Hoooooo boy! Mr SavGoose is whining about screens again! Red meat for the olds!!! I call bullshit. I drove this car. Same trim. Same color. No problems with the touch screen. Surprisingly intuitive and responsive, especially if you don't bang on it like a toddler on a piano. You didn't want to like it, so you didn't. Just own it. Also, if you're going to review a semi-luxury Suburban Mom Wagon, then you might not want to admit that you never sit in traffic.
Sad to say if you are ok with this half baked poorly implemented piece of technology and make excuses for it, we are only going to see more and more of it as the mainstream consumer does not know any better. Or better yet thinks its "cool" just because its a screen. Thats what these companies are banking on.
@@savagegeese I live in Sweden and I have a friend that works with these big screens for Volvo. Appearently they are more cost effective to build (if you do it by the masses) rather than the physical buttons. Just look at Volvo, every 2019 model has the same tablet...
I had the same issue at the beginning when I got my Impreza. After the update, it was fixed. I don't mind having a big screen because the words are bigger and I don't have to stare to read. The physical controls for AC are separate which is awesome. Some things need to be physical. I don't want to look away from the road just to change the settings.
@@savagegeese I agree with you about the touch screens. Hate them. Give me knobs any day. Unfortunately old school is going thw way of the do do birds. Also start/stop feature would drive me insane. Thanks
aye, and he should, they are all at it, more functions baked into the screen only (so they can remove the buttons, interfaces and save money), which I find hard to control/access when driving on straight roads, never mind our highland/rural ones. I like my OB 2019 Premium, and the manual HVAC controls.
Another fantastic review, and mainly because of your honesty. You set yourself apart because you're not afraid to critique the aspects that drive us crazy - technology etc. Please keep doing this Goose!! 👍
So once you buy in ( to a relationship) this one falls apart and rapidly depreciates. This other one, you can’t get the engine to rev and scream cause she cuts timing. This other one needs an hour or more to go anywhere - wash, gas, clean. This one is so high maintenance she thinks she is an Italian exotic but has the performance of a Prius. This other one has all this high technology and huge screen ( tna) but it doesn’t respond quickly and has to many glitches. So in summary anything on wheels is better than any of your ex girlfriends
3:58 of this video... some of the most true words are spoken. So many automotive reviewers just gloss over this. So refreshing that you do not. Get 'em, goose.
Radio stations are doing this now. Pisses me off so much. My screen is not their billboard. Where my mom lives there is at least one station where all they do is display ads for a Mitsubishi dealer. No song title or artist. Now the stations near me owned by IHeartMedia are also doing ads. At least they normally show the other info and only show the ad lines periodically.
The infotainment screen size in general is a joke. I’m not here to watch TV, I’m here to drive the damn car. I don’t blame you for ranting at the beginning.
It's like the 90s button hype, more buttons = better car. Now it's the screen size that suggests features. I hope you can at least turn it off at night whist still being able to adjust the HVAC.
It would be great for me on road trips - big screen makes reading sat nav easier. Especially in Japan. As it is Subaru, they installed previous-gen cheapest CPU that Toyota has on stock, so it is slow. Normal stuff from Subaru.
If bigger touch screen means bigger buttons, then i like it. I don't want my eyes be zooming on half x half inch buttons during drive, but physical controls still have to be there for all basic...It's enough that buttons sometimes replaced knobs which had tuning in between selections, i don't wanna only have breakable screen to operate it
As a UI developer for many years; the lack of responsiveness of this system is unforgivable considering the year. I have a 2021 Outback, I have used many other manufacturers systems, and the stupid inclusion of the seat heater control in the laggy boot process is really a poor choice. Thank you for pointing this out; I hope if enough people keep saying it, manufacturers will listen. Stop putting things you need to operate within the first 30 seconds of driving behind a nasty boot load delay. Please.
What I don't understand is why the volume up and down animation locks out the entire screen. You change the volume and then have to wait about 3 seconds for the animation to disappear to be able to do anything else. Unforgivable
I just bought a used 2022 touring xt and the heated seat control is my number 1 pet peeve. I've gotten used to the timing but drove me nuts at first. I love the aesthetic of touchscreens and minimal buttons, but loath interacting with them sometimes. Other than that, I love it.
@@tunatuna8877 there is a software update that will bubble that control to the main screen and remove the annoying two step flyout. If you don't have a button direct on the screen for heated seats, ask your dealer for the upgrade.
Consumers just want S#!T that works... Preach it brother. Glad you keep bringing up the infotainment and lack of physical buttons. Whenever they finally figure this all out I'll be all in, and it shouldn't be this hard, but please, please, keep physical buttons for key controls for now...
Ya for some reason they don't see the safety issue with looking at the screen going through menus, as opposed to pushing a physical button, with a fixed location which can easily be used without looking away from the road
I own two subarus and the two current flaws that will stop me from getting another is the giant screan with no buttons and the stop start. Stop start cost more than it helps, requires bigger alternators that cost more to replace and starters go bad faster while saving maybe .3mpg better... that is negligible.
I got what I came for: Your blunt review of the infotainment were the very words that needed to be said, along with Your ability to not let that negative bias you against the positives. This is what keeps me coming back spending my valuable time watching!
I own a 2020 Forester Touring, which is quite similar to this and most of the things discussed here are pretty much the same. I have to say that the CVT is an absolute non-issue for me. And before we jump into you're non-car person... I bought the Forester for my wife, my daily is a stage 1 MK7 Golf R with the DSG. Like Mr. Goose said, if you drive it like a family car you will not have any issues with the CVT. That's all the Forester is to me. When I get out of my Golf R and get into the Forester, I drive it like I would any other family car. It wasn't meant to be a sports car. I don't power through corners, I don't do 0-60 runs. I rarely ever notice that it's a CVT as in regular driving the synthetic gear changes are pretty good. On a rare occasion there can be some rev hang if the hill is angled just right and the throttle position is just right. Then again if you think about it, there is a reason why the revs are hanging, it's the most efficient way to get the vehicle to where it needs to go for the parameters. That's the entire point of a CVT. It's all about the right tool for the right job, the latest generation of Forester/Outback, especially in the Touring trim are next level. I've always hated Subaru interiors, but these are seriously good luxurious spaces.
Subaru seriously needs to stop with the CVT and just go with an 8-speed. And that infotainment is ridiculous - loved how you just laid into the stupidity of it. I'm surprised, though, that you didn't mention the glossy plastic - car companies need to quit with that crap.
4:18 "consumers wants shit that works" Thank you! There are three groups of people that support this mediocracy: 1. auto-company executives that push for these nonsense, or overlook it, (and lie about it) 2. auto-reviewers that gloss over it, or lie by pretending it's not a big issue. 3. online people, that defend these lack-of-quality, blindly.
damn we're in 2020 and look and the screen response, look at the software as he says feels like windows 98 !! such a shameful from subaru that cheat you as the screen size, well in the end its a subaru nothing to expect high...
I have the 2020 Onyx XT. The lag is only there on my car when first stating the system up in the morning for the first time. Subsequent starts are much much faster.
@@miriveq I haven't noticed a difference in screen responsiveness between 60F or -1F temperatures. It hasn't been colder or hotter here beyond those temperatures. And the infotainment system behaves the exact same way at either end of the spectrum.
Yeah CVT kills subaru for me and as much as I want and another Subaru, I will never buy a CVT. 10 years ive owned my subaru always said I wanted another thanks for making my choice for me subaru.
Not even just that but even if they had kept the old 4speed auto, they took the rear mechanical lsd out of the outbacks. I got out of a ditch in my 03 with shitty tires in winter because i could spin both rear wheels
Know exactly what you mean. I tried the Outback (a 2015 Premium model) for about 4 months before the CVT finally got on my last nerve and I traded it in. Liked a lot of things about the Outback in terms of utility and interior quality, but that CVT was just ... ugh! My first and last experience with that crap.
Big screens are cumbersome and impractical. Why try to reinvent the wheel with software and touchscreens? There is no need to diverge from the "3 knob" AC setup. When I get in a car I should immediately know how to work the AC. If I had to hunt through laggy menus to turn the temperature down I would punch a hole through that damn screen.
