Subaru Outback 2.5 Long Term Review: Honestly, Should You Buy One?

[@chasingcars]

Since this video was filmed, Subaru has confirmed the Outback 2.4-turbo for Australia, along with pricing. See that here: www.chasingcars.com.au/news/new-car-prices/subaru-outback-turbo-australian-price-and-release-date-revealed-in-updated-range/

[@c.s2001]

About time.

[@AdamBoltGoldCoast]

I've had my 2022 Outback Touring since April and travelled 20000km in it for work. I'm a rep on the road doing stop start travel all day, and constantly getting caught in slow stop start highway traffic between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and I'm averaging 8.6lt/100km, regualrly getting around 620km per tank. If I do just highway driving, It sits around 7.6lt/100km and gets me over 700km on the tank. My thoughts on the Outback, I'm not sure why the hate on the 2.5Lt. I travel all around QLD and I've never once felt the car was under powered, in fact I'd think the 2.4Lt turbo would get me in trouble with the law if I did have extra power! 😂😂 This is hands down the best car I have ever had. It's so comforatble to drive and I can drive for hours and feel fresh when I get to my destination. The infotainment centre is easy to naviagte while driving, and the ability to use Siri while driving is such a big plus to call customers, or get directions while driving. The spacious room allows me to take it away camping on weekends, and is also great for when I have to drop off urgent orders to clients. Vision in this car is also stellar. Making it easy when reversing out of car spots, or when changing lanes quickly. There are a couple of little quirks that at first irriate but you get use to (Such as not having a dedicated button for teh stop/start), but overall its been such a great car for day to day use, that also offers that little bit more if you like your vehicle to be a little bit more adventurous.

[@Nico-vt4il]

Your review most probably gives a better idea of the car to prospective buyers than the rhetoric in the actual review!

[@seabiped3451]

New version has the stop start button with much easier access.

[@larryhagman3543]

I have a 2021 and my experience is pretty well exactly the same as yours. Once you get used the the way the gears work its quite fine in all traffic situations and it’s a great road trip car.

[@tonycoz2309]

Perfect family vehicle. Practical and functional.

[@grcigar9911]

Congrats on the impending parenthood. May the future be filled with much joy, good health and happy memories.

[@JasonISF]

We are still loving ours almost 12 months on, such a safe, comfortable and practical car for the baby too. Very good fuel economy under 10l per 100km around town if driven sensibly. The Harmon Kardon sound system is fantastic and blows our Camry Hybrid's JBL 'premium' sound out of the water. Sure, it doesn't accelerate like a V8, but there's enough power once you hit the 'S' button on the steering wheel to overtake. It doesn't NEED a turbo and the turbo requires 95 RON and it would be just overall thirstier around town.

[@ekimandersom4478]

10Ltr is really bad fuel economy in 2022.

[@JasonISF]

@@ekimandersom4478 it is a large, spacious AWD wagon, not a small shopping buzz box or hybrid!

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@JasonISF I know, i have one. But any large spacious hydrid suv will beat those numbers

[@JasonISF]

@@ekimandersom4478 that is true, however would be a lot more to purchase too.

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@JasonISF Yes, thats why i went for the Outback, 20k difference in price is allot of fuel to buy.

[@LL2500]

Just completed a test drive a few weeks ago with my wife. She loved this car very much even she thought this car is sooooo ugly. Very spacious, easy to handle, decent technology and softroad ability. We would buy this one if we don't need 7 seats.

[@marcusrawlinson5024]

Why did you test drive a 5 seater when you need a 7 seater?

[@lauriealmy7073]

I traded my 2020 Forester Touring for a 2023 Outback XT Turbo and I am glad I did. I can't find one thing about my Outback I don't like. Smoother ride, better steering, hugs the road, less driver view obstruction, easy to use, and even more safety features. And, no one is paying me to say this!!!

[@thedon9670]

how about the awful mpg of the turbo? 12L/100km real world combined is shocking.

[@keynesianeconomics4113]

@@thedon9670 It is, but if fuel consumption is your concern, get a hybrid. The XT is a go anywhere, do anything vehicle and turbo AWD is just the ticket required. On the open road, you're sitting closer to 7L/100km.

[@poettiger4854]

@lauriealmy7073 recommending turbo or without?

