Subaru X-Mode Explained

How does the X-Mode technology help your Subaru ascend and decent off-road trails? In this video, Brendan explains the different features of X-Mode and how best to use it off the beaten path.
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Host: Brendan Hancock
Production: Andrew Mueller

[@claudyfocan731]

I live in Belgium (where we got shitty weather..) and we bought a Subaru Outback 5y ago to replace our BMW 530 touring, it has performed wonderfully! We go skiing 3x a year in Italy and Switzerland, since we avoid large commercial skiing stations we often go deep into the mountains to ski resorts that only the locals know. With our RWD BMW we often had to use chains on top of its winter tyres to get up the mountains (that weren’t cleared of snow) it did always get there using raw power and some skilled driving 😂 But with the Subaru? Fitted with Nokian winter tyres? Its a beast, its like its on rails. It drives through a snowy pass at 70kph without flinching for a second. It drives like its on rails! 40cm of snow? It just plows through it. Also in the rain? Its like its on rails. Bloody amazing! You don’t see many Subaru’s in the EU, but in the mountains of Germany there are plenty. Same with Switzerland, plenty of Subaru’s everywhere. During our visit in Canada we were also pleased to see that they are quite popular at the other side of the pond 🙂 I think they are really nice, practical and strong cars. It does not have the Turbo straight 6 grunt of the BMW, nor the comfort or interior quality. But it cost us half as much and pulls through everything that has been thrown at it so far. Love it!

[@Doc1855]

A lot of people here in the PNW have Falken Wildpeak tires for year round use and they’ll hit you on about 1 mpg but the traction is very good, even with our deep snowy roads and freeway’s

[@TheRealPolly]

Hiho from Glen Haven, near Estes Park! You crack me up, Brendan. Your videos are da bomb! IF I ever upgrade from my 2018 Outback Limited, I'm coming to Groove Subaru!

[@whiteclarence6958]

This was AN X-CELLENT REVIEW.

[@bobbybarebear7207]

I just got my Subaru X mode today in I love it

[@tommongelli2186]

Love your videos! I have an Ascent, please keep it up.

[@Jmaninaz1]

Great review! Just gorgeous scenery, but then again, it is Boulder! How many pounds of air did you let out of the tires? I have heard of this technique before but was not sure how much air to let out Thank you and keep the great reviews coming--the Forester is not meant for Jeep rock-crawling trails, of course, but for the vast majority of people who want to get to some cool places, this should do the trick, especially if you put some good all-terrain tires on it

[@cgrsworld]

I was wondering the same. What did they air down to??

[@jeffjames736]

Thanks for the information, but also I was able to see the interior of the new Forester for the first time. The dealer didn't have any in stock until January. Wish you had show the dial for the x-mode :)

[@BimmerWon]

Would putting the car into regular x-mode and turning off traction control be the same thing as deep snow and dirt mode in cars with only 1 x-mode?

[@mpetrides]

Would be nice to have a video showing snow/dirt vs deep snow/mud mode in snow conditions. You mentioned the key difference (traction control off with deep snow/mud setting) but a demo of that capability in snow would be nice, especially for folks who don’t drive on back roads in snow all that often. FWIW, my 2019 Forester Sport is terrific on my steep back road in snow and ice, as well as during Mud Season. I use both X-mode settings all the time going up hill and, more importantly, to avoid slippage going downhill.

[@moonsapling]

Its basically what X-mode with TRC off was in the older models. Still if you want wheel slip turn both X-mode and TRC off!

[@mpetrides]

@@moonsapling Sorry for the confusion. I was using slippage in the colloquial manner, meaning to avoid sliding off the road going downhill--as in to avoid slip/sliding down the hill. My bad.

[@moonsapling]

@@mpetrides oh I see! Also as you are a Subaru owner too, make sure to change that CVT fluid every 35k miles!

[@mpetrides]

@@moonsapling Thanks for the reminder. I'll put it on my white board.

