2024 Subaru Outback / Cult of Rationality

really hate those touch screen controls.

Very nice review!

Ngl, Subaru dealers are the only ones that didn't mark up their prices

Thanks for posting. I appreciate that your review is different than most others for the Outback.

Subarus may be practical, but the styling is a visual mess. This current one is really bad with arbitrary plastic shapes littered all over it. The roof rack is surprisingly plasticky, as is the interior which looks cheap.
Another surprising misstep is the lack of buttons and knobs, especially for the HVAC controls. The touch screen is less safe as you have to look away from the road longer. Safety, Subaru?
Subarus always have a lot of front overhang because the engine hangs out entirely ahead of the front axle line, somewhat belying its off-road prowess. On the street, the need for AWD is always questionable compared to installing snow tires on a FWD car in winter. Overall, I just can get past the tasteless styling.

aggressive design and most sluggish engine and power train in its class....not a good match afterall

This really is one of the best reviews out there.

I recently bought a 2024 Outback Limited and I couldn't be happier.

I like my Limited XT but the gas mileage has been well below the EPA specified 22 - 28 mpg. I get about 15 mpg in town. The dealer will not analyze the problem.

well done on this. I have a 2020 Outback (non-turbo); had the Wilderness as a loaner car earlier this year... the turbo was nice, but the extra bit of height was kinda wobbly at times. and, those tires... I think it would cost a fortune to replace them. I think the XT is the sweet spot. again, well done video.

expecting my green ob onyx in a couple of weeks. 🤞 ill accept any tips and tricks.

Always like your reviews !
Subarus always look very dated to me. Kinda like the type car that my grandmother would be driving

I have a 2007 Subaru Outback 5-speed that I really enjoy! It does have excessive oil consumption, but its one of 2 daily drivers, so it isn't the end of the world. I add oil every 2 weeks. I would really like to see Subaru make a modern wagon that isn't so SUV/crossover-looking. I also don't like the giant touchscreen. Physical buttons are definitely preferred, especially for climate control.

I had just about decided this would be my car until you mentioned the vague center with the steering. That might be a dealbreaker.

I just bought a 2024 Outback Limited XT 3 days ago, and didn’t know—until this video—that those crossbars rotated over to connect to each other. How fun is that?!? Thanks!

They need to make a hybrid. 38 mpg city and 35 mpg highway would be amazing

did they fix the windshield cracking?

I drove a 2009 Scion xB for 15 yrs, it's ZERO frills. Just got the 2024 Limited XT a week ago. So that's a HUGE upgrade. lol Cars have come a long way in 15 yrs. lol I have to get used to not punching the gas. Funny thing is I had thought I would just waltz into Honda and get the CRV and be done with it. While that is a very nice vehicle. I also test drove the Honda Passport which ruined the CRV for me- both hybrid and regular gas, they felt like stilts on wheels. Passport was such a solid vehicle but the MPG was gonna be less than my xB. While I did drive the RAV4- it was grossly underwhelming and cramped. That's how I ended up at Subaru, it seems like a proper middle ground with lower end towing capacity and okay MPG (better than my xB). Now I can tow a small teardrop camper or something like it. I have a reliable car for the next 15 years. (I hope)

I want an Outback sooo bad ❤

After owning a 2019 and 2022 Forrester I just picked up my first Outback, a 2024 Premium model which came in six weeks after I ordered it.
So far, I think that I made the right choice and am really impressed with the improved ride quality and the quietness of the cabin on the highway compared to the Forrester.

Excellent review, with a remarkably thorough discussion of the pro's and con's of the vehicle. The practicality of the vehicle is fantastic. I will make the point that the problems with the infotainment system and the cracked windshield issue are keeping me away. And, my source is the "Car Wizard" that I fear recalibrating the very excellent "Eyesight" function has proven a challenge, even to the dealerships, after the cracked windshield replacement. The whole cracked windshiield issue makes it a "no go" for me. That, and my belief that the infotainment system will fail in 5-10 years and be the "Achilles heel" of the vehicle because of the cost to replace it. After all, longevity is at the core of the purchase of a Subaru for many of us. I am more inclined to buy a used car that has a record of good reliability, than a new Subaru, right now. I have exhausted myself trying to talk myself into getting one, though. This young man has done as good a review as I have seen. Kudos.

WRX owner "Lost the girlfriend by challenging a Subaru Outback XT" 🤣

honest review. keep doing this good stuff bro

The NON-Turbo model is simply a SLUG.

LMAO “dudes with restraining orders” had me dying 😂

That face detection is a little creepy...

Dropping Toyota 👍🏼 button here!

My wife and I left Toyota she got the Outback Onyx and I got the Accent Onyx limited. We are both happy no regrets!

I think the Turbo engine uses Premium Fuel!

Having taken my Outback Limited down some gnarly forest roads around Moab, I can confirm that it’s way better off-road than it has any right to be.

Since there isn't a surround view camera, do the outside review mirrors bend down when the car is in reverse so you can see the side of the car? Excellent review as always. I'm about 95% sure that I'd be happy with a Touring XT model..

I have a 22 Outback Touring and I hate the infotainment, but I wouldn’t give up the car. I love it!

It’s crazy how much Subaru relies on their fans to keep buying their vehicles while skimping in almost every way

As someone who has driven every single Outback version, as I work at a subie dealer, the wilderness with the turbo engine is by far my favorite

For those wanting to get a. 2024. Find out about insurance first. Im having a difficult time getting a decent rate. And my driving record is impeccable.

