Subaru Outback Wilderness 2 year review - the GOOD and the BAD

[@lillo5353]

Great job! I've watched every Subaru outback KZbin video and you managed to keep it interesting.

[@thatdadvideo]

Thank you! I had a lot of fun with it. Might have to do more. :)

[@carmenmarcinkiewicz7149]

That is a mighty fine looking car! Im an "older" widow, and I'm in need of a new car..... im looking at Subaru, Toyota, and Honda. I appreciate videos such as yours, in trying to educate myself as much as possible. Thank you for taking the time an effort to make this!

[@thatdadvideo]

I appreciate the kind words. Thank you and best of luck on your car shopping journey!

[@kevinsterling8942]

You can very easily turn off that seatbelt alarm. All you have to do is put the car in accessory mode and push the seatbelt clip into the receiver 20 times in under 30 seconds. This will turn off that alarm.

[@thatdadvideo]

thx!! will try that

[@cschuetta]

Yes this works but the back seats still chime

[@trumpius_maximus47]

For the back seats, you have slap yourself in the face twenty times in fifteen seconds.

[@anthonyng3014]

The non-permanent seatbelt chime disable only works for the front 2 seats. If you try the 20 in 30 seconds method, make sure you keep trying if the first time fails because I did it identically three times with a timer and it only took hold after the 3rd. They also come back on after a head unit reset or battery disconnect. The rear seats need to be disabled through disconnecting the wires. A truly obnoxious system that Subaru implemented. When it chimes incessantly with increasing volume, it's no longer a friendly reminder. It's like I'm getting scolded by my own car. If it didn't void my warranty I would've ripped out the entire wire by now.

[@Callmedaddy1]

I picked up my wife’s family from the airport in Cincinnati and had to drive all the way to Lexington about 70 miles with that seatbelt chime on because the middle seat seat belt alarm. We finally found the middle seat belt on the ceiling when we got into Lexington it was the most annoying trip in the history of mankind. 😂

[@thatdadvideo]

good info. thx! And I agree. a total fail by subaru

[@thatdadvideo]

painful.

[@michaelbrown4613]

Subaru needs to add an item in their menu so you can adjust the volume and frequency of the chime … I’d prefer that to the disable … but I disabled mine too.

[@anthonyng3014]

@user-wp6vt6tt9f What do you mean by "back rests on it full time"? The reason the seat chimes is because it detects a carbon-based object on it based on capacitance like a touchscreen and if there's nothing in the seat belt plug, it assumes someone's sitting in the seat without the seatbelt so it obnoxiously screams at you until you put on your seatbelt. The problem is when there's a pet (which obviously you don't put on a seatbelt for) or if you're in a situation where you have to physically move your body without restriction while driving slowly through obstacles (which the Outback is designed for) and the seatbelt alarm simply goes air-raid siren mode throughout your journey. A big thank you to Subaru!

[@michaelbrown4613]

You can turn the chime off for seat belts! The dealer will do it for you … I forget the ridiculous formula, but it’s something like (with my 2021 Crosstrek Premium trim that has regular key) 1. Sit it driver seat 2. Set key to aux 3. Insert, detach, insert the driver seat belt 20x (I know🙈) in less than 30 seconds. Done. The chime leaves you alone! When you get a new battery you will have to do this again.

[@thatdadvideo]

Thx - will try it out!

[@JackHumphrey]

You can also try: 0 X X up down down left r1 r1 x 0 x

[@thatdadvideo]

😂

[@kjj_photos]

This sounds like one of those rumors kids tell each other on the playground about video game cheat codes lol Thanks for the tip, I'm going to try it in my Subaru soon.

[@MaxwellBenson80]

Fellow Massachusetts resident here , thanks for sharing your experience with us all. I live in the hill towns and have a mixed terrain commute to work. The first 5 miles are minimally maintained dirt / gravel the next 20 or so are a mix of rural paved roads and the pike. I think that this subaru would be the perfect commuter car for me. I hope you are enjoying the great weather we've been having lately!

[@thatdadvideo]

Yes indeed! And this would be an excellent choice of vehicle for your situation!

[@timflaherty2731]

Really liked this video. Very straight forward and informative. Currently researching different Subaru models so these types of videos definitely help narrow it down.

[@thatdadvideo]

Thank you! I had a lot of fun making it. Glad you found it helpful.

[@timflaherty2731]

@@thatdadvideo when you did the vinyl overlays over the yellow tow points, which shade of black did you select?

[@thatdadvideo]

@@timflaherty2731 Avery Satin Black. I like how they came out. I did debate the finish/shade for a while!!