I can’t agree with you more regarding the infotainment. I was all excited to get either an outback or legacy with the new turbo motor but then I got in and tried to play with infotainment and was appalled. Add on top of that when you connect Apple CarPlay the display for it ends up being smaller than it was on the prior model. The start stop was also atrocious. It really is a shame because as you said the rest of the car so much more refined than the prior model.
You can set the start stop option off....you dont have to use it. If start stop annoys you that bunch just don't buy a car with that option. Subaru base models don't come with it.
@@441meatloaf But you have to turn the start stop option off every time you start the car...at least that's what was said in this video. Base models also don't come with other things a lot of buyers want.
@@kamX-rz4uy You can pull out the fuse of the start-stop under the steering wheel access panel. Subaru makes it very easy for anyone to access it....Because when the engine turns off the computer resets all essential functions to default, its a safety precaution thing they do with all eyesight models. If you complain that basic models don't have features that you want, then you won't be able to get a car that has no start stop functions since all premium trend in most brands comes with that start-stop function and many screen only functions....There is no perfect car in this world, especially in the eyes of terrible subjective reviewers like this guy that even complains about sensitivity of the touch screen when its clearly subjective.
Yet again, an incredible review. Totally fair. I own a Subaru and you nailed everything about the brand, build quality, etc. Nothing is perfect, but Subaru is pretty nice, and that's basically good enough for me. Great video
I’m so Glad you are calling out these bullshit central displays, thank you 🙏. I have a 2015 forester XT and the CVT drives me crazy. I’ll never buy another CVT again.
As a 2015 subaru legacy owner I agree with this. I was hoping they made a turbo manual model so I could trade in mine for one but nope. My cvt broke at 99k miles and thank god it was covered by manufacture warranty.
@@zeroelus I have the 4 cylinder but if you do have either one make sure you get the oil changed in the transmission. That's one main reason they fail.
@@v8_sami that might not even cut it. The entire concept of a cvt just wasnt ever going to work in a high torque application, and yes, a flat 4 pushing 170 ft./lb.s qualifies. I personally love the cvt in the forester i test drove years back, but the cloud of catesteophic failure GUARANTEED to happen at or around 100k miles on a vehicle that costs 30k is utterly stupid
I was seriously considering the CX-5 but I was surprised the two year old cx-5 is almost 10k more than the 2 year old outback with similar odometer miles and similar trims. I can stretch out my long legs better on the outback too. I'd rather take comfort over fun to drive
The cx5 infotaiment looks like a aftertought, they've created the dashboard and slapped tablet. I don't understand car companies why are they trying so hard to make infotaiment when you can hire Samsung, Apple or doesn't matter top 10-15 mainstream tech companies that are making tablets/mobiles they would make far better system.
@Ted Freddy , the nice CX5 Touring with Turbo is selling around $35k. My daughter has one, I almost bought one also. They have a 6-speed transmission. My father-in-law bought a loaded Kia Sportage for $29.5k . It is very nice, has a 6-speed, nice interior, but is slow power-wise. I ended up buying a Honda Ridgeline RTL-E because it has a great V6 without a turbo, rides great and very quiet, has nice interior, and has the bed for yard work, paid $38.6k .
Great job, Subaru. The best all around car that can do literally everything. We have 2 of these - 2019 and 2021 for us with my wife. So far, we don't want any other car. We re planning just to be upgrading our Subaru Outbacks by trading in our current cars and buying in the newer versions as the come out. I wish Subaru will create a Plug In Hybrid for the Outback, or even EV, this would be a total killer. I wish all the best to all of you!
I have owned 3 Subarus. My advice: If you are going to buy one, dont buy it during the first two years of a new model. And although we have an outback with a CVT and 108,000 problem free miles, I wouldn’t buy another one till they stop putting CVT’s in their cars. If they are really desperate to get good EPA numbers, put The CVT and start/stop nonsense on the base trim and advertise that number and give the upper trims a regular Automatic transmission.
Truer words have never been spoken! We have a '15 Outback, and the CVT soaks any driving fun out of it. If they put an 8-speed auto in it, I'd buy the 2020 in an instant. As it is, we're stuck looking at dozens of other CUV/SUV/sedans that each have their own problems, when I really just want a station wagon.
"stop putting CVTs in their cars"? Ain't gonna happen. ALL car manufacturers are moving towards CVTs rapidly. Gotta stay with the competition, and the Federal CAFE requirements.
@@eskieman3948 Good point about Federal CAFE requirements. However, aren't the newer transmissions with 7, 8, 9+ gears as fuel efficient as the CVTs? I've read that somewhere and possibly on some of the auto review videos. I'm also wondering how well built the Subaru traditional transmissions were over the years. I keep hearing of problems with Honda automatic transmissions, and every Honda I've owned has by far the quirkiest non-CVT automatic I've driven. I suppose I've not kept one long enough to see when it might fail but the quirkiness has had me concerned, and now their paint issue has me looking elsewhere which took me to Subaru.
I own a '19 Outback. And my infotainment has a 15- to 20-second lag at start up. You can't even turn the volume down. So it seems like they haven't solved that. And for me, I want my HVAC controls to be physical knobs and switches. It's just better than on-screen HVAC controls in every way. I would never buy that big screen. And think about that auto start/stop technology... if it feels like garbage when it's new, imagine what it will feel like at 50K miles or beyond. No thanks! Yes, these are "old-guy complaints" and I'm an old guy. But I'm also the target demographic for this exact car. And I would never buy it.
I had a '16 Outback and my wife had a '15 Legacy. They both suffered from screen lag at start up. That volume issue is mostly what bothered us as it often seems gremlins get in the car and turn it up (no way I had it that loud, right?). I now have a '19 Ascent and it doesn't have that problem. I don't think my wife's '18 Impreza has a lag either but that infotainment system sucks and there is now a class action lawsuit over it.
For fucks sake, if you want a performance car buy one. Don't buy one of these, try and drive it like Bullitt and then have a whinge when it doesn't perform like you think it should. It's not designed for that. That's why there are different choices of cars...ladies. Because a person buys an Outback doesn't mean that they aren't a car person, just means they want a car like that for that particular season in their life. Not every car has to be Mustang or Camaro or whatever it is you make over there. And all the whinging about the screen and infotainment system, are you guys men or 21 year old millennial women? The latter I take it.
Rough terrain in Colorado? This guy needs to get to Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Half of Colorado is flat. Huge misconception of the world. Nice Subaru!
Hated the engine stop start system on my non Subaru..I bypassed it, pushed down the off button and wedged in a small piece of credit card BINGO !! Now off forever until I remove it.
Prefer the tactile feel of dials. You can keep your eyes on the road and manually control the heating, cooling, fan etc. The big screen is a big mistake.
So you don’t like the big screen with all the controls tied into the screen with no separate controls for anything and you also hate the stop/start feature but you love everything else about the outback? Then get a 2019-2018 outback premium or higher trim ....they have a smaller but still nice 8 inch screen with separate controls for climate,radio,xmode and seat heaters....plus best of all they don’t have the annoying stop/start feature....the only thing it don’t have is the new driver awareness scanner thingy maggigy and they don’t have the turbo 4 engine but they do have the 3.6 6 cylinder boxer with pretty identical HP figures....but even the naturally aspirated 2.5 4 cylinder boxer is decently good, it may not be fast but it does the job just fine while getting 30mpg....
Thank you so much for your honest opinion of the infotainment system. I want physical buttons put back in my new car and CVT transmissions removed. Period.
"It does everything so well" no wonder, it is a wagon after all. I get a Volvo or Audi wagon vibe from it. Put that on stilts and AWD = good mix. I do share your anger with the laggy electronics, oversized screen that takes up hard button space and scepticism about the scanning of one's face. I would not want this in my car.
Cvts are not inherently bad. Its when you pair it to a sub 200hp engine in a 2 ton car... the 2.4L and the 3.6L outbacks were actually really good with the CVT. Personally i own a 2.5I CVT and a 3.6R 5speed legacy and the CVT is a better daily. The 3.6r is the better road trip car.
Just found this Savagegeese channel , and love the bluntness and no fear of pointing out the negatives .. bravo . so different from the other car reviewers.
CVTs are awful. Great review as my wife was looking at one of these, but I'd had experience with Subarus in the past and warned her of the interiors. Nice to see things have been elevated.
