More reviews like this please. As you say in your review, most shoppers are looking for a quite comfortable car for their daily drive. So many reviews bang on about carving up back roads etc. The vast majority want info on NVH, comfort, drivability and performance. Measuring the noise (dB) was a great addition. Thanks for a great review.
0-60mph = 9.6 seconds with the non-Turbo. 6.6 *with the Turbo.* Absolutely worth it! Might not seem much, but take it from someone who lived with a slow car for years, it is definitely worth the $5K extra. My current vehicle does that in 6.5 seconds. Effortless acceleration. Merging onto highway traffic is easy. I can accelerate away from an oncoming potential accident due to thoughtless other drivers. I can never go back.
I had a turbo Ranger and sold it and got a regular outback Onyx 2024. Works perfectly fine for me. I get up to speed fine. Before my Ranger I also had a 400hp Infiniti Q50. My days of caring about that stuff are over. What I care about is I can get to my hiking and kayaking spots and room for my Doberman. Nothing else.
I hope you went for the XT, as it is a no-brainer, you're spending that much on a car already I would definitely push for the Turbo, especially when I know the fake fuel saving promises with a weak engine for the vehicle weight, it's the same or even worst if I drive it, it will rev to 6K very often. When you do that, even not that extreme the smaller/weaker engine usually consumes more fuel:)
@@Valdismith I did buy the XT and am quite happy. I can't imagine the regular even for daily drive. It would be making me nuts and I am not a performance driver. I do miss my Audi Allroad still. ;) Hopefully, the subie will last 200K miles vs 100K miles.
@@billszymanski4844 I got the regular and it works totally fine. Saved myself 6 grand. I get up to speed fine. What is funny to me is I had a 2000 BMW 323i with a V6 that has 176 hp. It is all perception. Now "fast" is viewed differently I guess. I had a turbo Ranger before this. I could truly care less how fast a vehicle is. Guess to each his own.
I have a non-turbo 2021. I can confirm from my recent Sydney-Melbourne that the return trip gave me a fuel economy of 6.8L/100Km after following the set highway speed limits. As you guys said, in the city, it is thirsty, though, ranging from 10L/100Km to 13.8L/100Km based on how hard you hit the accelerator. Thanks for the excellent video with good comparisons, as usual.
Agreed, I have non turbo 2021, live in the middle of nowhere, and it has averaged 7.1, with 95% of my driving being rural. Thinking from this review that I don’t need to change.
I bought a '22 Outback Premium for my wife and a '24 OBXT Onyx for myself. They both have their merits, but neither gets as advertised gas mileage. 24 combined, mostly around town on the Prem and 22 combined on the XT. The CVT feels better mated to the 2.5 NA and that car is more eager and smooth off the line. Between the CVT and turbo lag, the acceleration on the XT can be quite choppy. It's fairly easy to sort out as the driver by rarely using more than 60% throttle but it's never quite as smooth as the 2.5 up to 30 mph. However the 2.5 doesn't get you much more from there and that's when the 2.4 turbo just gets going. My wife drove my car for a day while I drove hers to get an oil change, we were both remarking about how different each others cars felt. Overall the 2.5 will suffice for most drivers and is just fine at the standard Outback. But if you're any kind of enthusiast the XT is the way to go. The turbo actually has the ability to put a smile on your face and get you up to passing speed with relative ease, while it just ain't there with the 2.5.
Thanks Tom have to totally agree, had my XT Touring in same colour for two weeks now, just ticking over 1,000ks, best, most comfortable ride I’ve ever owned and I’m a first time Subaru owner.
I’ve had a non-turbo outback for five years now. Great car, but when loaded up you start to notice the lack of power. Especially if you start climbing up in elevation as well. Going for the turbo for the next one!
I have a Outback Wilderness (US model) with the 2.4t and hp specs are 260hp (194kw) with 277 ftlbs (375 Nm) of torque. Was interesting to see the Australian model is different. Also for fuel the 2.4t here can run just fine on 87 octane. I know US uses a different calculation for octane fuel octane rating (RON vs AKI) so 91 RON is similar to our 87 Octane. I do really like the 2.4t. Just finished my first year owning it and put about 13k miles on it so far and all I have had to do was a few oil changes, so far so good.
Subaru - thank you for bringing back the XT. Over 17 years I owned both the GT and XT Forester and loved them but drifted away when you discontinued those models - while not currently in the market for a new car the XT Outback would be short listed for a test drive if I was.
Excellent review thanks Tom. I took delivery of my Touring XT a couple of weeks ago and can attest to the reasonable fuel economy. On a 500 km trip last weekend the car returned 8.4 litre per 100km combined highway and urban driving. I note some concerns about the CVT from a comment below, and to that I can only say that the CVT is not only a real gearbox but is probably the best gearbox for this engine. The power delivery is so smooth I have to wonder if there is a gearbox there at all. This car is a joy to drive in every respect, and a huge refinement over my previous 2017 2.5i Outback Premium. Cheers.
There are literally no gears! It's a transmission. I know as I just had to replace mine after only 75000kms. Well Subaru thankfully paid for it. (15k cost)
I can't give any comparison data, but I have very careful (for a layman owner) fuel economy data for my 2017 Forester XT 2.0 turbo US model, owned since new, now 92,000 miles. I've done constant-speed 15-mile loops in an empty rural area without traffic interference, returning to my starting spot each time to cancel out elevation and wind. Also, I'm correcting the trip computer for actual gas purchased, and for odometer error. My car gives 6.5 L/100km at 50 mph (80 kph), 7.6 L/100km at 60 mph (97 kph), and 9.0 L/100km at 70 mph (112 kph). My lifetime overall consumption is now 10.6 L/100km. I live in an urban residential neighborhood, but the car has been as far as 7000 km away from home on a trip.
Great review. I drive previous gen diesel and the 350nm torque, the same as the new XT, really makes it a relaxing vehicle to drive. The turbo XT should be the standard offering in my opinion in the current gen since the demise of the diesel.
Thanks for this video. It was a major part of my decision making and test driving. You addressed all the questions - to XT, or not to XT. After taking both on the same test drive , the XT is the car you expect the model to be. Effortless, easy, nimble, capable. The 2.5 on test drive was able, but under strain when accelerating on hills. The 2.5 is a fine vehicle if your driving is the suburban shuffle , as a capable versatile wagon , suburban driving , ready for the occasional holiday, a great out of zone picnic- I would have picked it for the savings. Car and fuel. I really liked your noise and fuel comparisons. Importantly , the get up and go comparisons. The reality is - what did I need? My drive includes frequent highway driving- passing trucks, overtaking 4x4 caravans, avoiding driver pullouts on hills, needing that torque at 2500rpm to escape driver error (mine and theirs), and sometimes Im quite loaded. I do suburban also- work and back- but out of every month the majority of kms is mixing it with the milieu on the highway. I have taken delivery of my XT - it is the right car. Averaging 8.3l/100 as mixed suburban and highway kms. Im using a fuel app to source the best fuel prices for the premium fuel. Dont be put of by the fuel stats- THE REVIEW IS RIGHT- The XT is surprisingly fuel efficient. I have become fast friends with my Subaru Outback XT. This video breakdown really does reflect the differences in the 2 vehicles.
our(USA) has 260HP im not sure if there is a reason its got15HP more(different ways of calculation or what) but I think the thing the 260 HP version(XT) does is make up for the underpowered 182 HP standard engine.and the CVT, i think the LOW HP engine+CVT=sluggish the XT260HP = non sluggish
I just bought the 2024 XT Onyx edition. It is great! When I need to floor it I feel like Luke Skywalker going into hyper space. It keeps accelerating effortlessly. There is no strain, and the rate of acceleration keeps increasing. When I pass someone, and look in the rear view mirror, the distance between us keeps getting bigger. It is an amazing burst of speed. Some people expressed concerns about maintenance of the turbo engine. Several told me that turbo engines in general are prone to break down. Scotty Kilmer, TH-cam mechanic, recommends changing the oil in a turbo engine every 3,000 miles to prevent major repairs. Others on TH-cam recommend a 500 mile oil change when the car is brand new because of all the wear and tear that naturally occurs in any new car engine. Metal filings and corrosive chemicals appear in the engine the first 500 miles that you will never see any other time. More wear and tear happens in the first 500 miles than at any other time. One oil expert on TH-cam analyzed the motor oil at 500 miles, and other intervals, to prove this. It used to be standard practice to change the oil after 500 miles instead of 6,000. Others have told me that I need to idle the turbo engine in park for a few minutes before shutting it down. Apparently, shutting it down right away will lead to major damage because the engine is too hot; the engine’s heat burns the oil that is left behind coating the engine, leaving a burnt residual and gunked up engine! Any thoughts on these turbo warnings? Did I make a big mistake? Choosing the turbo?
If you have low speed driving before reaching your home or destination. You don’t have to idle longer than 40 seconds to a minute. If you just got off the highway doing 70 mph and into a mall parking lot then yeah idle for 2 minutes just to let it cool off.
@@AntilleanConfederation thank you! I commute 60 miles a day on the highway and the oil temperature reaches 220 degrees F at the end of each trip. I will idle it for two minutes at the end of each trip. I also decided to change the oil every 4,500 miles, a compromise between 3,000 and 6,000 miles. I want this turbo engine to last 200,000 miles. Pax.