[@ribaldgadfly1433]

I've had my Touring for a year and three months now. The main pain is the auto stop start. I find the carping about the power is silly. The quality of the finish is awesome, I'm a very happy owner.

[@trevoryounger2107]

I've had one for 12 months and put 20000 km on clock, my economy is now an average of 8.1 litres per 100 km, I'm very happy with that

[@johnrenehan7406]

As an owner of a 2017/8 2D outback , anyone SHOULD BUY ONE PERIOD !! These things post 2015 are super good - quality from top to bottom and versatile beyond most cars you can buy !! Pure n simple

[@mando1337]

6:06 - For me it excels in at least one category. Cabin space and particularly boot space. The boot space is gigantic and if you put the rear seats down you can easily fit a mattress in there. People like to slay it for the fuel economy but here is the thing. It's big, high off the ground, has a permanent and extremely reliable AWD. Which other car has those and offers better fuel economy?

[@kabelomutubi9197]

I love this long term reviews. Hoping you can do a VW Polo for us students

[@adambester3673]

the front bumper cladding on this outback looks so much better than the 2023 north American one i hate the nonsense non functional side scoopy vent things on the NA one. it seriously makes me wonder if i could order the replacement bumper assembly from AUS an bolt it on a NA one.

[@karltitz1725]

The adaptive cruise is great especially on mountain roads with traffic. I can set cruise slightly above speed limit control distance to next car for stopping and slowing and enjoy the ride up or down the hill. Lane control takes getting use to and has a learning curve. The TURBO is amazing if you need defensive driving strategies.

[@kaiwanggiya90]

Always love Subaru. Pre-ordered the 23 Touring XT in July and dealer said it's expected to arrive Australia by end of December or early January. Still hope they can bring the STI back, not EVs.

[@vikrad88]

Awesome, what does the XT cost in Australia?

[@rajTrondhjem10]

Good one.. Please make more long term reviews

[@Puckerization]

Thanks for the Long-Term review. Fuel economy on the 2.4L Turbo is worse than the 2.5 from all the reviews I've seen with the US Wilderness edition. If they change the gearing of the Wilderness to a less aggressive range for the Touring it may not be so bad.

[@BobbyDazzler888]

Wilderness has worse aero with raised suspension compared to touring turbo

[@australianmade2659]

I just put a deposit on the turbo. That’s the engine the car should have come with from the start

[@c.s2001]

Agree. I had an impreza 3.5 years ago. It was good except it had no guts. This XT is very much welcomed.

[@vikrad88]

What does the turbo cost in Australia?

[@australianmade2659]

You will get one on the road for $58k

[@vegmanwrx2221]

Just picked up mine,,,LOVE IT ,, EXTREME SMOOTH AND QUITE

[@australianmade2659]

@@vegmanwrx2221 I just clocked 7500kms. Not a single issue. I changed the oil myself as I’d prefer to halve the service schedule

[@kimwilliams6104]

We have a 2017 base outback, never been serviced by subaru, every 5000klm i change oil, oil filter, clean upper cylinder and add injector cleaner, replaced serpentine belt have just completed 200,000klm..................lifetime average fuel consumption is 8 yes 8L per 100klm. And my wife does, but I dont spare the horses, the engine is wonderfully built and runs very smoothly, no hic ups. I, well we do watch the fuel meter to keep it in the green, other than when i go rogue and go to the paddles and sports mode and give it a "fang" and slip into boy racer/idiot mode but keeping it in the green zone has become automatic with us thus its easy to maintain 8L p100. BEST EVER WAS 6.4 L driving from Airlie Beach to home on the Sunny Coast but hey you think to move this thing you gotta fang it not so says the owner of this fantastic 2017 base Outback and aircon is permanently on to boot. Happy and safe driving

[@gogutzy]

why is everyone comparing this 2.5 gas to modern day passenger car engines - this should be compared to the 2.7 toyota or mitsubishi gas engines, and it's economical as heck

[@vjmtz]

The thing about fuel economy: Its on par with just about every non-hybrid out there by Honda and Toyota, + or - 1 mpg . Most car companies are dropping the fuel economy concerns on traditional engine drive trains and opting them for their hybrids, same with turbos. You get more HP and and better fuel economy without emission standard issues easily and people are more than happy to add $2k+ for it. Good by turbos and fuel economy improvements on all cars going forward with traditional engines (there's a reason why older cars did better here, but I won't bore ya)

