2015 Subaru Outback - Off Road And Track Review

Off-road testing the 2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited. This is an SUV from Subaru, featuring a 2.5L H4 producing 175 HP, which I’ll be comparing to the Ford Edge, Jeep Cherokee, Kia Sorento, and Nissan Murano. Starting with the drawbacks, the Outback was lacking in performance against the competition, though there is a 6 cylinder offered. What it lacked in performance, it made up for in practicality. The Subaru was significantly cheaper and more fuel efficient than the competition, was the lightest weight of the group, and offered plenty of cargo space. Depending on the trim, it can tow up to 3000 lbs.
Full Review: • 2015 Subaru Outback - ...
This vehicle was tested as part of the 2015 Northwest Automotive Press Association’s Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year competition. The vehicle category and competing vehicles are below:
Compact Utility Vehicles:
2016 Honda HR-V - • 2016 Honda HR-V - Off ...
2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk - • 2015 Jeep Renegade Tra...
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport - • 2015 Mitsubishi Outlan...
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - • 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe ...
2016 Mazda CX-5 - • 2016 Mazda CX-5 - Off ...
Family Utility Vehicles: (Released May 26)
2015 Ford Edge - • 2015 Ford Edge Sport A...
2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk - • 2015 Jeep Cherokee Tra...
2016 Kia Sorento - • 2016 Kia Sorento - Off...
2015 Nissan Murano - • 2015 Nissan Murano - O...
2015 Subaru Outback - • 2015 Subaru Outback - ...
Premium Compact Utility Vehicles: (Released May 27)
2015 Buick Encore - • 2015 Buick Encore AWD ...
2015 Land Rover Discovery Sport - • 2015 Land Rover Discov...
2015 Lexus NX200t F Sport - • 2015 Lexus NX200t F Sp...
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 - • 2015 Mercedes GLA250 4...
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country - • 2015 Volvo V60 Cross C...
Premium Utility Vehicles: (Released May 28)
2016 Acura MDX - • 2016 Acura MDX SH AWD ...
2015 BMW X5 M - • 2015 BMW X5 M - Track ...
2015 BMW X6 M - • 2015 BMW X6 M - Track ...
2015 Cadillac Escalade - • 2015 Cadillac Escalade...
2015 Mercedes ML400 - • 2015 Mercedes ML400 4M...
2015 Volkswagen Touareg TDI - • 2015 Volkswagen Touare...
Pickups: (Released May 29)
2015 Ford F-150 - • 2015 Ford F-150 4x4 - ...
2015 GMC Canyon - • 2015 GMC Canyon 4WD - ...
2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel - • 2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiese...
2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro - • 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD...
Extreme Capability Vehicles: (Released May 30)
2015 Ram Power Wagon - • 2015 Ram 2500 Power Wa...
2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro - • 2015 Toyota 4Runner TR...
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[@oddities-whatnot]

Ive just got one a week ago, low miles one owner, 2016 model. Brilliant car. Worth every penny.

[@zosozoso2]

Whats the gas consumtion on this car?

[@oregonnich]

The reason people buy this car is because it's the complete package. People that want the best option for a car and all season driving/light off road as well as the modern tech/ conveniences, even good mpg's, not to mention safety, which is huge if you've worked in the first responder field and have seen your share of bad car wrecks.

[@Hallowsaw]

It is literally one of the most versatile vehicles out there that does not sacrifice key aspects. Yes they are a little less reliable than some toyota and Honda but they can still last 200-300k if it's taken care of. For people that have to have some sort of awd subarus are easily number 1. People complain about their prices but if you realize how well they retain their value and how well they are built you cant disagree with the price. I love my Legacy. I always had a soft spot for wrx's so I got a legacy cause it had a killer deal on it. Now I don't think I'll ever drive another brand. I came from a GM and Ford family and I wont go back to them.

[@patdaveoneil]

@@Hallowsaw I just bought a used Forester and I’ve been so pleased with it. I come from mostly a GM family, and while they’re OK vehicles, their quality just isn’t what it used to be. If I were to buy American I’d at least get a Ford, they’ll pretty much outlast any GM or Chrysler product. Ford is honestly the only other brand I like aside from Subaru and Mazda. Sure, Toyotas are pretty much bulletproof, but I think most can agree that their vehicles aren’t particularly exciting, at least most of their normal cars. Honda isn’t what it used to be either, they used to be up there with Toyota but I’ve heard their reliability has gone down over the past few years. So that basically leaves me with Subaru.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Ive just got a 2016 Outback, low miles, one owner, for all the reasons you mention. It will do everything and go anywhere within reason, will cope with any weather and road conditions, again within reason, and will accommodate any lifestyle I may have as I get older. Brilliant car, even good on fuel for a heavy car.

[@yournamehere3679]

I came from chevy roots, owned a lot of GM vehicles, bought a Honda got 560k miles out of it before I sold it, now I got an 09 Outback and I can’t see myself switching car manufacturers again

[@UNROOTME]

We travel the US with our 2 kids and 2 cats. We just bought our Outback and absolutely love it!

