Subaru Outback Onyx XT: 12-Hour, 800-mile West Coast Roadtrip

Ryan drives from Seattle to San Francisco in the 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx XT. Along the way he judges economy, comfort and tech. Can he complete the drive in less than 12 hours?
#subaru #roadtrip
CONTENTS
00:00 - Washington
09:05 - Oregon
24:30 - California
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[@truthxbexheard1]

I needed to buy a vehicle since my Tacoma was totaled. Never considered the outback until it was given to me as a rental from enterprise. I ended up going to my local Subaru and test driving an onyx XT.... fell in love with it and purchased it the next day.

[@wuming9151]

Can you tell me more about driving experience about onyx xt Is it a boring thing about its cvt transmission

[@ryanlikeshiking]

I totalled my Tacoma last year around this time, got myself a 2020 Forester and love it! Glad ur okay

[@dirkcurritzki9585]

@@wuming9151 power delivery is very smooth. Zero low RPM jerkiness. Probably not that responsive. But if you test drive cars like rdx or lexus rx, they are at least not more responsive than the outback, which actually surprised me.

[@wuming9151]

@@dirkcurritzki9585 thank you

[@jcoats5529]

Same. Totalled my Tacoma as well. Bought a Crosstrek. Love it.

[@Marco-ce8kr]

More like this. Real numbers and facts

[@zacharydehart5597]

Lol if only he could get his geography straight.

[@motoace2007]

@@zacharydehart5597 Tough crowd

[@toinfinity6213]

I’m from Europe and this is amazing

[@BusterKitten]

nothing like going on a road trip and getting an honest account of MPGs and comfort in a particular vehicle. This video has helped me greatly on the choice of my next (and because of my age, my final) vehicle. I've watched as many videos from you guys and others covering the attributes of the different Subaru models. I'll be getting a 2022 Subaru Outback Limited. Thank you for your channel.

[@drivingsports]

Thanks for watching Jim!

[@WatchTheJoeChannel]

Did you end up with an XT or the regular 2.5? I want longevity although I hope its not my last vehicle I don't want to drop in my early 60's :)

[@BusterKitten]

we got the 2.5. Don't need a turbo, and the 2.5 goes as quick as I want to. Completely satisfied with our choice.@@WatchTheJoeChannel

[@J-Allen19]

bookmarked. We just bought a 2021 Onyx, fully loaded. Still less than 800 miles on it. We (from St. Louis) also recently drove from Seattle to San Francisco, down the 101, so I'm looking forward to this video! Only had a cheap rental for the trip, but I'm already itching to drive out that way in the subaru.

[@underdog8896]

Did you get the tow hitch?

[@eddiewillers77]

Why did I watch this??? And why do I want more?

[@eddiewillers77]

Sir, what do you think of the infotainment screen? Some reviewers have said it's useless. True?

[@toinfinity6213]

Same here, and I’m from Europe😅

[@oldwelshwitch]

“Well I went to school.. In Olympia” a Hole song but relevant lol. also what?! You went to school with Carrie Brownstein! How cool! Loved that backstory. Loving your channel, TY for the great content & in depth reviews!

[@AndrewCurry42]

I have a 2018 OB 3.6R Touring. Christmas 2018, I drove from MD to southwest FL and back - about 2150 miles total. The OB handled and drove like a dream. Adaptive cruise worked great. I averaged 31.5 MPG the whole way there and back.

[@ShoumikKundu]

A few years ago our family did Boston to Toronto in a rental Subaru Legacy limited with eye sight, it truly was a very comfortable cruiser

[@props651]

I love and hate Eye Sight. My favorite part is that adaptive cruise control.

[@KumarChalla]

Great video! As a side note, there is an update to the car's infotainment that now enables full screen Car Play support. Next time you are at the dealer, ask them to apply TSB 15-261-20R to your car.

[@FoYo1005]

Thank you for doing these longer drive reviews of comfort, something each owner will one day contend with.

[@MrPaddy51]

I have an ‘05 Outback with the H6 and have recently done a 5,400km road trip from the south of New Zealand to the north and back. Fantastic touring vehicle, with the added bonus of being able to explore beach runs, river tracks and rough roads.

