Why Choose Subaru? Symmetrical AWD advantages

Check out the unique benefits of driving a Subaru.
Thanks for watching!

[@andrewleventis8341]

my biggest regret at age 68 that i only discovered Subaru in 2021...what a great car

[@DanielKwetny]

Welcome to the Subaru family - and Thanks for watching :-)

[@OsightblinderO]

If that’s your biggest regret at 70 then you lack accountability.

[@andrewleventis8341]

@@OsightblinderO ??

[@jacquesviau6165]

Never 2 late. I had always thought Subaru was Australian built / made. Discovered Subaru through a colleague at work. We both about to retire. I bought his car as we are bothabout to part ways and this is the last car for myself. A présent to myself. Never 2 late

[@ralphlong9973]

You did not talk about power distribution! This, especially off road, or in low traction environments, is extremely important, and a major advantage of Subarus.

[@dha588]

Every subaru needs this model in their stores

[@danarussell4246]

Just traded our 2009 Subaru Forester in for a 2024 Subaru Ascent. Love Subaru’s AWD system. Great explanation!

[@jeffer1101]

I don't think there are few components on the boxer engine since you'd have 2 heads, 4 cams, cam carriers and 2 sets of timing chains. One main advantage of the symmetrical AWD system (and where the symmetrical name comes from) is the equal length half axles. You did mention they were equal length on the Subaru system (which they are), but the main advantage of that is it eliminates torque steer, which helps put the power to the road and also helps maintain control and stability.

[@DanielKwetny]

Great point about torque steer 👍 cheers

[@AudioHead809]

Not just the half axles. The transmission too. Makes the awd part make sense. It’s called symmetrical awd not symmetrical axles

[@jeffer1101]

@@AudioHead809 it's called symmetrical due to its layout (like the video shows), of which the half axles play a very big role in. It's basically the only system out there with equal length half axles. It is this reason why FWD cars (without at least using an LSD) have torque steer, especially on models with higher power outputs. Engine up front, into the transmission, split to the front half axels, driveshaft to rear diff, split to rear half axles. There is no back and forth which is common in most other set ups as the driveline is not situated in a straight line.

[@AudioHead809]

@@jeffer1101 I agree with you. It’s all to do with the driveline. I was just stating that the transmission and its orientation can also be called symmetrical. It’s the whole system, but yes the axles are the number one thing. Even 4wd trucks like the Jeep or f150 have a transfer case which throws off the symmetry and causes there to be a shorter axle on one side even though the engine sits similarly. It’s very cool what Subaru has done and they deserve to be able to call it symmetrical. Even the engine itself is close to perfect in symmetry. As far as twin head designs go. And then the engine sitting super low to boot. It’s really an awesome design. It’s cool to see what Porsche is doing with that new 911 S/T. They have perfected the boxer engine. Hope to see Subaru do something for an sti replacement eventually and take some ideas from Porsche.

[@jeffer1101]

@@AudioHead809 yes, agreed. Basically, the symmetry is the entire driveline. It's a pretty unique set up, and is something you can tell when you drive it (I recently bought a Forester).

[@martinr8278]

I wish our Subaru dealership had something like that in the show room. I always wonder why dealerships don’t have the inflated back end of a car to demonstrate eyesight when purchased Good video

[@subielife4life]

Hey whey what’s up bro!! It’s funny how you and I always seem to be watching the same videos lol

[@igor-rp5mw]

I drive my Subarus like a rally cars. Now I slowed down a bit. Each of them survived The Dragon 10th of times. There is one that made 100 trips to The Dragon and survived each of them. Great 4 cyl. Car that can do it all.

[@hankshaw2225]

The dragon takes some serious driving, I have also ridden it several times a motorcycle.

[@AcesHighMedia]

Just bought my first subaru a couple of weeks ago!

[@uhly101]

Just bought my first Subaru. Thank you for this very informative video. Makes me love my Subaru even more!

[@DanielKwetny]

Thanks! And congrats!! 🚗

[@tchindkatane712]

Thank you very much❤, that's helped to visualize, comprehend, and boost my understanding and confidence about subaru 😊.

[@DanielKwetny]

You're welcome 😊

[@tomcriusel519]

WOW thanks to explain how working is it !