[@lennyvalentinoSchiaretti_lvs]

Thanks for your review. I own an old Outback from 2008 with the same engine and manual gearbox. I would like to buy the new Outback but there are many things that I find a downgrade in comparison to mine (as well as many are an upgrade...): - the small open roof instead of a panoramic roof - the classic doors with frame, the frameless are really nice to see... - gearbox...oh god, why the cvt instead of a classic dual clutch...or even better a manual gearbox for the turbo model! That would be awesome!!! - engine...the idea to drive again the slow and loud 2.5 boxer in a heavier car...oh no, please! In live in Europe and we don't have the 2.4 Turbo model. Why not a modern diesel engine with about 200ps??? Subaru would sell this car like crazy with such an engine! - safety features...too many and too intrusive. They should leave the possibility to disable most of them (not every time you turn on the car...). - design...guys in comparison to my Outback this looks outdated! It is a bit bulky and any kind of elegance was lost.

[@RonaldKnapp-sx9bn]

I always wonder how the people get suchbad fuel economy with the Outback. In my expierence it is rather easy to get below 8l per 100km with summer tires and smooth driving. Even with my Yokohama G015 AT on it I'm not getting above 9l (50% Highway up to 130km/h, 30% overland up to 100km/h, 10% City, 10% offroad). The trick is not let the engine go above 2000 rpm when cruising (yes, not possible on Highways at high speeds)

[@coffeeaddictgaming2883]

So they brought the turbo engine and fuel economy is woefully worse with reports of 12l per 100km

[@makob3279]

Why it performs so poorly on fuel economy and acceleration when it looks so good? My Audi allroad with 2 l 250 HP gets from 0 to 100km /h in 7 sec and takes 7,5 l / 100km on average… was going to get one but test ride was so disappointing

[@user-uq7io2os3r]

Because it have thirsty boxer non efficient design engine 😕

[@frankpoperowitzmusic]

I have a 24 Onyx XT. Came out of a 4Runner. Didnt need all that truck and the fuel economy was atrocious. Coildnt be happier in my Outback. I think the 2.4T is necessay if you want to have "fun," with the car.

[@joshzhu9396]

2.4 turbo version got poorer fuel economy than NA. Well, this is not the point. the point is turbo needs drink 95 petrol, while NA only needs 91. if you are looking for a camp or road trip car and go around regional area or outback of Australia, I'm not sure but wanna ask, is it always an easy thing to find 95 or 98 petrol?

[@jorgeson3586]

We only got this generation of Subaru 2 years after the US, then we waited more for the turbo engine , please for god sake for your own good , bring the Wilderness version here to Australia , peopl will be lining up for it.

[@marciastevens7854]

What do you think about the battery draining issue? I LOVED my car until I didn't need to drive everyday and would go out in the morning to a dead car. I need something dependable that starts.

[@anonalpha1190]

You are a very rare bird. And not accusing you of being a Kiwi.

[@TMoua79]

Input on oil consumption.

[@Moistnmeaty90]

All Subaru’s consume oil. It’s the nature of the design. However, most of us consume about a liter every 5000km. Some consume considerably more. It’s the price we pay for wanting a Subaru

[@Jase583]

The oil consumption isn't that bad. Why do all the haters dwell on the oil consumption. Like all cars you should be checking the oils regularly any way and not waiting for the regular service to come up. It is very old to fill the oil.

[@mando1337]

@@Moistnmeaty90 That wasn't always the case. I had a 2003 Forester XT for 16 years never had to top it up. Mind you that was on a EJ engine. The whole "it's OK to burn oil" started with FB.

[@makob3279]

This is a car, which crosses my mind every time I want to buy a car. So every 3-4 years I’m going to Subaru dealer, take a test drive hoping that something has changed as I love overall capability of this car, but they keep on producing this sluggish powertrains with high fuel consumption….so I always enjoy the ride but buy something else. Last year I bought Audi Allroad which has same capabilities, but comes with punchy pleasing powertrain and great fuel economy from diesel engine. So Subaru what’s wrong with you?

