Subaru Outback 2.5 vs XT vs 3.6R 0-60 Test & Comparison!
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- The regular Outback catches criticism for pokey performance, but how much more do you truly get with the turbo, and is it worth it? Let's find out, and while we're at it, let's see if the 3.6R can still hold its own with its successor!
FULL Review
• 2022 Subaru Outback / ...
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Imagine sitting in your Focus ST crying after getting beat at a traffic light by a Dad in a turbo outback with his kid in the back...
Ok so I was going to get the 2.5 but You’re comment made me laugh so hard that now I am getting the XT
You'll love it!
My Onxy turns 1 next week.
And then imagine the ass pucker as the Mom driving the Focus RS takes the next corner flat while you roll like a fishing boat in a 6 metre sea 🤣🤣🤣
@@randthompson5716 I test drive a Limited XT and I wish I didn't because I'm still months away from being able to buy one
I wish I got a Forester XT instead of the regular version, had the pleasure to test drive one a couple of years after i bought the regular one, to and it's so different.
My mom was recently in the market for a new Outback, her first brand new car. She has always had the H6's since 2004, an '02 LL bean for about 15 plus years, then a '13 3.6R. for about 5-6 years. She tested a 2021 XT, and she was not impressed with the smoothness of it! She ultimately went with a 2019 3.6R Touring with 14k miles. She was more than impressed with the power, loved how silky smooth it was, and wanted to stick with the reliability that was proven to her with her H6's over the last 20 years. Thanks for the great video Tyler!!
I think the 3.6 was a bit of an underappreciated powerplant. It was quick, but certainly no speed demon. I think its biggest advantage was its more refined experience that may be more expected from the Limited/Touring trims. I always found it to be quiet and smooth, but willing to play with a good sound if you wanted it to.
I test drove a 2.5 before I got my 2011 3.6, and the difference between the two was pretty big. I can't stand the whine of the 2.5's cvt and there seemed to be a lot more road noise. The 3.6 is very smooth and quiet, but you're right, sounds decent if you get on it.
Not to mention the 50%+ greater longevity due to the extra two cylinders. I have a 2008 3.0R here in rural Australia with 420,000 highway km on it and a 2018 3.6R with 180,000 and they both still drive like new.
Hey the 3.6 will hit 140 mph gladly. Its a fast car, will have no issue blasting across the country at 110 mph (which is precisely what i did.) in fact, its more than happy to. Can’t say the same for the turbo motor which will just get heat soaked and lose power. N/A for the win.
Yes it is mines pumping 332 hp it zooms
I’m thinking about buying the 2.4 turbo or the 3.6 I’m looking for fuel economy but I’m pulling a small boat trailer with a fully loaded kayak which does not weigh more than probably 400 pounds with trailer and kayak what is your recommendations
Went from an early 2016 2.5 Limited to a late 2017 3.6r Limited, to a 2020 Limited XT, to now a 2022 Wilderness. The 2.4 turbo is OK, but I really miss the 3.6r flat six. Shame that this engine has gone to history…
19mpg city mileage even barely touching the throttle (could be one of the reasons)
@@51249ca I have the 3.6 and I average about 24 mpg.
Pay homage to the mighty 3.6. think 2.5 is great refined engine for most people unless you live in high altitudes or need to tow then 2.4 turbo is what you need
I also wish that Subaru should have added a turbo to the 3.6r engine instead of discontinuing it
Limited space?
They could have gone down to 3.0 or 2.8 liters with twin, small turbos that spool quickly. Eliminate the dual VVT as it won't be needed. Could have been bada$$ even with low psi from factory. Throw in an 8 speed instead of CVT and MPGs could be there as well.
As the happy owner of a 2012 3.6R Limited Outback, I would have LOVED that engine with a turbo!
I have a 2020 Limited XT now. I call it my Outback WRX (LOL) and I say all the time “No one expects a fast Outback!
I had a 2019 Limited 2.5 and it was weak. Only kept it for a year. I love my XT!
2011 3.6R Premium with 5EAT here. After a Takeda intake and 93 octane fuel, I'm at 5.5 to 60 at sea level. Properly quick and easy to outrun the suspension and tires into corners, lol. 170k miles without any trouble. TURBINE smooth. No 4 will ever be this smooth. Can't feel the transmission shift. Driven it across the country twice. Once towing a trailer.
I’ve got a 2011 normal 3.6r and it is super smooth and decently quick
I have an older 3.6. I like how smooth it is and feels really comfy. It is great for highway driving. Also runs on standard fuel as opposed to premium and it’s a lower stress engine.
It's a great engine, the 2.4 turbo also runs on regular too!
@@Realistick No it doesn't.
@@gjmob yes. Regular 87 octane fuel for the turbo
@@gjmobyou had so much time to delete 😂
Reading this as a Brit who grew up with imperial mpg, living in Australia with litres per 100km, with an American wife…
10 litres per 100kms = 23 US mpg
10 litres per 100kms = 28 UK mpg
And 30 US mpg = 36 UK mpg.
UK gallon is 1.2x bigger than US gallon.
I’ve a 2011 2.5 auto Forester, now considering a used manual (Legacy or OB). I have lots of hills and tricky minor roads with big trucks, occasional gravel, soft shoulders, lots of winter wet leaves. Will share with my learner son, so must be manual.
I get around 9 litres / 100km (26 US, 31 UK mpg) on my 2.5 NA Forester.
Tending to a late 2000s 6 cylinder for the extra torque. I’ve been used to my dying auto 3L diesel Jeep which is 160 kW and a phenomenal 510Nm at 1600rpm.