[@Align700nitro]

with such a good layout they have the nerve to discontinue the sti package. well done subaru...

[@DanielKwetny]

Tell me about it... The STi was the epitome of original Subaru engineering

[@JustSpReddit]

the problem is Subaru started whacking an STI badge on every car they made with very little differences to the base models, the STI name was beginning to feel a little dumbed down imo @@DanielKwetny

[@KLSYFY]

Very interesting... Thanks man!

[@Sean-yt1jn]

If they made a CVT without fake-shifting in the US I would buy one

[@nope1918]

Uhh... the boxer engine does not have less moving parts. An I4 only has two camshafts, Boxer has four (cause two cylinder banks instead of one). There are a lot of advantages to the boxer engine but less complexity isn't one of them.

[@throbbingshaft]

He was referring to less parts in the powertrain but was a bit misleading when he said it. The biggest advantage to a boxer is weight and throttle response. The cylinders oppose themselves which means there is no need for a counterweight.

[@jayropeda7445]

great music, adele

[@DanielKwetny]

Cheers

[@billybobby3244]

Love my lifted Forester.

[@mrld3005]

But the question is where can we buy those toy chassis?

[@mikewilliams6390]

The subie boxer doesn't have less parts than an I4. When you compare an I4 AWD as a whole to subie then maybe yes..

[@kyle-qw5yx]

Perhaps he just meant the design equates to less vibration throughout the engine

[@shawnruzek5378]

Cool, but can you make a bumper/wheel well/air dam combination that doesn't fall apart?

[@DanielKwetny]

🤣

[@WholeCosmos]

Besides the drive line symmetry they have 4 versions of power transfer based on the various differential configurations.(VCD) viscous center differential) The nominal is 50:50 front to rear using an open font and rear differential. It uses the ABS to manage traction control. All manual transmission subarus and manual WRX are (VCD) Before this ABS usage offroading was a nightmare on spinning wheels when one tire was off the ground.... unless you were sending it the entire time which is not really how off-roading works. The next system is (ATS) Active torque split) and is 60:40 front biased used in the CVT models It uses a multi plate center clutch pack that is always partially engaged and will engage more to send more power to the rear if the front wheels are slipping. It has open differentials in front and rear. The next AWD system is (VTD) Variable torque distribution) The WRX and some XT models with high torque CVT has this with a rear bias 45:55 split for a slightly more sporty handling, reducing understeer into and pushing out of corners as well as "torque vectoring". It achieves this with a planetary open front and rear differential that uses an electronic controlled hydraulic transfer clutch that can switch smoothly between sending more power to the wheels that need it. Torque vectoring employs the ABS system to apply breaks to the wheels on the inside of a turn sending more power to the outside wheels slowing the inner wheels for improved cornering in turns. (I have a 2017 Forester XT) It has this same drive train of the WRX and you can tell at speed when cornering and it is amazing!!! It makes the car feel like it has 4 wheel steering when cornering. Of course newer STI's 2015 and up have torque vectoring as well. I love the rear bias and torque vectoring in my 2017 Forester XT I can drive it like a WRX it's a sleeper. Only problem..... they only came with the high torque CVT no manual like the WRX but it has manual mode and paddle shifters!. The next AWD system is the (DCCD) Driver Controlled Center Differential) The STI is the only one with (DCCD) you can lock it to a rear bias of choice up to 41:59(may vary by year) split or you can have it automatically controlled by the computer using a mechanical center limited slip diff and and electronic controlled center limited slip differential to distribute power front to rear. The STI has a helical limited slip front differential and a torsen rear limited slip differential. If you are looking into an older WRX and don't want to go full STI also look at the Forester XT 2015-2018. or 2015 and up wrx that has torque vectoring (VTD)......so worth it. LOL serious rock crawlers need a real 4WD with locking differentials. The AWD is amazing for flat slippery surfaces like ice, snow, mud, and gravel/sand. Where we're going we (STILL NEED) roads Doc Brown. LOL where is my flying car? This guy is great for motor head geeks. Jason Fenske, he's a mechanical engineer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXO0nX5ubrWsrrM

[@DanielKwetny]

Seriously great information - thank you!