Nice video, but I found it interesting that my US version of the XT has 260hp, 277 ft.lbs of torque. I have owned 3 Outbacks, a 2015 25i Limited, a 2022 Touring XT and my current Outback a 2023 Touring XT. My' 23 is the best one. It is far quieter, rides smoother, and is just more fun with all the toys inside. My Outback only requires reg unleaded fuel, 87 octane. I really like that I no longer have to worry about people at he car wash spraying anything inside the cabin. I do not drive the vehicle hard, but when extra oomph!! is required, a press on the gas and it is there. However word of caution, when getting to your destination in an XT let the car run a couple of minutes before turning off the engine, this will give the turbo a chance to spool down.
Very helpful comment. Have 2018 Outback Limited. Opted not to get 3.6r due to slight reliability issues. 2.5 is nice but lacks oomph when merging or getting on the highway. This comment helps to show the ‘23 version might be it.
That’s good advice to take it easy on the car a few minutes before you know you’ll shut it down so the turbo system can cool off. We used to do that religiously with the old Mazda Rx7 turbo ll. When almost to the destination would just cruise easily to keep it out of boost and not have a fully hot dogged turbo just being shut off before the oil system can cool it a bit. I do know that some car companies now have their turbos cool down by fans, etc even after the cars get shut off so I wonder if Subaru does that with these new vehicles?
I've owned three Foresters here in eastern Canada, all with the 2.5 naturally aspirated engine and loved all three (2009, 2014, & 2019). Each one was a marked improvement over the previous one. I thought I had no need for the turbo and was a bit concerned about its reliability and lifespan. While waiting for an oil change for my Forester at the dealer last year, I chatted with the sales manager. He said that because of the shortage of computer chips and hence new cars, used cars were worth a lot more than usual. He offered me a crazy trade-in price so I got a new Outback Wilderness ('22), which comes with the turbo. Despite my original misgivings, I'll never go back! The Wilderness is geared a bit lower than the standard Outback, and comes with slightly more aggressive tires, but it still rides like a luxury car and is quiet inside. Except for too many menus on the large dash screen instead of physical switches, it is just about perfect for me. The extra ground clearance and full sized spare offers extra reassurance on logging roads when I go fishing, but honestly, my old Foresters were more than good enough for that too. Still, better driving on urban and country roads too? No contest!
The wilderness is great, I have a loaner of the Forester Wilderness now and I want one. I prefer the Forester screen without that big tablet also, it's too few buttons for me.
@@ChristianRunsNY I wanted the Forester Wilderness too - it's a better size for me, but it wasn't available at the time and the dealer said he couldn't give me that great trade-in price if I waited too long. Plus I really wanted to try a turbo before I got too old, and it wasn't available in the Forester. Now that I've got used to the Outback, I may continue on with them.
Great review. Very practical. Would like to have seen the addition of the highway noise levels. Traveling long distances at 110km/hr, having a quieter car is a real bonus.
I currently own a 2021 Subaru Outback Sport and in the lead up to making the decision to purchase back in 2021, I made extensive enquiries as to whether a Turbo version would be released in OZ, but was told emphatically NO. On hearing the news of release of the XT, I ordered a Sport XT and will take delivery in late May 2023, for reason of the increased performance of the XT, greater towing capacity and the all round better touring capabilities of the XT for OZ conditions. Thank you for comparative video which has fully validated my reasons and decision to change over to the Sport XT Turbo. And yes, as suggested I may remove the XT Badge just to fool those who may underestimate me at traffic lights and lane changes.
I bought a 24 Crosstrek because it didn't have a turbo. It's the limited with the 2.5 getting as much as 35mpg(US) on the highway. Calculated, not from the trip computer which is pretty accurate. Couldn't be happier.
This comparison is the type I like: Ask a question then answer it with verifiable measurements. I like it so much that I’ve subscribed to the channel. Too many reviews ask a question and then do not answer it. Or if they do answer the question that got me to watch the video, they only give their own subjective preference without doing any verifiable tests.
I purchased a Subaru Forester premium new from the factory in 2022,it has the normally aspirated engine, my wife and I are retired. My wife drives a new Kia Sportage, oftentimes i may. Take a road trip to do some photography or visit my parents gravesite that is outside of, new York state. I prefer driving the Subaru Forester as it has a more comfortable ride. It gets good mileage and is comfortable on long road trips. I use unleaded regular gasoline, i New York state the price is 3.50 a gallon while midgrade is about 4.00 a gallon, the power of the car is fine for a 4 cylinder engine and the mileage it gets is better than i expected overall i had the car for 16 months and it is working out great.
Thanks for the review. My 2016 Outback 3.6R 6 cylinder is no doubt thirstier, but it goes like the clappers when switched to sports sharp #. The 6 cylinder delivers more kilowatts at around 196kw. Nothing beats it bang for buck.
@@australianmade2659: mere 10ths in it though. In fact, the U.S. magazine "Car and Driver" has instrumented tests of both cars with the 2018 Outback 3.6 being 2.5 seconds quicker than the turbo to the (old favourite) "100mph" mark. And a higher top speed by about 15kph, but granted, not that speed matters in an Outback.
I’ll just stick with my 2018 3.6r Outback…..nothing better than a big 6 cylinder for cruising. It also does 0-100 faster than the turbo too. Love it!!!
I struggle to appreciate reading of 10L/100km as I have only owned diesels for the last 20 years and my Sorento sport+ averages 7L/100Kms on mix of city and country or 5.9L/100Km on country driving. Living in Bendigo and travelling 500 kms to Melbourne and normal distance travel to home The diesel is definitely the winner for country mileage. I think it would be great to drive the XT for the power but I wish Subaru still made the diesels which suit more of the high country mileage. I agree it will be good to see the turbo added to the Forester. Maybe a second weekend car outside the main driver.
Fascinating comparison, Tom, thanks to you & the team. I'm soon to receive my XT Turbo - my first Subaru. A mate has the N/A version (also MY23), with which he's delighted, and which impressed me enormously. I think I'll be very happy with the extra torque.
We have a 2021 XT driving in four seasons in Ontario, Canada. AWD inspires a lot of confidence in snow and sleet, and rain. Never been stuck. No problem on unpaved secondary roads either. The XT is very quick and responsive and never feels like it is straining, even on long uphill grades or when packed up for holiday trips. And there is a ton of room inside for gear when the back seats are folded down. The XT is smooth and quiet, and the ride tuning is on the plush side, Build quality is first rate. Seats are very comfortable and supportive. No squeaks or rattles after two years of driving. Apart from regular oil changes, no trips to the dealer or garage. The CVT works fine although I would prefer a conventional transmission. But I suspect most people buying a vehicle like this will not care. Overall averaging just under 10L per 100 km on I would say 70 per cent city driving. In my experience on highway cruising it drops to 8 L per 100 km or even much better depending on speed and driving style. A few niggles about some of the touchscreen controls. Increasing or decreasing fan speed requires a very precise jab of your finger in a small area of the touchscreen and I would much prefer physical buttons for this. To be fair there are a number of dedicated buttons for front defrost, side defrost, and increasing or decreasing temperature settings. And there are buttons for tuning the infotainment system. Heated seat require a two stage menu operation but I see this has been fixed on newer models. So good overall.
I’ve driven my 2023 XT four times now so hardly a long term trial. But I have driven it to a 3 night camp up the Blue Mountains. I love it. It got over some gnarly rises, through a small creek, over some potholes etc. when I was crawling over that camping “driveway” and in Easter holiday mountain traffic (lots of stop start, without the auto stop feature turned on) I was being told I would get 360km from the full tank. Once I got down onto the M4 and the drive was smooth and constant it read just under 1100kms. That was after an 1.5hr of driving down as well. Driving sensibly while I’m running it in. I’ll be towing a small caravan soon, and I don’t regret the extra $5k at all. Resale will be stronger as well
Great review, I have the 2022 OB Sport. I have never understood the comments like the one you made in this video about the OB's lack of power and literally saying you can't overtake on a country road. I have found these comments to be complete bollocks. I'm not saying the OB is a race car, I didn't want a race car. And yes it could have a bit more power. But the comment of not being able to overtake is pure utter nonsense. Maybe put your handbags down and put your foot down. Try overtaking in a turbo diesel family wagon like the Pajero Sport or Isuzu Mux. The Outback leaves them for dead in the overtaking department. The 2020 onwards models got a small retune/tweak for better power delivery over the older models. Anyway my only feedback is I think people have been exaggerating the lack of power. Otherwise thanks for the awesome review, we're looking at the XT as our second car 😂
It’s simple. The turbocharged model is a lot faster to accelerate than the non-turbo. Of course you can overtake in the 2.5L model. It’s just that this inherently dangerous manoeuvre is completed far more rapidly with the turbo engine. The data makes that more than clear.
I pre-ordered my XT last Sept. and got it in January, the dealer said that maybe the first XT hitting the road. I was wondering how the fuel economy different from the NA version and good to see your video that I made a right choice... For urban the display always shows the fuel consumption is around 13-13.5L/100km. Bad news is my XT got rear-ended 2 weeks after I got it, and probably the first XT that needs repair 😂
My 15' Outback is no race car, but I find it's performance just fine for me. I'm getting up to 33 m.p.g on a trip! As a retired auto tech, I saw to many 'turbo cars' develop problems as they racked up miles! It's about choices , drive what you like! Thanks for your report!