The main reason I own two new Subarus is that they have the manual available with AWD. If I'll be forced to buy automatic-only there are better cars then Subaru for sure.
Thanks for a great honest review. I own a 19 Ascent and I love how smooth and quiet it rides, mine has buttons for the heated seats and knobs for the heater and a/c. I would not want to have to go into a screen to turn on things that should be on separate buttons. The Outback is a really nice car and much better than it's competitors. The CVT does not bother me on my Ascent, if I want to drive a vehicle hard and turn corners fast, I drive my 15 Mustang GT. The Outback like my Ascent is a great family vehicle and most of the drivers in these cars are not going to be racing around.
You're pretty much the best automobile reviewer on TH-cam and my new fave channel. So refreshing! Keep up the great work and let me know if you ever need help with anything. I'd love to lend a hand.
Subaru's infotainment system is a huge flaw. I have a base model 2018 outback, and in cold weather sometimes the screen won't turn on at all. On startup, the volume can take a solid 20 to react. That's my only complaint for my model, in upstate NY if you don't have AWD you might as well stay home. Great cars, decent fuel economy, but the delays on the touch controls is one of the worst. I will lease another outback when this one expires, but yeah, I agree the infotainment system is embarrassing, it always has been and looks like they aren't putting much focus into fixing it
“Consumers want shit that works” 10/10 can confirm, am a consumer who spends his time waiting for his car to boot up to turn on the heater by daydreaming about burning it to the ground.
I was considering a 2020 Outback and took one for a spin a few weeks ago. The deal-breaker for me is that just about everything is behind a touch-screen! Some controls NEED to stay physical buttons or knobs. Period! Instant access. So, I echo the sentiment here from the 'Goose'. I'll stay with my 2017 Forester, shortcomings notwithstanding.
Holy crap that’s Woodstock /bull valley . I used to take that route to McHenry college . You did that turn (which is one of my fav parts of roads especially in snow fall ) and I’m like waaaaait a second . Watch out for cops! A lot around there !
@@savagegeeseCould be worse. Our Patriot underside almost completely rotted away after five years, with less than 50k kms on it. Wouldn't buy another FCA product.
A different view. I like the outback a lot. Was cross shopping it with a base 4runner. My wife is blind. With the Subaru she will not be able to do basic things (heated seat?) because of the touch screen. I know, very specific issue, but enough to loss me as a buyer.
I hope they’ve improved the quality of the “leather” seat material. I’m bringing my ‘18 3.6r into the dealership tomorrow for warranty replacement of the driver’s seat bottom cover. (Splitting vinyl trim at 30K miles) I do like the drivetrain and hauling capability, but the interior is crap: cracking vinyl, squeaking driver’s seat, seat memory loss after a couple of days, infotainment head unit has been replaced twice under warranty. Read the forums at SubaruOutback.org before buying one. Finally, this is the 1st year of this generation; there WILL be problems.
Had same issue on my 2016. 3.6 r outback at 33k miles. Navigation system sucks. The whole infotainment system is a pos. Love the 6 cylinder. I pull a 16’ boat with it
I have zero problem with cvt. My wife has a ‘19 Outback, and 99/100 people would think it’s a classic automatic. When i drive it, I never feel any disadvantages of it. I have a ‘11 Outback. The cvt is more” raw” in it, its the classic cvt, that is in people head. Although we have been living happily together for 9 years. Once you get used to it, you don’t really notice anything bad. For normal, everyday use, it’s absolutely fine. ( sometimes i even like to “play” with my ‘11 Outback, and at this point I put it in “manual” , works perfectly for me)
I own a 2020 Onyx XT and I like most of the improved features compared to my 2015 Outback Limited. However there are some things that needs a lot of improvement. 1. The nightime resolution of the front view and back up camera is very bad, that makes it so hard to see. I do not understand why SOA has failed to test this before it was released. 2. The location of the front USB ports are not convenient. 3. Auto start/stop is not smooth & annoying. 4. Tires used are lower quality that the ones they used on the 2015 OB. 5. Sound system on the Onyx is low quality. 6. Auto vehicle hold has to be activated whenever you start the car. Not controlled by on/off switch on 2015.
How funny at 1:00 he mentions Subaru cost cutting and the guy is shifting that failure prone CVT transmission. Out of warranty a CVT / TCM replacement will cost you around $10,000 dollars. Caveat Emptor !
Sowell Train I never buy extended warranties, but did with my ‘18 Outback, specifically because of the CVT. I use paddle-shift engine braking a lot, figuring, “well they can’t deny a transmission warranty claim if they include paddles on the car.” We shall see.
When I started to watch this review, I felt like the guy seems so sad and needs a holiday. Thankfully, I watched the whole video and was greatly impressed with his review. Pretty fair and well balanced. I am torn at the moment between this and the Forester. My brother in the UK has a 2009 Legacy and when my family and I visit him and drive his legacy I love that thing. Thanks for this review. I'm still torn. New sub.
+1. An October 2019 early production Subi 2020 Outback XT Touring replaced our aging Subi 2005 Outback XT LTd .. Wow, what more than a decade brought. . A super quiet, front side window dual-pane glass assisted quiet. . 200mi round trips btw Vail and Denver and back were never better. .. Dedicated winter snow tires are a must. P.S. The adoption of turnable LED headlights is a hoot!. In the dark of night canyon roads,, the HL's turn in concert with the roadway.. Cheers, Vail, Colorado
I want car reliability topic video :))) Not just best and worst brands...there are already so much videos like this. I want reliability topic in terms of modern car makers approach at different price points. Also in many videos you mentioned that "you better lease this car". I know what it means but many people don`t know. Why some brands make almost "super high tech" car that don`t last and you can barely repair them. I don`t understand why you can spend over 100.000$ for car that simply dont last. Usually as more expensive instruments become the more reliable they are. Seems in car industry is the opposite. I can buy Honda with k20 engine (there are many examples) and the car will outlast any of the German high tech cars by far. In my country one of the most popular cars that last and sustain their price is Honda CRV. I was over some C-class or BMW 3-series ending buy Mazda 6 because i want to have some peace of my mind regarding engine (car) reliability. All the Benz/BMW are turbocharged.Engine chain problems, Turbo problems, EGR problems, DPF problems, Plastic rubbish parts, pipes etc problems, suspension problems. Deprivation problems....fuc*k them. Mine 2.5L fuel economy combined is 9-10l/km. Who cares that the Benz or BMW`s turbocharged diezels/petrols make 6-7l/100km for the same power output if they can give me 3000-4000$ + repair job in next 4-5 years. I dont understand. I have money for premium car just i don`t understand why premium brands don`t give me premium reliability and resale value. In more other industries is opposite. If you buy top tier product you end up with much more quality product that last longer and have better resale value. Not the cars....still we have Lexus... they are not entierly fuc*ed up yet and they still last.
This shit has a higher mph on the speedometer than my 2019 Miata. I don't understand the point of putting a speedometer in a car that goes higher than the usually-present electronic limiter. Reminds me of my 2004 Accord--electronically limited to 130mph with a 160mph speedometer. Why??
... 1960s marketing. Back then, higher spedo numbers made ppl feel better about the car (i.e. Potential). Same when cars had speedos that stopped at 85 (in the 80s); it was to slow ppl down thinking their car was only capable of 85 (they could go faster). It is a mental, visual trick. Same could be said for tachs that show 8k rpm when red line is 6500. Why 1500 more rpm than what the car is safe at?
The Outback's CVT transmission cuts the power (torque) when the wheels slip. The CVT is shit. .. We own a neu 2020 Outback XT Touring ... Vail, Colorado 8,250' elevation.
The lower trim levels all have the same infotainment system (from premium and up). Nobody really buys the base model Subaru's, but if they do the base trim level has essentially the same system just split between two LCDs. There's no physical buttons among any of the trim levels.
3:36 No kidding. I plan on getting a 2021 but this isn't right. A phone can swipe just fine. Why not a car's screen. I can understand if it has to read the car's data but there's other stuff like hidden buttons like the example given: seat warmers.
I actually love the screen! And in Montana, I use the remote start with the app, so your butt is nice and toasty when you get in, don't have to wait for anything. I hope they put this screen into the Ascent next year.