[@abadmixtape]

a Subaru in its natural habitat

[@EngineeringExplained]

***** Wait quietly as it approaches.

[@DaneFerolin]

Your page is really taking off! Congratulations from another subie owner 👍

[@YeZhik5]

Loving this series! exactly what I think people are looking for, quick nice reviews and comparisons!

[@elopez412]

We love our 2013 3.6 Outback. Most folks don't actually push their cars to the limit but we sure do and it hasn't skipped a beat. We're avid campers and the 3.6 has roughed it with us on every trip. Subaru says max tow on the 3.6 is 3000LBS but I have to be honest and say we often go a little above that rating (with trailer brakes) and the only issue we have had while trailering is the fuel consumption. But it's expected with most, if not all, vehicles pulling a trailer. Glad to see Subaru improved on the infotainment system.....we absolutely HATE our 2013 infotainment and GPS system.!! Actually, hate is putting it mildly.!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Eddie Lopez Glad you love it! Tow rating often comes down to braking; occasionally tire loading as well. Basically you just want to make sure you can stop quickly and safely.

[@PlunderRoad]

Do is ever feel underpowered? Thanks

[@Xevious5]

Ahh yes, correcting the salesman. Seems common everywhere, though surprising at a press junket. It'd be great to have a Subaru engineer present to field questions (like the smaller roll-bars).

[@agm5148]

Subaru is much better than the Ford Edge and Escape. Very comfortable seats, great visibility, standard AWD and that wonderful "Eye Sight" and it's assembled in the USA, not Mexico or other countries.

[@balor7]

Escapes are made in USA.

[@MrLeoxlim]

Love the Subaru Outback

[@mrt4575]

Our outback mostly sees asphalt with speeds up to 185kmh (115mph) on highway and decent on curvy country side roads; with dirt, mud and snow covered paths occasionally (every weekend) so far our 2.0D fuel average is 7.8lt/100 (36mpg) without any problems (knock on wood)... Just the car our family needs for the purpose. If i were to drive on heavy off road daily, as if i were a woodsman or a farmer, i would buy a heavy duty pickup truck not an suv anyways. The car does its job well on paved and unpaved roads. I have seen the faces of owners of factory built so called off road brands like wranglers on serious off road performance and it wasn't a smile...

[@Ianbamberger7]

The Subaru Outback is a station wagon sir. Forester is an SUV.

[@chooseymomschoose]

Splitting hairs ... distinction without a difference ... both are unibody cars ... I got more.

[@Ontheroad13]

I know I'm a bit late to this but these videos are fantastic. Hopefully you bring back some of these quick and informative off road reviews

[@stephanevaragnat2764]

Great car, great driver, so it's a great video !!

[@Theprofessor1212]

We’ve had our 2015 Outback for 130,000kms now. Before I really wanted the new one but not anymore. The CVT is unbearable.

[@idkwhattonamemyself5513]

We have a 2015 Outback with a bit more miles and it's cvt is fine for us

[@johnwakefield4728]

Yeah I like my 2014 after modifications but the cvt still hurts my soul.

[@martinr8278]

Best cvts you can get compared to other car manufacturers

[@gothops154]

Wow I never considered the advantage of putting the sensor at the top of the window like that, and the third squirter, that's well thought out

[@TylerRaber]

Its a Subaru that's what you get. None of this fancy interior jazz and frivolous decorations just good ole practicality.

[@TimJoseph08031990]

This is a great alternative to the discontinued Toyota Venza and discontinued Honda Accord Crosstour.

[@bmwmsport11]

Sucks they couldn't throw in that blue ring around the gauges in the 2.5i base. Never really understood why mine felt odd until now. I've got mine tinted all around so it doesn't feel like a green house anymore.

[@arlofs]

Nice review. Have never seen a slalom test filmed from inside the car.

[@lsjionredlinesupercharged2049]

Lol thats min same trim except mine has white leather 197k miles trouble free.

[@bobkiamco9941]

Was planning to buy Subaru outback, and have watched all the videos, i.e. driving in mud, snow and rivers,, but nobody shows how the "EYESIGHT" works?

[@EngineeringExplained]

+bob kiamco I talk about it in detail in this video, towards the end: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHrHaI2gf7x0atU

[@UNROOTME]

The eyesight is like the computer has it's own mind, lol. No more setting the cruise up and down with steady E-way traffic. The eyesight also does many other things, like telling you when a vehicle in front of you starts to move or warns you if it has stopped. I would highly recommend the eyesight feature.

[@oliverolonan2556]

Good slalom test

[@brandonhaas8541]

Love the Subaru! I have a Legacy but want to go to the Outback because we do a lot of camping and it'd be great for that. Thanks for the video! Do you know if it has an available manual transmission?

[@EngineeringExplained]

Brandon Haas I don't believe it does. It really is a perfect vehicle for campers. So much cargo space!