Looking at numerous reviews of the 2.4L Turbo most people warn you to do oil changes regularly and don't stress the CVT, the CVT is not made for fast acceleration. I went with 2.5L NA and being over 65 I am more than satisfied with how it drives and really like the LKA and adaptive cruise control. Bothe features take the stress out of driving my 2023 Premium with option pkg. 15 which added the sunroof and some minor added features like BSD It does not include an auto dimming HomeLink style rearview mirror but the lack of it has not bothered me driving in suburban traffic at night.
From the USA here. I got the 2023 onx xt recently on the first long trip mostly interstate driving average 31mpg. In town driving average around 20-22 mpg cant complain about that mpg. And the turbo is there when you need it for car passing.
Over in USA, we have the Onyx trim level which has the XT. I just got one and I'm loving it. I drove the non-turbo version and it sounded significantly louder, as you covered in your video. Turbo was definitely quieter and packed more of a punch. Very fun daily driver that doesn't break the bank.
This really helped in my understanding of the differences and also got me way more excited for my wilderness to come in October! Thanks again and great content!
Had a 2015 Outback Limited with the 2.5l. Now I have a 2020 XT with the 2.4 Turbo. I cannot ever imagine going back to the 2.5l. Yes, the Turbo gets slightly worse MPG. BUT WOW WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN DRIVING EXPERIENCE. And I am not a lead foot boy racer. The XT is just better on the highway and around town. Actually able to pass other cars without being in a down hill with a tail wind and 1+miles of road. Here in the US, the XT does NOT require premium gas. Runs all day on regular. And, in the US, the service intervals for 2.5 and 2.4 are the same. And wow what a difference with the CVT behavior. The beefed up CVT has made me love having a CVT. I smoke most people when I need to because of all the time they take with their shifting. Muscle cars get really pissed at how quick my XT is off the line...and I am not evening trying. I average 27mpg on my mostly country highway/super highway commute. When I am stuck driving in urban...18-20mpg. XT Touring in the US has laminated side glass for the front seats for even better sound deadening.
Great, concise and helpful review for a future buyer of the Subaru OUTBACK XT. Thank you 'Chasing Cars' for a 'no nonsense review/ have subscribed and look forward to future videos on the 'Outback' and hopefully will be able to my many outback tours planned for the future.
Great content Tom. Really appreciate the level of detail you did for this. It makes me feel a bit better about my nerdy spreadsheets cataloging and comparing cars in this way 😂 I also want to highlight that during the Outback 3.6r years, that car was constantly was reviewed as ‘the H6 is better than the 4 but you’re probably fine getting the 4’. Looking at you John Cadogan. Then Subaru didn’t bring the 2.4t to Australia initially and all the AU journalists had conniptions about Subaru going soft when they’d literally recommended the public not to opt for the premium engine. So. Long way of saying thank you for having an honest opinion based on objective facts and laying it all out. I’d love to see more videos like this. Maybe when it comes to Aus the Cx-60 diesel vs the petrol real world figures?
Luv this guy. Knows his stuff, doesn't talk fluff and speaks about what's important in a way that relates to most people. Excellent review by an excellent reviewer on a really fantastic car. Seems Outback is now perfect with the turbo. Secretly, I'd love the old 3.6R back . . . WITH a turbo!! We have had a 2015 Outback 3.6R since new amd it has been great. Performance 'probably' about the same as this new turbo I'd say. Very good motor this 3.6 but no doubt, with the same performance, this 2.4T motor would use quite a bit less petrol. The 3.6R was $42K when we bought top-of-the-range back in 2015 - bargain at the time so the price of the turbo shocked me a bit at first. Then again, everything has exploded in price over the past 10 years or so. Oh, the timing cover issue has affected us on the 3.6R, don't know if the 2.4T is afflicted with same so keep an eye out for oil leaks - that's the only major thing we've had go wrong. Very happy otherwise. Thanks for the review CCs 🙂
I ordered the 2.5. I would have loved the 2.4 XT, really wanted the quietest car possible... but just couldn't stretch my budget. Still very excited to get my first Subaru!
if you drive slowly and don't push the pedal too much, it will be much more efficient than the figure Tom have got he drove the NA vehicle too hard (first acceleration hitting 3500 rpm), to get the same performance/acceleration the turbo would, then of course the turbo will be more efficient in this scenario I'm 100% sure that if you drive both cars very gently, the non turbo will be much more efficient, no matter if around town or highway. I drove an Outlander 2.5 + CVT AWD (similar powertrain and power, similar weight and much worse aerodynamics) , for years and used to get 8.5 L/100km in town and lower 7s on the motorway, but I did drive with ECO always on and without hurry.
Great job with your review. You covered so many of the critical bases, which other reviewers tend to overlook. I'm in the US, so models and things are perhaps not identical, but I'm the "how does it look 10 years later" guy here. In late 2013, I was shopping 2014 Foresters and had to make the decision on XT vs non-turbo. At that time, the base XT was identically priced to the non-Turbo limited. So, for the same money as the XT, I could have had leather, and an auto-closing rear hatch. In my XT, I got cloth seats and a manual hatch. However, I also got 250 HP with 258 lb-ft of torque, 18" wheels instead of 17", larger brakes, a better suspension (I drove the non-turbo and it had a lot more body roll), a totally different front fascia, X-Drive and paddle shifters. Mine takes premium gas vs regular. So, 9.5 years and 108,000 miles later, I have zero regrets. The twin scroll 2.0l engine has been flawless. I also get 3 drive modes ("Intelligent", sport, and sport sharp) and a manual shift option with paddles. I thought I'd be using the paddles a lot, but quickly realized that the Sport Sharp is actually pretty good. It noticably amps up throttle tip in response, and "learns" what you are doing. If you are driving it aggressively in Sport Sharp, it will hold lower "gears" longer to keep it in the higher torque RPM range. It has torque in spades, and does 0-60 in the low 6 second range. I'm starting to think about what will replace it, and sadly, all the Forester's sold here now have the doggy 184 HP engine. (Amazingly, the orange piping on the "Sport" doesn't add any HP or torque. Yes, that is my "bitter sarcasm font"). So, if I had to do it this model year, I'd be looking at one of the XT flavors in the Outback. FOr the money, it is a heck of a good value. Looking at the US "Onyx XT" it is about $39K (USD), which is about 9k more than I paid for my Forester in '13. The towing capacity is greatly increased, it has heated seats, and all the safety features that mine doesn't. Interesting that your "Sport" doesn't have a sun roof. I'd be happy to not pay extra for a sunroof that I barely ever use.
Good, comprehensive & useful review, thanks. I'm selling my 4yo Le Vorg STi soon for the XT described. It's been a great car, one of the best cars I've had, and there's been a few. It hasn't missed a beat. Good mate is about to take delivery of Outback XT so excitement looms. Thanks again.
Just bought my wife the Outback Touring XT. Without a doubt drove both of them and I felt there was a major difference. There would be no way I would even go with the the non turbo. I don’t worry about if it uses more gas it’s about the drive and power
U.S. Outback owner here: ‘21 Touring XT, loving it. But need more road trips, as I’m woefully under normal mileage. It’s an absolute treat to drive. Regards!
Having driven my 2021 Touring to outback NSW last year I loved the ride but wished it had more grunt for passing on country roads. Just picked up my XT this weekend and took it to country Victoria and can vouch for Tom’s review and for me worth the cost, changeover being much worse than the $5k. Effortless drive, smooth and quiet. My experience with the trip computer yields closer to truth results than Tom’s 7% and used 8.4 L/100 km on my trip away. My trip in the 2.5L to NSW average 15:09 d in the 6’s but very flat country. Love the new turbo, slow to get there but we’ll done Subaru. Good analysis of fuel and running costs Tom, quite a surprise.
I traded sluggish 2021 Forester for 2023 Outback XT & it's the best trade I ever made. I get good pickup when merging, road handling much better than the Forester, seat very comfortable, almost best car I've ever had except for those Corvettes in my younger days.
Finally almost only decent video I found ,where someone gave decent data on the car/s even more, they compared the XT to the non-turbo. I just want a bit more handling, pushing in the corners, over very nice and bad road(where he said it performs well-usual for Subaru chassis on bumpy roads). My old 2010 Forester is flawed with 2.0 no-turbo 150hp engine, but at least when I swerve the wheel the front follows like it dances! I agree with everything he said 100%, but I was wondering why the non-turbo takes time to react after steering input (non Subaru chassis characteristic), but the turbo is much better because of engine placement? This is interesting to me, as the boxer usually lays low between your pillars/ between your front wheels:)
For reference, my 260,000 klick 1997 Tommy Kaira M20b (based on the standard EJ20 WRX engine) puts out 235+ Kilowatts, and well in excess of 350Nm with just 1.2 bar of boost. Yes, it has no catalytic converter. Yes, it has huge ARC TMI. Yes, it has a TK tune. Yes, it just has the tiny Mitsubishi TD04 Turbo. Yes, it has a 4-inch downpipe, and a 3" stainless Fujitsubo JASMA-approved exhaust system so it never exceeds 95dB. It has no computer apart from the ECU. It has glass headlights. It has a 5-speed manual transmission - with two gigantic Tommy Kaira braces running right through it. It has an actual throttle cable which connects your right foot directly to the throttle body. It has full-time AWD. And even when I thrash it on long trips it never exceeds 11-litres/100km. And it's not really worth nursing, because even if I limp along at 100km/h in 5th, at 3,300 RPM I only get 9-litres/100km from it. Every time I drive a modern Subaru, I'm shocked at how pitiful they are, how horribly quiet they are, and how they transmit almost nothing through the pedals, steering wheel, and the seat. It is like driving by remote control - in a simulator. DO NOT BUY A MODERN SUBARU. GET AN OLD PRE-2000s STi, AND THRASH IT!