[@scottanthony3426]

"Hybrid" was briefly mentioned. Other than a decade ago when they put a mild hybrid in the Crosstrek, what hybrid are you talking about? Subaru has lagged behind Toyota and Honda in making the Forester/Outback/Crosstrek a hybrid. However, Toyota achieves "AWD" in their hybrids by using solely electric motors in the rear (so no drive shaft to the rear). If/when Subaru moves to hybrids, I'll be curious as to their approach. Are they going to abandon the mechanical RWD, and their trademark "Symmetrical AWD" system? I haven't seen much testing/info on how well the electric only rear wheels actually works from a traction perspective when road surfaces get slick and snow/mud gets deeper, nor the test where wheels on one side are on a more grippy surface than the other side ("split mu" they used to call it.) Any info out there? I've had my '14 Forester XT since Fall '13, and am starting to consider replacements.

[@DanielKwetny]

Other than the battery hybrid Crosstrek from a decade ago, there was also a plug-in hybrid version of the previous model Crosstrek (2018 to 2023), but only available in select markets. I haven’t dove into the mechanics of the AWD on those hybrids.. not exactly sure. Looking forward, there is a Forester Hybrid planned for the 2025 model year. Maybe it will capture your interest :)

[@ChrisC-fp9qu]

I'm waiting to buy the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness.

[@DanielKwetny]

Nice! I can't wait to see one myself!

[@ericpizarro3084]

I owns a 2021 Crosstrek Sport and feel tempted to trade it in for a Wilderness but, will hold myself. The Crosstrek is a magical car. I previously owned an Outback and then a WRX(with lots of modifications) “pulled over 300WHP”. At the end it was time for me to move on at 65. All I can tell is that the Crosstrek suspension is as close as it can be to the WRX. All Subarus handling are superb. Much better than Toyota and Honda.

[@MrDeapGamingMedia]

It doesn't necessary mean it has a lower center of gravity that the car will roll less. What Subaru made the car to have more compliance while having somewhat similar body roll.

[@nasreddinekhamri8256]

What is the type of cars 4x4 ??

[@DanielKwetny]

Yes, Subaru AWD

[@PH-md8xp]

@@DanielKwetny AWD and 4X4 are similar in some ways but are not the same thing.

[@Athiril]

@@PH-md8xpAWD is full time 4WD, 4x4 typically refers to part time 4WD. “Locking differentials” you can get these too, but they are often upgrade for “4x4s” which often simply come with open front and rear diffs stock. So that’s not it. “Low range” you can get many Subarus with low range, and this is also not what makes a “4x4” so that’s not it either.

[@MusicLuv80]

Which Subaru model best for off roading?

[@DanielKwetny]

The Wilderness series is best. Outback Wilderness will be the most powerful, but also the largest. Have a look at Forester Wilderness, and also Crosstrek Wilderness

[@MusicLuv80]

@@DanielKwetny Thank you so much for your help. Will check them out.

[@benjaminjwilson6694]

My '24 outback wilderness has a ton of body roll. Just as bad as my f150. It's scary going interstate speeds.

[@cbrown596]

How many windshields have you replaced?

[@benjaminjwilson6694]

@@cbrown596 zero so far, bought it end of july so still pretty new-just over 4k miles. I do have a few rock chips in it from the two-plus thousand-mile road trip I finished up a few weeks back.

[@gguy1338]

@@benjaminjwilson6694is that 2k miles of twisty road? Or you drive it like a rally car😅

[@igor-rp5mw]

I drive my Subarus like a rally car no windshields cracked. Each of them survived The Dragon 10th of times. There is one that made 100 trips to The Dragon and survived each of them. Great 4 cyl. Car that can do it all.

[@simd510]

Weird.. i test drove an outback and didnt notice any body roll

[@alanlangley7246]

need a stock oil pan with more baffles in it

[@Vipppala]

maybe if they still put out proper manuals or atleast more proper automatics, not those trash cvts. Like who thought the wrx should be cvt ?

[@cop2506]

Those are all really great points, but Subaru refuses to make a plug-in hybrid outback Until they combine their forces with Toyota to make a plug-in, hybrid, Subaru outback, I won’t be buying the Subaru anytime soon

[@KuyaPow626]

What would happen if Subaru made a 6 cylinder boxer?

