Dear Editor,
I would be interested to hear your reader’s comments on the appearance of the newer (2023 and 2024) Subaru Outbacks. In particular, the newly designed plastic accents around the wheel wells and from the headlights to the front bumper. Thank you.
They look horrendous and I think they are negatively impacting sales. I live in an area where Outback’s are very popular and have only seen a few 2023’s. They offer a plastic laden Wilderness edition that should satisfy the that niche. Go back to the more conservative body style!
ReplyDeleteSubaru has continued to increase the Outback's size each year, and combined with his maker's hit/miss styling is not the most attractive vehicle. If it's not too small for you, the Crosstrek is more "Subaru" than its larger cousin, even with the plastic accents.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan! Must confess never have been.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI am inclined to avoid the new Outback as it has a CVT transmission.
ReplyDeleteI don't love all the black plastic, but our approach was to just buy a black car. The more contrast between the paint and the plastic, the worse it looks. If you're looking for a capable wagon for ~30k, a basic black model is probably your best option.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you're looking at the higher end trims, I'd at least take a look at an Audi Allroad. A base Allroad isn't all that much more money than a loaded Outback, and it's a significantly nicer car.
Plastic cladding has been found on cars for sometime now, at least 20 years, more likely. Look around, you will see it on the Honda Element. The Element was produced 2003-11. I suppose it’s comparable to the Subaru Outback. Are they not? Are both considered small SUVs? Has the Subaru, like the Element, acquired cult status over the years?
ReplyDeleteSubaru Outback has a station wagon silhouette that I doesn't appeal to me. I prefer the Subaru Forester. In Vermont, ski country. Subaru is very popular. Subaru has been an official sponser of the American ski team for years.
ReplyDeleteI see the new (and old) Subaru Outback's everywhere in New England and the PNW and I'm here for it! The Outback is what the Volvo was back in the 80s. Love the direction that Subaru is heading with the heavy black cladding and predict other auto brands will be following their lead in the years to come. For those who love adventure and the outdoors, cladding has a purpose. Great protection while heading up to the ski mountains, through the woods to the cabin or driving on a sandy beach. With that said I fully understand that they are not attractive to everyone, just like the Volvo wasn't always the belle of the ball back in the day. Drive what you love and enjoy life to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteI've been driving a 2015 Outback since new. Reliable, comfortable, and capable. It replaced our 2003 Toyota, and is a better car in just about every way. Not a flashy car, and sort of an anti-status symbol, but comfortable on long trips and very fuel efficient for such a big car, especially one with all wheel drive. We've taken it all over (mostly New England, but trips across the midwest and through places like DC and Virginia), on all kinds of terrain in all weather, and it's fit the bill wherever and whenever. CVT issues are vastly overblown and it's never been anything but great. cannot recommend one enough.
ReplyDeleteNot to threadjack, but we wanted to buy a new Forester last year (2022). However, the company is no longer distributing manual (stick) shift Foresters in the US. As a manual shift is non-negotiable with us, we ended up getting a Crosstrek instead. Not happy with it — but what were we to do?
ReplyDeleteActually, I'd probably complain about a new Forester as well, given that I haven't liked their design since about 2005. Body's gone bloaty, window areas have shrunk — it's just not Our Car anymore.
Our other car is a 2005 Civic with about 68,000 miles on it, and I intend to keep it running forever. What? Yes, a manual shift, of course!
I agree with Anonymous at 2:25 re the Wilderness package satisfying the niche for the aggressive styling and cladding. I'm happy mine is a 2020, which got the redesign from the previous generation with significantly less cladding. I do love the car and it won't be going anywhere any time soon. In response to Anonymous at 8:54 -- I've been in the car industry in various roles for the last 15 years and CVTs are very hit or miss. Some manufacturers do them well and others, not so much. I honestly have zero complaints about the CVT in my Outback. For context, I have a Limited with the 2.5-liter (non turbo). Sure there will always be faster, or "spunkier" but I've had zero issues merging or passing on highways, so I look at it as "what else do I need?"
ReplyDeleteI hate it. My 2016 had 131k miles on it and I traded it for an Acura because the new one is so ugly.
ReplyDeleteI've had several Outbacks, a Forester and a Crosstrek. Outbacks are by far my favorite. The Crosstrek has great styling, but feels much less sturdy. I got the Forester in 1997, when it was the less expensive alternative to the Outback. It was perfectly fine, but "traded up" to the Outback and never looked back.