After that my current NA 2.5 feels very exposed trying to accelerate going up anything worse than a 1:10 gradient.
This is far and away the best Subaru Outback review video on the internet. Thank you.
Been waiting 3 months for my 2022 XT Limited. I test drove both and I couldn't imagine getting the base engine. The difference is night and day.
I'm about to place an order in CA (Onyx XT). What time frame did they quote you when you placed your order?
the 2.4 motor is a lovely sleeper. drive it normally its fine. then sometimes you just want the power. this thing just flies. .so glad i got the turbo. . the ride and feel is so good .have had other subaru cars . this is the nicest one. outback xt 2023 model
I bought a new 2021 touring xt… love it & 16,000 miles later no issues at all .. to get the best performance, use “manual” mode with the CVT to hold the lower gears up to 4500 rpm .. I’ve measured 0-60 at 5.7 seconds .. not bad for a station wagon ! Use voice controls for the aircon control .. The touring is fully loaded and with ventilated leather front seats was a must for desert living .. No regrets for this super versatile and fun to drive vehicle
When my wrx was getting fixed, I got the XT as a loaner car and I had no idea how quick it was, so when I pulled out of Subaru, I gunned it because there was car coming and the power was so strong it shocked me. I would for sure trade my WRX for one
i have two outbacks, a '19 2.5 and a '19 3.6. I test drove the XT with the turbo and it has more power than my 3.6. But for me, the 3.6 smoothness and quietness wins.
These engines in stock form leave alot on the table. Once you get a dyno tune on them they really come alive. It changes everything.
100% 3.6 naturally $ Quietly aspirated✅
I bought the Outback Touring XT back in 2020 and have had no regrets. I came from a Honda CRV so wanted something that would provide the same utility with the bonus of the turbo and better cabin features/comfort. The turbo really sold me since I need it for highway driving pulling out into traffic or passing power. The touring model had all the features I wanted while the others seemed to have one or two but none had them all. I was fortunate to be able to test-drive my choice which was on the dealer's lot.
Congrats on the car, and the ability to drive both back to back! A lot of people don't even know it exists because they can only test out the base engine!
I feel the same way about the Touring. It has all the features and also the only that has the ventilated seats. Makes a difference for long trips.
You don't need the turbo to drive on the highway, what a stupid excuse.
I had the same situation: Coming from a 2008 Honda CR-V with 300,000 on it, I needed something safe, comfortable, reliable and with enough power to tow a 5.5metre boat over serious distances.
The ‘24 Outback XT won hands down, against about 12 different makes, and 25 different models, all latest.
Practicality, entry and exit for occupants, vented seats, comfort, and the Turbo bought this car for us!
Just got a 2022 Onyx Edition and have put about 14K miles on it on road trips to Colorado, New Mexico, Mississippi and all over central Texas cause I'm based in Austin. I love the car. it's super nimble at low speeds, the AWD works great on snow and ice, it gets up and GOES when I want it to.
If you can spare the money get the XT. These cars are going to be more and more rare and it won't lose its value.
@longhornz30 I did NOT and it was a mistake. The car did really well, but I did get some slip still under hard acceleration and braking. If I do go to a snowy climate again, which I definitely will, I'll get snow tires and have them swapped on beforehand.
I ended up going for a used 2012 3.6R Outback with a regular automatic transmission instead of the CVT. I'm happy with it and the pull off the line, especially in S# mode just makes you smile every time.
My 2014 3.6R 5EAT doesn`t have a S# knob.... weird. Are you in north america?
@@zeldamaniac3188 New Zealand, JDM import. Mine doesn't have the knob in the middle older models had, it's on the steering wheel instead.
I test drove both and ended up with the non XT model, the engine in the XT is amazing, but the pairing with the CVT was awful, at low speed the CVT kept hunting for gears and felt relentless, the pairing between the non turbo engine and the CVT is definitely a lot smoother. having said that, what the Outback needs is an 8 speed automatic, it will truly transform the car into perfection.
CVT has no gears.
Ahahahaha let me the gear "hunting" in the CVT is how it works, it's literally to optimize the powrband. An auto is always a better choice but that would require a huge increase in money, Subaru essentially ended their traditional automatic transmission research and production in the early 2010s. Perhaps they've programmed the newer ones differently, but my 2014 XV seems to be pretty flawless with its power delivery. Albeit my friends 2019 Impreza 2.0i is even more impressive. Hopefully they continue to improve.
I upgraded to a 2019 3.6R limited, from a 2017 3.6R limited. This is my 3rd Subaru. The 2019 was much quieter that the 2017. Love the extra power when needed. IMO the 8" HUD display is the perfect balance. I like the tactile feel of knobs and buttons. The city MPG is 18ish. Highway, a little better that 25 MPG. Not a fan of DFI. No issues yet, but another needles periodic expense. Biggest bummer about the car, is no full size spare. If Subaru wanted to save weight, they should have left the space for a full sized spare, and thrown in a can of "fix a flat". Left the full size spare as an option.
This will most likely be my last Subaru, I detest the 11" touch screen. Reaching for a button or knob is much safer that using a touch screen. Gas mileage vs turbo reliability. Reliability hands down!
I have 2020 XT with 11” screen and agree there is certainly a tactile difference between pressing a button vs screen icon but no safety difference. Example, reaching out to press temperature up/down buttons or press fan speed icon is identical physical operation. The icons could certainly be arranged better as could some of the existing buttons.
Awesome video! I picked up a 2020 Limited XT about a month ago, and love it. The power is enough for me, especially on the highway while passing. I was coming from a 2015 Legacy with the 2.5 engine. I knew I wanted the extra power, so I didn’t even consider getting the 2.5 on the Outback.