[@exia989]

This is such a great sales pitch for the car, knowing how something feels putzing around town is one thing but to hear how it does on a long trip is great! Also, really like the color combo with the wheels

[@benoit.b9337]

Would be great if we could see more of these long trips, granted there is likely to be very few but I would still absolutely watch them.

[@drivingsports]

Posted two recently with the Crosstrek Wilderness. Wanted to make sure you didn’t miss them. 😉

[@benoit.b9337]

@@drivingsports Thanks, I've really been enjoying these types of vids. I know they must take a lot of time and effort (and $$$).

[@jmora615]

Drove my 2020 Subaru onyx green in color across America from Chicago to Moab Utah and back it was a dream what a great vehicle. Approximately 3,400 miles.

[@jmora615]

Thanks for the ❤️

[@jagadishtikkisetti3909]

Nice video, I watched the other Onyx XT off-road videos which are really good. I bought 2021 Onyx XT one month ago and already had 1400miles on it in 45 days. I love this one it did the job great even on icy patches on the mountain roads in Virginia.

[@hotsaucebone]

I just got one yesterday. Hopefully it’s reliable enough. I am nervous

[@anthonyanhcongtran709]

Watched four times now! Definitely need more of this amazing, engaging, and interesting content with the Subaru Outback. Go road trips!

[@23CrazyAsian]

You have a really great skill in presenting information, this was honestly a pretty long video of just driving, but you provided some really great insight on driving, places and anything in general!

[@fleuger99]

Great vid. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it. You mentioned an E-class, I have a 2020 E450 wagon which is a wonderful long distance cruiser. Took delivery in Akron OH and drove the 1340 miles home to Austin TX in two days and never did I feel uncomfortable or sore. I was also averaging 25.2mpg, real number calculated with fill ups not using the car's computer. Looking at the OB Onyx for my wife. Keep the great vids coming.

[@santiagohjsa]

I don't know why I enjoyed this so much 😁 Great info, great camerawork, nice video as always! I'd definitely love more road trip videos like this one (=

[@NitroRoo]

Enjoyed road tripping with you! Just bought one of these and very impressed with the comfort already!

[@eskieman3948]

Ryan, when I first looked at the title and the length (in time) that this video would take, I wasn't expecting to watch much of it. I was wrong: watched the whole video, and it was interesting AND useful. I just ordered a '22 Outback XT Limited (abyss blue pearl w/Titanium interior) a week ago, and after hearing all of the 'horror' stories regarding the turbo engine, I decided to see what you got during your trip. Seems to be pretty reasonable considering the terrain you encountered. I expect I'll do better down around the Land of the Mouse, but the wife & I expect to do some serious traveling across the USA after we get our new ride. Thanks for a unique, useful video, and props to your video gear - nice setup!

[@m3trooper]

This was a very enjoyable video, and it made me even more jealous that my brother just got a 2021 Outback XT Touring.

[@AndresK5Blazer]

A lot of years ago I did Seattle - Park City, UT twice, alone in a fully loaded 1998 Subaru Legacy TW. I realized how good the seats were.

[@railfanatic1416]

By tw, you mean touring wagon? Yeah, 2nd gen 2.5GTs are pretty good, had a 97 postal wagon rhd with the ej22, one hell of a reliable car

[@rbielarski]

Loved this! So cool seeing the different states & tid-bits you mentioned. The Outback is certainly a comfortable long distance cruiser.

[@eganfo]

I’m so glad you talked about the Vanport story. It’s quite interesting. I’ve done that Seattle to SF drive 2-3 times, but only once in one day. It’s a haul.

[@empeamparo4501]

Watching this video , again and again for I like to take a long driving trip with A Subaru Ascent in the future like this trip. This is good real review of Subaru Outback onyx T. Thank you Ryan- Driving sports.

[@kevinchakkalakkal6740]

was really cool to see someone also from the greater Seattle area produce quality content like this! Keep more of it coming!

[@user-zy5je6oe9q]

really enjoy watching this, felt like having a trip with you, Good job!