Yeah Tom if I had my way I would bring back the 3.6 Ltr six Cyl but after your review I ll have no problem upgrading to the Turbo model thx mate your the best
I'm on my second XT Outback in Ontario, Canada. 100% agree with turbo being a better option. Car easily deals with thick and wet snow and with load in the car. Also has a premium and refined feel, for the price, when compare to my father's Q5. I am glad Subaru didnt try to 'sportify' the ride. This car demolishes rough, gravel or ice covered roads and then feel perfectly at home on a 5K km road trip across the country. Wish they improved thd brakes. They are a bit undersized for a car this size (esp with gear) and the max load capacity (900lbd!!) is a bit low, but I know this is what gives it the plush ride.
Got 2022 Outback with 2.4 turbo. Fuel mileage is 1 mpg less than 2.5 engine because 2.5 works harder at higher rpm at same speed as 2.4. I enjoy the extra power and performance. Also will get higher resale value on 2.4.
I live in NC, US. We traded a 17 Outback Limited 2.5 for a 21 XT Touring. Our mpg dropped a couple mpg. With the XT we get 25 city & 30 Hwy. So we still get great Mpg, and way much more power. The regular 2.5 used to feel stressed in the mountains. Where our XT just pulls & can go!
Drove the non turbo about a year ago, loved the car, hated the engine, so gutless couldn't believe this day and age they would try to palm off such an underpowered unit for the price of 55k plus
Just ordered an XT Turbo Touring. I live regionally, enjoy driving to places where there’s absolutely no charging infrastructure and want a comfortable car that provides safety in passing slow traffic on rural roads. Much of my use will be within the regional City I live in, but travel cross country into SA and elsewhere needs the assurance I have the range and ability to refuel wherever I want to. Your review has been very helpful in defining things I wanted to know before ordering. The test drive I did locally convinced me. Now it’s a 5 to 6 month wait, but I’m patient.
Just got a 24 XT in green. Had a 22 Outback Premium, which I traded in fir a 23 Ascent Onyx. Mpgs on the Ascent are the worst ever. 14-17 city. The other day I was reading 13.1 mpg. So traded that in on the. 24 Outback XT. Im an Outback guy at heart.
been waiting 8 months for my XT. It's almost here!!! Thanks for clearing up the fuel economy issue. I'll refer non believers to your review. Drove the non turbo and placed an order but as soon as I heard the XT was coming changed the order. Knew i wouldn't regret it.
Hi, Thanks for the review. Its good to finally get some real cross assesment and actual real world data. Congratulations as none of your competitors have looked at this and so just quote the manufacturer numbers. I was put off a bit by the XT fuel economy, but will now give it another look. I also look forward to the tow review you mention as the XT should be good for smaller campers. When looking at towing though, can you please also quote the towball load capacity (in addtion to the overall load) as many of the SUV's might have circa 2000kg, but a towball capcity around 100kg thats below teh ball load for many of the campers out there. Further fuel economy when towing would also be great. By experience this varies hugely depending on load, the speed you cruise at and things on the van such as bikes/surfboards. We tow with a Prado and small camper and if fully loaded with gear on a 110km freeway and a headwind it can drink 15-16lt/100km. However when cruising at 100km/h and without the bikes on top of it, it drops to around 13lt/100km. FInal thoughts is would be great to see more cross assesments like this within model ranges. ie Hybrid v diesel v petrol as many of us cross shop within a range... Thanks
As an XT owner (who wasn’t able to drive it before ordering because they didn’t exist), I was very surprised at how quiet the car is at all speeds. Especially if you are nice and gentle on the throttle the engine barely gets over 2000rpm. This is a great example 7:41 and well thought out. The Non-turbo really abuses the engine to get moving and I would struggle hearing that every say. I look forward to your tow test 💪🏻
It’s interesting how the fuel companies get into bed with car manufacturers. Here in the USA the turbo does NOT require higher octane fuel than the NA (naturally aspirated) models. I’ve owned my 22 Touring XT Outback for a year now. She’s a gas hog but a million times more fun to drive than the NA. The Touring models also have laminated glass and they are super quiet inside. Great video as always. Thank you from the USA. 👍🏻
Thanks for the interesting review. After much research we’ve opted to buy an Outback XT. It’s amazing how few cars have a full sized spare - this was a big factor for me. Can I check which driving mode you were using (sport or “I” ) when testing fuel consumption? Also do you know what tire pressure you were running? Thanks!
I'm still driving my Liberty GT Wagon (MY2004) bought new. Almost 250K kms now. Recently replaced the lower control arms and upgraded to Bilsteins. It has been pretty reliable so far. Waiting for it to break then I can change to an XT Outback, maybe!
A review on towing would be great. If you can do it on a boat as well. Putting the boat in and out @ the ramp. Caravan would be great as well. Thanks.👍😎
I'll always be apprehensive when considering a turbo car, especially an outback, after my 2005 Outback XT Turbo blew. I was a week late on my oil change and the impeller broke. Just a cool $7,500 bill from the dealership. Shortblock and turbo replaced. Not only does it require more maintenance than the NA version (half the mileage for oil change intervals), but it requires more expensive gas, and it burns through it way faster. My average MPG it 17-18mpg, city + highway with most of it being highway. I hope these new engines have changed for the better, but I know turbos are inherently more likely to break because they create more stress on the motor and heat than a typical NA car.
the fuel consumption doesn't make sense. I used to own a '22 XT and now I own the '23 Limited (NA motor) - and in the city, im getting 29MPG (8.11 L/100km). with my XT, I was getting AT BEST 24 MPG in the city (9.8 L/100km) - from everyone ive spoken with that have both the XT and NA, all say the NA gets much better economy in both city and highway driving. were your engines broken in prior to testing? prior to break in, my NA was getting 27MPG city (8.7 L/100km), then after 1,4k miles or somewhere abouts, it went up to 29MPG (8.11 L/100km)
I bought a new 2023 naoutback for my wife. We traded in our 2018 Impreza. Impreza much more fun to drive and about 8-10 MPG better economy. Wife died and after several months I realized her car had to go. Traded it in for 2024 Onyx XT. Now I smile every time I drive it. More fun than the 2023 or the Impreza and doesn't remind me of my beautiful wife.
Thanks for the nice review. I agree that the XT is a good alternative to atmospheric engines. And the turbo gives more emotion, as for me, and in general, both cars from Subaru are a balanced choice.
In 2022, purchased an Subaru outback Ltd with the naturally aspirated engine. I went back a year later 2023 and traded it in for an Outback Wilderness edition. Currently I only have 1400 miles on the vehicle. I do notice a difference in the😢 fuel consumption. All in all, I am totally satisfied with the change I made.
I’ve had my XT for 3 weeks, zero regrets, best 5k I’ve ever spent.
Good to hear.
make sure you keep an eye out on your oil level sensor/lower oil pan for leaks. my leaked at 800 miles on my 2022 2.4 DiT engine.
@@perpetualgrin5804 I was thinking the same lol
5k? Where can I get one for 5k? Around here they're $55k!
@@parvent3556 I’m pretty sure we are here comparing non turbo vs turbo and if the $5k difference is worth it to upgrade from NA to Turbo
More reviews like this please. As you say in your review, most shoppers are looking for a quite comfortable car for their daily drive. So many reviews bang on about carving up back roads etc. The vast majority want info on NVH, comfort, drivability and performance. Measuring the noise (dB) was a great addition. Thanks for a great review.
Yes cabin noise important except when the Harman Kardon is cranked with your favourite tune! Outstanding 💪
"quiet and comfortable" makes for less fatigue over distance, for sure
The 2.4 wear out quicker. Extra hard on engine over time.😮
0-60mph = 9.6 seconds with the non-Turbo. 6.6 *with the Turbo.*
Absolutely worth it! Might not seem much, but take it from someone who lived with a slow car for years, it is definitely worth the $5K extra. My current vehicle does that in 6.5 seconds. Effortless acceleration. Merging onto highway traffic is easy. I can accelerate away from an oncoming potential accident due to thoughtless other drivers. I can never go back.
I had a turbo Ranger and sold it and got a regular outback Onyx 2024. Works perfectly fine for me. I get up to speed fine. Before my Ranger I also had a 400hp Infiniti Q50. My days of caring about that stuff are over. What I care about is I can get to my hiking and kayaking spots and room for my Doberman. Nothing else.
I just leased a 2024 outback xt and I couldn’t be happier! This is my 3rd outback and I can definitely tell the difference. I love it!!
I am facing exactly this decision today. I appreciate your test, your style, and you taking a clear stand at the end!
I hope you went for the XT, as it is a no-brainer, you're spending that much on a car already I would definitely push for the Turbo, especially when I know the fake fuel saving promises with a weak engine for the vehicle weight, it's the same or even worst if I drive it, it will rev to 6K very often. When you do that, even not that extreme the smaller/weaker engine usually consumes more fuel:)
@@Valdismith I did buy the XT and am quite happy. I can't imagine the regular even for daily drive. It would be making me nuts and I am not a performance driver. I do miss my Audi Allroad still. ;) Hopefully, the subie will last 200K miles vs 100K miles.
@@billszymanski4844 I got the regular and it works totally fine. Saved myself 6 grand. I get up to speed fine. What is funny to me is I had a 2000 BMW 323i with a V6 that has 176 hp. It is all perception. Now "fast" is viewed differently I guess. I had a turbo Ranger before this. I could truly care less how fast a vehicle is. Guess to each his own.