I got a 22 Outback XT, but came from a Volvo V70 2.5T (overseas) and really wanted another turbo wagon. I live in Colorado and visit the mountains frequently so a naturally aspirated engine was a no go (the 2.5 makes more like 150 hp and takes around 10 seconds to accelerate due to the altitude making it dangerous). I also wanted the added capability all of that torques provides in slippery conditions. Absolutely love it and blown away by the traction with winter tires. The crazy thing is that the car is so refined and quiet that you don’t realize how fast it is. 😆
💯. Our 24 Limited XT is so smooth. Feels like you're doing. 20 mph when you're actually doing 60.
I test drove a2.5XT and a 3.6R before settling for the 3.6 as the lag off the line was noticeable on the turbo. I am really happy with my decision
It's cool that you had choices.
Old 06” 2.5XT Forester was around 7seconds with Automatic.
For a 2.4 Outback XT is impressive with 5.8 seconds.
One of the nicest reviews on Outbacks out there.
My wife drives a 2017 touring 3.6r and about to turn it over to an adult kid and replace with a 2023 touring XT. The 3.6 is very smooth and quiet…to me like a Buick! Only 30k miles on the 2017 but looking forward to the new Turbo and the many little upgrades. I drive a 2014 BMW 328 AWD sportwagon and although it’s more fun to drive, the Subaru is much more practical and feels safer. A lot bigger all around. In 2017, my wife test drove both engines and thought the 2.5 was “buzzy” and that the 3.6r was “luxurious.”
We looked at an XT for 2 years then just decided to get the regular 2.5 because it's a great, peppy engine but it's not worth the $10k price difference you have to pay. It's simply just not worth it. We love our Outback and I'm glad we didn't spring for the XT. I could not in good conscience pay $10k more just to waste more gas.
Same here. I'd love a little more power but 10K is ridiculous.
Really depends on where people live, there are quite a few people who have to fight between crazy highway traffic, the XT/3.6r give confidence not only during winter time, but also there.
i am sold on the xt after watching this.
Thanks for the comparison , it was exactly what I was looking for. I've been idly cross shopping the 3.6 and XT trims. Coming from a manual 2.5L Subaru, I think I'd need the power to make up for the lack of fun of the transmission. Because of the shortage prices are insane, so I'll probably hold on to my old subaru for a while. The model trims in Canada must be different as the Touring is the second lower trim.
Very refreshing to see someone correctly blaming prices on shortages rather than nonsensically blaming “the pandemic”
I had a 2013 Outback Limited with the 2.5. Then a 2016 Legacy Limited with the 3.6. Now I have an 2022 Outback Limited XT. That turbo is one beautiful engine. I really notice the power when driving on 2 lane secondary roads with few places to pass so when I want to pass another vehicle I hit the gas hard, the turbo kicks in and I go from 80 km/hr up to 130 in no time. My old Legacy 3.6 drove well too but I find the XT seems to be a smoother ride. I like my Subaru!
We have the 3.6 and really like it.
I had the 3.6R V6... Loved it! Then got the 4Cyl Turbo. I hated it from the beginning because where I live, we have roundabouts everywhere. It would lag when you're entering and people are speeding around... then by the time the turbo hits you're speeding into a crosswalk. It made no sense. Then, we took the turbo to CA and back and it was a different experience. If you're going touring around the country with two 6 year olds... I recommend an Outback for comfort and driving performance. You nailed this in depth review. Key word *Passing. When she hits the car hauls ass. As far as the roundabouts... Just a little different experience and you learn how to manage that turbo so you don't boost into crosswalks. So, I finally returned that 2021 4cyl. and was in a position to buy. Having two 7 year olds now, I bought a 2022 Ascent. Never driven or been in one. I knew it had the engine, the Subaru quality and finish... and it was a blacked out Onyx. I ordered it from Glenwood Springs Subaru. OTD $40k (No moonroof) ... no dealer markup. Got it in 2 months and I couldn't be more stoked. It's just perfect and has captains chairs instead of the bench. Driving it is practically identical and there's more room. Does not feel like a crossover. Anyhow, I was always curious about the performance differences in these models. Thanks for the articulate and thorough review! I'm subscribing. Oh, I forgot to mention... when I left the dealership with my new Ascent for 40K, there was a used 2021 Touring Ascent with low miles for $48K! I was shaking my head. I just felt like I had made the right choice for once in my life. We'll see! Cheers!
The comments here have a lot more love for the 3.6 than I was anticipating, it was definitely a more entertaining engine. Really wish they paired it up with a nice 6, 7 or 8 speed auto in this generation. That would have been a real treat. The used prices have all gotten insane due to the lack of new cars and Carvana/Vroom/etc. paying obscene amounts at auctions for these cars. It makes all of the dealers have to step up too if they want things to sell. It's really unfortunate. The subaru dealer i made this with sells new Subarus without markups but has to sell used ones over msrp because they can't get them as cheap as they get the new ones for (Subaru is basically a wholesale manufacturer to them)
I cannot thank you enough for the comparison of the Outback Limited and Outback Touring XT. Currently I'm driving a 2017 Outback Premium, and looking to trade next spring. The Subaru Outback Touring XT (Green!) is the one for me. Again, I appreciate the review!
If you look at the Limited trim with a few options - And then look at the Limited XT trim price, you’ll find you can get the options you wanted in the Limited trim but also get the XT engine for nearly the same money.