[@ebshadow89]

Oh man the nostalgia of you holding your breathe over that bridge reminded me of doing the same as a kid. Been watching your channel for a while and had no idea you were a local. Love the great content.

[@livinginwilderness7913]

With all those safety features, you can for sure hold your breath and even pass out. Love your work. You got a new subscriber. Keep it up.

[@racso5628]

7:41 Nice. I just got a 2021 Onyx and I LOVE it. So smooth to drive and comfortable.

[@raksh9]

That scene with you holding your breath going across the bridge! 😂

[@eddiechavez6095]

Thank you for the video. Just got a 2021 Outback XT and traded in my 2018 Mercedes C300 4Matic. The ride is so much better, the C300 had HVAC issues with collecting condensation and it would smell after a couple of months. Dealership would clean it out and it would smell a few weeks later. Wife is happy with the XT package and the navigation is way better than the Benz.

[@drivingsports]

That’s great to hear. On a sidenote the latest augmented reality navigation available in the Mercedes is pretty incredible.

[@eddiechavez6095]

@@drivingsports We had the navigation updated once and it was telling me I was driving on water when I was going over a bridge 🤣🤣🤣

[@nathanspence4859]

Love the video. Real trip stats. U do great videos anyways. Thank u so much for putting in the time in between 2 jobs. Merry Christmas Ryan to u and ur family.

[@jimmacmurdo355]

Outstanding! Please do more of these extended drives.

[@williams_57]

Great video. This should be a series. Question: How did you get the exterior driving shots?

[@drivingsports]

All exteriors were re-shoots.

[@abdollahgilani4119]

Thank you for this and your other videos. I have a basic 2018 Outback with normal 2.5 liter engine. On trips between LA and SD , I get 36 mpg at about 2000 rpm and at 70 mph, except when merging or passing. Your turbo uses more. It is also good to have a 12 V water boiler to make hot coffee or soup on trips rather than spend long time in drive through lines in these pandemic times. Best to you!

[@briantobin7589]

First video with you and it was great. Also great seeing someone from the Seattle area doing reviews.

[@Golddragon214]

I noticed you don't have full screen Apple maps. I have full screen on my 2020 Onyx after a soft ware update. Check with your service department for an update that gives you a much better experience with the head unit.

[@ChristinaHebert]

I got the Forester in April and drove from San Francisco area to Arizona, by myself. Adaptive cruise and lane keep assist were what saved me from turning around a few times. I could turn on cruise control, keep safe pace with traffic, and as needed, lane keep assist. Especially for those long stretches down and back up highway 5, it really helped me from getting fatigued. I may or may not have utilized lane keep assist to give me two hands to open a soda or bottle of water while traveling too. 😁

[@fakeappellation7343]

My 2020 forester has had an issue with the thermo valve, and it only has 25 000 miles on it. Many other forester and 2.5 outback owners have had this same issue and many people think it's not an "if" but a "when" issue. It cost CAD $3,500 to change the faulty piece under warranty. I think it would have cost somewhere between CAD $1,500-2,000 were it not under warranty. I'm now thinking about switching to a 2024 outback limited XT because I'm worried it will break again.

[@lemonsojuicy]

Thanks for the video. It was just what I was looking for before my trip with the same Outback.

[@MichaelHartlein]

Love the scenery along the way on your trip. I live in TN and have never driven in that area before. Beautiful country out there.

[@zeroelus]

A week late but yes, more like this please. Between pandemic and young kids who wouldn’t handle a long road trip I’m kind of not able to do one rn, but I’m soo ready for taking my Outback on one.

[@robertpoirier1703]

Def more like this. I'm between this and either a Toyota rav4 hybrid xse or the prime in a few years when the used costs go down. Long road trips in store so any real world driving videos always nice to see. As always well done! Hope to see many more from the long term xt

[@hungryboy424]

Loved how 13mins in the car changed from outback to legacy in your chat ;) Otherwise great information video. Loved it !

[@neon9152]

Currently car shopping and seeing this channel and all of these cars in real world conditions around my home feels pretty good to watch.