[@colonelquickshifter6534]

I’ve dropped the hammer on a 2.4XT -

[@thedon9670]

3:21 well that didn't age well did it? The turbo XT economy is WAY worse at 12L/100km combined real world driving! The same as my Subaru WRX STi and Ford Mustang V8 were getting.

[@chasingcars]

No, we went on to test them back to back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZobZeYuFmpp2m8k

[@southernsandgroper3423]

Love the Subi Outback - but the biggest complaint I have is the shockingly poor lower lumbar back support. A five hour drive is literally a pain in the back!

[@daweigo6851]

How can you love a car that is uncomfortable 😟

[@hoanglongvo5077]

My outback touring trim has lumbar support.

[@Studat]

48k? where? top spec is 56k

[@biagiooliverio8049]

Love the front end of this version then the North American version

[@glennhu7732]

Would you choose this over the cx8?

[@TheChronicKarma]

That is certainly not a 1:1 comparison, it may be that I am in the US but a cx8 is an entire level bigger than the outback in the US at least.

[@dmitrijusciubinskis5156]

10k is nothing like long term...

[@Moistnmeaty90]

Exactly. Get back with me at 200.000km when the cvt has gone out, the engine leaks oil on the ground, and all of the components are cracking and failing in the heat and sun.

[@leedsmanc]

Unfortunately it boils down to the fact that I don't want algorithm assistance, I don't trust assistance, I think it's dangerous and distracting, and therefore this thing defaulting to having assistance on, means it would annoy me every single time I turned the key. Hard pass.

[@donnymac575]

Steering is on the wrong side 😀

[@theodociocozanitis5437]

The steering is on the right side , can’t u tell

[@ashishkumarmeena634]

Please booking

[@jra5599]

Why do all these journos put so much emphasis on power of the engine, this vehicle has ample power. You don't necessarily need a turbo engine in the outback, you generally just want one! Drive Safe P.S. I doubt very much the 2.4T would use less petrol than the 2.5 normally aspirated from all reports

[@joshm2604]

The turbo 2.4 from what I've read from the US is that it's pretty thirsty. It also requires 95 RON fuel in Australia which further adds to the running costs. Might make sense, if you're doing a lot of towing with it or highway work, but around town commuting it doesn't. Also the CVT kills the fun factor of the turbo IMO.

[@chasingcars]

I think that’s exactly the sentiment of this video though? The 2.5 is adequate, the 2.4T would be a nice to have. Not sure where the disagreement is.

[@kodessa]

I'd buy an Outback if we got the USDM front end, and not his snoozer of a look.

[@alien1366]

Having a subaru 4x4 to go to ikea wtf

[@beegonee]

Outback Last subaru thats is subaru..

[@ashishkumarmeena634]

Like you

[@MLife1972]

I've been a big fan of this channel from day one because I was tired of the 'blokey' car reviews in Australia. I'm glad you've expanded your stable of reviewers but I'm a little disappointed that with all the new recruits, the channel is overwhelmingly white men. I hope you can embrace more diversity in the future to help separate you from the other channels.

[@MaxFromSydney1]

The main purpose of this channel is doing a great job thoughtfully reviewing cars from an Australian perspective, not fighting for social justice. What’s stopping Aussies from diverse backgrounds from starting their own YT channel? Ah.. nothing except they’re likely too busy because of their career doing something else, possibly more lucrative than automotive journalism.

[@MLife1972]

@@MaxFromSydney1 Having diversity is not social justice or being woke. It's actually an opportunity - most of the car review channels in Australia are white men. Featuring women or folks from other backgrounds provides different perspectives on the car and that's good for everyone. Look at the UK channels where they have a range of presenters and they're all the better for it.

[@twodogswalking840]

@@MLife1972 "Go woke go you broke." Maybe Chasing Cars wants to survive and not follow the demise of wokeness. This isn't the ABC.

[@MLife1972]

@@twodogswalking840 Thanks for making my point for me.

[@Rick-kj9dd]

This car just looks so ordinary really. No command driving position. No colour coded bumpers. just Looks cheap!!

[@chasingcars]

The plastic bumpers are a feature, not an omission, and as for command driving position… it’s a station wagon. That’s the point