I purchased my Outback Onyx XT in March of 2020, the power of the 2.4 and increased towing capacity were factors in my decision. I had looked at the previous generation 3.6, but its fuel consumption had me concerned, I have driven the the 2.5 a couple of times when my unit was in for service and it just reinforced my choice of the 2.4. The added horsepower and torque add to the driving experience for me. Six months ago we moved to eastern Tennessee and I really can't complain how the Outback works in the mountainous roads here.
We have a '21 Onyx XT. We moved up from a Crosstrek, which had "adequate" power, as long as it was just you and maybe one other person in the car. But load it up with camping gear and hit the highway, encounter some long uphill grades-- forget even keeping up with traffic, let alone passing anyone. For this reason I set my sights on the turbo when we were moving to the Outback. Really happy with it.
Two downsides: 1) we get nowhere near the EPA mileage (and I've never struggled so hard to meet or beat the EPA numbers in anything else). Maybe if you are cruising down flat country highways at 55mph all day. 2) not a fan of the huge screen / lack of physical controls. I prefer hard controls in general but the seat heater control is absolutely infuriating, there is an icon on the home screen that looks exactly like a seat heater button, but you press it and it opens up ANOTHER menu, with another icon that looks exactly the same and that's the one that will actually let you turn the seat heater on / adjust it. Why is there an extra layer?? Additionally, big ol screen, but Android Auto is very cramped and does not make good use of all that real estate. Both Google and Subaru point the finger at each other, and since it doesn't hurt either of them in the long run, I'm sure it will never get upgraded for my model year.
First off, you do awesome videos! Detailed specs and impressions with a little humor thrown in.
I currently drive a 2016 3.6 Limited with 80K. It's been great needing only tires, brakes and a new battery. (I think of the Outback as the SAAB 900 Turbo of the 2000's. Great performance with great versatility.) However I'm ready for a technology bump and since I'm not wanting go backwards on performance I've ordered a 2023 XT. Having driven lots of turbos over the years I believe I'll be able to enjoy the XT/CVT combo.
I drive a 2019 3.6 touring and your cannot floor it off the line for the best acceleration. You have to give it just a little bit of gas to make the CVT gear ratios shorter, otherwise they will stretch all the way to 50 mph in first “gear” if you just tap the gas and roll into it slowly it will do 0-60 in 6 seconds and the quarter in the 14’s. The 3.6 also pulls way harder from 100 mph and will go to its limiter at 140 with ease. Would definitely hit 150 with a proper automatic transmission. As some 3.0l Outbacks have in the past.
I'm doubtful from my experience with Subarus but I will try it sometime when I get the chance! This run was pretty close to what other outlets got so I won't get too optimistic
@@Realistick trust me, if you launch it just right, it’ll hit redline at 30 mph and take off from there. Its no slouch.
We bought a 21 Outback Onyx XT. We took it to Moab, UT trip shortly after buying it, I just couldn't see us with 4 people, rooftop box loaded with gear, and full hatch in mountainous terrain with only a 182 hp less than my Hybrid Sonata sedan. Also, the Onxy XT was only trim at the time that came with a Full Size spare tire, and love the seat material.
I love my 3.6 plus I got the best color combo with Navy blue over orange brown leather
Thank you for the One Punch reference
You asked, and YES.... I'm so into the 2023 XT - I would prefer the extra power vs. the few miles per gallon I would save overall. I can't wait to sit in those seats - sounds like butter. I'm coming from a 2020 Toyota Camry who's seats have awful seats....
I just bought a 2022 Outback with the 2.5 , I bought it to haul groceries and my dogs . Don’t car how fast it is , if I want to go fast I drive my C6 corvette convertible
When Edward Snowden gives vehicle reviews.. people watch ! Personally I love the Wilderness and Onyx edition aesthetics ... but REALLY love the (projected increase in) longevity and reduced maintenance costs of the 2.5 over the 2.4 Turbo. I wish the Wilderness came in a 2.5 option - this would be a no brainer for me. I'm seriously looking at the 2023 Onyx/2.5 options right now.
Just put in an order for the 2023 Onyx with the 2.5. 8-10 week estimated delivery time.
Just bought an Outback Limited 2023 with 2.5 natural… enough power for everyday normal use.
Had a 2014 outback with the 3.6. It ran great and had enough power but was a major pain to replace any of the lights on the front, took 7 quarts of oil every oil change and like mentioned in the video wasn't a comfortable car to sit in. I am glad I was in it when I wrecked it though because my other cars probably would have killed me.
I've had a 2014 Outback 2.5, a 2016 Outback 3.6, and now a 2018 Outback 3.6 (I generally don't use the "R" in the name since the "R" in 3.6R just means "Liters" as the Japanese word for liters begins with R, at least that's what my research revealed).
Something not mentioned here is the Direct Injection the newer engines use and how dirty the valves can get in a short amount of time. Toyota fixed this by adding a port injector that switches on at certain times, but the new Subaru engines have no fuel and detergents flowing over the intake valves to keep the deposits down. The WRX crowd is a good place to look for information related to this, like walnut shell blasting as they are much more sensitive to engine performance than the Outback or Forester owners.
Regarding the comments about driving comfort and body roll; one of the most transformational changes that makes the Outback (and pre-2019 Forester) drive 1,000% better is adding a 19mm rear sway bar. It still rides fantastic, but there is almost no body roll in corners. I discovered this on my 2016 and when I ordered my 2018 I had the new sway bar sitting in my office months before I even had the car (I wanted to get the last of the naturally aspirated 6 cylinders). There are even some dealerships online that sell kits with the correct size bushings along with the sway bar. It's definitely worth $100 to try it out.