I have a non-turbo 2021. I can confirm from my recent Sydney-Melbourne that the return trip gave me a fuel economy of 6.8L/100Km after following the set highway speed limits. As you guys said, in the city, it is thirsty, though, ranging from 10L/100Km to 13.8L/100Km based on how hard you hit the accelerator. Thanks for the excellent video with good comparisons, as usual.
Agreed, I have non turbo 2021, live in the middle of nowhere, and it has averaged 7.1, with 95% of my driving being rural. Thinking from this review that I don’t need to change.
I bought a '22 Outback Premium for my wife and a '24 OBXT Onyx for myself. They both have their merits, but neither gets as advertised gas mileage. 24 combined, mostly around town on the Prem and 22 combined on the XT. The CVT feels better mated to the 2.5 NA and that car is more eager and smooth off the line. Between the CVT and turbo lag, the acceleration on the XT can be quite choppy. It's fairly easy to sort out as the driver by rarely using more than 60% throttle but it's never quite as smooth as the 2.5 up to 30 mph. However the 2.5 doesn't get you much more from there and that's when the 2.4 turbo just gets going.
My wife drove my car for a day while I drove hers to get an oil change, we were both remarking about how different each others cars felt. Overall the 2.5 will suffice for most drivers and is just fine at the standard Outback. But if you're any kind of enthusiast the XT is the way to go. The turbo actually has the ability to put a smile on your face and get you up to passing speed with relative ease, while it just ain't there with the 2.5.
Thanks Tom have to totally agree, had my XT Touring in same colour for two weeks now, just ticking over 1,000ks, best, most comfortable ride I’ve ever owned and I’m a first time Subaru owner.
I’ve had a non-turbo outback for five years now. Great car, but when loaded up you start to notice the lack of power. Especially if you start climbing up in elevation as well. Going for the turbo for the next one!
I notice it without being loaded. I feel like there’s a huge lag in the 40mph mark
I have a Outback Wilderness (US model) with the 2.4t and hp specs are 260hp (194kw) with 277 ftlbs (375 Nm) of torque. Was interesting to see the Australian model is different. Also for fuel the 2.4t here can run just fine on 87 octane. I know US uses a different calculation for octane fuel octane rating (RON vs AKI) so 91 RON is similar to our 87 Octane. I do really like the 2.4t. Just finished my first year owning it and put about 13k miles on it so far and all I have had to do was a few oil changes, so far so good.
Subaru - thank you for bringing back the XT. Over 17 years I owned both the GT and XT Forester and loved them but drifted away when you discontinued those models - while not currently in the market for a new car the XT Outback would be short listed for a test drive if I was.
Excellent review thanks Tom. I took delivery of my Touring XT a couple of weeks ago and can attest to the reasonable fuel economy. On a 500 km trip last weekend the car returned 8.4 litre per 100km combined highway and urban driving. I note some concerns about the CVT from a comment below, and to that I can only say that the CVT is not only a real gearbox but is probably the best gearbox for this engine. The power delivery is so smooth I have to wonder if there is a gearbox there at all. This car is a joy to drive in every respect, and a huge refinement over my previous 2017 2.5i Outback Premium. Cheers.
Technically, it's more of a pulleybox. ;-)
There are literally no gears! It's a transmission. I know as I just had to replace mine after only 75000kms. Well Subaru thankfully paid for it. (15k cost)
@@deningmanwhat model is your car mate?
@@scotty932096 2018 outback
Thanks for the review. Let's hope Subaru Australia continue with this new found enthusiasm and bring back the Forester GT/XT
I can't give any comparison data, but I have very careful (for a layman owner) fuel economy data for my 2017 Forester XT 2.0 turbo US model, owned since new, now 92,000 miles. I've done constant-speed 15-mile loops in an empty rural area without traffic interference, returning to my starting spot each time to cancel out elevation and wind. Also, I'm correcting the trip computer for actual gas purchased, and for odometer error. My car gives 6.5 L/100km at 50 mph (80 kph), 7.6 L/100km at 60 mph (97 kph), and 9.0 L/100km at 70 mph (112 kph). My lifetime overall consumption is now 10.6 L/100km. I live in an urban residential neighborhood, but the car has been as far as 7000 km away from home on a trip.
Great review. I drive previous gen diesel and the 350nm torque, the same as the new XT, really makes it a relaxing vehicle to drive. The turbo XT should be the standard offering in my opinion in the current gen since the demise of the diesel.
Thanks for this video. It was a major part of my decision making and test driving. You addressed all the questions - to XT, or not to XT.
After taking both on the same test drive , the XT is the car you expect the model to be. Effortless, easy, nimble, capable. The 2.5 on test drive was able, but under strain when accelerating on hills. The 2.5 is a fine vehicle if your driving is the suburban shuffle , as a capable versatile wagon , suburban driving , ready for the occasional holiday, a great out of zone picnic- I would have picked it for the savings. Car and fuel.
I really liked your noise and fuel comparisons. Importantly , the get up and go comparisons.
The reality is - what did I need?
My drive includes frequent highway driving- passing trucks, overtaking 4x4 caravans, avoiding driver pullouts on hills, needing that torque at 2500rpm to escape driver error (mine and theirs), and sometimes Im quite loaded. I do suburban also- work and back- but out of every month the majority of kms is mixing it with the milieu on the highway.
I have taken delivery of my XT - it is the right car. Averaging 8.3l/100 as mixed suburban and highway kms. Im using a fuel app to source the best fuel prices for the premium fuel. Dont be put of by the fuel stats- THE REVIEW IS RIGHT- The XT is surprisingly fuel efficient.
I have become fast friends with my Subaru Outback XT.
This video breakdown really does reflect the differences in the 2 vehicles.
Just got my xt.
Love it. Quiet and plenty of shove.
I've got a 2023 XT and yes it's worth it 😊.
Tell that to my Mrs who has a 2021 touring NA and says "we don't need a turbo" 😅
When I drive it I beg to differ!
our(USA) has 260HP im not sure if there is a reason its got15HP more(different ways of calculation or what) but I think the thing the 260 HP version(XT) does is make up for the underpowered 182 HP standard engine.and the CVT, i think the LOW HP engine+CVT=sluggish the XT260HP = non sluggish
I just bought the 2024 XT Onyx edition. It is great! When I need to floor it I feel like Luke Skywalker going into hyper space. It keeps accelerating effortlessly. There is no strain, and the rate of acceleration keeps increasing. When I pass someone, and look in the rear view mirror, the distance between us keeps getting bigger. It is an amazing burst of speed.
Some people expressed concerns about maintenance of the turbo engine. Several told me that turbo engines in general are prone to break down. Scotty Kilmer, TH-cam mechanic, recommends changing the oil in a turbo engine every 3,000 miles to prevent major repairs. Others on TH-cam recommend a 500 mile oil change when the car is brand new because of all the wear and tear that naturally occurs in any new car engine. Metal filings and corrosive chemicals appear in the engine the first 500 miles that you will never see any other time. More wear and tear happens in the first 500 miles than at any other time. One oil expert on TH-cam analyzed the motor oil at 500 miles, and other intervals, to prove this. It used to be standard practice to change the oil after 500 miles instead of 6,000.
Others have told me that I need to idle the turbo engine in park for a few minutes before shutting it down. Apparently, shutting it down right away will lead to major damage because the engine is too hot; the engine’s heat burns the oil that is left behind coating the engine, leaving a burnt residual and gunked up engine!
Any thoughts on these turbo warnings? Did I make a big mistake? Choosing the turbo?
If you have low speed driving before reaching your home or destination. You don’t have to idle longer than 40 seconds to a minute. If you just got off the highway doing 70 mph and into a mall parking lot then yeah idle for 2 minutes just to let it cool off.
@@AntilleanConfederation thank you! I commute 60 miles a day on the highway and the oil temperature reaches 220 degrees F at the end of each trip. I will idle it for two minutes at the end of each trip. I also decided to change the oil every 4,500 miles, a compromise between 3,000 and 6,000 miles.
I want this turbo engine to last 200,000 miles.
Pax.
@@David.Gaugamela I use 5w30 instead of 0w20 and it keeps the temps cooler. Have yet to see anything over 210 F
@@David.Gaugamela
Nice video, but I found it interesting that my US version of the XT has 260hp, 277 ft.lbs of torque. I have owned 3 Outbacks, a 2015 25i Limited, a 2022 Touring XT and my current Outback a 2023 Touring XT. My' 23 is the best one. It is far quieter, rides smoother, and is just more fun with all the toys inside. My Outback only requires reg unleaded fuel, 87 octane. I really like that I no longer have to worry about people at he car wash spraying anything inside the cabin. I do not drive the vehicle hard, but when extra oomph!! is required, a press on the gas and it is there. However word of caution, when getting to your destination in an XT let the car run a couple of minutes before turning off the engine, this will give the turbo a chance to spool down.
Very helpful comment. Have 2018 Outback Limited. Opted not to get 3.6r due to slight reliability issues. 2.5 is nice but lacks oomph when merging or getting on the highway. This comment helps to show the ‘23 version might be it.
That’s good advice to take it easy on the car a few minutes before you know you’ll shut it down so the turbo system can cool off. We used to do that religiously with the old Mazda Rx7 turbo ll. When almost to the destination would just cruise easily to keep it out of boost and not have a fully hot dogged turbo just being shut off before the oil system can cool it a bit. I do know that some car companies now have their turbos cool down by fans, etc even after the cars get shut off so I wonder if Subaru does that with these new vehicles?