I appreciate your bluntness. It was amusingly refreshing. On the start and stop, my understanding is that if you don't mash the brake all the way down, then it won't turn off.
It costs these companies next to nothing to operate everything off a stupid screen. Physical buttons for everything are expensive and make your wiring more complex. they pretend the touch screen is "premium" but it costs less for them to put one in a higher trim level than it does to equip a "lesser" trim level with buttons. Touch screens should be reserved for budget economy cars.
I have zero problem with cvt. My wife has a ‘19 Outback, and 9/10 people would think it’s a classic automatic. When i drive it, I never feel any disadvantages of it.
OMGWTFLOL Sorry, but you are wrong! I love to drive, and i love to drive both my and my wife’s Outback. They are both good cars, even with cvt, believe me! Life is not black and white! 😀
Subaru's is actually not bad...much better than listening to a droning engine. Casual driving around town is not bad even with the standard 2.5 engine.
when i hear someone complain over a screen booting up for 30-45 seconds I really have to scream "first world problems!" I remember having to wait 10-15 minutes for the heat to get hot enough to warm the car up and defrost the windshield.
I want to buy a base model outback then 2 to 3 in lift with meaty tires, brush gaurd, skid plate, extra lights, and the soup up engine until it blows then do an engine swap with a cummins or honda engine.
I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the infotainment screen. I made the mistake by buying the first model year Infiniti Q50. It would take 30-45 seconds for the infotainment screen to boot up upon startup and it would drive me BONKERS. I couldn’t even turn the A/C on until it fully booted up. It was the ONLY reason why I got rid of the car.
I hate screen, shines so bright at night that I’m blind. Plus the fun fact that I have to take my eyes off road, and the system gonna beep cause I take my eyes off road. How intuitive
I watched this video with great interest. I bought one ! I bought my Outback Touring XT with every accessory possible and am excited to receive it next week. I am saying good bye to my 2017 Lexus NX which rides nicely on highways but is awfully choppy and harsh on back roads. I want the non fatigue couch like ride this car provides. I love the slightly altered look of the new 2020 Outback Touring and am looking forward to sitting quietly on roads and enjoying the open road. Thanks for your review.
Subaru moved the start/stop button to the home screen with an update. Easy to turn off - takes a second and one push of a screen icon. As far as the screen goes, I've got used to it pretty fast. Set the climate control and seat ventilation where I want it and I'm done. It does have buttons on the side for increasing or decreasing the temperature. Has a knob for volume for the radio. I just don't need to mess around with the menus that much now that I have things set. I'm basing this on a Legacy Touring XT I bought a week ago. Same drivetrain and same interior. I have never owned such a comfortable car. My 6' 3" frame fits it better than any car I've ever been in. Tons of legroom, pull out thigh support extender and just overall plush seats. The ride is so quiet and comfortable. Its going to be primarily a highway cruiser and for that purpose its damned near perfect.
@@polaris911 Backup cameras are mandated on all US cars so you're going to have a screen on your next new car, all I'm asking for is well designed, intuitive and responsive UI. Nothing wrong with that. Digital HVAC controls are an automatic dealbreaker for me.
I own this Outback and trim level. I absolutely love it! I don't mind the bigger screen so much. Having to press so many icons to get to the heat seater is nonsensical, but I only use it rarely as I live in the sultry south. I previously owned a 2016 Outback without the eyesight and I at first didn't like the eyesight feature on this 2020 model because it can nag you, but I sincerely think it's made me a better driver overall as well as the many other safety features this newer version has. I don't think I will ever buy another brand of car as I've been completely satisfied with the comfort, safety, reliability and performance of a Subaru. I previously drove two Ford Escapes and they are not as solid, and squirrelly on wet roads. Hydroplaning was a serious problem with those. I've not experienced that in a Subaru.
Hoooooo boy! Mr SavGoose is whining about screens again! Red meat for the olds!!! I call bullshit. I drove this car. Same trim. Same color. No problems with the touch screen. Surprisingly intuitive and responsive, especially if you don't bang on it like a toddler on a piano. You didn't want to like it, so you didn't. Just own it. Also, if you're going to review a semi-luxury Suburban Mom Wagon, then you might not want to admit that you never sit in traffic.
Sad to say if you are ok with this half baked poorly implemented piece of technology and make excuses for it, we are only going to see more and more of it as the mainstream consumer does not know any better. Or better yet thinks its "cool" just because its a screen. Thats what these companies are banking on.
The best interior features a car has to offer should not be such a hassle to acquire, let alone hidden behind a window.
@@savagegeese I live in Sweden and I have a friend that works with these big screens for Volvo. Appearently they are more cost effective to build (if you do it by the masses) rather than the physical buttons. Just look at Volvo, every 2019 model has the same tablet...
I had the same issue at the beginning when I got my Impreza. After the update, it was fixed. I don't mind having a big screen because the words are bigger and I don't have to stare to read. The physical controls for AC are separate which is awesome. Some things need to be physical. I don't want to look away from the road just to change the settings.
@@savagegeese I agree with you about the touch screens. Hate them. Give me knobs any day. Unfortunately old school is going thw way of the do do birds. Also start/stop feature would drive me insane. Thanks
"Consumers just want a big screen"
"No consumers just want shit that works"
God yes.
@Pira Pira boomer comment of the year
I’d like to know what morons want a big screens. No one I know wants a big screen.
Its coming. The super expensive cars at some point will have manual switches and we will be jealous
Know two people with these. Love the car, hate the infotainment. It has gotta slower and clunkier since new.
thanks savage for your candor.
Mark when he sees a giant screen with no separate HVAC controls: "Ah shit, here we go again."
3:10
As he should
aye, and he should, they are all at it, more functions baked into the screen only (so they can remove the buttons, interfaces and save money), which I find hard to control/access when driving on straight roads, never mind our highland/rural ones. I like my OB 2019 Premium, and the manual HVAC controls.
I don't blame him.
Totally agree hate those systems
Another fantastic review, and mainly because of your honesty. You set yourself apart because you're not afraid to critique the aspects that drive us crazy - technology etc. Please keep doing this Goose!! 👍
I need Savagegeese to review all my ex-girlfriends. Need to hear his final thoughts
It rides well but the infotainment system is unresponsive?
"So in conclusion, they were all great but the driver didn't know what the hell he was doing."
Was expecting something like must be running a CVT because shes constantly changing. Not so much about me but cool guys
Apparently he only likes things with knobs.
So once you buy in ( to a relationship) this one falls apart and rapidly depreciates.
This other one, you can’t get the engine to rev and scream cause she cuts timing.
This other one needs an hour or more to go anywhere - wash, gas, clean.
This one is so high maintenance she thinks she is an Italian exotic but has the performance of a Prius.
This other one has all this high technology and huge screen ( tna) but it doesn’t respond quickly and has to many glitches.
So in summary anything on wheels is better than any of your ex girlfriends
3:58 of this video... some of the most true words are spoken. So many automotive reviewers just gloss over this. So refreshing that you do not. Get 'em, goose.
I really think that next step will be 'user key detection system' that can see you from 50meters, just to start the entertainment system and HVAC :)
Michal Klucz or just...decent hardware with complete software
Jaysef MacManus yes. It’s eye candy. A distraction.
just wait till they start running ads on the infotainment
John Klepeis it’s coming... we all know it is. Nav systems on phones already sell ads for when you’re stopped. It’ll be on the dash soon.
Radio stations are doing this now. Pisses me off so much. My screen is not their billboard. Where my mom lives there is at least one station where all they do is display ads for a Mitsubishi dealer. No song title or artist. Now the stations near me owned by IHeartMedia are also doing ads. At least they normally show the other info and only show the ad lines periodically.
I wish sometimes car reviewers would get something other than the highest trim level. I'd like to see how the lower trims hold up.
The infotainment screen size in general is a joke. I’m not here to watch TV, I’m here to drive the damn car. I don’t blame you for ranting at the beginning.
It's like the 90s button hype, more buttons = better car. Now it's the screen size that suggests features. I hope you can at least turn it off at night whist still being able to adjust the HVAC.
It would be great for me on road trips - big screen makes reading sat nav easier. Especially in Japan. As it is Subaru, they installed previous-gen cheapest CPU that Toyota has on stock, so it is slow. Normal stuff from Subaru.
