end
Looks like literally every other car nowadays. Kinda of resembles a Hyundai or something.
I've worked on too many of these at the collision repair/body shop. Just like all modern vehicles, they're all plastic pieces held together with plastic clips. There are NO BOLTS holding the bumper covers on. Just plastic clips. Modern vehicles are disposable appliances. They're made to last until the warranty expires. If you're lucky
That being said. It's nice that they still make something that resembles a station wagon. Although I'd rather have my 80's front wheel drive Subaru GL wagon
That may be but these hold up VERY well in severe impacts. Interior compartment structural integrity is among the best available
My guy, this is so the body panels crumple against impact with a pedestrian or other cars.
Paint fumes
Those are nice.
Cue the fanboys who get emotionally attached to inanimate objects.
Don’t blame Subaru for ditching the word wagon. Personally, I think a true wagon needs to have two rear facing jump seats.
I feel like it's definitely a SUV now. Very tall both in suspension and body height. Compare to one of the other few wagons available in the US like the ones from Volvo or Audi and it's quite distinct.
It has been an mpv for the last 15 years. They call it a crossover since that is what the west wants to call it. When it stopped being a legacy trim after the 05-09 model it has not been a wagon or even related to one. They tried calling the 5th gen legacy mpv a wagon (that one is a non lifted outback and not based on the 5th gen legacy sedan.) The 5th gen legacy isnt even on the legacy platform.
The 1st gen levorg was a wagon on the legacy pkaform. That is what the outback would look like with no lift it was a wagon. The outback crossover has a high waist line, vertical seating, and would not be a sedan if you lowered it and tried putting a trunk on it.
GM's 'clam shell' wagons had forward-facing 3rd row seats.
It's a wagon and no jump seats don't make a wagon.
“Wagon” classification has to do with the body style combined with the length/height ratio. The Outback is indeed a wagon.
I always liked the Outback and wagons in general. But, wouldn't consider a vehicle now that doesn't offer a hybrid option.
It is a good thing the Toyota Crown Signia will be here in a few months.
I average almost 32mpg with the base engine.
You should get a Prius then. And drive 60 MPH in the fast lane, infuriating everyone behind you.
Damn shame that the CVT is the only transmission.
Its showing its age...needs a new generation redesign
no, this is fine.... not everything needs to be cutting edge and unproven...
A new one is expected for 2025
@allentoyokawa9068 you are mistaken...pull your head out a d get some glasses pal.
@@witsendcottage595 Allen is a homer. He thinks anything Japanese is perfect.
Family Truckster
Come winter, you’ll love AWD. Why is it that the US can get cars so cheap?
with Toyota launching a new wagon style vehicle and similar things from Volvo and Audi, the outback has some competition. I like Subaru even though I have never owned one. What prevents me from taking this car seriously is that huge,ugly gimmicky roof rack. It ruins the whole presentation for me. If they could make it an option along with a low profile rail system I think it would be much better
Agree with you. It's a great roof rack if you need one. I don't use it and I don't see lots of Outback owners using it on a daily basis . Could take the shift paddles off too and spend the money on user friendly HVAC and radio knobs.
Great reliability, AWD and safety. These are some of the best lasting vehicles on the road. Enjoy Subaru owners ❤️🏆🏆🏆🏆
T4 with CVT and body roll - yeah, baby.
I bet Subaru hasn't listened to consumers and removed the extremely annoying auto start/stop feature. Very dangerous if you're stopped then have to suddenly accelerate away in an emergency situation, but you can't because you're waiting for the vehicle to start. Also it causes premature wear and tear on the vehicle. Watch Scotty Kilmer - he's been a mechanic for over years and says the same thing.
Also why have a feature in settings that allows you to "turn off" the auto start/stop, but doesn't actually turn it off ? You still have to manually disable it every time the vehicle starts.
I guess premature wear and tear on a vehicle is big $$$ in the back pockets of the dealerships.
Don't buy subaru. I have a 2021 subaru outback limited it leaks water into the vehicle passenger side door when it rains, the infotainment system is garbage and the drivers seat is cracking, tearing. We are talking about a 3 years old car 🔥
Shoulda ordered a '21 Crosstrek Limited like me then.
The front facia is atrocious
Go eyeball some junk from Tesla, that'll change your mind about the frontend looks of a Subaru.
@@danielfair4675 i like the styling on the teslas. I wish the Outback could have a more refined look, like Audi or Mercedes.
A new brat truck is coming bast on outback
Where does Subaru get off charging so much when they haven’t retooled in decades?
Lol get over yourself
@@tyhyhh 🤦♂️ I see you’re a student of economics. 🙄
Agreed. Subaru hasn't had any significant improvements, well ever.
@@trekster9269they were a great vehicle in the 90’s. Now they’re just par for the course. Lack of innovation.
@@RabbiJesus Umm they STILL are innovating and STILL are great vehicles
Problem is Subaru Canada and our local Subaru are absolutely HORRIBLE for customer service. Would NEVER BUY AGAIN. And the door metal is thin and cheap on our 2018 Outback. A friend opened the door into something and the edge of the front door actually bent in! NO JOKE.
Built in Indiana, so colour me surprised…
I cant stand CVT transmissions
Will and is selling like hotcakes !
Get a new line. Nobody buys hotcakes anymore.