Back to the subject of this video; another thing I noticed in my 2018 versus 2016 was that it feels as though they detuned the engine to make it more manageable at lower speeds. My 2016 used to go like a rocket as soon as I let off the brake (without touching the accelerator) and it just seemed to pull hard all the time (don't get me started on how screwed up they made the suspension in the 2018 to make it ride softer). It would be interesting to see a comparison of these 2 years just to validate whether Subaru was messing with the engine programming on the newer car (but it still sounds so great idling through the neighborhood in the morning when it's nice and quiet).
One final comment; the fake shifting definitely slows down these cars. My 2014 properly held the RPM in the torque band while accelerating at full throttle, but whining customers made Subaru add those fake shifts. So I have found that if I keep the RPM at around 3,000 while accelerating there are no fake shifts and if nothing else it feels like the car is accelerating faster. It's also interesting that under most circumstances (because of the way the CVT determines the drive ratio), pressing the accelerator more than you need momentarily then letting up slightly will actually accelerate the vehicle faster (and use less gas, I presume, because of the lower engine speed) than just leaving your foot down.
Thanks for the great review/comparison. I hope this channel gets more recognition soon!
Thanks, you and me both!
Most Outback owners prefer fuel economy over performance. I’m a car enthusiast. I ride sport motorcycles and love a day in the canyon. My 2.4NA Outback doesn’t provide thrills, but it does provide class leading comfort, sure-footedness with unbelievable fuel economy for it’s size and drivetrain. The car is brilliant.
I get closed to 40mpg in my outback in the summer driving at 55-60 miles per hour, which is all the driving I do. Super comfortable, can put a ton of stuff in them. I will always have an outback
I bought a wilderness edition and it's lower gear ratio gives it really good jump off the line and a more consistent power band. I like it a lot.
Just bought a 3.6 without knowing much about Subaru, so far I’m loving it, the car feels fast and responsive, but that turbo is as quick (on paper) as my 5.8 hemi charger. That’s insane
Subarus made their name as ski cars and they have not strayed far. My first Subaru was an 88 GL wagon which served me well. Now I have a 2018 outback 3.6r. Great mountain and foul weather vehicles!
I rented a Outback 3.6R, 2019 model on a family trip. I then went searching for a used one. Driving the 2019 back to back with a 2017 I found the 2017 quite a bit quicker and more responsive. Its not night and day but my sense is they tuned 2018-19 more for fuel economy. The 2018-19 was quieter and had a much better Screen and Android Auto/ Apple car play.
Love the 3.6R its one of the best performing and sounding engines I've had and nobody expects an Outback to move out like it does. if your more than 2 people with gear in an outback its pretty much a no brainer to go 3.6R.
I like the new model but I'm a Legacy wagon/ Levorg kinda guy so I own the Premier with low roof rails and less cladding which would be 3X better with a manual.... Until Subaru gets over its plastic cladding obcession and listens to its enthusiasts customers by bringing us a manual performance wagon I will hold onto my 2017 Outback or look elsewhere.
I'd love to see a manual Outback again too, but there's a better chance of getting stuck by lightning and a chicken truck at the same time than Subaru bringing that kind of beast back, at least in the us ;(
They should have NEVER gotten rid of the boxer 6cyl. It was a great engine and pairing for this vehicle. Plus, it sounded fantastic.
I have a 2018 Outback 3.6R Touring and it will be my last Subaru since they dropped the 3.6R. I do a lot of long-distance driving and my Outback is a near perfect car re: performance. It’s unfortunate how a poor economy is impacting car buyers.
I had a 12 3.6 Outback & now have a 21 Outback XT. The turbo 4 is way faster, deceptively fast at passing on Hwy & going up steep mtns. I’ve often bet people are like man that Subaru is quick
Thank you for this comparison. I have been curious about the older 3.6R vs the new XT. We recently purchased a ‘22 Limited XT and after a 3 month wait, it finally arrived. Due to the limited availability, we weren’t able to test drive the turbo engine before ordering our new Outback - nobody within CA, OR, or NV had one in stock. So I was basically going off of Subaru’s reputation and my husband assurance that a turbo engine would be almost as good as a V6 (which is what I really wanted, but it’s nearly impossible to find right now for a reasonable / comparable price). As awesome as the Wilderness trim looks, I’m glad I went with the Limited. The Wilderness has almost a full inch more of ground clearance, which changes the suspension, and living in the mountainous windy roads of Yosemite, I definitely feel the difference in handling. The Limited also has more sound proofing in the cabin, which I am a huge fan of. 😃 Overall, I’m glad I listened to my husband when he assured me I would be happy with a 4 cylinder turbo engine and I appreciate that I can get almost the same power as a V6 without sacrificing fuel efficiency, especially with gas prices skyrocketing in CA (more than $6 per gallon right now). I like this car more than I thought I would! Thanks again for this informative video. ☺️
Bout to place an order for a 22 onyx xt edition, they qutoed me 6-8 weeks currently (i'm also in CA). I was curious what time frame they quoted you for the 3 month wait you had? Thanx :)
I have a 2020 XT Limited. Speak of mileage, what's your number? The best I got is about 24MPG, which is achieved by driving all the way from Seattle to Vancouver, maintaining a speed around 70 to 75 on the highway. In the city, I can only get 18 to 19.
@@snowball6223 24ish city, 28 hiway. 2020 XT Limited. Best riding car I've ever had.
Good for you. Personally I’m considering Subaru because of the standard AWD. I figure what’s the point of going fast if the car can’t handle it. I also like that I can reach the roof rack easier because the car is not as tall, so I might actually use it.
I purchased a 2022 Limited non-turbo for gas mileage for commuting. It was more important to me to get the Harmon-Kardon premium sound system than buying an Onyx XT or Wilderness edition !!!