[@colbs7625]

Marian Petrides these guys show a good deep snow x mode example. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIaXiH-ZZ7tggq8

[@Ford3svinhphuc]

What camera you are using for backview, anti vibration so good

[@DavidDLee]

Where is the deep snow or mud? I only see a road which you said is nothing too crazy. This is not a challenging road, probably even for a FWD vehicle with enough ground clearance. Show us how it can handle challenging stuff!

[@alexandersupertramp7353]

Before I got my 11' Forester, we used my fiance's 18' Kia Forte as our adventure vehicle. I crossed dry river beds, and went into more extreme areas than this video shows. And that thing only had about 4" of clearance! It would be nice to know its limitations, and not that it can drive down a rocky road, and watch the sidewall flex on the deflated tires 😂😂😂

[@WLEE100]

I enjoyed the explanation of XMode. Deep snow Demo ? : Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIaXiH-ZZ7tggq8

[@Bluesnowman101]

I am buying a 2018 Outback tomorrow. That prob doesn’t have X mode correct? How much tire pressure would you do with icy road? Snow road? Regular road?

[@ntme9]

3:50 Are you sure it works like this? If the vdc is a function of the brakes applying force to the wheel of less resistance to make all wheels pull and traction control "on" applies brakes to prevent wheel spin then how do they work at the same time? I though traction control limited throttle input to the engine.

[@Doc1855]

If you air down your tires then you’ll have to drive somewhere so you can air them back up once you get off the bumpy or deep snow road

[@MrJo2trs]

Excellent Video. What is the tires psi measurement for this terrain?

[@csevimli]

Why Ascent doesn`t have deep snow or mud option and only Xmode we have>???

[@oceantri]

Can x mode be used while descending a hill in first gear or keep it in automatic?

[@frankmartinez6880]

How is the forester sport in sand.

[@SureFeelsGood]

How is the outback xt versus the forester for snow? considering them or a rav4 hybrid or sorrento..all 2021

[@garomimaryan8242]

Would it be possible to install run-flat tires on a 2019 Forester? If so, which brand is recommended?

[@hendrahendra]

Yes its possible, but don't do it, it will ride like a wheelbarrow.

[@Itsallindica]

Can I put 17” wheels on a 2019 Forester Limited?

[@natecurrier]

Yes. Look at TireRack, search for your vehicle and you’ll see plenty of 17” options. Have fun!

[@DL-rx7pj]

Yokohama GO15's are great!! I put them on my 2018 outback.

[@SureFeelsGood]

Do you need xmode on for hill descent control to kick in?

[@PQR5CHE]

In our Ascent you do, so think yes in this Forrester as well...

[@SureFeelsGood]

So what should one do in a foot of snow if they only have regular x-mode? I just ordered a premier xt in canada which I think only comes with regular x-mode. Is it better to turn regular x-mode on or just leave it normal when in deep snow?

[@deanmyersonable]

You turn VDC off, which really is all the deep snow mode is.

[@andrewbroadfoot6195]

The Forrester will be my next car. Thank you for explaining X Mode. I do have a question. How do you use the engine to slow the Forrester down when you are descending on a freeway? Say like from Genesee to Golden on I-70? Since I haven’t owned a CVT I’m not sure how this would work.

[@swgrantimus]

I know that the Forester Sport has shifting paddles if you need more finegrained control over the CVT. Not sure about the others.

[@bombappetit]

My own experience on highways going downhill 60-90 km/h, I just activate adaptive cruise, set the speed to my preference, and it'll do the job.

[@andrewbroadfoot6195]

Thank you guys! I’m March of 2021 I got a Forrester Limited with the paddles and I absolutely love the adaptive cruise control. Especially on elevation changes

[@WeiK0]

Do I need a xmode to drive on the Beach? For the 2021 Forester Base model, there is no x mode.

[@deanmyersonable]

Mostly I think you just turn VDC off, beach sand being like deep mud.

[@WeiK0]

@@deanmyersonable thanks~~!!