[@ahsahm]

I watched every minute. More like this. I live in Portland and have done the Portland to Seattle I5 corridor drive probably 50+ times. I enjoyed some of your history lessons. I enjoyed hearing about the car. I would LOVE for you to do a road trip to the Olympic Peninsula in a Subaru Ascent. DO IT!! This video definitely made me go on a road trip!

[@larkinoo]

I purchased a 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT w/ the 2.4 litre engine and I am loving my car. Truly a " great " car ! Enjoyed this vid as I live in Oregon and have been on all the roads you filmed on.....including Wash., OR, and Calif.

[@MIkegrimm2]

Good comments/observations on the road trip review.

[@virulentSI]

It was fun watching you driving for 12 hours. I felt like I was with U all the way through

[@chrisbennett1037]

Thanks for some memories of a similar drive back when i was in the Military.. Drove from just south of Susanville CA up to Medford Oregan then back down 101 PCH from Medford to San Fran. hit the Redwood forest ,Crescent city ,Klamath,Eureka, great time. Im also currently looking at the XT Outback or the Outback Wilderness.. Currently in a 2020 forester. What I noticed is in Subarus(Foresters and Outbacks) is that with the N/A 2.5 engine combined with the CVT they are underpowered and sluggish... BUT with the Turbo/XT versions and CVT that stops them from being sluggish and wakes them up a bit.. So now looking to upgrade to a 22 or 23 Outback Wilderness or XT Outback.

[@HenryLo]

Hey, great video, I was really looking for this. Still waiting for a chance to do a road trip with my outback... great narration as usual. I can see you guys haven’t updated your infotainment yet... totally worth it. Full screen CarPlay for the win!

[@nicoleundercuffler8743]

Curious, looking at the outback and concerned with the infotainment center and a lot of the jobs now obsolete. what do you love/hate about this seat warmers, heat/ac, defrost etc?

[@nicoleundercuffler8743]

*knobs

[@pashersil]

It's about 15% heavier than the Crosstrek and higher too. Consumption is multiplied by the frontal profile (silhouette size) and because aero is so much worse under the vehicle, ground clearance has the effect of increasing the profile. Between Toronto and Chicago at 65mph with very little wind, I got 38 mpg in a 2018 Outback with the 22.5i engine. For the complete 5,000 miles between Toronto, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and back with some driving in town as well, my total for the trip was 29mpg. Fully loaded. Oh, and Winter tires.

[@averagejohnsportscards]

Great video many thanks. More video road trips for sure!

[@larissamatthews9700]

Classic pnw challenge! And that bridge is definitely a hard one to do! Love it!

[@andrewhinojosa4517]

Love those wheels and tires and the color of the outback

[@empeamparo4501]

I agree , more of this road trip videos, love nature’s. This is real subie review. Happy days, Ryan . !!!

[@Trebber]

12:40, did you briefly switch cars from an outback to a legacy? 😉

[@topnineshow]

Loved the hold your breath across the bridge bit 😜🤠😂😂. Childhood memories!

[@Rickzolla]

I bought an Outback for my trips from Los Angeles to Butte, Montana. Very satisfied with mileage and driving comfort.

[@george736]

Love road trip videos . keep it up Sir!!!!!

[@kevinhannah8636]

Just completed a similar trip in a 2021 Forester Sport. Drove from Salem, OR to Tucson, AZ in 24 hours. MPG for the total trip of approx 1,450 miles was 30. Very comfortable car, seats are comfortable and no leg or hip pains. Drove via Klamath Falls, Susanville, Reno, Las Vegas, Phoenix to Tucson. Best mileage was 34 mpg from LV to Tucson, 453 miles. Started with 373 miles on the odometer and my last gas fill up was 1827. Better mpg and seat comfort than my 2005 Forester X, which I still have and love. The forester X manual is a great tow vehicle behind a motorhome. Great video.

[@dannytse8767]

I remember I once drove from Reno to Vegas in our family's 2005 V6 Toyota Highlander. Very comfortable, but once it hit 70 mph, the has mileage nosedived. Barely able to achieve 20 mph.

