2024 Subaru Outback Touring XT - POV Review

I think the turbo is now able to run on regular. The XT (turbo) choice is one of feast or famine. In this 4,000 lb car, the normally aspirated 2.5 L is underpowered when trying to merge, especially if a hill is involved. (I test drove both). In trying to find a suitable replacement for my '14 Forester XT, I drove this and was underwhelmed. With the Forester XT, they upgraded the suspension, added bigger wheels and brakes, and created 3 drive modes, with buttons on the steering wheel, where easily accessible. There is a "sport" mode in this Outback, but it is buried two screens deep on that big screen. Hardly useful when driving. I thought the Outback felt a bit floaty on the road, less nimble than my Forester XT, and like there was a bit of lag waiting for the real power to tip in. It has a lot of nice equipment, but in the end, I didn't think it was worth the extra money and fuel consumption penalty. The 2.4 has more power and torque vs my old 2.0L XT, but it carries a lot more weight. I found the 2.5 Forester lacking in power too. Accelerating past about 50 mph, it just screams for more power. Hoping the hybrid brings a nice compromise in the future with some needed torque and better mpg. I don't have to have all the power of the XT, but the 2.5 isn't enough.

Outbacks are great. I owned an older one years ago and loved it. I'd like to find a 2013-2014 Outback with a manual.

That door sounded so hollow when you closed it. Not a good thing.

you should drive a lucid. would be awesome if you could get your hands on one and do a pov! Amzing content btw

Stupid Savage geese joke makes me laugh every time, what's wrong with me

Check the gas mileage. My OB Onyx with the smaller 4cyl gets a combined 24 mpg, well below the advertised average. And the service dept. offered no explanation, just blew me off.

Main thing I DISliked about ours was the infotainment software. Just terrible. Other than that we enjoyed the car

“Once it warms up to existence…” 😆 I had a Subaru Legacy for my work car for a while so I feel your pain regarding the infotainment. The AWD on a Subaru just can’t be beat though. I’ve always loved off road wagons. This, the Volvos, even the Mercedes versions. Prefer this over a SUV all day. Thanks for taking us on the drive!

Can't believe the Murano SL hws the same features for 7K less($/37K vs$44) including a panoramicmoonroof not available on any outbac! Off-road focused vs on road focused. Since there are not mountains to climb in fL, I choose Murano with 260 HP without the turbo lag from the XT. Murano is sn overlooked gem both have CVT eirhsimulated gears & AWD

The biggest let down is the info tech IMO. No 360 cams on the top trim? No digital instrument cluster? C'mon.

No hood scoop like the older Xt models which is kind of dumb because the intercooler gets no airflow?

Great to see an unbiased review of the Outback and not comparing it to something it wasn't designed to be.
I don't have the turbo in my year old Touring and there's no issue with power. I like the safety features and the unique look of the wagon style, especially with the amount of cargo area. I think this vehicle is a good balance between an SUV and sedan. Can't be compared to either one. I suspect this vehicle will be my choice again in two years unless they go berserk with the plastic cladding.

I got this as a loaner when my Forester was getting work done on it. I actually liked it more than my car. It rides better, it’s quieter, and better looking. I think it’s the best looking station wagon, ever. The only problem with my loaner was it came with the 2.5 natural engine, the same in my Forester. It’s underpowered for this car. The turbo would be my choice.

Subaru interiors still in 2014

I had a nearly identical spec 2.5 NA outback as a loaner for a week and with the 2.5 it felt extraordinarily underpowered. Cruising on the interstate at 85 it was revving out to 4-4.5k just to go up hills. Otherwise a phenomenal daily driver.

Couldn't pay me to buy CVT ever again

How does the noise compare to Toyota’s Camry? Thanks

My Outback is the best vehicle I've ever owned. It's quick, comfortable, and very functional. It drives like a car but it can do SUV things. It's like the swiss army knife of vehicles.

Beautiful interior among ice cold new age cars.