[@craigshannon5687]

It’s Winter here in Colorado now what about snow / ice the advantages of X mode? Fine with trail mode but not applicable for several month’s here

[@a.j.vonregensburg2498]

Need some snow or at least some hills to show this

[@dukenukem9770]

If X-Mode Deep Snow/Mud turns off traction control, how is it different than just turning X-Mode off?

[@deanmyersonable]

It's like turning VDC off, which is different than turning x mode off.

[@pismomann]

off road test drive with window sticker lol

[@tinhinnh]

Nismo Forester. “Xmode” basically crawl control

[@cesarb3]

It doesnt get mid 30’s mpg. Mid 20’s at best. Nothing close to what Subaru claims it gets on overall mpg.

[@mr2ti41]

This is true. I used to get high 20s and even dip into low 30s when I first got my 2019 Touring. I hit 40 once on a long highway. Now I’m getting 23-25.. if I’m lucky I’ll get 26!

[@shades3475]

@@mr2ti41 23? What are u guyz doing with the trottle??? Recently I got an e-Boxer Forester 1st Edition (yeah mouth full, I know) and according to reviews the "e" is e-boxer is a joke (which I can agree to on some parts) and it's more thirsty then it's predecessor. But is got an avg of 7ltr/100km highway/suburban (and Subaru claims is does 8.2ltr/100km). That's about 33miles to the gallon? Clearly.. When you buy a Subaru you are not buying it because it the most fuel-economic car.. You buying a Subaru because you WANT a Subaru.. Don't start complaining about fuel-consumption afterwards. Besides, for a car this weight and lack of aerodynamics an avg of 33miles to the gallon is not bad. I must say - I owned Ford Mondeo's since I got my license 30years ago and finally.. finally! I got myself a Forester last month and I enjoy every single minute in it. Only real "problem" is the small fuel-tank which holds only 45 liters due to the battery-pack. So effective range is only about 550km - bit more but you want margin - riding on fumes doesn't make the car happy

[@mr2ti41]

@@shades3475 I've been driving like an old lady for years. I doubt it's my driving habits. But just to be clear.. I'm not complaining about the mileage. I was just agreeing with the OP and telling my experience. And with COVID, I work remotely 100% of the time now so this is a moot point for me now yay!

[@shades3475]

@@mr2ti41 fair enough - and yes, Covid19 saves fuel

[@AmmaLove24]

I get overall 29 miles per gallon, equal city and freeway driving.

[@MisterMister5893]

That shirt is so loud!

[@joysun364]

The explanation is so unstructured and just careless.

[@TomKirkman1]

X-Mode is unnecessary. My 2006 Outback Sport excels in all conditions. I don't have to do anything. No buttons to push. Why complicate something that already worked perfectly? Hill Desent mode? Just drop it in a lower gear. This stuff is just marketing fluff. My 2006 doesn't require any button pushing. It just goes through whatever you put in front of it.

[@jimmatthews8194]

Not. Very. Coherent. Lots of yapping, little explaining. Uh, um, uhhhmm, you are a poor host.

[@chadhanson4369]

Jeep Cherokee directly made from $130,000 Maserati Lavante. Is way more luxurious than this with 31 mpg and twice the Power which can save you from an accident daily driving Maserati and Ferrari own jeep now. Why hate a boring Subaru when even a VW can do this with much better daily driving

[@dnaslinky369]

Did u say jeep? Lol ew wth and can u explain the logic of more power being safer and preventative of an accident? You lost me there

[@z1az285]

We get it. Now all we need is a review from Tyrone. Maybe that will convince us all boring Subaru owner's...not

[@chadhanson4369]

Everything you like about Subaru most brands do better 😂 go get a fun car and spend an extra $80 in gas a year getting twice the power.

[@callenstewart]

Like?

[@NoBullFitness]

What would you recommend?

[@Doc1855]

Ironman 4X4 2” lift is awesome on your Forester. It costs about $1200 and takes about 5 hours to install. The ride is still very comfortable with less body roll. It’s an awesome lift.

[@duffer2307]

who has to buy the muddy forester

[@WeiK0]

Nice video~

[@sgriff5692]

"...ya know..."