I own a 24 Outback Onyx XT and love it. I tried the Crosstrek Limited and Wilderness but got a great deal on the Outback 0% APR. I was coming out of a 4Runner which was awesome but just too much truck for my needs (Fuel economy). I dig it and plan on staying behind the wheel for many years to come.
I’ve only ever driven the Onyx. It is the same engine, transmission, and suspension across both trims. The biggest difference would be the ventilated leather seats in the Touring.
As driven both, I can confirm the Onyx seats are more plush. The Touring seats are significantly more firm to allow for the ventilated seats to allow air to pass through the leather perforations.
Thank you for the comments. These both appear to be excellent vehicles. The Forester seems more economical and perhaps easier in parking etc, but the 182 hp is a concern, whereas the Ascent has 260hp. I guess until we have your driving assessment, we will not have a good comparison to see if the 182hpp in the new Forester is adequate and the lower price is acceptable..@@GTGarageTalk
It’s essentially the same engine in the current Forester. If you have one local, go give it a drive. It’s low powered, but not out of the question for a commuter.
No. It’s very similar to a neoprene rubber surface. Except that it’s smooth, soft, and not grippy like a traditional rubber. It’s not cheap feeling like vinyl, but it’s far from the thick, supple feeling of real leather.
@@jgriffin411 it is hot. Much like leather. However, it’s important to note that the material is thin so it doesn’t retain heat long like a thick leather does. So once you turn the a/c on it cools down very quickly. Faster than leather.
Might be subjective, but I find the Ascents seats hard and uncomfortable versus the Pilot. Short drives probably won't be an issue but long road trips would be tough. 😅
The only thing that kept me from getting the Pilot is the lack of luxury for more price and the small radio screen. Honda already feels outdated. I have 23 Honda Civic Sport and now a 24 ascent and once my Honda lease is up I’m getting another Subaru
I am extremely sensitive to seat comfort having a bad back. My preference for seats is that they the bottom cushion must be plush and soft. Allowing me to sink into the seat. The Ascent seats in the Onyx are some of the best seats I’ve experienced in a while. I’ve never sat in the Pilot seats, but if they are as I described, I’d be happy.
tird row seats belts are a joke plus when installing booster seats is hard to click the belt.. a/c full blast is really LOUD... 2.4 260 hp 7 passengers & luggage poor CVT trans screams for help goin up on a hill.. 😑 carplay disconnects every 15min. remote stars only with phone app.
As an owner, I’ve not noticed the a/c on full blast is any louder than any other vehicle I own or owned. As for the cvt screaming up hills. That’s false. Subaru’s cvt’s are silent. No whining or noises like as sound on older Nissans. I’m assuming you’re referring to the engine rpm’s raising to keep the vehicle at its current speed while uphill? The engine can be noisy at high rpm’s, so my suggestion would be to “lock” the transmission in 8th gear and the engine will no longer raise the rpm’s but will spool the turbo and increase boost to maintain the same speeds uphill.
@@jdesmo1They are both flat! (aka opposed) Boxer refers to pistons traveling in opposite directions to cancel out primary imbalances. When one piston is traveling out on exhaust stroke, its opposite piston is traveling out on the compression stroke.
I own a 24 Outback Onyx XT and love it. I tried the Crosstrek Limited and Wilderness but got a great deal on the Outback 0% APR. I was coming out of a 4Runner which was awesome but just too much truck for my needs (Fuel economy). I dig it and plan on staying behind the wheel for many years to come.
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Picking up a 2024 premium this weekend! Wife is happy to finally getting her family hauler! Thanks for the content! 👏
Happy to help
These are great family vehicles and awesome for roadtrips!
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Picking this up now. Same color
Enjoy it!!!
I LOVE....the ANALOG guages. Who wants the cheezy digital screen facsimiles ?
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You and Holli would get along.
My name is Holly also and I agree with your wife. Analog gauges. Might be a "Holly" thing!
BTW, I'm married to a Cory also lol.
DId you get a chance to test drive the Ascent Touring? Would you rate the Touring over the Onyx in terms of drive comfort?
