5 Things I HATE about the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek!

[@erikberg1623]

Non-turbo motors are more durable. Turbocharged engines will need more maintenance as they age. This is a great little SUV for under $30K. I couldn’t be happier with my ‘24 Premium.

[@henryqiu2434]

I own a 2024 Crosstrek now and I love it. When shopping for a new car, I went from Toyota RAV4 (2023 Hybrid), to Honda CRV/HRV (2023/24 models), to Subaru Forester (2023) and Outback (2024), to similar cars from Kia/Mazda/Hynndai, and finally settled down with a 2024 Crosstrek (the premium trim with the factory upgrade package). Price was no concern to me at all. I went for Crosstrek, instead of any of those possibly better or bigger cars, solely because this Crosstrek has all the features I needed/wanted, almost no more and no less. The factual observations you made in the video are accurate, but unfortunately, I didn't and still can't agree with any of your assessments (or your dislikes) based on the same public information that we all know about this new Crosstrek. For example, I drive in New York City most of the time, so a 2.5L engine would offer me zero advantage over the 2.0L inside the car I chose, except for a little edge on rare occasions - that can explain to you why I had zero interest in the Sport trim of this car and also preferred the Premium trim with an upgrade package rather than the Limited edition (despite I had no issue paying for a limited, had I so decided). If the wilderness edition of Crosstrek had been released around this time of the year, I might have bought that instead, for nothing but the remarkable extra off-road capabilities it would offer. Anyway, it's interesting to know how others think about this mini SUV.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I’m glad you were able to make a very informed decision on what model and trim would be best for you and nothing you don’t need or want. It’s cool and interesting how different our wants/needs can be living across the country and in completely different environments. Thanks for watching, and enjoy your new ride! 🙂

[@WyattUTFT]

I’ll offer a counterpoint on the moonroof thing. When I was searching for cars, I specifically ruled out any car that had one. In my experience they’re a maintenance nightmare. Water leaking broken motors, and broken glass. I’ve had all sorts of issues and it’s always really expensive to fix.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Those are great points! I’ve personally not had any issues in my own sunroof cars or in those of my friends. But very good point. That would be a pain to deal with. Thanks for watching and adding insight! 🙂

[@barneyboyle6933]

I avoid moonroofs because I’m tall enough that I can’t comfortably sit under one. They lower the the interior roof by ~2”

[@durkee12]

Good thing I got the 2023 Crosstrek limited with the CD Player! With a real emergency brake and can turn on x mode with a button and turn off auto start stop with a button. Not in the Screen! And with real hvac knobs.

[@Kragum24]

Yes. I was pleasantly surprised when I took my 2023 Crosstrek for a test drive and saw it had a CD player.

[@sadisanchez]

Best car in it class and Subaru #1 selling car. Your hate list was a far reach from reality. This car is safe reliable and functional. If you are looking for speed performace, get another car.

[@ZeGermanHam]

As an owner of a 2023 Crosstrek Limited, which I love, here are my nits against the 2024: 1. The interior door panels and center console are cheaper looking 2. The fabric seat upholstery is uglier and cheaper looking 3. Loss of physical knobs and buttons for HVAC, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, X-Mode, auto start-stop, and more 4. Rear cargo area has space dedicated to storing dog bowls/water bottles. Not necessary - a fully flat floor is more useful for more people 5. Rear bumper protector no longer covers leading edge of bumper - the most scratch-prone spot 6. Leather steering wheel no longer available on Premium 7. Heated seats, mirrors, and wipers no longer standard on Premium, and are now bundled into a $2245 package 8. Softer suspension tuning - it didn't need to be softer...