TMIC without the scoop is blasphemy

I bought my Outback Touring XT in this colour in 2023.
The throttle response in “I” mode is comically non-linear, but is good for low RPM cruising on flat roads. Driving uphill or downhill, or for passing, the much more linear and responsive “S” mode is the way to go, with the turbo engine proving plenty of power for what I need. It chews fuel in traffic but is much more economical on the freeway. In “I” mode, the engine lopes along at relaxing and quiet 1500rpm on the freeway. With the fat centre arm rest and comfy front seats, this car feels like a lounge chair on wheels to drive, but the handling and grip is surprisingly good, albeit with slow-ish steering; she ain’t no sports car. I’m glad I paid extra for the Touring pack to get the Harmon Kardon stereo, heated / cooled front seats and sun roof. The length of the car is sometimes a bit annoying in cramped multi-storey car parks. In Australia, we get a full-size alloy spare wheel, for peace of mind when touring (same with the Forester).
I bought this car as a roomy, comfy all-road all-weather tourer, and it excels at that. If you want a small, frugal city car, there are better options out there.

Nice car but costs €60k+ in Ireland. Way, way too much.

Subaru ❤

I wanted to like the Outback but between the horrible infotainment system and a CVT transmission it's a hard pass.

I have a 2019 Impreza sport, the Subaru infotainment system is absolute trash.

ill add to the comments. 2020 limited 2.5. the factory tires are awful and didnt last at all. the factory alignment ended up being the culprit. have put a set of michelin defender 2s on it and its ultra quiet now. factory battery died after 4 years of texas heat. auto stop start is annoying and over 4 years ive only saved around 1 whole tank of gas. other than that its the perfect daily driver.

I have no problem with the resolution of the cameras. They show me what I need to see. I'm not hunting for coins on the driveway.🙄

Kept going back and fourth on this model and the limited model. Not a big price difference, drove both multiple times, ended up buying the 2025 limited model. Better gas mileage, no chance of turbo issues. Also the Cd player is available in the limited model as an option. If you plan on towing, the turbo might be better option for you. Also have a 2024 Crosstrek model.

Finally, a CVT that does what it's supposed to

Im hoping the 2026 gets rid of the outside plastic all around.

Starts at 30k seriously

I had no idea that my 2025 Touring XT has a CD player! Thank you for showing me!

Badicslly covered everything that's been covered a dozen times.

Want it to fly even better? Install a Pedal Commander on it. You'll really fly.

Please Subaru, put a MT in this

The sound systems in all the new Subarus are inexcusably bad. You can't hear a single thing.

I really like your videos but the sound system tests are not great. You cannot really tell how a system sounds via recording and the song you choose is pretty bad.

To me, the Onyx XT trim level is the sweet spot. I recently got a low mileage 2023 for just under $32k and it's just an awesome car.

Great car. Love our XT.

wireless charging is an option in that little phone cubby, but I recommend not getting it. It barely fits my caseless phone (granted, it's a z fold), and the lack of airflow in that tight of a cubby causes my phone to overheat and stop charging within like 5 minutes

Seems like a really great "do it all" car. It's criminal that we don't get the 2.4T in the UK

Had a 2023 Touring XT. Within a month I wanted to send it off a cliff. Out of the 10 or so cars I have ever owned, it was by faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar the worst vehicle. The fatally flawed nanny systems nearly killed me three times.

Outback’s are so ugly, but nice review as always!

Just a heads up, that pull over screen to hide stuff in the back can be stored in the same location as your spare tire....

What was the section just above the screen

Why do Japanese manufacturers put the crappiest, outdated tech in their vehicles? There’s gotta be something behind it. You can buy an expensive Lexus and have 90’s era resolution back up camera. My explorer and Tesla both have way better resolution. Tesla has some of the best cameras in the business. It’s like they’re purposefully cutting corners on the quality of the camera and tech as if people don’t care about those features these days when they are in fact things that people do.