[@Ed123]

They actually do that. It is a disaster! Look for Scotty Kilmer's reviews.

[@DanielKwetny]

They have! It’s called H6 and found in Outbacks and Legacies. More powerful and smoother than the 4 cylinder. Fuel hungry of course

[@chrisnoteboom5577]

some kind of rave going in the background!

[@DanielKwetny]

🕺😂

[@aleksandrnestrato]

0:28 More true to say 'any internal combustion Subaru', cause diesel powered Subarus have the same layout. _"What makes the Subaru brand different..."_ As far as I understand, automotive industry goes into electric. What will make Subaru brand different then? If you in fact have a motor in the front, a motor in the rear and a big battery under the floor between those two.

[@DanielKwetny]

Good call on EV’s… so far the Solterra differentiates itself with better ground clearance than most competition (8.3”), and stable AWD tuning. Seems like less chance of wheel spin than other brands, but of course this can be controlled via software.. it’s gonna be an interesting future for Subaru! Hybrids might be the bridge, at least in North America.. rumours of 2025 Forester Hybrid

[@secton832]

meanwhile me, who bought the only 2wd only Subaru they currently make

[@DanielKwetny]

Let's go BRZ!

[@secton832]

​@@DanielKwetnygot myself a 2023 Sport-Tech 6mt in Pearl white. Such a good car

[@jhonrutger3508]

I like subarus but there prices are getting pretty stupid.

[@DIYmotorcycle]

I would love to have a new Subaru I hear they're coming out with the brat again but you can only get Subarus now with the CVT transmission. I would be much happier with a five or six speed manual this is why I don't bother I'll just keep driving my 2001 Forester.

[@DanielKwetny]

Makes sense to me. When the time is right, you could look for as new as a 2022 Crosstrek 6-spd, or 2018 Forester 6-spd. They had manuals in those up to those years. 01 Forester is great

[@4dscdriver]

They still have 6spd manual wrx's and brz's.

[@adventureswitheddie6444]

Bald guy needs an sti hat

[@DanielKwetny]

lol. Thx Eddie

[@scottfromrallysubaru5439]

Our display broke so I get to use imagination

[@sergeyg436]

Why nobody else uses the same "wonderful" type of AWD?

[@DanielKwetny]

It’s not as fuel efficient as part time AWD systems, but Subaru has perfected theirs to where fuel econ difference is minimal and in some cases negligible. Boxer engine is also considered an older design, but again Subaru has perfected their manufacturing and design over time

[@yablebab]

That's all well and good but no way I'll fit in such a tiny car

[@DanielKwetny]

😂

[@Jackthesmilingblack]

I've owned just about all the Subaru range both in UK as grey imports and in Japan. If you have to drive on uphill compacted snow, then forget Subaru. Without diff-lock in addition to 4WD and LSD and obviously snow tyres, you're not going anywhere fast. And engine outside the wheelbase is a negative aspect. However, at least you can handbrake a Subaru round a hairpin bend, a major advantage where I live. At auction here in Japan, any Subaru approaching 100,000 km is discounted into the ground, presumably when head gasket and timing belt problems loom large. Obviously, if you want performance, then go for the Sti Subaru. However, I've driven the Mitsubishi Pajero with its over-engineered transmission since I relocated to the Japan Alps some 15 years ago. Cheap as chips at auction. Jack, the Japan Alps Brit

[@joewhite9183]

never stopped my 2013 3.6 R outback you need some real tires ...

[@Mr00934]

MAKE ME A 10K PICKUP SUBARU AND ILL BUY IT. OTHERWISE I WAIT FOR A 10K PU FROM FORD, GM OR TOYOTA

[@DanielKwetny]

Me too… me too 🚙

[@jerryclleung]

If only their engines were just as “special” and NOT “oil consumption specials”

[@DanielKwetny]

My 2022 WRX has not lost a drop, and oil is clear. 20k Km in, 2 oil changes. I checked the oil 2 days ago. I was impressed

[@heh2k]

2008 spec b, no oil burning. It's bmw and nissan who were known of that, but it can happen to any car.