Sound was the only disappointment with my wilderness
Thank you, I know this is an older review but I found it extremely helpful.
Own a 2011 3.6r with 5 speed automatic transmission, before the cvt. 185,000 km on it. I love that car, burns a litre of oil between oil changes, but that's ok. They apparently all did. A little highway noisy, and very uncomfortable seats especially on a trip over 2 hours....purchased and also now own a 2022 Wilderness.......welcome to comfort!!!!..when I get back into the 2011, I immediately notice how old that car feels. The Wilderness feels so nice.....I'm afraid to drive it! 😆
185,000 KM? My 2011 3.6R has 306,XXX KM and has only needed wheel bearings and a parking brake module (recall)! And routine maintenance like tires, brakes and oil obviously.
Outback wilderness here. The 2.5 was anemic to me. If I’m spending that much money anyway, I’ll spend a few k more to get a car that is definitely not anemic. No buyers remorse to date at all. Very happy with the car.
We’d LOVE for Subaru to bring back the 3.6 , 6cyl.
A naturally aspirated engine will Always last longer than any turbo.
We Love my wife’s Gutless 2.5 Outback, but again it IS GUTLESS and the CVT robs the engine of power and fuel economy.
We Love my Rav 4WD Limited with the 269 hp 3.5 V6.
Now that I’ve retired I drive only 5-6K miles a year, so we’re thinking about replacing my Rav with an Outback Touring XT.
I get 25mpg on my Rav on the freeway with the cruise set on 75mph.
Our Outback only gets 28-29mpg on the freeway, so I’m quite sure that the turbo will only get about 20-22 mpg on the freeway.
Perhaps I’ll buy a Lexus NX hybrid instead.
I love my 3.6 It cruises at 80 on hilly interstates with the AC on at 1700 rpm.
I also have an Ascent that's been much less reliable with wobbling hood failing tailgate and much poorer fit and finish compared to my 18 3.6
I’ve got a 2001 Subaru 2.5rs with the 5 speed and well let’s just say getting to 60 is a chore...advertised with right around 160hp but with age and mileage I doubt it’s still up there. Great video!
I’ve owned 3 Subarus. I currently drive 100 miles a day straight, level highway. I love the Outbacks because I have a very nice road vehicle, awesome in the snow, (I’m in the snowbelt), and I can take it mild off-roading.
I go back and forth bw MPG and fun quickness.
I also love the amazing safety ratings.
Seriously thinking about making my 4 the XT limited
I’ve been following your channel. I just got a Touring XT yesterday. Traded in my 2016 Limited. Absolutely love the XT touring.
Having just bought a 2024 Limited XT...it brings continued smiles. With some manual shifting via the steering wheel flappy-paddle shifters..you can get beyond the CVT bog. I can get consistent 0-60 in 5.5's and if I run premium. I think Subie dials back some boost if it senses some knock. Premium fuel prevents knock and allows a little more boost. With a few tweeks and some tuning, I think a 5 flat or even a sub-5 is waiting.
I got my 2022 limited xt with it's turbo engine and it rides smoothly. Compared to my previous 2019 where turbo was not available at the time it's take off is a lot faster although I'm not one of those that likes to use the pedal to metal. The big difference is in gas consumption. I only have mine for two and half months now and I have only been able to barely make it to 22 miles per gallon on an average tank. The regular engines gives a much better mileage all around. If I had the opportunity again to choose, I would go with the regular engine since I don't need that extra torque and I drive mostly in the city where 100% is flat pavement. Haven't tried the 0-60 yet since gas is still quite high.
As someone who owns 2 v8’s and drives my parents 2.5 outback’s the hp is fine, they make more than one of my v8 powered cars but my main gripe has always been the lack of torque. 175-180 hp is enough but the Outback is just a bit too heavy for the torque the 2.5’s make. Especially in the mountains. In the city the 2.5 is great. But if you do a lot of mountain or highway driving the 2.4 and 3.6 would be seriously worth considering, especially the 2.4 although I’m still leaning to the 3.6 cause I’m a bit old school.
Mountain driving, go turbo. My XT is smooth and civilized.. when I'm not pushing it like a mad man. I had a 3.6 loaner (a few years ago) and the fuel economy gap between the 3.6 and the XT is pretty obivous.
I got a 3.6, over 180k miles problem free
Does turbo use premium fuel?
@@717dash_cam my 3.6 is horrendous on fuel. I average 19-20 combined generally. The 3.6 can take regular which is a plus, but definitely runs better and gets slightly better mpg on 93
@@leslielucci3182 Current generation 2.4XT no.
I just bought an Ioniq 5, the car that got rid of is a 2016 3.6 Limited. It had 66,000 miles on it. Honestly the car was excellent. When I bought it I test drove the base 4, and my impression of it was that it was embarrassing slow getting up to speed when merging with highway traffic. The important thing that I have to say was that I sold it to Carvana and got $20,829…. Which I considered a very good offer. The dealers gave embarrassing offers. To me the 6cyl., was solid and the cvt did a great job. If Subaru made an electric that was competitive (and the wheels were not falling off, I would buy one). But they are coming to the dance late and the charging is slow. The battery is too small.
Starting for 2023, the Onyx will be available with the 2.5. Subarus CVT does not like to be floored from 0, nor does it like doing the brakestand start. I picked up a 22 Legacy XT Limited that JUST happened to be in transit and delivered in a few days back in October and he's definitely quick. Subarus CVT has liked medium throttle from a stop then you can floor it after you're rolling. It just bogs when you floor it from 0.