I've owned three Foresters here in eastern Canada, all with the 2.5 naturally aspirated engine and loved all three (2009, 2014, & 2019). Each one was a marked improvement over the previous one. I thought I had no need for the turbo and was a bit concerned about its reliability and lifespan. While waiting for an oil change for my Forester at the dealer last year, I chatted with the sales manager. He said that because of the shortage of computer chips and hence new cars, used cars were worth a lot more than usual. He offered me a crazy trade-in price so I got a new Outback Wilderness ('22), which comes with the turbo. Despite my original misgivings, I'll never go back! The Wilderness is geared a bit lower than the standard Outback, and comes with slightly more aggressive tires, but it still rides like a luxury car and is quiet inside. Except for too many menus on the large dash screen instead of physical switches, it is just about perfect for me. The extra ground clearance and full sized spare offers extra reassurance on logging roads when I go fishing, but honestly, my old Foresters were more than good enough for that too. Still, better driving on urban and country roads too? No contest!
The wilderness is great, I have a loaner of the Forester Wilderness now and I want one. I prefer the Forester screen without that big tablet also, it's too few buttons for me.
@@ChristianRunsNY I wanted the Forester Wilderness too - it's a better size for me, but it wasn't available at the time and the dealer said he couldn't give me that great trade-in price if I waited too long. Plus I really wanted to try a turbo before I got too old, and it wasn't available in the Forester. Now that I've got used to the Outback, I may continue on with them.
Great review. Very practical. Would like to have seen the addition of the highway noise levels. Traveling long distances at 110km/hr, having a quieter car is a real bonus.
I currently own a 2021 Subaru Outback Sport and in the lead up to making the decision to purchase back in 2021, I made extensive enquiries as to whether a Turbo version would be released in OZ, but was told emphatically NO. On hearing the news of release of the XT, I ordered a Sport XT and will take delivery in late May 2023, for reason of the increased performance of the XT, greater towing capacity and the all round better touring capabilities of the XT for OZ conditions. Thank you for comparative video which has fully validated my reasons and decision to change over to the Sport XT Turbo. And yes, as suggested I may remove the XT Badge just to fool those who may underestimate me at traffic lights and lane changes.
I bought a 24 Crosstrek because it didn't have a turbo. It's the limited with the 2.5 getting as much as 35mpg(US) on the highway. Calculated, not from the trip computer which is pretty accurate. Couldn't be happier.
It's one of the best analyses that I have ever seen.
I have the XT, and 3 years later, I am still enjoying driving the car.
This comparison is the type I like: Ask a question then answer it with verifiable measurements. I like it so much that I’ve subscribed to the channel.
Too many reviews ask a question and then do not answer it. Or if they do answer the question that got me to watch the video, they only give their own subjective preference without doing any verifiable tests.
Got the turbo after watching your video. Love it! Thank you!!!
Great to hear!
Purchased the 2.5 and have no issues.
I purchased a Subaru Forester premium new from the factory in 2022,it has the normally aspirated engine, my wife and I are retired. My wife drives a new Kia Sportage, oftentimes i may. Take a road trip to do some photography or visit my parents gravesite that is outside of, new York state. I prefer driving the Subaru Forester as it has a more comfortable ride. It gets good mileage and is comfortable on long road trips. I use unleaded regular gasoline, i New York state the price is 3.50 a gallon while midgrade is about 4.00 a gallon, the power of the car is fine for a 4 cylinder engine and the mileage it gets is better than i expected overall i had the car for 16 months and it is working out great.
Thanks for the review. My 2016 Outback 3.6R 6 cylinder is no doubt thirstier, but it goes like the clappers when switched to sports sharp #. The 6 cylinder delivers more kilowatts at around 196kw. Nothing beats it bang for buck.
It doesn’t have the torque down low. The kw up high don’t do much. The XT will be faster
@@australianmade2659: mere 10ths in it though. In fact, the U.S. magazine "Car and Driver" has instrumented tests of both cars with the 2018 Outback 3.6 being 2.5 seconds quicker than the turbo to the (old favourite) "100mph" mark. And a higher top speed by about 15kph, but granted, not that speed matters in an Outback.
My turbo arrives next week, can't wait
Enjoy!
I’ll just stick with my 2018 3.6r Outback…..nothing better than a big 6 cylinder for cruising. It also does 0-100 faster than the turbo too. Love it!!!
I struggle to appreciate reading of 10L/100km as I have only owned diesels for the last 20 years and my Sorento sport+ averages 7L/100Kms on mix of city and country or 5.9L/100Km on country driving. Living in Bendigo and travelling 500 kms to Melbourne and normal distance travel to home The diesel is definitely the winner for country mileage. I think it would be great to drive the XT for the power but I wish Subaru still made the diesels which suit more of the high country mileage. I agree it will be good to see the turbo added to the Forester. Maybe a second weekend car outside the main driver.
Excellent review Tom…awesome real world comparison….XT all the way
I switched to the XT this year and enjoying my Outback even more 🎉
I ordered an XT TOURING on Saturday and cant wait to get it, turbo is the way to go, drivability is far better.
Fascinating comparison, Tom, thanks to you & the team. I'm soon to receive my XT Turbo - my first Subaru. A mate has the N/A version (also MY23), with which he's delighted, and which impressed me enormously. I think I'll be very happy with the extra torque.
Very unique / independent reviews ; please keep on your outstanding comments . Thank you !
We have a 2021 XT driving in four seasons in Ontario, Canada. AWD inspires a lot of confidence in snow and sleet, and rain. Never been stuck. No problem on unpaved secondary roads either. The XT is very quick and responsive and never feels like it is straining, even on long uphill grades or when packed up for holiday trips. And there is a ton of room inside for gear when the back seats are folded down.
The XT is smooth and quiet, and the ride tuning is on the plush side, Build quality is first rate. Seats are very comfortable and supportive. No squeaks or rattles after two years of driving. Apart from regular oil changes, no trips to the dealer or garage. The CVT works fine although I would prefer a conventional transmission. But I suspect most people buying a vehicle like this will not care.
Overall averaging just under 10L per 100 km on I would say 70 per cent city driving. In my experience on highway cruising it drops to 8 L per 100 km or even much better depending on speed and driving style.
A few niggles about some of the touchscreen controls. Increasing or decreasing fan speed requires a very precise jab of your finger in a small area of the touchscreen and I would much prefer physical buttons for this. To be fair there are a number of dedicated buttons for front defrost, side defrost, and increasing or decreasing temperature settings. And there are buttons for tuning the infotainment system. Heated seat require a two stage menu operation but I see this has been fixed on newer models. So good overall.
I’ve driven my 2023 XT four times now so hardly a long term trial. But I have driven it to a 3 night camp up the Blue Mountains. I love it. It got over some gnarly rises, through a small creek, over some potholes etc. when I was crawling over that camping “driveway” and in Easter holiday mountain traffic (lots of stop start, without the auto stop feature turned on) I was being told I would get 360km from the full tank. Once I got down onto the M4 and the drive was smooth and constant it read just under 1100kms. That was after an 1.5hr of driving down as well. Driving sensibly while I’m running it in.
I’ll be towing a small caravan soon, and I don’t regret the extra $5k at all. Resale will be stronger as well
Great review, I have the 2022 OB Sport. I have never understood the comments like the one you made in this video about the OB's lack of power and literally saying you can't overtake on a country road. I have found these comments to be complete bollocks. I'm not saying the OB is a race car, I didn't want a race car. And yes it could have a bit more power. But the comment of not being able to overtake is pure utter nonsense. Maybe put your handbags down and put your foot down. Try overtaking in a turbo diesel family wagon like the Pajero Sport or Isuzu Mux. The Outback leaves them for dead in the overtaking department. The 2020 onwards models got a small retune/tweak for better power delivery over the older models. Anyway my only feedback is I think people have been exaggerating the lack of power. Otherwise thanks for the awesome review, we're looking at the XT as our second car 😂
It’s simple. The turbocharged model is a lot faster to accelerate than the non-turbo. Of course you can overtake in the 2.5L model. It’s just that this inherently dangerous manoeuvre is completed far more rapidly with the turbo engine. The data makes that more than clear.
I pre-ordered my XT last Sept. and got it in January, the dealer said that maybe the first XT hitting the road. I was wondering how the fuel economy different from the NA version and good to see your video that I made a right choice... For urban the display always shows the fuel consumption is around 13-13.5L/100km.
Bad news is my XT got rear-ended 2 weeks after I got it, and probably the first XT that needs repair 😂
That seems quite high, you must have a very heavy foot or do lots of short trips.
@@JasonISF probably short trips mainly, and I live in a hilly district may also increase fuel used?
@@jonleexz Hills would definitely have a large effect on the consumption. Hope you got it all fixed up 👍
Been following g this channel from its early days. Always the best reviews on TH-cam.
Top review and conclusion. You can never have too much power or torque, just makes for a more relaxed drive.
Lol only if you’re willing to part with several grand extra for it.
@@petethehawk5186 yes they are dearer but some people won't buy the non turbo even if it was half the price, just too underpowered.
My 15' Outback is no race car, but I find it's performance just fine for me. I'm getting up to 33 m.p.g on a trip! As a retired auto tech, I saw to many 'turbo cars' develop problems as they racked up miles! It's about choices , drive what you like! Thanks for your report!