[@du3223]

Great review. I have a 2023 OBW. I pretty much have had the same experience as you. I also blacked out the copper but the film on my roof rails bubbled after the summer heat. I’ve had the wireless charger replaced twice and it still does nothing but heat up the phone. I have two issues that concern me long term. First, the paint is very delicate. It’s like it was painted with a sharpie. Second, I’ve had to replace the sway bar bushings twice. First time it had just 700km on the clock and the second time it was at 15,000km less than a year later. It’s otherwise a great all round vehicle. I’ve had it on a road trip to Newfoundland, it takes me wherever I need to go for my volunteer gig on a search and rescue team and it’s been awesome through two Canadian winters.

[@thatdadvideo]

Thanks for sharing. Unfortunate on the sway bar bushings. Bizarre. Hoping you have moved past any additional issues!

[@1776-r4j]

Thank you. Really solid review!

[@markdamon77]

Traded up from a 23 to a 24. Love the heated steering wheel and HK stereo. My 2023 had a faulty Eye-Sight

[@thatdadvideo]

nice!!

[@lisamesicek9243]

Great insights! Thanks for sharing your experiences

[@thatdadvideo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@EnsignLeeDS9]

Am shopping for a 2022 Wilderness right now, THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!

[@thatdadvideo]

@EnsignLeeDS9 You are welcome. I am so happy this video was of value. Net net, its a great and very practical vehicle. (Probably why its my 4th Suby...)

[@teddyshreddy]

Great review! Your videos make reviews interesting to watch!

[@thatdadvideo]

I appreciate that! Thx

[@kjj_photos]

I have a 2023 Outback Wilderness and the Infotainment screen is my least favorite feature. I wish the climate control functions had physical buttons since the touch screen can be laggy and slow when the car first starts. (The safety disclaimer that shows up on the screen blocks out the climate controls and the slowness makes it hard to dismiss so the climate controls can be used). Sometimes the wireless Android Auto won't connect and I have to use the USB cable but I don't know if that's a problem with the car or my phone. The seatbelt chime is annoying, especially when I just want to move the vehicle to another spot in my driveway or yard real quick. Otherwise, I love everything about the car. I've taken it on 13 hour road trips and was super comfortable the whole time. I've taken it up rough forestry service roads in Colorado and it had no problem. I can't wait to take it out on some more challenging roads/trails but there aren't any publicly accessible ones near me. The best I can do are some rough Missouri backroads which my old sedan could handle just fine so I don't really get to push my outback to the limit. I'm 5'11" and can sleep comfortably in the back with the seats folded down. If I move the front passenger seat all the way forward, I can fit 7 ft boards in the car without needing them to go between the two front seats. I've pulled utility trailers to move furniture with it too. Overall, I agree with everything in this video and I am glad I purchased the OBW.

[@thatdadvideo]

appreciate the comment!

[@fishingandflyingwithtolley459]

I am getting 26.6 mpg on a 2024 outback wilderness

[@thatdadvideo]

wow! very impressive. where are you located? I ask as I'm curious if geography plays a big role in mpg

[@BusterKitten]

got the '22 Outback Limited, and love it but I wish I would have bought the wilderness... just because it looks cooler.

[@thatdadvideo]

that's a very nice vehicle as well!

[@hayleysaylespannone3461]

Love the color!!!

[@thatdadvideo]

thanks!

[@K03sport]

do you know if the wireless charger has its own fuse? can you pull it so it doesn't charge a phone but can still be used to store/place a phone?

[@thatdadvideo]

I do not know, it probably does. I'll investigate. good idea .thx!

[@teresasquibb8002]

I just put my phone in upside down and it doesn’t charge

[@thatdadvideo]

great idea!

[@deathmetal0073]

I would cover up those orange arrows as well, doesn’t look right. Also the wilderness tag on the door I would clip off, other than that it looks great.

[@thatdadvideo]

ya, I debated the door badge as well... hmmm...

[@davidmorgan9138]

Terrific review! Thanks

[@thatdadvideo]

Thanks for watching!

[@PreppySunset]

Love it great job 👏 😊

[@thatdadvideo]

Thank you! 😊

[@danielzapora6456]

great ! long term real user review

[@thatdadvideo]

thanks!

[@georgesayago9090]

thanks for all the information. can you tell me witch THULE bars you install on the car. Thanks

[@thatdadvideo]

Thule AeroBlade Edge. www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-aeroblade-edge-7503b-_-7503b You need one Med size and one Lrg size.

[@tarynmiller6252]

Does the 22 Wilderness have the built in / retractable cross bars?