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

You’ve brought up some good nits! I’m glad you’re enjoying your 23! Thanks for watching. 🙂

[@russfiore8730]

Absolutely agree. Wanted to get the limited but priced out of my budget with additional cost for sun roof package. Yes, test drove the 2.0 litre and agree with the lackluster performance. I'm retiring next year and the trip to blue ridge mountains seems uncertain with a 2.0 litre. Over $35,000 out the door for the Limited is too high compared to other options in the market today. In conclusion buyers must look at the options available for other manufacturers. Good video. Thanks!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Great insight, thanks for sharing, and watching! 🙂

[@williamstevenson8518]

I think the touchscreens in new Subarus are hideous. I really do. I've spent a lot of time test driving Outbacks and Foresters. I can't stand the 11.6" screen. And the dual 7" setup is the same thing with a strip of plastic going across it. I don't really like technology generally. But I honestly think Subaru is particularly struggling with this. Why do they even need to have larger touchscreens and fewer knobs and buttons? Really. Is it due to regulatory requirements or something. I refuse to believe that there isn't a substantial segment of consumers shopping for vehicles who want more manual controls.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Yeah I totally agree, who are they engineering this for?! Lol. Everything that people comment or I read on the forums follow our same reasoning. And if it’s going to be the sole head unit for all their cars basically, make it better!! 🤦‍♂️😅

[@edsmith9855]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Well, I think they are trying to make the interior appear more upscale (Tesla like??). I agree though, I would even prefer my 2019 Impreza with the base 6.5 inch touchscreen and manual HVAC controls to the new tablet interface. I live in Minnesota, and wonder if you would have to take your gloves off to set the climate controls with the touchscreen on a zero deg morning.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

You definitely would need to take your gloves off, unless maybe the fingertips are designed for touch screen usage, as some are. But the remote start and temp control through the app is wonderful!

[@godwhomismike]

My #2 - The US Limited model does not have a steering wheel warmer, when our neighbors in Canada has a STANDARD steering wheel warmer on their Limited. After having one, it is such a wonderful feature in the winter, especially when the temps are in the single digits (F) or colder - remote start, steering wheel warmer automatically turns on, get in the car, and it is comfortable to drive - even if the car is still cold, your hands are warm. My #3 is there is no power outlet (12V outlet) in the hatch area. I have a small 12V fridge I keep in my truck now, that I plug into the outlet, and it keeps all my refrigerated/frozen stuff cold when I go to the store or taking stuff to the lake.

[@ZRodTW]

The US got extremely ripped off honestly. Canada's limited comes with the sun roof and harmon kardon. The US you have to pay an extra $1800

[@gahvno]

$1800? I was on the Costco price comparison website just yesterday and it's around $2400 now. 😱

[@ZRodTW]

@@gahvno that's a different package with the built in navigation included. Ya, I definitely didn't get that.

[@giog3734]

Maybe the price of the limited is higher here in Canada because it includes all the goodies. You at least have the option to get the limited (with the leather seats) at a lower price and then decide if you want to pay the extra to have the goodies. @@ZRodTW

[@2bookoo4u]

A turbo would kill the gas milage. I'm glad Subaru doesn't put a turbo in this. It's a commuter car not a sports car. I have the 2.5 engine and it's adequate. A power lift gate would be nice though.

[@tommymas1]

It should be an option for those that want it. You don't, fine. They offer it on the Outback. They should offer it on the Forester and the Crosstrek. It's about a choice.

[@katebrown9110]

I just bought a 2024 premium crosstrek after having a 2004 Ford Ranger which I bought new. I really love it, but a few things I don’t like are the small water bottle holders in the front doors and console, the steering wheel makes it hard to see all the features on the dash, don’t like the forward leaning headrest, no standard options. Still a great car for the price though! Love the moon roof, heated seats, blind-spot indicator. It’s a lot of car for me coming from a 2004 complete base model Ranger, though I do miss some of the simple manual features, I am enjoying the upgrade.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s awesome, I hear what you’re saying about missing the old simplicity of the ranger. Hopefully you’ll get to enjoy the Crosstrek for 20 years if you choose to! 🙂

[@ZeGermanHam]

The headrests have adjustable tilt. Maybe you just need to click yours back to the default position?

[@gahvno]

Dude, you are absolutely right. We are looking to get the 2024 Wilderness edition of the Crosstrek, but we are finding out the sad reality in that the 31k DOES NOT include many of the features that we would want a new car that's going to hopefully last us many years and that it's easy to get up to $40,000 once you add up all the stuff you want/need. We're getting priced out. Again. Just no.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Great minds think alike! 😉 Thanks for watching and best of luck on whatever you decide. 🙂

[@Soul2burn]

try spending 50000 in canada

[@Soul2burn]

Try spending $50000 cdn for one I did and do not regret it as for performance well all thanks to our local radar operator ii have proof you can speed in one of these even if its only a 70kph in a 60kph zone

[@williamstevenson8518]

I want car makers to stop committing consumers to utilizing the same touchscreen computer for audio, climate, and vehicle controls. I want to be able to swap head units if I choose.