If bigger touch screen means bigger buttons, then i like it. I don't want my eyes be zooming on half x half inch buttons during drive, but physical controls still have to be there for all basic...It's enough that buttons sometimes replaced knobs which had tuning in between selections, i don't wanna only have breakable screen to operate it
I just want to turn on my heated seats without taking off my gloves.
Agreed, the screen goes out then you’re screwed.
As a UI developer for many years; the lack of responsiveness of this system is unforgivable considering the year. I have a 2021 Outback, I have used many other manufacturers systems, and the stupid inclusion of the seat heater control in the laggy boot process is really a poor choice. Thank you for pointing this out; I hope if enough people keep saying it, manufacturers will listen. Stop putting things you need to operate within the first 30 seconds of driving behind a nasty boot load delay. Please.
What I don't understand is why the volume up and down animation locks out the entire screen. You change the volume and then have to wait about 3 seconds for the animation to disappear to be able to do anything else. Unforgivable
I just bought a used 2022 touring xt and the heated seat control is my number 1 pet peeve. I've gotten used to the timing but drove me nuts at first. I love the aesthetic of touchscreens and minimal buttons, but loath interacting with them sometimes. Other than that, I love it.
@@tunatuna8877 there is a software update that will bubble that control to the main screen and remove the annoying two step flyout. If you don't have a button direct on the screen for heated seats, ask your dealer for
the upgrade.
Consumers just want S#!T that works... Preach it brother. Glad you keep bringing up the infotainment and lack of physical buttons. Whenever they finally figure this all out I'll be all in, and it shouldn't be this hard, but please, please, keep physical buttons for key controls for now...
Ya for some reason they don't see the safety issue with looking at the screen going through menus, as opposed to pushing a physical button, with a fixed location which can easily be used without looking away from the road
I own two subarus and the two current flaws that will stop me from getting another is the giant screan with no buttons and the stop start. Stop start cost more than it helps, requires bigger alternators that cost more to replace and starters go bad faster while saving maybe .3mpg better... that is negligible.
I got what I came for: Your blunt review of the infotainment were the very words that needed to be said, along with Your ability to not let that negative bias you against the positives. This is what keeps me coming back spending my valuable time watching!
the quality of these videos, how does he do it
Better than the car these days.
He clearly doesn’t.
Cuz he's a savage
Cameras
Two cups in the front, two loops in the back. How do they do it?
I own a 2020 Forester Touring, which is quite similar to this and most of the things discussed here are pretty much the same. I have to say that the CVT is an absolute non-issue for me. And before we jump into you're non-car person... I bought the Forester for my wife, my daily is a stage 1 MK7 Golf R with the DSG. Like Mr. Goose said, if you drive it like a family car you will not have any issues with the CVT. That's all the Forester is to me. When I get out of my Golf R and get into the Forester, I drive it like I would any other family car. It wasn't meant to be a sports car. I don't power through corners, I don't do 0-60 runs. I rarely ever notice that it's a CVT as in regular driving the synthetic gear changes are pretty good. On a rare occasion there can be some rev hang if the hill is angled just right and the throttle position is just right. Then again if you think about it, there is a reason why the revs are hanging, it's the most efficient way to get the vehicle to where it needs to go for the parameters. That's the entire point of a CVT. It's all about the right tool for the right job, the latest generation of Forester/Outback, especially in the Touring trim are next level. I've always hated Subaru interiors, but these are seriously good luxurious spaces.
I'm looking at a 19/20 Forester for my wife. I'm wary of the CVT (Nissan owner!), but I really like the interiors, the space, and the adaptive cruise.
Totally correct statement, car drives fine normally which it was meant for, not for driving at the edge.
Subaru seriously needs to stop with the CVT and just go with an 8-speed. And that infotainment is ridiculous - loved how you just laid into the stupidity of it. I'm surprised, though, that you didn't mention the glossy plastic - car companies need to quit with that crap.
The CVT is here to stay. Reason is for better gas mileage !
Cvt is from jAtco idk y they don’t use their cousins Toyota aisin transmissions
@Turn N Burn This is implying that the CVT will most definitely fail and a torque converter auto would not. A beat of a leap there.
@@andersonrodriguez8258 Subaru's CVT is an in house design, not Jatco.
Anderson Rodriguez I don’t know either. Maybe they don’t have a good relationship with Aisin?
This car would be absolute perfection with the 6 speed manual out of the WRX/Crosstrek.
4:18 "consumers wants shit that works"
Thank you!
There are three groups of people that support this mediocracy:
1. auto-company executives that push for these nonsense, or overlook it, (and lie about it)
2. auto-reviewers that gloss over it, or lie by pretending it's not a big issue.
3. online people, that defend these lack-of-quality, blindly.
I LOVE the rant about the screen. I'm all for giant screens and whatnot, but PLEASE can we get some buttons for climate control and seat heaters??
damn we're in 2020 and look and the screen response, look at the software as he says feels like windows 98 !! such a shameful from subaru that cheat you as the screen size, well in the end its a subaru nothing to expect high...
I have the 2020 Onyx XT. The lag is only there on my car when first stating the system up in the morning for the first time. Subsequent starts are much much faster.
@@KumarChalla How is the lag in cold weather? By cold I mean below 20F
@@miriveq I haven't noticed a difference in screen responsiveness between 60F or -1F temperatures. It hasn't been colder or hotter here beyond those temperatures. And the infotainment system behaves the exact same way at either end of the spectrum.
@@KumarChalla is your outback kept in a garage?
@@james2042 Nope, It's parked in a covered parking space but otherwise exposed to the elements.
Yeah CVT kills subaru for me and as much as I want and another Subaru, I will never buy a CVT. 10 years ive owned my subaru always said I wanted another thanks for making my choice for me subaru.
Not even just that but even if they had kept the old 4speed auto, they took the rear mechanical lsd out of the outbacks. I got out of a ditch in my 03 with shitty tires in winter because i could spin both rear wheels
Know exactly what you mean. I tried the Outback (a 2015 Premium model) for about 4 months before the CVT finally got on my last nerve and I traded it in. Liked a lot of things about the Outback in terms of utility and interior quality, but that CVT was just ... ugh! My first and last experience with that crap.
Big screens are cumbersome and impractical. Why try to reinvent the wheel with software and touchscreens? There is no need to diverge from the "3 knob" AC setup. When I get in a car I should immediately know how to work the AC. If I had to hunt through laggy menus to turn the temperature down I would punch a hole through that damn screen.
I can’t agree with you more regarding the infotainment. I was all excited to get either an outback or legacy with the new turbo motor but then I got in and tried to play with infotainment and was appalled. Add on top of that when you connect Apple CarPlay the display for it ends up being smaller than it was on the prior model. The start stop was also atrocious. It really is a shame because as you said the rest of the car so much more refined than the prior model.
You can set the start stop option off....you dont have to use it. If start stop annoys you that bunch just don't buy a car with that option. Subaru base models don't come with it.
@@441meatloaf But you have to turn the start stop option off every time you start the car...at least that's what was said in this video. Base models also don't come with other things a lot of buyers want.
@@kamX-rz4uy You can pull out the fuse of the start-stop under the steering wheel access panel. Subaru makes it very easy for anyone to access it....Because when the engine turns off the computer resets all essential functions to default, its a safety precaution thing they do with all eyesight models.
If you complain that basic models don't have features that you want, then you won't be able to get a car that has no start stop functions since all premium trend in most brands comes with that start-stop function and many screen only functions....There is no perfect car in this world, especially in the eyes of terrible subjective reviewers like this guy that even complains about sensitivity of the touch screen when its clearly subjective.
@@441meatloaf Good to know about the fuse.
you won't find a more honest outback review anywhere, except perhaps from fast lane cars
Yet again, an incredible review. Totally fair. I own a Subaru and you nailed everything about the brand, build quality, etc. Nothing is perfect, but Subaru is pretty nice, and that's basically good enough for me. Great video
I’m so Glad you are calling out these bullshit central displays, thank you 🙏. I have a 2015 forester XT and the CVT drives me crazy. I’ll never buy another CVT again.
As a 2015 subaru legacy owner I agree with this. I was hoping they made a turbo manual model so I could trade in mine for one but nope. My cvt broke at 99k miles and thank god it was covered by manufacture warranty.