Agree!
Looking at numerous reviews of the 2.4L Turbo most people warn you to do oil changes regularly and don't stress the CVT, the CVT is not made for fast acceleration. I went with 2.5L NA and being over 65 I am more than satisfied with how it drives and really like the LKA and adaptive cruise control. Bothe features take the stress out of driving my 2023 Premium with option pkg. 15 which added the sunroof and some minor added features like BSD It does not include an auto dimming HomeLink style rearview mirror but the lack of it has not bothered me driving in suburban traffic at night.
From the USA here. I got the 2023 onx xt recently on the first long trip mostly interstate driving average 31mpg. In town driving average around 20-22 mpg cant complain about that mpg. And the turbo is there when you need it for car passing.
Over in USA, we have the Onyx trim level which has the XT. I just got one and I'm loving it. I drove the non-turbo version and it sounded significantly louder, as you covered in your video. Turbo was definitely quieter and packed more of a punch. Very fun daily driver that doesn't break the bank.
This really helped in my understanding of the differences and also got me way more excited for my wilderness to come in October! Thanks again and great content!
Have fun!
Had a 2015 Outback Limited with the 2.5l. Now I have a 2020 XT with the 2.4 Turbo. I cannot ever imagine going back to the 2.5l. Yes, the Turbo gets slightly worse MPG. BUT WOW WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN DRIVING EXPERIENCE. And I am not a lead foot boy racer. The XT is just better on the highway and around town. Actually able to pass other cars without being in a down hill with a tail wind and 1+miles of road. Here in the US, the XT does NOT require premium gas. Runs all day on regular. And, in the US, the service intervals for 2.5 and 2.4 are the same. And wow what a difference with the CVT behavior. The beefed up CVT has made me love having a CVT. I smoke most people when I need to because of all the time they take with their shifting. Muscle cars get really pissed at how quick my XT is off the line...and I am not evening trying. I average 27mpg on my mostly country highway/super highway commute. When I am stuck driving in urban...18-20mpg. XT Touring in the US has laminated side glass for the front seats for even better sound deadening.
Great, concise and helpful review for a future buyer of the Subaru OUTBACK XT. Thank you 'Chasing Cars' for a 'no nonsense review/ have subscribed and look forward to future videos on the 'Outback' and hopefully will be able to my many outback tours planned for the future.
Great content Tom. Really appreciate the level of detail you did for this. It makes me feel a bit better about my nerdy spreadsheets cataloging and comparing cars in this way 😂 I also want to highlight that during the Outback 3.6r years, that car was constantly was reviewed as ‘the H6 is better than the 4 but you’re probably fine getting the 4’. Looking at you John Cadogan. Then Subaru didn’t bring the 2.4t to Australia initially and all the AU journalists had conniptions about Subaru going soft when they’d literally recommended the public not to opt for the premium engine. So. Long way of saying thank you for having an honest opinion based on objective facts and laying it all out. I’d love to see more videos like this. Maybe when it comes to Aus the Cx-60 diesel vs the petrol real world figures?
Happy to help.
Id love to see those spreadsheets
Luv this guy. Knows his stuff, doesn't talk fluff and speaks about what's important in a way that relates to most people. Excellent review by an excellent reviewer on a really fantastic car. Seems Outback is now perfect with the turbo. Secretly, I'd love the old 3.6R back . . . WITH a turbo!! We have had a 2015 Outback 3.6R since new amd it has been great. Performance 'probably' about the same as this new turbo I'd say. Very good motor this 3.6 but no doubt, with the same performance, this 2.4T motor would use quite a bit less petrol. The 3.6R was $42K when we bought top-of-the-range back in 2015 - bargain at the time so the price of the turbo shocked me a bit at first. Then again, everything has exploded in price over the past 10 years or so. Oh, the timing cover issue has affected us on the 3.6R, don't know if the 2.4T is afflicted with same so keep an eye out for oil leaks - that's the only major thing we've had go wrong. Very happy otherwise. Thanks for the review CCs 🙂
I ordered the 2.5. I would have loved the 2.4 XT, really wanted the quietest car possible... but just couldn't stretch my budget. Still very excited to get my first Subaru!
You’re going to love it, the 2.5 n/a is a great car with a smooth quite ride.
if you drive slowly and don't push the pedal too much, it will be much more efficient than the figure Tom have got
he drove the NA vehicle too hard (first acceleration hitting 3500 rpm), to get the same performance/acceleration the turbo would, then of course the turbo will be more efficient in this scenario
I'm 100% sure that if you drive both cars very gently, the non turbo will be much more efficient, no matter if around town or highway. I drove an Outlander 2.5 + CVT AWD (similar powertrain and power, similar weight and much worse aerodynamics) , for years and used to get 8.5 L/100km in town and lower 7s on the motorway, but I did drive with ECO always on and without hurry.
I agree the XT is better if getting an Outback. But I despise the CVT used in all Outback models. Thanks for the video!
And I'll bet you've never even driven a Subaru w/CVT.
Sure I have, and then I bought a Volvo instead.
mines on the docks .didnt even look at the non turbo. im excited . hurry up give me my car
Great job with your review. You covered so many of the critical bases, which other reviewers tend to overlook. I'm in the US, so models and things are perhaps not identical, but I'm the "how does it look 10 years later" guy here. In late 2013, I was shopping 2014 Foresters and had to make the decision on XT vs non-turbo. At that time, the base XT was identically priced to the non-Turbo limited. So, for the same money as the XT, I could have had leather, and an auto-closing rear hatch. In my XT, I got cloth seats and a manual hatch. However, I also got 250 HP with 258 lb-ft of torque, 18" wheels instead of 17", larger brakes, a better suspension (I drove the non-turbo and it had a lot more body roll), a totally different front fascia, X-Drive and paddle shifters. Mine takes premium gas vs regular. So, 9.5 years and 108,000 miles later, I have zero regrets. The twin scroll 2.0l engine has been flawless. I also get 3 drive modes ("Intelligent", sport, and sport sharp) and a manual shift option with paddles. I thought I'd be using the paddles a lot, but quickly realized that the Sport Sharp is actually pretty good. It noticably amps up throttle tip in response, and "learns" what you are doing. If you are driving it aggressively in Sport Sharp, it will hold lower "gears" longer to keep it in the higher torque RPM range. It has torque in spades, and does 0-60 in the low 6 second range. I'm starting to think about what will replace it, and sadly, all the Forester's sold here now have the doggy 184 HP engine. (Amazingly, the orange piping on the "Sport" doesn't add any HP or torque. Yes, that is my "bitter sarcasm font"). So, if I had to do it this model year, I'd be looking at one of the XT flavors in the Outback. FOr the money, it is a heck of a good value. Looking at the US "Onyx XT" it is about $39K (USD), which is about 9k more than I paid for my Forester in '13. The towing capacity is greatly increased, it has heated seats, and all the safety features that mine doesn't. Interesting that your "Sport" doesn't have a sun roof. I'd be happy to not pay extra for a sunroof that I barely ever use.
It’s been a month since I got my XT exact color and mode . Love it and will keep this for a long time ❤.
Love this type of comparison review! Very constructive and helpful. Keep that coming please. Thanks!!!
Good, comprehensive & useful review, thanks. I'm selling my 4yo Le Vorg STi soon for the XT described. It's been a great car, one of the best cars I've had, and there's been a few. It hasn't missed a beat. Good mate is about to take delivery of Outback XT so excitement looms. Thanks again.
I had 2022 non turbo Outback, I now have 2023 Outback Turbo and it's for sure worth it.
Do you mind me asking what you had to pay for the difference? Have contemplated doing the same.
This was such a helpful video-the most straightforward I’ve seen on the comparison.
Just bought my wife the Outback Touring XT. Without a doubt drove both of them and I felt there was a major difference. There would be no way I would even go with the the non turbo. I don’t worry about if it uses more gas it’s about the drive and power
U.S. Outback owner here: ‘21 Touring XT, loving it. But need more road trips, as I’m woefully under normal mileage. It’s an absolute treat to drive. Regards!
Having driven my 2021 Touring to outback NSW last year I loved the ride but wished it had more grunt for passing on country roads. Just picked up my XT this weekend and took it to country Victoria and can vouch for Tom’s review and for me worth the cost, changeover being much worse than the $5k. Effortless drive, smooth and quiet. My experience with the trip computer yields closer to truth results than Tom’s 7% and used 8.4 L/100 km on my trip away. My trip in the 2.5L to NSW average 15:09 d in the 6’s but very flat country. Love the new turbo, slow to get there but we’ll done Subaru. Good analysis of fuel and running costs Tom, quite a surprise.
incredibly helpful video, thanks guys.... surprised with the urban fuel economy of the XT!
So were we!
I traded sluggish 2021 Forester for 2023 Outback XT & it's the best trade I ever made. I get good pickup when merging, road handling much better than the Forester, seat very comfortable, almost best car I've ever had except for those Corvettes in my younger days.