[@In-obscurity-n7j]

No matter what. There are things that will bug the hell out of us about the cars we love and drive. Crosstrek is a good car that people just like. I hope the continue to do well. Honda does exactly what you are talking about.. move up a level get everything on that level no options. Half the people complain about that. I think its the cost of everything right now that's pissing everyone off

[@rafaesparza6956]

To slice your cheese or put your fingers through lol 😅😂 The loss of the manual for 2024 is a bummer. Great review 👍🏽

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Huge bummer! Thanks for watching. 🙂

[@edsmith9855]

Yea, I like the car, but it is more of an "update" than a new model. I like the styling, so don't mind the lack of change there, but they should have made the 2.5L standard.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Absolutely! 🙂

[@TeleStrat335]

I was excited to get a Tesla model 3. But when I priced the insurance in New York State I changed my mind. I've been driving Subarus since 1982. So the 2024 Crosstrek was my choice. The salesman told me I had to pay 1,500 over sticker. I needed a car right away, so I paid the extra for the limited. After the extended warranty lic etc..I ended up paying 40k.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s a pricey Crosstrek, but at least you’re in an awesome new Subaru! Sorry to hear that the Tesla M3 insurance was a no go.

[@dookie1032]

I bought a 2024 Crosstrek premium with sunroof and the seat heater is a joke. The Lo setting works fine. The Hi setting barely works. It is hot for the first 3-5 minutes and then you can’t even tell it’s turned on. Then like 10 minutes later all of a sudden it’s hot again. Just as you really enjoying the heat, the heat goes away again. Not sure if this is a glitch or some safety feature, but my friends 2017 Impreza seats get real hot as long as the button is turned on.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Your description of the experience you’ve had in the Crosstrek is very similar to what I’ve experienced in Subaru’s. Maybe it’s your friends Impreza that has a glitch, for the better! 🤷‍♂️😉

[@lorenschwiderski]

The Premium with the 2.0 engine doesn't have a TCV, thus a big advantage. Good ol' thermostat. If living in high altitude areas, I guess one is out of luck.

[@haonansun7933]

you bought this car isnt for power！ its for awd and bad weathers！

[@cjwise7741]

I really don’t understand why people want so much power in a car, I’m completely fine with driving normally. I don’t get the hype.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

It’s a disease, and I’m glad you don’t have it! 😉😊

[@cjwise7741]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I’m glad I don’t. Though I do have my fair share of bad habits. 😅 I do like the look of cars but never cared about power. Just bought the Impreza Sport. Test drove the 2.5 and the 2.0 and literally power never crossed my mind. Felt the same to me, so I went for the cheaper one lol

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I think it’s good for us to recognize the bad habits we have so that we can work on them. 🙂 I like having adequate or above average acceleration in a vehicle (for safe merging and legal fun). But it doesn’t need to be excessive. Big power usually means big weight and more expensive and it’s a rabbit hole of problems or sacrificing you may have to make just to have “available” power than you can’t even legally use on the streets safely. It’s been so cool to drive all the vehicles I’ve already been able to, but after I drove the 1,020 Tesla Model S Plaid last year, everything is slow. All these 700+ hp hellcat cars and whatever else, they’re truly quick but nothing has been anywhere close or comparable to the Plaid. Plus very illegal to accelerate for more than a literal second or two in cars like that. In my experience it’s worth driving what makes you happy and is affordable, like your Impreza sport, or my 181HP light weight Miata, lol. After I get to drive any of these vehicles I’m so glad to hop back into the better handling convertible Miata and take it home while getting 38MPG, and can just enjoying the act of simple driving, lol. I say that also after getting out of the 3 big muscle cars and TRX I drove yesterday for a couple 0-60 comparison videos I’ll post soon. 😉

[@ZeGermanHam]

I'll give an example. I own a 150hp Impreza and a 182hp Crosstrek. I live in the Pacific Northwest and regularly drive through mountain ranges. Our 150hp Impreza struggles HARD to get up the mountains. It can't maintain the speed limit without zinging the engine over 4500rpm for extended periods. Our more powerful Crosstrek is much, much better. The extra power also makes a big difference when passing on two-lane highways.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thank you for sharing this experience!