Get a WRX with 6-speed manual
@@v8_sami Do you have/had the 4 or 6 cylinder version?...asking for a....friend haha.
@@zeroelus I have the 4 cylinder but if you do have either one make sure you get the oil changed in the transmission. That's one main reason they fail.
@@v8_sami that might not even cut it. The entire concept of a cvt just wasnt ever going to work in a high torque application, and yes, a flat 4 pushing 170 ft./lb.s qualifies. I personally love the cvt in the forester i test drove years back, but the cloud of catesteophic failure GUARANTEED to happen at or around 100k miles on a vehicle that costs 30k is utterly stupid
can you tell Jessica from marketing to tell Subaru to pull a manual transmission out of the parts bin? thanks
or a decent 8 speed torque converter...the new Ford one is good.
You won’t see a manual in this car. What you will see is a auto or dct from Toyota now they have partnered up
CVT and that infotainment is an automatic no buy when things like the CX5 exist
I was seriously considering the CX-5 but I was surprised the two year old cx-5 is almost 10k more than the 2 year old outback with similar odometer miles and similar trims. I can stretch out my long legs better on the outback too. I'd rather take comfort over fun to drive
I too am surprised how nice the interior is!! The infotainment is too slow. The CVT is a 'forget-it' for me. I would take the Mazda CX5 over this.
We drove one. Other than the big screen, the interior is the same as our 2016.
@@johnstrand2247 , the interior looks very luxurious, comfortable and classy.
The cx5 infotaiment looks like a aftertought, they've created the dashboard and slapped tablet. I don't understand car companies why are they trying so hard to make infotaiment when you can hire Samsung, Apple or doesn't matter top 10-15 mainstream tech companies that are making tablets/mobiles they would make far better system.
@Ted Freddy , the nice CX5 Touring with Turbo is selling around $35k. My daughter has one, I almost bought one also. They have a 6-speed transmission.
My father-in-law bought a loaded Kia Sportage for $29.5k . It is very nice, has a 6-speed, nice interior, but is slow power-wise.
I ended up buying a Honda Ridgeline RTL-E because it has a great V6 without a turbo, rides great and very quiet, has nice interior, and has the bed for yard work, paid $38.6k .
@@rondail5675 Yep, exactly like my 2016.
Great job, Subaru. The best all around car that can do literally everything. We have 2 of these - 2019 and 2021 for us with my wife. So far, we don't want any other car. We re planning just to be upgrading our Subaru Outbacks by trading in our current cars and buying in the newer versions as the come out. I wish Subaru will create a Plug In Hybrid for the Outback, or even EV, this would be a total killer. I wish all the best to all of you!
Start stop delay is dangerous especially pulling out in cross traffic in 4 cyl turbo motors . Take too long to power up and go.
If your paying attention a half a second really isnt a big of a deal.
@@Hallowsaw That literally makes no sense, you won’t generate enough power fast enough to accelerate safely
Windows XP Style on the Infotainment.
At least Windows XP worked well. This is Windows Vista.
@@mellowmortal lmfao
Dude if only it was Windows XP!
The most responsive OS Microsoft released.
@@ahmedp800 Windows 95 was most responsive, because it was simple and without backward compatibility.
@@mellowmortal Not Vista., Btw It does work, it just takes time to fully boot up.
I have owned 3 Subarus. My advice: If you are going to buy one, dont buy it during the first two years of a new model.
And although we have an outback with a CVT and 108,000 problem free miles, I wouldn’t buy another one till they stop putting CVT’s in their cars.
If they are really desperate to get good EPA numbers, put The CVT and start/stop nonsense on the base trim and advertise that number and give the upper trims a regular Automatic transmission.
That goes for almost all cars.
Truer words have never been spoken! We have a '15 Outback, and the CVT soaks any driving fun out of it. If they put an 8-speed auto in it, I'd buy the 2020 in an instant. As it is, we're stuck looking at dozens of other CUV/SUV/sedans that each have their own problems, when I really just want a station wagon.
"stop putting CVTs in their cars"?
Ain't gonna happen. ALL car manufacturers are moving towards CVTs rapidly. Gotta stay with the competition, and the Federal CAFE requirements.
@@eskieman3948 Good point about Federal CAFE requirements. However, aren't the newer transmissions with 7, 8, 9+ gears as fuel efficient as the CVTs? I've read that somewhere and possibly on some of the auto review videos. I'm also wondering how well built the Subaru traditional transmissions were over the years. I keep hearing of problems with Honda automatic transmissions, and every Honda I've owned has by far the quirkiest non-CVT automatic I've driven. I suppose I've not kept one long enough to see when it might fail but the quirkiness has had me concerned, and now their paint issue has me looking elsewhere which took me to Subaru.
@@jsfbay1I got the 14’ with the six speed manual 😊
I own a '19 Outback. And my infotainment has a 15- to 20-second lag at start up. You can't even turn the volume down. So it seems like they haven't solved that. And for me, I want my HVAC controls to be physical knobs and switches. It's just better than on-screen HVAC controls in every way. I would never buy that big screen. And think about that auto start/stop technology... if it feels like garbage when it's new, imagine what it will feel like at 50K miles or beyond. No thanks! Yes, these are "old-guy complaints" and I'm an old guy. But I'm also the target demographic for this exact car. And I would never buy it.
I had a '16 Outback and my wife had a '15 Legacy. They both suffered from screen lag at start up. That volume issue is mostly what bothered us as it often seems gremlins get in the car and turn it up (no way I had it that loud, right?). I now have a '19 Ascent and it doesn't have that problem. I don't think my wife's '18 Impreza has a lag either but that infotainment system sucks and there is now a class action lawsuit over it.
it isn't better in "every" way. You can't update knobs and switches.
For fucks sake, if you want a performance car buy one. Don't buy one of these, try and drive it like Bullitt and then have a whinge when it doesn't perform like you think it should. It's not designed for that. That's why there are different choices of cars...ladies. Because a person buys an Outback doesn't mean that they aren't a car person, just means they want a car like that for that particular season in their life. Not every car has to be Mustang or Camaro or whatever it is you make over there. And all the whinging about the screen and infotainment system, are you guys men or 21 year old millennial women? The latter I take it.
They barely updated this exterior look since Jim got one from season 6 of The Office, 2010.
Rough terrain in Colorado? This guy needs to get to Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Half of Colorado is flat. Huge misconception of the world. Nice Subaru!
Hated the engine stop start system on my non Subaru..I bypassed it, pushed down the off button and wedged in a small piece of credit card BINGO !! Now off forever until I remove it.
Too bad cant use the simple “credit card wedge trick” on a high tech touchscreen.
Smart! I like it.
yes it is annoying , however you can manage it with a light touch on the brake pedal to stop it engaging .. but yes it is best switched off.
that's lucky it's only mechanical, many push buttons will only perform if push "and" release is done
Just pull the fuse
Prefer the tactile feel of dials. You can keep your eyes on the road and manually control the heating, cooling, fan etc. The big screen is a big mistake.
Wait until these touchscreens start crapping the bed about 6 or 7 years down the road. I can't imagine the replacement cost for these units.
So you don’t like the big screen with all the controls tied into the screen with no separate controls for anything and you also hate the stop/start feature but you love everything else about the outback? Then get a 2019-2018 outback premium or higher trim ....they have a smaller but still nice 8 inch screen with separate controls for climate,radio,xmode and seat heaters....plus best of all they don’t have the annoying stop/start feature....the only thing it don’t have is the new driver awareness scanner thingy maggigy and they don’t have the turbo 4 engine but they do have the 3.6 6 cylinder boxer with pretty identical HP figures....but even the naturally aspirated 2.5 4 cylinder boxer is decently good, it may not be fast but it does the job just fine while getting 30mpg....
This past snow storm in Seattle, I've seen at least half dozen of Subs in ditches. I highly doubt vehicles was at fault 😂
AWD is great until all four tires lose traction.
Democrats are crappy drivers.
"No, consumers just want shit that works" AMEN
They have that many buttons on the steering wheel already, what's another few lol
The pot holes of the Chicago area be very afraid, I’m coming for you!!