[@TylerRaber]

Why not a forester? You can get the 2.5xt with more oomph and a manual transmission. Although they might have switches to CVT.

[@brandonhaas8541]

Tyler Raber Very valid point. I should consider that, i would appreciate a bit more room and power. I like CVT for the gas mileage, and it can be fun, but I prefer the manual. thanks!

[@TylerRaber]

Brandon Haas if you are buying new. 2.5xt comes with high torque CVT. The base and premium models (non- turbo) can be equipped with a 6 speed manual. If you buy used you can get a 2.5xt with a manual.

[@amazingalextv1]

Yes they do I have a 2013 2.5i manual

[@mauriciocastro7505]

How was the ride, smooth, hard, usspension behavior, etc?

[@UNROOTME]

The car rides very smooth me and my family travel the US and own one.

[@SubieandFriends]

I feel like the crosstrek is a mini outback

[@CaptKlu]

The crosstrek is actually an Impreza that's lifted from the factory. So, kind of?

[@SubieandFriends]

@@CaptKlu yup it sure is like a smaller outback

[@SubieandFriends]

Just like the impreza/crosstrek the outback is a lifted legacy from the factory

[@Max-xl9qv]

That was a smooth forest road by any century's standards, since they invented the wheel.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Most Outback buyers aren't hitting up Moab for rock crawling haha, important to keep into perspective what the buyers are looking to use the vehicles for. Nothing too crazy in the offroad portion, but it was ripping bumpers off some of the vehicles with lower clearance (around 6-7"). Outback had no issues.

[@toh3211]

Would it do better in thE road handling tests if it had wider tires? Not to mention it would look better

[@THEUNSPOKEN100]

I just love Subaru, and I'm hoping for a Ute 😊

[@superbird2814]

I test drove a 2015 Outback and sweet mother of God that thing had nasty understeer and body roll. Felt like the handling characteristics of a 1970s Lincoln. My 2004 Taurus wagon handles like a Corvette by comparison.

[@ZobedRevolution]

+Superbird281 But Corvettes handle like shit? Similar in comparison to all American cars...

[@FCFordLord]

Understeer is, for the most part, driver error on these. Coming from a Taurus, I wouldn't expect you to handle an AWD vehicle. Body roll is from the suspension being setup for offroading. Upgraded swaybars will reduce it, though reduce offroad capability. And yes, Corvettes are not known for handling well at all.

[@ZobedRevolution]

True that, it actually depends how you drive it, when most people want to test the handling of a car they throw it into the corner and turn very sharply, that, is how you get a car like the Outback to understeer. However if you drive smooth, and controlled, the car actually handles like a dream. If you know what I am talking about? Driving smoother is usually faster than throwing it round a corner in a car that is not made to do it...

[@7150285]

is Outback a better off-roader than the Forester?

[@devonoleachea9213]

I thought you were going to go off road. All you did was drive down a dirt road and mob through a puddle.

[@endocry]

No one thinks they're a Wrangler.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

This is just a Legacy with different suspension isn't it? So not really a cossover or an SUV, more a wagon with good ground clearance.

[@teabag3854]

Matthew Sharpe no

[@nn431xru1]

No test at all. Any 2WD would do just fine on that dirt road. It didn’t show capability of the outback

[@markosieko6657]

Is that an suv?

[@szolanek]

Is it artificial rain?

[@certaindestiny88]

What trail is this?

[@darrkitx11]

Does anyone know what the MPG is like with off road tires?

[@wittwer427]

What was Hermon's favorite car?

[@EngineeringExplained]

Andrew Wittwer He seemed to like anything red. Not sure if it's because its due to blood or his scalely body being red.

[@ModernandVintageWatches]

filming from inside while driving is pretty irelevant

[@EngineeringExplained]

mariamik104 No one would ever drive from inside a vehicle!

[@TheJustin574]

8.7" of ground clearance doesn't sound like that much.

[@AWDfreak]

TheJustin574 It's not much, but it's still best-in-class amongst the modern 2-row midsize unibody crossover.

[@jacobreed47]

+TheJustin574 8.7 "is more than nearly all mid-full size SUVs even more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[@edwardlaw797]

It's a car!

[@rileygallagher4956]

Acuravigor47 Grand Cherokee has 10.8". You can't even compare a Subaru to a Jeep.

[@UNROOTME]

Is really all you need unless you plan to go climb rocks. In that case, just build or buy a rock crawler :)

[@dfmpdx]

this is not a review at all. the guy just drives the can and says almost nothing about the experience offroad. WTF.

[@ReligiousZombie]

You call that offroading? ANY car could drive on those roads.

[@ilosayan]

Probably not.

[@samimasood3954]

GET A M3 IN THERE!

[@ahmedlion1018]

خ

[@TheBum732]

Why the Outback and not the Forester?

[@EngineeringExplained]

TheBum732 Because Subaru entered the Outback and not the Forester. :)

[@edwardlaw797]

Longer wheelbase and quieter ride, biggest difference in the seats, forester is more capable offroad... Better approach departure angles