[@thatdadvideo]

It does not, instead it comes from the factory with heavier duty side rails upon which you then need to add your own cross bars of choice. Subaru states the reason being that this enables you to carry more weight vs the retractable swing arms found on other Outback models.

[@suespony]

Considered the wilderness model, but the gas mileage is not good enough. Just ordered a 2025 limited edition outback

[@thatdadvideo]

That’s a very nice vehicle - enjoy!

[@smugglerscoveconsulting845]

As long as you test drove it. We have turbo the non turbo handled horribly for us. But yep you literally pay for the bad mileage. I get 20.2

[@understandthepeaches1025]

Was really considering before I heard you say 21-22mpg. ☹️.

[@thatdadvideo]

To be fair it’s been better this summer/early fall. More highway driving vs around town and I’m seeing about 24.5mpg

[@understandthepeaches1025]

@@thatdadvideo ok thanks. That’s a bit better. I have a 60 mile commute per day for work. Ford fusion hybrid right now. Like the mpg, but hate the performance (both the motor is weak and sucks in the snow) and seating position in a “car” is too low and bad for sciatica. Thanks for your review!

[@arthuryovino2289]

What octane gas do you use ?

[@thatdadvideo]

Regular. 87

[@Booster6969]

Can you give me the specs on the cross bars? Are they the same size front and back? I’m looking at the exact same ones because they are low profile and don’t stick out like the Thule Aero bars. I’ve seen some comments that touch should get different sizes front and back

[@thatdadvideo]

Hi! Thule AeroBlade Edge. You are correct, 2 different sizes required. Med and Large. See link. www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-aeroblade-edge-7503b-_-7503b

[@Booster6969]

@@thatdadvideothanks for the reply. That’s what I thought on the sizes. Thanks for confirming. I’m guessing the large is on the back and medium towards the front?

[@thatdadvideo]

@@Booster6969 I believe I used the 7503 bar for the front (longer) and the 7502 bar for the rear

[@Booster6969]

@@thatdadvideodoes it matter how far apart the bars are from one another? I have a Yakima NX16 box I’m going to install and want it to sit nicely in the middle of the roof

[@_c3zar19_]

Would you please share the part number for the roof rack Thule.

[@thatdadvideo]

www.thule.com/en-us/roof-rack/roof-racks-and-accessories/thule-aeroblade-edge-7503b-_-7503b You need one Med size and one Lrg size.

[@joker2100]

How do you get the AVH on the bottom home bar? My software is up to date.

[@thatdadvideo]

When the dealer updated my software the AVH was added to the home screen. The software version I now have is: f51xhm141-480. I'm not sure how else to add it. It may be tied to the software version type. It's worth asking your dealer

[@o2tank046]

Which vehicle would you buy now?

[@thatdadvideo]

Probably the Onyx XT. Lots of the same features I enjoy with the Wilderness but better MPG.

[@paultunison1606]

What did you use to blackout the bumper trim?

[@thatdadvideo]

Vinyl decals from Crux motorsports. I put the links in the video description.

[@petergozinya6122]

Hi Dave.

[@thatdadvideo]

hi!

[@yousufmirza1853]

In two years how many miles you have

[@thatdadvideo]

19,000

[@oxirosmusic]

I get 17mpg city driving

[@UWI-Anna]

I'm about to pull the trigger for a 2025 model.

[@thatdadvideo]

exciting!!

[@benwatts6361]

I just did. It’s killer.

[@jeseramirez9852]

@@benwatts6361I’m considering getting one too, what is it about it that you like the most ?

[@YWUBHYD]

I so wish I could!!!

[@seppopeuranen345]

OR, you can just wear the seatbelt. It is a safety feature if you didn't know.

[@thatdadvideo]

100%! But think about when you put an item on back seat, or the moments between turning on car and before you click your seatbelt on, etc. My point is that the chime is a bit much.

[@michaelstarr1285]

No wireless car play? Trade that in for a 2024 and take 20k loss.

[@thatdadvideo]

😂

[@masquetrofo7358]

With 6rel manual trasmission it would be my car. @subaru 😂

[@thatdadvideo]

I'm with you - I so so so wish it was a MT. My first outback was and I really enjoyed it

[@cbxxb4841]

The first 1:20 minutes of this is a waste of my time. Producers, please respect our time.

[@thatdadvideo]

Appreciate the feedback - I'm new to creating videos on KZbin and so still learning.

[@du3223]

Didn’t even notice. People need to relax and show so e restraint in their critical comments.

[@itspitza]

lol relax and fast forward.

[@johnniematthews]

@@thatdadvideoyou’re all good man, I just ordered a 2025 Wilderness and appreciated your content.