[@donaldmcleod7494]

I changed the oil filter on my 2.0 6mt to a high flow K&N 1008. This changed the variable cam timing and brought the little engine to life. Lots of power now.

[@tvegas]

Would this work for the 2024 premium 152 hp? or would the power difference be negligeable?

[@johnc3473]

My 2018 manual Crosstrek was simple, rugged and sporty. My new 2024 is overly complicated, seams like everything is going to break and feels like a girls car. This is not a Crosstrek the way they were. I'm sure all of these electronics are going to break. The BIG BOX ON THE WINDSHIELD SUCKS! It doesn't drive straight on the highway.

[@skyaker8241]

I totally agree! I just traded in my 2014 Crosstrek MT on a lightly used 2023. I feel like I'm fighting to hold it on the road. The car is loaded with 'stuff' that I've either found a way to shut off, or am waiting for it to malfunction to the tune of many $$$$. Subaru has lost their way with this previously fun to drive car, in my opinion!

[@micah6811]

That secured "bag" is gnarly @5:45 No CD player for this model year is a GiNormous loss for all Subaru lovers! RIP! A yellow color for the Crosstrek would be dope! Great review as always.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks so much for adding your thoughts and watching another! Yellow would be sweet, similar to how Chevy’s bringing out its Nitro Yellow on everything new like the Trax and Colorado. Also Subaru should offer Lagoon Blue again like the last gen Hybrid got! 🙂

[@OrdinaryG33K-SF]

Very helpful video. Thank you.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@blackbeanburger3357]

the 2.5 should be standard imo. also prefer last year's model for screen/knob controls... a touch screen to turn off/on seat heating and all the ac/fan controls is a pain in the ass. part of the reason i avoided the outback and forester models

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Absolutely! The Forester doesn’t have this screen yet, but we all worry the next gen will. 😢

[@lorenschwiderski]

It seems like pricewise there is not a great deal of a difference between Outback, Forester and CrossTrek. Hard to choose in other ways as well. I wonder if the Outback, in real world driving takes a larger hit than a CrossTrek 2.5, in regard to gas mileage and 0-60. Is the CrossTrek closer to the test figures when compared to Outback?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

The Crosstrek definitely probably scores closer to its rated figures than the larger and heavier Outback and Forester. I actually have a side by side comparison of the 3 that I’ll likely make public tomorrow morning. It’s not a detailed review like I’ve done many on my channel but an overall comparison.

[@amyl.7570]

❤😂He sounds just like the Honey Badger guy! Exact same voice, how cute!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Lol, that is a timeless video! Thanks for watching. 🙂

[@larryrg67]

Having the Canadian/Japanese built Limited.. i like it.

[@godwhomismike]

My #1 - that color. Crosstrek colors should be as bold and loud as possible. I remember when I got my first Crosstrek - a 2014 back in the beginning of 2014, it was basically the only orange vehicle on the market and it really stood out in a sea of drab monochrome white, black, and gray vehicles. It's very disappointing that Oasis Blue was not offered in North America, when it is a color option in most other markets. That color is as bright and bold as possible. I am going with a Limited Sun Blaze, because it is probably the only bold color option on the Limited.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Sun Blaze is going to be a sweet color! My personal favorite might have been the 2nd gen Hybrid with Lagoon Blue Pearl! 🙂

[@DeniskaNYC]

I looked at your review and got myself Crosstrack. 😅

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Lol, I really like the Crosstrek. You made a good choice. But with how many I’ve driven I still had to make this style of video review! 🤷‍♂️😅😉

[@DarrickBLee]

Do you have problems with Eyesight constantly failing? (In spite of having clear/clean windshield?)