Finally almost only decent video I found ,where someone gave decent data on the car/s even more, they compared the XT to the non-turbo. I just want a bit more handling, pushing in the corners, over very nice and bad road(where he said it performs well-usual for Subaru chassis on bumpy roads). My old 2010 Forester is flawed with 2.0 no-turbo 150hp engine, but at least when I swerve the wheel the front follows like it dances! I agree with everything he said 100%, but I was wondering why the non-turbo takes time to react after steering input (non Subaru chassis characteristic), but the turbo is much better because of engine placement? This is interesting to me, as the boxer usually lays low between your pillars/ between your front wheels:)
For reference, my 260,000 klick 1997 Tommy Kaira M20b (based on the standard EJ20 WRX engine) puts out 235+ Kilowatts, and well in excess of 350Nm with just 1.2 bar of boost. Yes, it has no catalytic converter. Yes, it has huge ARC TMI. Yes, it has a TK tune. Yes, it just has the tiny Mitsubishi TD04 Turbo. Yes, it has a 4-inch downpipe, and a 3" stainless Fujitsubo JASMA-approved exhaust system so it never exceeds 95dB. It has no computer apart from the ECU. It has glass headlights. It has a 5-speed manual transmission - with two gigantic Tommy Kaira braces running right through it. It has an actual throttle cable which connects your right foot directly to the throttle body. It has full-time AWD.
And even when I thrash it on long trips it never exceeds 11-litres/100km. And it's not really worth nursing, because even if I limp along at 100km/h in 5th, at 3,300 RPM I only get 9-litres/100km from it.
Every time I drive a modern Subaru, I'm shocked at how pitiful they are, how horribly quiet they are, and how they transmit almost nothing through the pedals, steering wheel, and the seat. It is like driving by remote control - in a simulator.
DO NOT BUY A MODERN SUBARU. GET AN OLD PRE-2000s STi, AND THRASH IT!
I’ve had my XT onyx for about two weeks. Absolutely love it.
Yeah Tom if I had my way I would bring back the 3.6 Ltr six Cyl but after your review I ll have no problem upgrading to the Turbo model thx mate your the best
Really good review, You have dispelled some myths regarding these two and I am pleasantly surprised....Cant wait for mine.
Pick my XT touring up tomorrow. The turbo engine is easily worth $5k.
Prob cost the same to replace the turbo when it packs up
You clearly researched and shared some very useful facts in this video. Do more like this and I will watch more of your videos.
I'm on my second XT Outback in Ontario, Canada. 100% agree with turbo being a better option. Car easily deals with thick and wet snow and with load in the car. Also has a premium and refined feel, for the price, when compare to my father's Q5. I am glad Subaru didnt try to 'sportify' the ride. This car demolishes rough, gravel or ice covered roads and then feel perfectly at home on a 5K km road trip across the country. Wish they improved thd brakes. They are a bit undersized for a car this size (esp with gear) and the max load capacity (900lbd!!) is a bit low, but I know this is what gives it the plush ride.
First time viewer and subscribed. So good to have some IRL sorts of info regarding noise, fuel consumption, running cost and ect. Good job mate.
This is what I've been waiting for
Glad to hear that
Got 2022 Outback with 2.4 turbo. Fuel mileage is 1 mpg less than 2.5 engine because 2.5 works harder at higher rpm at same speed as 2.4. I enjoy the extra power and performance. Also will get higher resale value on 2.4.
I live in NC, US. We traded a 17 Outback Limited 2.5 for a 21 XT Touring. Our mpg dropped a couple mpg. With the XT we get 25 city & 30 Hwy. So we still get great Mpg, and way much more power. The regular 2.5 used to feel stressed in the mountains. Where our XT just pulls & can go!
Drove the non turbo about a year ago, loved the car, hated the engine, so gutless couldn't believe this day and age they would try to palm off such an underpowered unit for the price of 55k plus
Love the xt. Wouldn't have purchased the Outback without it.
Just ordered an XT Turbo Touring. I live regionally, enjoy driving to places where there’s absolutely no charging infrastructure and want a comfortable car that provides safety in passing slow traffic on rural roads. Much of my use will be within the regional City I live in, but travel cross country into SA and elsewhere needs the assurance I have the range and ability to refuel wherever I want to. Your review has been very helpful in defining things I wanted to know before ordering. The test drive I did locally convinced me. Now it’s a 5 to 6 month wait, but I’m patient.
Just got a 24 XT in green. Had a 22 Outback Premium, which I traded in fir a 23 Ascent Onyx. Mpgs on the Ascent are the worst ever. 14-17 city. The other day I was reading 13.1 mpg. So traded that in on the. 24 Outback XT. Im an Outback guy at heart.
Enjoy.
been waiting 8 months for my XT. It's almost here!!! Thanks for clearing up the fuel economy issue. I'll refer non believers to your review. Drove the non turbo and placed an order but as soon as I heard the XT was coming changed the order. Knew i wouldn't regret it.
Hi, Thanks for the review. Its good to finally get some real cross assesment and actual real world data. Congratulations as none of your competitors have looked at this and so just quote the manufacturer numbers. I was put off a bit by the XT fuel economy, but will now give it another look.
I also look forward to the tow review you mention as the XT should be good for smaller campers. When looking at towing though, can you please also quote the towball load capacity (in addtion to the overall load) as many of the SUV's might have circa 2000kg, but a towball capcity around 100kg thats below teh ball load for many of the campers out there.
Further fuel economy when towing would also be great. By experience this varies hugely depending on load, the speed you cruise at and things on the van such as bikes/surfboards. We tow with a Prado and small camper and if fully loaded with gear on a 110km freeway and a headwind it can drink 15-16lt/100km. However when cruising at 100km/h and without the bikes on top of it, it drops to around 13lt/100km.
FInal thoughts is would be great to see more cross assesments like this within model ranges. ie Hybrid v diesel v petrol as many of us cross shop within a range...
Thanks
Towball = 240
Payload is around 420
As an XT owner (who wasn’t able to drive it before ordering because they didn’t exist), I was very surprised at how quiet the car is at all speeds. Especially if you are nice and gentle on the throttle the engine barely gets over 2000rpm. This is a great example 7:41 and well thought out. The Non-turbo really abuses the engine to get moving and I would struggle hearing that every say. I look forward to your tow test 💪🏻
Gen6 in general is quieter than Gen5. They did a good job of that. From memory the side window glass is slightly thicker.
Thanks for this great video. I have been debating but this convinced me that the XT is absolutely the way to go. 😊
It’s interesting how the fuel companies get into bed with car manufacturers. Here in the USA the turbo does NOT require higher octane fuel than the NA (naturally aspirated) models. I’ve owned my 22 Touring XT Outback for a year now. She’s a gas hog but a million times more fun to drive than the NA. The Touring models also have laminated glass and they are super quiet inside. Great video as always. Thank you from the USA. 👍🏻
Thanks for the great and valuable review. Exact what I need. Good job guys.
Our pleasure!
A fabulously useful review. Great to know the real figures!
Thanks for the interesting review. After much research we’ve opted to buy an Outback XT. It’s amazing how few cars have a full sized spare - this was a big factor for me.
Can I check which driving mode you were using (sport or “I” ) when testing fuel consumption? Also do you know what tire pressure you were running? Thanks!
We were using I mode rather than sport mode
Tyre pressures were precisely as per the light load placard
Honestly the only channel I see that compares different engines of the same model .
Greta job guys 😊
I'm still driving my Liberty GT Wagon (MY2004) bought new. Almost 250K kms now. Recently replaced the lower control arms and upgraded to Bilsteins. It has been pretty reliable so far. Waiting for it to break then I can change to an XT Outback, maybe!
A review on towing would be great. If you can do it on a boat as well. Putting the boat in and out @ the ramp. Caravan would be great as well. Thanks.👍😎
One great thing is more interesting review…soon am opting to buy out back xt zero mileage and test it here in kenya….🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
I'll always be apprehensive when considering a turbo car, especially an outback, after my 2005 Outback XT Turbo blew. I was a week late on my oil change and the impeller broke. Just a cool $7,500 bill from the dealership. Shortblock and turbo replaced. Not only does it require more maintenance than the NA version (half the mileage for oil change intervals), but it requires more expensive gas, and it burns through it way faster. My average MPG it 17-18mpg, city + highway with most of it being highway. I hope these new engines have changed for the better, but I know turbos are inherently more likely to break because they create more stress on the motor and heat than a typical NA car.
the fuel consumption doesn't make sense. I used to own a '22 XT and now I own the '23 Limited (NA motor) - and in the city, im getting 29MPG (8.11 L/100km). with my XT, I was getting AT BEST 24 MPG in the city (9.8 L/100km) - from everyone ive spoken with that have both the XT and NA, all say the NA gets much better economy in both city and highway driving.
were your engines broken in prior to testing? prior to break in, my NA was getting 27MPG city (8.7 L/100km), then after 1,4k miles or somewhere abouts, it went up to 29MPG (8.11 L/100km)
The Australian XT has a different tune to North America. Less top end power and a flatter mid range so that could account for the difference.
@@michaelferraris2441 oh wow. Didn’t know that. That’s strange 👀 thanks for correcting me
I bought a new 2023 naoutback for my wife. We traded in our 2018 Impreza. Impreza much more fun to drive and about 8-10 MPG better economy. Wife died and after several months I realized her car had to go. Traded it in for 2024 Onyx XT. Now I smile every time I drive it. More fun than the 2023 or the Impreza and doesn't remind me of my beautiful wife.
Thanks for the nice review. I agree that the XT is a good alternative to atmospheric engines. And the turbo gives more emotion, as for me, and in general, both cars from Subaru are a balanced choice.
In 2022, purchased an Subaru outback Ltd with the naturally aspirated engine. I went back a year later 2023 and traded it in for an Outback Wilderness edition. Currently I only have 1400 miles on the vehicle. I do notice a difference in the😢 fuel consumption. All in all, I am totally satisfied with the change I made.