ReplyDeleteI Currently drive a 2010 Volvo V50, and am looking to buy a new car. I would but would love a 2015-2016 XC70, but prices are trending a bit high in my view, even with high mileage. We have a 2016 XC60 which we love, but there is just something about owning two of the same car that doesn't quite square with me. Really just need a daily driver, preferably one with AWD. SO, I've been looking at used Volvo XC90s and the new Subaru Outback Wilderness. I've always been curious about the Subaru Outback. They seem to be everywhere (especially in VA and NE). I agree with many of the comments that there is too much plastic trim on the newer Outbacks, but I have to say that it's not as bad on the Wilderness. The extra lift also gives the Wilderness a more rugged look. Great driving car as well. Very smooth, and with the turbo, has some pep too. Choice is currently down to a new 2023 Outback Wilderness, or a used 2019 Volvo XC90 with 49K miles on it. Both are roughly the same price. Not sure which way we will go . . .
ReplyDeleteI’m the anonymous poster from 8:20 am. Look into a certified pre-owned Outback, say like 2020 or 2021. You get a nicer styling than the current (less plastic, same body), reap the benefits of the first few year’s depreciation, and get an extended warranty. Win, win, win.
DeleteI'm right there with you; that's exactly how I usually approach a car purchase. And I do prefer the 2020/2021 styling. Problem is that you can't get a Wilderness package for those years. Maybe I should just by a 2020/2021, and put a lift kit in it!
DeleteSame anonymous as the previous comment. If the Wilderness is what you're after, than it sounds like you're not averse to the more aggressive cladding. If it's not the aestheics, but the performance you're after, two things: adding a lift kit may void your warranty, at least on certain aspects so I'd research that first. Secondly, I'm not totally convinced that the Wilderness version is all that more capabable than the standard. Yes, it sits higher, and the different bumpers give you a better approach angle, but if you're really "getting after it" perhaps a dedicated off-road capable SUV might make more sense? Depending on what wheel size your Outback comes with, you'd be suprised at the difference a good set of all-terrain tires makes. Just make sure they're suited to your type of vehicle, and not for a truck or true SUV.
DeleteWe've been loyal Subaru owners, but after my last Forester, I will not buy another. The CVT transmissions are awful. I assume that Subaru has "tuned" them to save fuel in later models, but it comes at the cost of acceleration. Sometimes it is downright scary when you need to accelerate, but the car won't.
ReplyDeleteOur model was made well after the engine gasket issues were supposedly fixed, but we've still dealt with ongoing oil leaks. We've also had suspension issues and have replaced multiple batteries because something is draining them when the car is off. All on a vehicle with less than 100k miles. According to consumer reports, even BMW has a higher reliability score than Subaru these days...
I also find it surprising that Subaru, who professes its love for the environment and the outdoors, has completely ignored hybrid, plug-in, and electric cars. Sure, there's the hybrid Crosstrek, but why not a hybrid Forester or Outback, which are far more popular vehicles? And the new electric Solterra is a joke. The range is far less than any other EV on the market and it takes all day to charge. Even the dealer was joking that Subaru knows it's a terrible car but made it to comply with federal regulations.
In regards to the environmental comments: According to Subaru "A Subaru PZEV vehicle meets the SULEV (super ultra-low emissions vehicle) tailpipe emission standards, meaning the fuel systems generate no evaporative emissions..." and all non-turbo Subaru models are PZEV/SULEV. So they as clean as hybrids without the problem of "what do we do with this electric battery when it goes bad?" And while I'm a fan of electric vehicles, and their day to day emission output is zero, if the environment is the concern above all, one has to think about the following: How does the extra electric load coming from the grid get produced? Is it cleaner to make the batteries than an engine for a PZEV/SULEV vehicle? What do we do with these old batteries when they have to be replaced?
DeleteUntil those 3 questions are answered, I don't know if I'm convinced yet that full electric, or hybrid is the answer for pure environmental reasons.
I agree.
DeleteWe have a 2007 Forester. It’s our every day who cares if it has a rust spot and few dings in it toss garden tools and skis in the back car. The vehicle has over 287,000 winter (New England) and summer miles on it. Regular maintenance is key. Our black chrome laden ‘97 Volvo 960 is near mint. It’s our Sunday car. The windows roll down the the absolutely perfect height for resting your elbow. We hardly ever use the air conditioning.
ReplyDeleteI bought 2022 Outback Limited two years ago. Still low miles so we will see about issues as it’s my first Subaru. I’m hoping these negative reports are older models or owner issues….
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love my new Subaru Outback and look forward to driving it as long as my first Outback, which is now driven by my son while he’s away at college. In his Massachusetts college town, every third car is a Subaru. Great vehicles!
ReplyDeleteLate to the party here, but I have a 2022 Outback (it’s my second) and I am very happy with it, both appearance and how it drives. It’s very comfortable and there is plenty of space for all the items I have to haul to and from the stables.
ReplyDelete