[@Doc1855]

The CVT SUCKS ! It robs the engine of hp, torque and mpg. When you need to get on a short on ramp or pass someone , you stomp the gas pedal to the floor. The engine jumps to 6K RPMs and the engine is painfully slow.

[@martinr8278]

Really? Never had an issue. Neither do people I know that own various years and models. Btw the cvt comment is such a refresh! Awesome, that has never been said. Thankfully you didn’t know that because cvt and head gasket comments are mostly from outdated angry people. Enjoy the trails, I just hope it’s not in a crv or rav4. Yikes

[@Doc1855]

@@martinr8278 when I mash my gas pedal to the floor to get up to speed or to pass someone, the RPMs jump up to 6K and the engine takes forever to get up and go. I know that Subaru had issues with the head gaskets in the past, but I bought my Forester Touring last year and I’ll be selling it ASAP to buy a geared Toyota.

[@whatiscyber]

​@@Doc1855you just said the engine jumps up to 6K, that means the engine is already going. So does it take forever to get up there, or is it jumping up there fast?

[@Doc1855]

@@whatiscyber At 65mph the engine is normally running at 1800rpm, but when you stomp on the gas pedal, the engine jumps to 5K-6K RPMs, which is too high for optimal torque, so the engine is relying on horsepower alone. 182hp is Nothing compared with other vehicles today. Heck the Rav hybrid has 219hp. My previous 11 Rav had the 269hp 3.5 V6 and a 5spd automatic transmission and it got 27mpg on the highway with the cruise set on 75mph. My current Forester Touring with 182hp and a CVT gets 24-26 mpg. Had I known that the GUTLESS Forester would get less mpg with 182hp than my 269hp Rav, I would’ve never sold my Rav and bought my Forester.

[@DanielKwetny]

I know what you're saying.. I personally like the CVT. I wouldn't want to go back to geared. CVT does marvels for fuel econ, and is smoother. Less moving components. To feel power, it needs to be paired to a turbo engine. I'm sure you would enjoy the sensation in an Outback XT, for example. Wish we still sold a turbo Forester...

[@OsightblinderO]

Corolla drivers WISH they had a 4th cylinder. They last l room to grow and plateau fast.

[@peeposadboy]

lol yet it’s faster than the STI. Interesting how that works isn’t it? Don’t even lie to yourself. The Corolla GR engine is a far better developed engine than the ancient EJ

[@kevinwest1607]

Most over hyped car in the world.

[@ddavideo]

Please stop telling these marketing lies. If performance (road holding) is of high importance, the fore/after balance is critical to delivery such, not the left and right. The H4 configuration of the boxer engine is a bummer to meet such balance as the only way to place the engine (too wide to be between the front wheels) is to put it in front of the front wheels...hence, fore/after balance towards the front (58%+ at the front)...hence, severe understeering characteristics. If you will, talking about left and right balance, while the majority of turns in North America are right turn (ramp to freeway etc), then a right hand weight bias car would perform better. While the driver is sitting on one side, the so call symmetrical set up would make things worse as it won't able to compensate for the weight (left/right) imbalance. On less moving parts of a boxer engine...totally wrong. The H4 has 4 cam shafts + associated driving links as each side of the cylinder block would need its own cam mechanism (unlike inline 4 which can be shared across all cylinders). There might be a minor smaller numbers of parts in a 4WD gearbox set up from the H4 due to its engine orientation (my Mercedes C300 4Matic has the same fore/after engine orientation as the H4). It's a joke that Subaru brings up the lower centre of gravity topic. While looking at most of Subaru's models has close to or more than 6" of ground clearance. That might be the key reason that you have mentioned that the H4's lower centre of gravity as most of the Subaru models ride very high (even the WRS has a 5.3" ground clearance vs. Golf R's 4.7").

[@joekowalski182]

If you are wealthy and can afford repairs on Subarus go for it very expensive cars to maintain.

[@DanielKwetny]

I think it's relative... Might be a touch more expensive than Toyota or Honda, similar to Mazda. Still less pricey repairs than German and American brands - in my experience..

[@JustSpReddit]

learn to work on your own cars, Subaru engines are extremely easy to work on and 80% of the cost you pay to maintain a vehicle goes towards the mechanic.