[@danielsingleton3576]

I love this kind of content. Great job.

[@JimmyG3237]

My wife and I have been leaning toward the Outback for our next vehicle purchase. We've never driven an Outback so this video was very helpful! I would like the turbo for sure, not sure how the level of trims go from Touring to Limited, Premium etc... We will be driving the Outback from Indiana to Florida and Tennessee for vacation trips. Very sharp vehicle! Thanks for the road trip review! 👍👍👍

[@loumacuser]

Fantastic video. We have travelled those roads multiple time from Pleasant Hill to Blaine. Agree with another comment this can be a series.

[@alexanderh.999]

Love the video. I am most likely going to buy this outback so it's nice to have long road trip type of review about it. Sanitize everything other people touches. Lol

[@joeyforgiven1069]

great video,mine is 2020 Limited XT and I’m planning on a road trip from New Jersey to San Francisco this summer. I really love the CarPlay and the google map is very useful.

[@yashabaral9302]

Just discovered this channel. I'm liking it so far. I might subscribe😁

[@euckilla]

Just did a trip in Oct. from SF bay area to Eugene OR, and back, in one go to drop my kid off at U of O. Due to the fires going on at the time, in addition to the pandemic, all the nearby hotel rooms were full of refugees thus the round trip.I borrowed my Mom's 2015 Outback for the trip and I can't begin to tell you how impressed I was with that vehicle. I can definitely see why they are so popular. Almost 20 hours on the road and honestly, I could of kept going. lol

[@agentleebs]

That’s my style of traveling too - 800 miles in the left lane 👍👍 Years ago I strained my back (muscle) on vacation, luckily I had an ‘02 WRX, THE most comfortable place for me to sit!

[@michaeldemarco9950]

“House of Muscle” ! I love the episode on the 1960 Starliner (my altimeter favorite car).

[@indiromerovic8545]

You are the best ,like your detail car tests,i learn a lot from you,thanks a lot😁😎 (sorry for my English language😬,i hope you understand me😁)

[@donaldogerber8378]

Love your video, the Mountain you can see from I5 near Medford is Mt McLoughlin, located between Medford and Klamath Falls, (Oregon Hwy 140)

[@Skunked68]

Fun trip with you. Something to do in winter & COVID times. We just got a Touring with no turbo. Our 6th Suubie in like 3 decades. Would love to see you repeat with standard motor and compare fuel economy.

[@lilkiff]

More of this... Having a lazy Sunday afternoon and watching this was a total pleasure.

[@ronmucci3331]

Thanks for a great video....I'm considering the Outback Onyx XT...looking for a 2022 model. Currently have a 2020 Nissan Murano and the zero gravity seats are amazing..hopefully the Subaru seats will be as good.

[@Surfnpuff77]

Enjoyed the video! I want to see more challenging off road trail videos for the outback.

[@drivingsports]

We're just waiting on snow. Should be filming another piece with it next week.

[@cwescapexlt4x4]

I liked it, as someone that has a Limited XT i was glad to see similar MPG's with non-OEM tires.

[@billderas3420]

Yes, in 1970, I raced at Portland International Raceway; and, about half of the course was on former city streets with curbing, sidewalks and manhole covers from the old days. By the mid-seventies, the race course was completed as a proper racetrack. During those early days, there was the potential to land in the lake located next to the back straight; so, there was a suited-up scuba diver present during the races. Earned my first SCCA racing trophy at that track!

[@michaelking42]

That's great additional info, pretty neat to hear about.

[@KP-rd8we]

Holding breath across the bridge -lolllll. Take my like and subscription

[@hahahahah8396]

Thank you I got one as well. 2020 great car! Please do more outback video!

[@sonnycruz7032]

Nice! My family and I did a 2,500 mile cross country drive in our 2020 Onyx with a Yakima box on top and a loaded 4x8 enclosed trailer. I was averaging in the 20s for most of the drive. Fuel economy only dropped into the teens when we were driving into headwinds through Oklahoma and Texas. It was so comfortable for the four of us that we were stopping pretty much just to fuel up.