I owned the 3.6 Outback, the engine and transmission worked great together. The only reason I sold it was that it had an engine oil burning problem. So bad that I had to sell it! It became I known issue with the 3.6 engine. Love the XT!
I'm in Texas but I run mobil or Castrol 0w-40 and it greatly reduced my oil consumption after replacing my PCV valve (with an OEM part). Zero issues starting at 15F on cold nights.
Almost all subies burn oil. Loose rings, and possibly ring lands deteriorate( they use cast pistons )
I just picked up my Touring XT a week ago. I was absolutely amazed at how fast it is. I'd only been able to drive the non-turbo in test drives. I wanted the Turbo because I visit Colorado every year, and naturally aspirated at elevation is not fun. I live in the Midwest and am anxious to see if the AWD is a good as I've read.
BTW: waited 10 weeks exactly from order to pickup.
Nice video
The AWD is great, the best in the automotive world. I'm on my 4th Outback... lived in the country in the Midwest, 1/2 mile from the nearest plowed road. Found out in 2015, had to get to work as essential management personnel, that Outback will go through 11 inches unplowed snow.
Thank you, congrats on the outback!
This is great information. I'm like you, Where I drive, I need to spool up quickly. I expect it the waiting time is even longer for a Legacy XT.
Only complaint I have on my 1 year old Onyx is the junk factory tires. Ppl are reporting needing replacements at 15k. I made it to 13.
EnduraMax's DOUBLED the ride quality and are amazing in the snow (3 peak rated).
You can thank me later.
I live in CO at 8000'. My outback and Toyota are both naturally aspirated. It's not a big deal. 🙄
I'm on my 7th Subaru now (normaly turbo models), now I own a 2015 3.6R, Outback it's a great car, plenty of pace and space, it sounds good and has an awesome 12 speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Nicest car I've had.
I noticed that the Subaru you have is the Cinnamon Brown Pearl. That’s the color my wife chose with the Ivory leather interior.
We both really like the Crimson Red but it only comes with 1990 Death Black interior color, so when she saw the brown with the contrasting Ivory interior, she fell in love with it, so that’s what I bought for her. I’ve also had it pin striped in tan / gold metallic. It really looks nice now.
Hey, I watched a lot of reviews (probably hours worth - ha) before I got my Outback and the comment at 5:20 was the most important comment ever! After that, who would be satisfied with the 2.5 (besides those who only drive six miles a week to play bingo at the community center)? So, yeah, there's an XT in my garage and I love it - still nerdy but with an on-demand, very respectable attitude. Thank you for your reviews. Only suggestion: work out a slightly better front-facing, road view (the a-pillar is annoying when travelling in a sweeping left hander) and your videos will go from 98% to 100%. THANK YOU!!!
Actually, in a "drag race", the 3.6 will in fact pull away from the 2.4 turbo from midrange to top-end speeds. This has been proven in several tests. One thing, is that the 2.4 Turbo is a slightly heavier car than the 3.6 was. Unfortunately it's gone now and Toyota and Mazda offer far better powerplants, than Subaru, so Subaru is much more conservative. I'm looking forward to the new BRAT, or small pickup to be released in 2025, that I believe will be a gas/electric, with the heavy duty CVT..
I know the XT can run on 87 unleaded. My question is if you put in a super unleaded, will the computer calibrate to make more horsepower? I just found a 2023 touring XT fully loaded today. I pick it up next week. I wouldn't mind having a new brat instead, but I guess we have to wait.
So, care to cite the “several tests” and source material you’re referring to? Because everything I’ve seen, most notably, in a Car and Driver comparison of each respective vehicle’s 1/4 mile, 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph top gear testing, the XT bested the 3.6r in every category. In fact it was a FULL second faster in the 1/4 mile with a higher recorded trap speed..😮
2022 ONYX XT owner and lover! Was the wife's idea. I fought it. Now glad that she was persistent.
Great review to compare the XT (2.4L turbo) not only to the weaker 2.5L, but also the previous generation 3.6R 6-cylinder. As well, I appreciate hearing about how quiet this modern version is and how nice the interior is (seats), though you could have mentioned the excellent sounding Harmon Kardon 12-speaker system. And... that the 2.4L reaches its maximum torque near 2000 RPM and all the way up to near 4800, whereas the old 3.6R engine only reached peak torque after approx. 4000 RPM; so quite a beneficial improvement when needed.
I went from a 2012 Outback Limited 2.5 to a 2020 Outback Limited XT. My first two (1999, 2005) had a manual transmission: slow. My 2012 with CVT: sloooow. I love everything about the XT, except the infotainment (at times) and the correlated lack of cabin storage. My wife got a lightly used superlow mileage 2016 Legacy 3.6R. Nice, but as CR said, "touchy throttle". For me the XT is the clear winner here.
That infotainment center is annoying. Older cars you could poke at the console without taking your eyes off the road. With the infotainment you need to look at the damn thing to use basic features like the improved hill hold, heated seats, even setting the AC to single/dual.