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

There’s been maybe 2-3x total I’ve noticed something like that briefly right after start up on mine, but otherwise it’s been fine. Does that happen to yours very often? 🤔

[@PhilmarGundayaoVloggs]

What i hate is about how you use fish eye lens, made the crosstrek look like an egg. 😅

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Haha sorry about that!

[@macdds]

I don't agree with your idea that faster cars are safer than slower cars. There are multiple reasons that WRX costs more insurance premium than Crosstrak.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

It’s okay to disagree. 🙂 My perspective comes from the thousands of highway and interstate miles I drive each year for my FT job and what I see/experience, especially on the highways of agricultural areas. WRX drivers are in a class of their own, lol. Some of their insurance premiums also come from vehicles being stolen and crashed. Traveling 60MPH you cover 88’ per second, having a car that takes say 12s rather than 7s to get to 60mph requires a couple hundreds more feet of clearance to safely pull onto the highway without basically cutting off another driver and potentially inviting their road rage (if they can’t control themselves). I say that jokingly but also seriously. I really enjoy doing my GPS testing because it also shows how many feet the car needs to get up to those speeds. Knowing that distance plus the distance margin you might want between vehicles could be contributed to safe driving. 🤷‍♂️ But regardless I appreciate you being here be watching my video, thank you! 🙂

[@tommymas1]

No memory seats, no power rear hatch, no heated steering on the Wilderness, no turbo, rear vents, no heated rear seats, no pano sunroof, ugly colored stitching.

[@haonansun7933]

you pay 28k dollar to buy a premium Crosstrek. you want more power, hybrid, head display unit? That’s a joke. 28k don’t deserve any fancy features!

[@Soul2burn]

try spending nearly 50,000 for a new crosstrek wilderness model in canada

[@haonansun7933]

@@Soul2burn wow fuck the current economy. I mean people make less but pay more

[@Guacamole44479]

A CD player? Am I hearing that right? :p

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

🤷‍♂️😛

[@The75mark]

No cd, no thanks!!

[@5610winston]

NO CLUTCH, NO SALE!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Understandable! 🙂

[@maciejr2194]

no cassette player ?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

No Cassette player 😛 and now no CD player either on this Premium! Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@dracojdh]

If the 2.5 is much better then review the 2.5. Maybe you won't be so critical about a fantastic vehicle.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I hope to do full review videos of the 2.5 Sport and Limited in the next few weeks. If you’re new to my channel I really like Subaru, and hope that was portrayed somewhat well in this video. The 5 things I “love” or “hate” are just a common style of video that people will do. I know the verb-age isn’t necessarily the best, but it’s the style. Thanks for watching! Crosstreks are fantastic. 🙂

[@point4894]

IMPREZA BETTER! It’s so stupid to pay money for clearance in such cars... IT’S NOT AN OFF-ROAD VEHICLE! LOL 95% such car drives the same places like Impreza etc. It’s just more expensive, less efficient, worse controllability... BASE IMPREZA is all what you need. 2.5 stupid option becouse you can easy drive car with 2.0. In any case you cant go faster than 1) speed limit 2) other cars. People pay for power that not need them. It is SICK PEOPLE. If you are rich just buy other car. LEGACY premium, for example. Stupid people dont understand that options doesnt cost money in budget car. All really important options HAS base model!

[@Sp-nd6uj]

The extra ground clearance serves much utility when living in Canada and dealing with snowstorms leaving 12-15 of snow to navigate through.

[@RajaRaja-xs1he]

CX 5 far better than this over priced car.

[@jonb7597]

Cx 5 is a suv though crosstrek is a cross over I don't need a big suv so the crossteek is more like a cx 30 you should be comparing this with a cx 30

[@jonb7597]

Crosstrek is probably more sporty rugged then a cx 30 so I would go crosstrek

[@RajaRaja-xs1he]

@@jonb7597 cx 30 looks sportier than the Crosstrek, has 2.5l automatic engine. I think CX-5 also a crossover, cx5 not bigger like crv or rav4. Why not buy cx5 which offers more features and quality for the same price?