My mans, it’s time for you to do a outback wilderness review
Thank you so much for your honest opinion of the infotainment system. I want physical buttons put back in my new car and CVT transmissions removed. Period.
Mazda is the answer.
Love the rant about touch screen in the beginning 😂.
"It does everything so well" no wonder, it is a wagon after all. I get a Volvo or Audi wagon vibe from it. Put that on stilts and AWD = good mix. I do share your anger with the laggy electronics, oversized screen that takes up hard button space and scepticism about the scanning of one's face. I would not want this in my car.
Thumbs up to Savagegeese. Thumbs down to CVT.
Whatcha gonna do when almost ALL vehicles will have CVTs in less than four years? Think not? Wake up and open your eyes....
@@eskieman3948 don't think every manufacturer will adopt it, even in the future.
@@eskieman3948 simple, don't buy their products. I can find other means to get around
Cvts are not inherently bad. Its when you pair it to a sub 200hp engine in a 2 ton car... the 2.4L and the 3.6L outbacks were actually really good with the CVT. Personally i own a 2.5I CVT and a 3.6R 5speed legacy and the CVT is a better daily. The 3.6r is the better road trip car.
Just found this Savagegeese channel , and love the bluntness and no fear of pointing out the negatives .. bravo . so different from the other car reviewers.
agree 100%
CVTs are awful. Great review as my wife was looking at one of these, but I'd had experience with Subarus in the past and warned her of the interiors. Nice to see things have been elevated.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes on the laggy overcomplicated touch screens. 👊
Miss my 2009 Subaru Outback XT with a short shift manual. That car was a unicorn.
The main reason I own two new Subarus is that they have the manual available with AWD. If I'll be forced to buy automatic-only there are better cars then Subaru for sure.
Thanks for a great honest review. I own a 19 Ascent and I love how smooth and quiet it rides, mine has buttons for the heated seats and knobs for the heater and a/c. I would not want to have to go into a screen to turn on things that should be on separate buttons. The Outback is a really nice car and much better than it's competitors. The CVT does not bother me on my Ascent, if I want to drive a vehicle hard and turn corners fast, I drive my 15 Mustang GT. The Outback like my Ascent is a great family vehicle and most of the drivers in these cars are not going to be racing around.
As a 19 Ascent owner I'll second that.
You're pretty much the best automobile reviewer on TH-cam and my new fave channel. So refreshing! Keep up the great work and let me know if you ever need help with anything. I'd love to lend a hand.
Subaru's infotainment system is a huge flaw. I have a base model 2018 outback, and in cold weather sometimes the screen won't turn on at all. On startup, the volume can take a solid 20 to react. That's my only complaint for my model, in upstate NY if you don't have AWD you might as well stay home. Great cars, decent fuel economy, but the delays on the touch controls is one of the worst. I will lease another outback when this one expires, but yeah, I agree the infotainment system is embarrassing, it always has been and looks like they aren't putting much focus into fixing it
You should warm the car first before operating the screen. Oh, that's right, you can't warm the car until you can operate the screen. Catch 22!
So apparently the bad interface design has caught up with the God-awful exterior design at Subaru.
The 2020 Subaru Outback - too clever by half.
Man, I absolutely love your reviews. They are the best. You tell it like it is. No candy-coated b.s.
“Consumers want shit that works” 10/10 can confirm, am a consumer who spends his time waiting for his car to boot up to turn on the heater by daydreaming about burning it to the ground.
I was considering a 2020 Outback and took one for a spin a few weeks ago. The deal-breaker for me is that just about everything is behind a touch-screen! Some controls NEED to stay physical buttons or knobs. Period! Instant access. So, I echo the sentiment here from the 'Goose'. I'll stay with my 2017 Forester, shortcomings notwithstanding.
Holy crap that’s Woodstock /bull valley . I used to take that route to McHenry college . You did that turn (which is one of my fav parts of roads especially in snow fall ) and I’m like waaaaait a second . Watch out for cops! A lot around there !
Thought the same damn thing! Glad someone else noticed too lol
Jesus, that thing looks like a rusty beaten up mess underneath, this is a new car??
Press car
welcome to the midwest
@@MegaTpeck I live near Detroit, but not in the States.
Yeah Subarus looks like shit after 6 months in salt in the midwest. My FRS looked like a 5 year old car after a year.
@@savagegeeseCould be worse. Our Patriot underside almost completely rotted away after five years, with less than 50k kms on it. Wouldn't buy another FCA product.
A different view. I like the outback a lot. Was cross shopping it with a base 4runner. My wife is blind. With the Subaru she will not be able to do basic things (heated seat?) because of the touch screen. I know, very specific issue, but enough to loss me as a buyer.
I hope they’ve improved the quality of the “leather” seat material. I’m bringing my ‘18 3.6r into the dealership tomorrow for warranty replacement of the driver’s seat bottom cover. (Splitting vinyl trim at 30K miles)
I do like the drivetrain and hauling capability, but the interior is crap: cracking vinyl, squeaking driver’s seat, seat memory loss after a couple of days, infotainment head unit has been replaced twice under warranty.
Read the forums at SubaruOutback.org before buying one. Finally, this is the 1st year of this generation; there WILL be problems.
Wow, our 16' has 36k and no complaints yet fortunately. Hopefully we dont down the road.
Had same issue on my 2016. 3.6 r outback at 33k miles. Navigation system sucks. The whole infotainment system is a pos. Love the 6 cylinder. I pull a 16’ boat with it
I have zero problem with cvt. My wife has a ‘19 Outback, and 99/100 people would think it’s a classic automatic. When i drive it, I never feel any disadvantages of it. I have a ‘11 Outback. The cvt is more” raw” in it, its the classic cvt, that is in people head. Although we have been living happily together for 9 years. Once you get used to it, you don’t really notice anything bad. For normal, everyday use, it’s absolutely fine. ( sometimes i even like to “play” with my ‘11 Outback, and at this point I put it in “manual” , works perfectly for me)
I own a 2020 Onyx XT and I like most of the improved features compared to my 2015 Outback Limited. However there are some things that needs a lot of improvement.
1. The nightime resolution of the front view and back up camera is very bad, that makes it so hard to see. I do not understand why SOA has failed to test this before it was released.
2. The location of the front USB ports are not convenient.
3. Auto start/stop is not smooth & annoying.
4. Tires used are lower quality that the ones they used on the 2015 OB.
5. Sound system on the Onyx is low quality.
6. Auto vehicle hold has to be activated whenever you start the car. Not controlled by on/off switch on 2015.
How funny at 1:00 he mentions Subaru cost cutting and the guy is shifting that failure prone CVT transmission. Out of warranty a CVT / TCM replacement will cost you around $10,000 dollars.
Caveat Emptor !
Sowell Train I never buy extended warranties, but did with my ‘18 Outback, specifically because of the CVT. I use paddle-shift engine braking a lot, figuring, “well they can’t deny a transmission warranty claim if they include paddles on the car.” We shall see.
When I started to watch this review, I felt like the guy seems so sad and needs a holiday.
Thankfully, I watched the whole video and was greatly impressed with his review. Pretty fair and well balanced.
I am torn at the moment between this and the Forester.
My brother in the UK has a 2009 Legacy and when my family and I visit him and drive his legacy I love that thing.
Thanks for this review. I'm still torn.
New sub.
+1. An October 2019 early production Subi 2020 Outback XT Touring replaced our aging Subi 2005 Outback XT LTd .. Wow, what more than a decade brought. . A super quiet, front side window dual-pane glass assisted quiet. . 200mi round trips btw Vail and Denver and back were never better. .. Dedicated winter snow tires are a must. P.S. The adoption of turnable LED headlights is a hoot!. In the dark of night canyon roads,, the HL's turn in concert with the roadway.. Cheers, Vail, Colorado
A recent trait I really appreciate in these videos is how you can relate to non-enthusiasts without putting them down.