I’ve only ever driven the Onyx. It is the same engine, transmission, and suspension across both trims. The biggest difference would be the ventilated leather seats in the Touring.
As driven both, I can confirm the Onyx seats are more plush. The Touring seats are significantly more firm to allow for the ventilated seats to allow air to pass through the leather perforations.
Since you just did a review of the 2025 Forester do you have any comparisons?
We’ve only toured the forester. No driving yet.
The interior of the one we saw in Chicago was definitely a step above this in classiness.
Thank you for the comments. These both appear to be excellent vehicles. The Forester seems more economical and perhaps easier in parking etc, but the 182 hp is a concern, whereas the Ascent has 260hp. I guess until we have your driving assessment, we will not have a good comparison to see if the 182hpp in the new Forester is adequate and the lower price is acceptable..@@GTGarageTalk
It’s essentially the same engine in the current Forester. If you have one local, go give it a drive. It’s low powered, but not out of the question for a commuter.
Better than Telluride/Palisade?
Telluride and Palisade are more luxurious.
Not to mention you get more bang for your buck. They typically offer these below MSRP.
Is startek really aka vinyl? Or is that an unfair hit job? What is it actually?
No. It’s very similar to a neoprene rubber surface. Except that it’s smooth, soft, and not grippy like a traditional rubber. It’s not cheap feeling like vinyl, but it’s far from the thick, supple feeling of real leather.
@@haroldbeauchamp3770 any comments on what it is like in the summer time?
@@jgriffin411 it is hot. Much like leather. However, it’s important to note that the material is thin so it doesn’t retain heat long like a thick leather does. So once you turn the a/c on it cools down very quickly. Faster than leather.
@@haroldbeauchamp3770 thx for the input, I'm 50-50 on ventilated seats. But butt warmers & heated steering wheel is a must.
Might be subjective, but I find the Ascents seats hard and uncomfortable versus the Pilot. Short drives probably won't be an issue but long road trips would be tough. 😅
My wife said the same thing in our family review of the vehicle.
The only thing that kept me from getting the Pilot is the lack of luxury for more price and the small radio screen. Honda already feels outdated. I have 23 Honda Civic Sport and now a 24 ascent and once my Honda lease is up I’m getting another Subaru
I am extremely sensitive to seat comfort having a bad back. My preference for seats is that they the bottom cushion must be plush and soft. Allowing me to sink into the seat. The Ascent seats in the Onyx are some of the best seats I’ve experienced in a while. I’ve never sat in the Pilot seats, but if they are as I described, I’d be happy.
tird row seats belts are a joke plus when installing booster seats is hard to click the belt.. a/c full blast is really LOUD... 2.4 260 hp 7 passengers & luggage poor CVT trans screams for help goin up on a hill.. 😑 carplay disconnects every 15min. remote stars only with phone app.
As an owner, I’ve not noticed the a/c on full blast is any louder than any other vehicle I own or owned. As for the cvt screaming up hills. That’s false. Subaru’s cvt’s are silent. No whining or noises like as sound on older Nissans. I’m assuming you’re referring to the engine rpm’s raising to keep the vehicle at its current speed while uphill? The engine can be noisy at high rpm’s, so my suggestion would be to “lock” the transmission in 8th gear and the engine will no longer raise the rpm’s but will spool the turbo and increase boost to maintain the same speeds uphill.
@@haroldbeauchamp3770 im sayn is way too much weight all together for that lil engine 2.4 & cvt trans.. it will go anywhere but forcing the engine
@@edlara1303 ah. I understand your point.
There’s only one reason that I don’t like on Subaru. The boxer engine is a headache
How so?
As a subaru and porsche owner I like my flat 4 and 6
@@davidchoeun Porsche has a flat engine. Subaru has a boxer engine. Big difference.
@@jdesmo1They are both flat! (aka opposed) Boxer refers to pistons traveling in opposite directions to cancel out primary imbalances. When one piston is traveling out on exhaust stroke, its opposite piston is traveling out on the compression stroke.