[@jonb7597]

Cx 5 is a suv though just not as much cargo space as a rav 4 and others

[@jonb7597]

Cx 5 competes with a rav 4 u cant compare cx 5 with a crosstrek lol

[@ELCID612]

Just customized my own yesterday to be manufactured in japan but as you mentioned wish the moonroof was included at least in the premium for the price it has bump up to came out to 29K and was only with one package and no accessories

[@nscalerailfan2457]

I don't like the big screen. It feels like it is a step back, sacrificing common sense/safety for the sake of "looking modern/up-to-date". Could turn out to be a distraction. I wish they would go back to the orange/red stitching, trim accents for the Sport model, rather than the anemic yellow color. My 2021 Premium has the orange/red interior stitching and it looks so much better. Just might keep the 2021. When they come out with a better engine choice and a better designed interior without compromise, or without drastically increasing the pricing, well then I will trade in my current Crosstrek, which has less than 14K miles on it.🤑

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I agree with your impressions of the screen, in my Outback Wilderness it is more of a distraction than physical buttons would have been. Kinda silly but I really miss being able to set the heat/AC controls once the vehicles power is off with the physical dials. In preparation for what you expect will be needed on your next drive. You’re not missing much keeping your basically new 21, although the new LEDs are a huge lighting upgrade! Thanks for watching. 🙂

[@nscalerailfan2457]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Thank you. I do enjoy your channel. Keep it up.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I really appreciate that! It’s been a super fun hobby. 🙂

[@kenlorow6920]

Dash Board is trash. Not the same

[@carolehughes5915]

Happy that the Canadian Limited comes with sunroof / harman kardon

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

You guys are lucky ducks! 🙂 You also have the heated wheel in the Outback Wilderness that many of us wish we had. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@Totosubie]

and build in Japan

[@carolehughes5915]

@@Totosubie yes!!

[@danielfair4675]

​@ptony8854 the 2.0 equipped Crosstreks are built in Japan. The 2.5 equipped Crosstreks are now built in Indiana.

[@WyattUTFT]

@@danielfair4675I may be wrong but I think the Canadian ones are all built in Japan

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

The base Kia Seltos is only 146 Hp…. I have the 2023. I prefer the 2023 interior and 2024 exterior with more cladding protection. Prices have been rising recently unfortunately…👇

[@MartinStockel-k6f]

We looked at a 2024 Crosstrek and found it to be a bit small for our family and dog. It was a nice looking and driving car. We settled on a 2023 Subaru Ascent Limited 7 passenger. Plenty of useable space inside. The engine is the 2.4 Liter Turbo charged boxer engine. Even in this heavier vehicle the turbo horsepower and torque makes it pretty snappy. So far, we very pleased.

[@Doc1855]

The Crosstrek was too small for our needs as well. We’re in our late 50s with a very Large 110# lab. Intimately we chose the Forester Touring

[@MartinStockel-k6f]

@@Doc1855 Very good choice!

[@blainebrian]

i mean you really can't compare a car closer to $50K (Ascent) to a compact SUV thats in the low $30Ks (Crosstrek). I do like the Ascent style and wondered how the engine would drive with a turbo. Crosstrek is good for me, and unless i spit out 2-3 kids in the next five years it keeps up with my road trip / commuting lifestyle. Gas mileage was a big selling point.

[@danielfair4675]

​@@Doc1855We bought a loaded Crosstrek Limited. And with 2 German Boxers and a 170 lbs combined, it works fine for us 😁

[@Doc1855]