Too many problems. Read the reviews for this thing everywhere. The transmission is still junk.
I wish car reviewers would go over the way the awd works. Their ats system cannot drive the rear without slip and cannot driver both axles at road speed. It is just what they called fake and non full time AWD when volvo and Audi did that.
This is not wagon related. It is an mpv (mini van with normal doors.) The door to roof is about 3-4"taller and it is not based on a sedan. Calling this a wagon is like cking the 1st gen Honda Odyssey a wagon.
The off-road performance so bad and not anywhere close to the old automatics that could lock the center coupling. It won't go anywhere a fwd car wouldn't.
@@zanzabar4ky7 Guarantee my OBW will go almost anywhere a jeep will go.
Not true. Their AWD is proportioned 60/40 and is always on unless there is slip. Some of you folks know nothing of this vehicle.
I’ve driven mine on Assateague Island in soft sand as many other Subaru owner have just fine.
@@bills.520 that is not how ats works. I think you are mixing up and combining the old 4act locking coupling and the vtd center diff (it works like 2nd gen dccd with a fancy planetary center diff.) The old locking 4 act system can go anywhere a jeep can.
Ats and 4act are couplings not diffs. There is no way for them to drive both axles without slip at anything other than 50:50 without gewr correction. A coupling takes a fixed drive axel and puts a shaft with a clutch pack or torque converter between that and the off axel. The off axel in some systems (like 4act) can lock to act like a transfer case. In most modern versions like ats there is a non locking fluid coupling. With an up to 60:40 split that means the front axel has to rotate faster than the rear since the non distributed force has to be equal. The only way it can drive the rear is if there is front slip or the rear stalls so there is a difference in of speed at the front and back of the diff that overcomes the difference in the applied torque split.
You essentially need there to be a 6:4 ratio in wheel speed for the ats system to drive the rear. Otherwise the road will drive the diff and the coupling slips. It is "full time" since the coupling cannot fully disengage, but you will never drive the rear without slip. It also means if you are say free spinning the front tires so the rear gets power like x mode 2 does, you will stop driving the rear if the front grabs. Without xmode 2 you are not going to do well climbing up a slippery hill with ats, and it is only really useful from a stop if you send it and don't dig your front tires in. Ats will not you crawl like a 4x4 or the old 4act system Subaru had.
Audi had a great video explaining the difference of their haldex and sport haldex couings. The sport has gear correction and does what you are thinking, the normal works like ats. Toyota also has a great video about the Yaris gr and it has a non locking, locked, and overdriven gear correction for their coupling.
Subaru is not the brand it once was. They've grown huge, expensive, more complicated, and less reliable. I started losing interest in Subaru once they discontinued the 2.2L FWD Legacy wagon way back when. Their CVTs are extremely expensive to replace when they fail and everyone doesn't need the expensive AWD system that reduces MPGs, adds complication, and increases maintenance costs.
Any better alternatives out there?
@@cpg8000 There are tons of CUV choices out there for around $40k. Toyota is a good place to start.
They lost any cool when they dumped the manual transmission
@@mumwifeteacher that certainly didn't help. I learned to drive stick on a 1990 Legacy wagon. Loved that car.
My 2024 outback CVT has already failed twice with less than 2200 miles!
People thinking subarus are actually great at anything…. What they offer is value for money, and that is it. Among competitors, they have mediocre reliability, average resale, and one of the most rudimentary all wheel drive systems on the market. Subaru is mostly a decent car brand but unfortunately the ignorance of the people that worship them, ruins the credibility of their marketing team.
I know Subaru's are good cars but man they sure are ugly.
The car of choice for lesbian couples with 2 dogs.
Argh. If you need to disparage others please at least get the car right - that’s the Forester.
You just failed by saying the wrong model. That's the Forester not the Outback.
So how are your Mom's doing?
Well, as a straight white male with a wife and 3 dogs and an Outback, I applaud their car choice.
Rescued pitbulls with bite histories.
They used to make decent looking cars… like wtf Subaru I’m convinced they are trying to make the ugliest cars on the road
It would be great if they made a standard version of Outback wagon without the Tupperware experience. They could then add the plastic or rubber bits to an off-road use version. Most people are not taking the hills with these every weekend anyway. The steering is going to be improved for 2025 model. A new exterior is on the way as well. I like the current look of the CrossTrek, though it has more Tupperwear than need be. The new Forester, judging by photos only, is to my eyes better than before, but not overly exciting. It should be a design which holds the looks over a decade, which is a good thing. And the CrossTrek is the same -- not over-the-top styled, just kinda a sporty looking smaller hatchback. Oh, I guess they call them cross overs -- cross from hatchbacks :))
Nah, Tesla owns that title, and it's not leaving anytime soon.
@@danielfair4675 lmao I definitely won’t argue with that 🤣
I just wish Subarus interiors didnt feel like they were put together with glue, and that giant infotainment system is a mess.
Apparently you don’t own one but now your an expert. Hurray
@@martinr8278 yet I’ve driven a few on numerous occasions for upwards of 300 mi round trip and as I said, interior feels and looks cheap, and their infotainment system is garbage. Considering the demographic for Subarus I don’t get why they thought going for an iPad looking touch screen was a smart idea.
apparently the engine is that way too