Hate these they are everywhere get out of the passing lane.

I just want to know where my map has gone on my 2024 Outback. Can someone please tell me. I do not want to always use car play and my phones map. Thank you.

I've been a Subaru guy for quite a while. I bought my wife a 2022 Outback last year and it's been great. It's a little quirky with all of the options it has but overall the interface is easy to get control of. The Premium lacks simple features like a reliable back up beeper and has 1,000 extra safety features up front that are mostly annoyances. The back seat leg room with our 2 child seats is quite stellar compared to anything besides a mini-van or big SUV. The 2.5 does not impress as this is just about the biggest vehicle that that engine can handle. All of the smaller 2.5L Subarus I've driven (from a '99 2.5RS coupe to a new Crosstrek Sport) feel peppier and more nimble. It's still a great car all around and just about the only station wagon style car still out there, so when my '05 Forester finally ages out, an Onyx XT is still at the top of my short list.

I happen to be getting a base outback within the next year.... and I disagree on a lot of points that you brought up.... such as the double screen.... first of all I don't think it looks "cheap" as you called it.... secondly, being, I am getting the base model that is the screen I will be getting, which is one of the reasons why I'm actually getting the base.... I prefer the double screen as opposed to the 11.6 inch oversized screen.... don't get me wrong it is very nice but in my opinion, it's rather gaudy in this particular vehicle.... my brothers ram truck has the big screen but it fits and looks better in a big truck like that.... it looks to be too much in the outback.... the ride quality in the outback is phenomenal.... it feels almost like a luxury car in terms of ride quality of handling pumps and divots in the road.... I worked for a Subaru dealership for a while and was a PDI technician, so I got to test drive all of the Subarus, and absolutely fell in love with the outback when I drove it.... it is without a doubt, a very, unique looking SUV.... I refer to it as a crossover between a Station wagon, and an suv and in my opinion, is one of its defining features... overall no matter which trim level you choose I feel it is the best value of any vehicle.... first of all for the many features that you get, even in the base model and above all for the safety features that all Subarus have.... Subaru does not put a price tag on safety, and I appreciate that more than anything.... I also don't agree with your analogy of the outback being boring, in fact, I find it actually fun to drive.... I feel that a lot of reviews I have seen about the outback... including yours.... tend to nitpick on a lot of things.... the outback along with the Forrester get a lot of high praise from consumer reports

The Outback is a sensible, non-flashy, logical automobile. It isn't designed to impress. It's designed to do the job! It is all-weather capable, comfortable, and has enough utility to do many home improvement jobs or get you to your favorite camping spot. Lumber and PVC pipe for home improvement projects can either fit inside with the tailgate open, or just be strapped to the crossbars on top. It'll tow 3,500 lbs so the Outback can handle small utility trailers, small campers, a small boat or jet skis. Outbacks are more fuel efficient than most SUVs and any pickup truck other than a Maverick hybrid.

There's a reason Subaru sells every one they can make out of that Lafayette, Indiana plant.

The Wilderness is nice, but I chose the Touring XT as there is too much novelty with the Wilderness - the gold touches in and out will date it. The Napa leather in the Touring is fantastic.

I like the olive green one

Good job!

Bought a Onyx Edition XT in Autumn Green. Love it! Has 2000 miles on it already after a month! Has a style that will age really well

Thank you again for another insightful review!

Being in Florida and hating all these huge p/u trucks I’m looking at the xt trim bc u need vented seats down here

Cult is right word 😂, blind cult is even better to describe this "fascination" with super bland, underpowered, cheesy blend .
The way you cover up and sugar coat most of issues and at the same time pass by them like it is nothing calling it superb makes this opinion soooo biased , not objective, almost as Subbie cheesy commercial Love😂 when other than soft seats with long cushions , ok trunk size , old tech reliable AWD there is nothing else here worth the price tag , maybe for 15K less ?
Power is a joke, there is no real tranny and related savings into end up with Subbie Corpo not it's blind customer , early 2000s touch screens control of infotainment, gauges also kind of from way back to 2008, too much shiny cheap gloss plastics ok in 18K Hyundai Accent , some buttons look ok on a 120 dollars microwave while exterior styling is a pile of mess with weird as main theme, really odd proportions , silly and cheesy toy like looking headlamps with fog lights sticked on the bottom , whole thing has a posture of a shot boar chasing thru the woods before ending its life with a head on tree collision.
It is complete opposite of sexy and modern , it is just fugly as fat bottom girl - hey in Rubens area it was sexy but that is some 400 years ago, so I guess some may like it , blind cult 😂
Why would anyone ever want to look at this in their driveway and than pay over 40K for it???
It is a blind cut and has nothing to do with objectivism.
Not a fan as you can see, but easily could have been if.... it had an engine around 220hp , normal 8 speed ATX, modern infotainment with control knob style to control it so no reaching out and smearing LCDs, styling with more clean , attractive lines .
I know the answer , it can be found elsewhere while blind cult will buy it as . 🤣😉
Crazy fascination with something that could serve the purpose with style and performance , easily achievable for 40K.

Excellent review! But I think the subtitles misspelled a few words - those flat 'forks' do get good mpg's! ; )

I've got a '22 OBW with almost 36k miles on it. It's fun to surprise restraining order bros at stoplights and it can hold it's own off the road too. Mine has seen more dirt/mud than most Jeeps and has never let me down.

The cladding makes it look awful!

If they made this in manual or maybe even dct id trade in my 2023 wrx😂