I became disabled when I was 42. I’m now in my late 50s and my wife is in her early 50s. Two years ago I surprised my wife with a 2 year old Outback with only 5,600 miles (it was a lease return). She had driven her Camry for 18 years and it needed to be replaced. I know that she enjoys either Bronze or Brown metallic and we both enjoy Tan or Brown interiors. I found her Outback in Tacoma, WA (2.5 hour drive, 1 way). It’s Cinnamon Brown Pearl with Ivory interior. We live in a very mountainous area of north central WA where we get 5-7 feet of snow every winter. We’re 5 miles from a small town and 25 miles from a city. Our road is private so we have to plow and maintain it ourselves. During the winter months she would have to park her Camry and drive my RAV 4WD and I’d have to drive our 4X4 pickup. She was so excited about her new (to us) Outback. We always had to put studded snow tires on both her Camry and my RAV. Her Outback didn’t need any special tires. In fact she drove on her factory tires until they wore out last December. We were so impressed with the traction of her Outback. Her Outback was the first vehicle we’ve ever owned that we didn’t have to fold down the rear seats to accommodate my wheelchair. My RAV was 11 years old and though it had life left in it, it too was needing to be replaced. I started looking around for a Forester Touring (as once again, we HATE gloomy gray and depressing Black interiors). The Forester Touring is available with Saddle Brown Leather interior. I was looking for either a White, Bronze or Red Forester. Last December I found a 2019 in Bronze with the beautiful saddle Brown interior. It too was a lease return with only 4,700 miles. It was in Shoreline, WA (a 3 hour drive 1 way). We saved $5K on my wife’s Outback according to KBB. We also saved $6K according to KBB on my Forester. I don’t have to fold down the rear seats in my Forester to accommodate my wheelchair either. This is Huge for me. If I have passengers in the rear seats during the winter, they rave about the heated rear seats. I Love the heated steering wheel. We too looked at the Crosstrek, but it was too small for our needs as well. We can fold down the rear seats in my Forester to accommodate my wheelchair, our luggage and our 110# Chocolate Lab and have room to spare. When my Forester had only 1,300 miles the previous owner put Michelin Cross Climate tires on. They’re an Awesome tire on all road conditions. They’re quiet, they don’t take a hit on the mpg, the design is Great in snow, rain, slush and dry pavement. We like the tire so much that we installed them on my wife’s Outback as well. My brother and his family live in Beaverton, OR (a suburb of Portland). Obviously they get a ton of rain and they too have the Michelin Cross Climate tires on their Outback as well. I don’t like the mpg (24-26mpg) with both our Outback and Forester, but for the traction, safety, collision avoidance and peace of mind that comes with our Subie’s make up for it. I do miss the 269hp 3.5 V6 from my previous RAV and the 27mpg, but again our Subaru’s are a LOT safer. Our insurance premiums DROPPED by $1,200 per year on both of our Subie’s combined. I do have a question for you… Why did you jump from a Crosstrek (being too small) all the way up to the Ascent? That’s going from a car that’s too small and jumping up to a much BIGGER Minivan. I’m glad you chose the 23 Ascent because the 19-22 year models had a LOT of problems with the transmission, electrical system and engine problems. In fact Consumer Reports and Edmonds said to Avoid the 19-22 Ascent. Thanks for listening to me and have a Great Day !

[@tobylopez445]

Looks to me like you should buy a sports car if you are evaluating speed in a family fun car? Who in their right mind guns the engine of their car from a stoplight or stop 🛑 sign. Both these engines have enough power for safe drivers and not for speed demons. Your review is not on par with the vehicle being reviewed. Try a corvette or Porsche 😅

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I appreciate your perspective! I actually drove a C5 Zo6 Corvette today, lol. The reasoning I have for acceleration being a measurement of safety for any vehicle is because in my area there’s a lot of fast high ways and interstate on-ramps which aren’t very long. If it takes a vehicle 700’ to get 0-60 vs. say 350’ that’s a big difference in the room and options you have to merge or get up to speed without cutting off other drivers causing road rage, or getting smooshed by a semi. This are extreme examples but their true concerns and ones others have shared with on other videos I’ve done. 🤷‍♂️ Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@ickypop9255]

It’s ugly af

[@louisc76]

I have a ‘21 Premium and I just can’t live without the leather wheel. For a cheap beater a urethane wheel is ok, but not for this price range. Plus I recently slapped some BFG all terrains on my stock wheels and I’m in love with it again!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

It’s interesting they decided to take away the wrapped wheel! How’s your mileage been impacted by the BFGs? Same size as stock or up a size? Thanks for sharing!

[@louisc76]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 weird, I never saw your reply until now! The BFG’s are stock sized. Mileage really hasn’t taken a hit as far as I can tell. Maybe an mpg but I mostly drive around town so that could certainly be attributed to the Georgia heat that’s finally set in. I really shopped around to find an A/T that had a good treadwear rating without a huge increase in weight over stock. It depends on what website but according to where I bought them from they’re only 3 lbs heavier than the OEM’s.