[@WatchTheJoeChannel]

How is the XT engine and problems?

[@alextodd4587]

Love the video!

[@timflaherty2731]

Really enjoy these videos. We love our Subarus!

[@pilot1226]

Thanks for posting this! I have an Onyx XT on order that should be in by the end of the year. Driving a 2019 Forester Premium and the seats aren’t the most comfortable but I like the car aside from that. Glad to hear that the adaptive cruise works well. My hardest decision now is to get a roof box or roof basket for all my beach stuff! 4 Subies in a row and counting...

[@sl5932]

how are you liking your onyx xt?

[@snowysysadmin59]

I might have said before but: I had a loader 2018 Forester and it had all the doodads! So i really tested them out. I wanted to test the lane keeping assist and autostopping/going feature. I stayed behind a vehicle for a solid 3 miles or so and didnt touch the gas, brake or steering wheel the whole time. the car just followed the car in front of it, kept it in the lane and did its job. Oviously i kept my hands within 3 inches of the wheel at all times and was ready for anything in case something were to happen where i have to take over but regardless, their system works incredibly well.

[@igor-rp5mw]

We get 510 miles fuel range in our 23 Forester Sport. And if hyper mileage is practiced it can do 570. Rear seats do recline a bit, quiet. In snow and ice conditions and with winter tires this Forester does the speed limit no problems when others do 20 mph with flashers in interstates. If you hit a too slick spot- the traction control straightens you up quick. It is still very inexpensive vehicle that can do it all!

[@rightlanehog3151]

Ryan, Thanks for taking us along for the trip. As you mentioned, 70+ mph will cost substantial mpg. With the Outback, Subaru seems to be the only company that can sell a high volume of wagons in the USA so I hope they also bring the Levorg/Impreza wagon some day . To up their CAFE numbers they could also sell their 'major stakeholder's' 50 mpg, AWD, Hybrid Corolla wagon with a Subaru badge. FYI another Toyota 'partner' Suzuki is already re-badging the Corolla Hybrid wagon as the Swace in Europe. ;-)

[@DaddyDan77]

I wish they'd just drop the Suspension on the Outback about 3 in and sell me a Legacy wagon.

[@K03sport]

... Agree with Daniel. Subaru really needs to bring back the legacy GT wagon of the mid-2000s (w/manual of course). A Spec-B wagon would be awesome.

[@neftv1]

Just happen to catch up to this video. I like the road trip almost felt like I was in the passenger seat. This is better than watching the news.

[@MrSteve280]

A different, real world video. Well done.

[@wafflesnfalafel1]

looks great in blue and with that wheel/tire package

[@johnnychen9897]

For once, Ryan didn't go to the nearest Starbucks.

[@K03sport]

...no, he chose one 11 hours to the south. ☕

[@amw2822]

Hey sometimes you just need to roadtrip to grab a good cup of joe

[@cardient]

More videos like this. just love it

[@juliussmith4001]

I needed this road trip thank you until the next RT,

[@OjiKree]

Can you do a update on the tires. I've been interested since you did the tire swap months ago. Pros and cons. Thanks. Great channel.

[@MyAlexWest]

to all who is interested- oregon one of a few states where you are not allowed fill up tank. it must be regular worker!!! nice to see you pal, used to live around crossroads in Bellevue, worked for big company w/ 'small name'

[@dmitriykravchenko7706]

Thank you! Nice trip 🙂 Very interesting for people who are not from US I think, roads, nature, various states, fuel prices. Hi from Ukraine 👋

[@mrketo7077]

🇨🇦

[@mrketo7077]

Dobre

[@januarsoepangat]

Can’t wait for you guys to demo the Wilderness Outback

[@whesley1028]

I noticed you fill up with regular despite this outback being equipped with a turbo. I've always been told and experience better performance and longevity on forced induction motors using premium. Do you not feel that premium fuel is necessary for current turbo motors?

[@hkbenedictma]

I have done the Portland vancouver BC route multiple times and I actually miss the drive. and I like full service stations in Oregon!

[@gkky997]

More trips like this, pls... Tq! Only way to test and enjoy a car.