I want car reliability topic video :))) Not just best and worst brands...there are already so much videos like this. I want reliability topic in terms of modern car makers approach at different price points. Also in many videos you mentioned that "you better lease this car". I know what it means but many people don`t know. Why some brands make almost "super high tech" car that don`t last and you can barely repair them. I don`t understand why you can spend over 100.000$ for car that simply dont last. Usually as more expensive instruments become the more reliable they are. Seems in car industry is the opposite. I can buy Honda with k20 engine (there are many examples) and the car will outlast any of the German high tech cars by far. In my country one of the most popular cars that last and sustain their price is Honda CRV. I was over some C-class or BMW 3-series ending buy Mazda 6 because i want to have some peace of my mind regarding engine (car) reliability. All the Benz/BMW are turbocharged.Engine chain problems, Turbo problems, EGR problems, DPF problems, Plastic rubbish parts, pipes etc problems, suspension problems. Deprivation problems....fuc*k them. Mine 2.5L fuel economy combined is 9-10l/km. Who cares that the Benz or BMW`s turbocharged diezels/petrols make 6-7l/100km for the same power output if they can give me 3000-4000$ + repair job in next 4-5 years. I dont understand. I have money for premium car just i don`t understand why premium brands don`t give me premium reliability and resale value. In more other industries is opposite. If you buy top tier product you end up with much more quality product that last longer and have better resale value. Not the cars....still we have Lexus... they are not entierly fuc*ed up yet and they still last.
This shit has a higher mph on the speedometer than my 2019 Miata.
I don't understand the point of putting a speedometer in a car that goes higher than the usually-present electronic limiter. Reminds me of my 2004 Accord--electronically limited to 130mph with a 160mph speedometer. Why??
... 1960s marketing. Back then, higher spedo numbers made ppl feel better about the car (i.e. Potential). Same when cars had speedos that stopped at 85 (in the 80s); it was to slow ppl down thinking their car was only capable of 85 (they could go faster). It is a mental, visual trick. Same could be said for tachs that show 8k rpm when red line is 6500. Why 1500 more rpm than what the car is safe at?
That Accord had a huge speedometer. My wife had a 2005 and you could read it from space.
The Outback's CVT transmission cuts the power (torque) when the wheels slip. The CVT is shit. .. We own a neu 2020 Outback XT Touring ... Vail, Colorado 8,250' elevation.
The lower trim levels all have the same infotainment system (from premium and up). Nobody really buys the base model Subaru's, but if they do the base trim level has essentially the same system just split between two LCDs. There's no physical buttons among any of the trim levels.
I have a base model WRX
@@kevinnorris6558 you represent .1% of Subaru sales lol
Just think Some of us have base models........
3:36 No kidding. I plan on getting a 2021 but this isn't right. A phone can swipe just fine. Why not a car's screen. I can understand if it has to read the car's data but there's other stuff like hidden buttons like the example given: seat warmers.
I actually love the screen! And in Montana, I use the remote start with the app, so your butt is nice and toasty when you get in, don't have to wait for anything. I hope they put this screen into the Ascent next year.
the screen works great on mine.
I appreciate your bluntness. It was amusingly refreshing. On the start and stop, my understanding is that if you don't mash the brake all the way down, then it won't turn off.
truth..you can prevent start stop mode from engaging by how you activate the brake, by using the menu or by having the AC or defogger/defroster on.
It costs these companies next to nothing to operate everything off a stupid screen. Physical buttons for everything are expensive and make your wiring more complex. they pretend the touch screen is "premium" but it costs less for them to put one in a higher trim level than it does to equip a "lesser" trim level with buttons. Touch screens should be reserved for budget economy cars.
Subaru's new turbo is good, but I need a manual transmission. CVT is crappy.
Subaru learn from Germans how to shape few things. UX is bad
Germans...german cars have the worst in reliability...thats one thing you should never learn from a german car.
I have zero problem with cvt. My wife has a ‘19 Outback, and 9/10 people would think it’s a classic automatic. When i drive it, I never feel any disadvantages of it.
That tells us what kind of driver you are. For you, it's a transportation appliance, not a driving machine.
OMGWTFLOL Sorry, but you are wrong! I love to drive, and i love to drive both my and my wife’s Outback. They are both good cars, even with cvt, believe me! Life is not black and white! 😀
Oh boy, here we go with the fake shifting everyone thinks they need again 😅.
Only the dinosaur execs at the manufacturers think we need it.
Subaru's is actually not bad...much better than listening to a droning engine. Casual driving around town is not bad even with the standard 2.5 engine.
when i hear someone complain over a screen booting up for 30-45 seconds I really have to scream "first world problems!" I remember having to wait 10-15 minutes for the heat to get hot enough to warm the car up and defrost the windshield.
Serinity. The Goose word for 2020. You knew it was coming.
So much Serenity th-cam.com/video/ZGzrde6x4Lg/w-d-xo.html
The screen alone put me off. Hard pass on anything Subaru, not buyung a car with CVT anyway at any point in my life after owning one.
The outside design is yawn fest
Maybe. But if someone's considering this car in the first place, they probably aren't prioritizing looks too heavily.
I want to buy a base model outback then 2 to 3 in lift with meaty tires, brush gaurd, skid plate, extra lights, and the soup up engine until it blows then do an engine swap with a cummins or honda engine.
I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the infotainment screen. I made the mistake by buying the first model year Infiniti Q50. It would take 30-45 seconds for the infotainment screen to boot up upon startup and it would drive me BONKERS. I couldn’t even turn the A/C on until it fully booted up. It was the ONLY reason why I got rid of the car.
I really do like the nappa leather interior. I'm glad a somewhat regular brand offers a trim with a real touch of luxury.
A frank review as always: owned 3 consecutive Subarus and their insistence on CVTs was the final straw of washing my hands of the brand.
You have reliability issues? Or just didn't like them?
I hate screen, shines so bright at night that I’m blind. Plus the fun fact that I have to take my eyes off road, and the system gonna beep cause I take my eyes off road. How intuitive
I watched this video with great interest. I bought one !
I bought my Outback Touring XT with every accessory possible and am excited to receive it next week. I am saying good bye to my 2017 Lexus NX which rides nicely on highways but is awfully choppy and harsh on back roads. I want the non fatigue couch like ride this car provides. I love the slightly altered look of the new 2020 Outback Touring and am looking forward to sitting quietly on roads and enjoying the open road. Thanks for your review.
really, really appreciate his honesty. The execution of this car was rushed and sloppy.
Turd brown...my favorite
Idk the deal up here in Alaska but most of the worse drivers are Subaru drivers. LoL
Buy the XT Onyx edition without the tech package and boom, you have physical HVAC controls.
Subaru moved the start/stop button to the home screen with an update. Easy to turn off - takes a second and one push of a screen icon. As far as the screen goes, I've got used to it pretty fast. Set the climate control and seat ventilation where I want it and I'm done. It does have buttons on the side for increasing or decreasing the temperature. Has a knob for volume for the radio. I just don't need to mess around with the menus that much now that I have things set. I'm basing this on a Legacy Touring XT I bought a week ago. Same drivetrain and same interior. I have never owned such a comfortable car. My 6' 3" frame fits it better than any car I've ever been in. Tons of legroom, pull out thigh support extender and just overall plush seats. The ride is so quiet and comfortable. Its going to be primarily a highway cruiser and for that purpose its damned near perfect.
Laggy touch system = deal breaker; the UI design looks awful to boot.
That's why you shouldn't even have a screen
You're part of the problem.. "The UI design looks ugly" .. it's not a phone
@@polaris911 Backup cameras are mandated on all US cars so you're going to have a screen on your next new car, all I'm asking for is well designed, intuitive and responsive UI. Nothing wrong with that. Digital HVAC controls are an automatic dealbreaker for me.
@@alexstromberg7696 All new cars in the US are government mandated to have backup cameras
LOL ok then, Highlander it is.....😬🙄
the CVT transmission; the downfall of motoring civilization!
I own this Outback and trim level. I absolutely love it! I don't mind the bigger screen so much. Having to press so many icons to get to the heat seater is nonsensical, but I only use it rarely as I live in the sultry south. I previously owned a 2016 Outback without the eyesight and I at first didn't like the eyesight feature on this 2020 model because it can nag you, but I sincerely think it's made me a better driver overall as well as the many other safety features this newer version has. I don't think I will ever buy another brand of car as I've been completely satisfied with the comfort, safety, reliability and performance of a Subaru. I previously drove two Ford Escapes and they are not as solid, and squirrelly on wet roads. Hydroplaning was a serious problem with those. I've not experienced that in a Subaru.