Everything is a trade-off. I own a 2022 Limited XT. I formerly owned a Toyota and certainly would have preferred a RAV4 Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid for reasons of reliability, economy, dependability, however, being 6'3", I just could not get comfortable in the RAV4. The driver's seats in the Outback Limited and Touring are great because of the bolstering AND the THIGH EXTENDER [something the Highlander used to have but dropped in the current generation]. The outward visibility in the Outback is very good. What sucks is the city/suburbs gas mileage. Feathering the gas peddle/using cruise/slow acceleration and coasting before braking - it doesn't matter. I cannot get over 18.5 mpg [15 if just city]. Matt Maran achieved the same mpg. Everyone I meet with an XT reports the same complaint. The exception for me was an ALL highway summer trip alone, 65 mph with AC on. I got 30.1mpg. If one: (i) can give-up the the quieter, insulated, acoustic front side windows, (ii) doesn't mind giving up the thigh extender for long legs, (iii) doesn't need leather seats and can accept the substituted vinyl seats; and, (iv) does a mixture of suburbs/highway driving [not just highway], I would recommend the Wilderness. The more aggressive final drive ration gets you better city mpg in the real world [regardless of what is posted] and the car accelerates quicker. Also the ride is softer on bad roads / potholes. In the Magnetite Gray color, it still looks good.
I'm 6'2" and really wanted the RAV4 hybrid or plug in... But also found it uncomfortable for me, and not a lot of rear seat room for road trips. I'm very interested in this Outback Touring, love the acceleration of the turbo, but not the price, fuel economy, nor my impression of long term reliability with turbo motors... So, might stick with the 2.5, but Holding out to see if they add a Toyota hybrid system to the outback in a couple years. Excited to hear that you're very comfortable in this car, though! That's my main goal.
Interesting! It makes sense that city gas mileage might struggle but it's really all about keeping out of boost and location. My girlfriend manages to make a 4 cylinder rav4 get 15 mpg and I could only get 16 or so in my old mitsubishi outlander in Bloomington as well because half of the time the car was driving, the engine wasn't to operating temperature. Those city ratings assume the car is warmed up but for most sub 10 mile journeys, the car won't be fully warmed up for a solid portion of it, causing much worse mileage. I've never been able to hit the city mileage ratings in any car here outside of hybrids.
@@Realistick excellent point about operating temperature on short trips. i never thought about that.
Wilderness has a "shorter" final drive ratio and EPA highway MPG is down by 4 as a result. But I would not expect the city MPG to actually _improve_ so that would be surprising.
I find the vinyl or leather seat only a con of the xt as I prefer cloth seats and the fb 25 doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over the 1997 ej25d as I own a first gen.
I have a Forester XT. It’s quick af. Leather seats, pano sunroof, front hood lift, and so on. Its nice.
Before the Outback became a crossover/SUV that it is now. They were actually known for being quick. The 2005-2009 turbo models were running 0-60 mph in under 6s.
I run 5.5 consistently in my 07
Buick Grand National 3.8 with a Turbo. An animal with great mpg.
The 2.5 NA Boxers sells the most because it offers just the right amount of power for everything the Outback was made to do and yes power is average at best but it makes it up by returning over 30mpg! And great fuel economy is what most people care about especially when you consider a gallon of gas going for $6…..so yea it don’t take a genius to see why the 2.5 boxer is the top seller….I didn’t think I would like it very much but I fell in love with it, i actually got 0-60mph in 8.6-8.9 seconds and that’s with a full tank of gas and BFG all terrain tires and with some cargo in the rear.
I've owned a 2020 touring 2.5, a 2021 onyx 2.4, and now a 2022 wilderness 2.4 my favorite is the wilderness. The lower geared rear end really does change everything off the line. We also have a 2019 ascent. The turbos have been fabulous. Our ascent has 90k and the wilderness 35k. Of the 4 subes only 2 issues. The ascent needed a catalytic converter which sube did for free and the auto closer in the winderness hatch went out.
I just wonder what that turbo is going to do to the longevity of the engine. That's why I still love the NA engines.
I actually bought the 2020 model XT because of the turbo and at the time there were a lot of rumors of the 2.4 motor being in the upcoming sti and wrx. While only half of that came true I'm still excited about it and I use it quite often for car meets and scaring people on car cruises that I can keep up with all these sports cars and track cars
Subaru is trying to have its cake and eat it too. Subaru USA went 100% AWD around 1994. In theory, a parasite on speed/peppy performance. My bottom line is that if Subaru USA is going to sink or swim with the H4, they should've left the manual transmission as an option (gone after 2010). Folks w/point out how few manual Outbacks were actually sold, but fine. At least the buyer/owner who wants to get the most out of the 2.5L could do so with a stick. I can't comment on the H6 as I've never driven one nor do I care to own one. A turbo/stick Outback (again) would be nice and helpful.
I think society is changing away from needing high performance engines. More folks are concerned with adequate power to get to their outdoors events safely while packing plenty of gear. I have 24,000 miles on my 22 Forester Touring and still love everything about it and I'm from old school racing machines. Give me comfort, safety, decent Mpg and plenty of glass so I can view nature and I'm a happy camper!
I have a 2022 Subaru Legacy XT Touring sedan that I ordered. I haven’t really had to mail it yet but I’m impressed with the 0-60 times you got!
That's a hard one to find! Thank you, I was quite impressed with all of these.
@@Realistick Yeah. Even the salesman said they were rare. I’ve seen a few on dealer lots, but never another one on the road in the XT touring trim. I ordered it last July and it came in in October. Great review comparing the engine types. 😊
@@train5402 hell yea man I got a 22 legacy also it was the only one in the lot back in February when I bought it
@@BobbyB910 Congratulations! I really like the car. Very comfortable but I’ve yet to see another one just like it on the road.
@@train5402 I have seen other legacy models but not another XT
Easy reason why 2.5 is better than 2.4T...price, mpg and maintenance! In the real world, the extra HP/TQ isn't doing anything for me except burn a hole in my pocket! You want fast, get a WRX!
Excellent report. The standard 2.5 is totally sufficient for normal highway driving including passing capability at 70 mph which is were I make my power choice decision. The XT is lovely but a waste of initial purchase cash, higher fuel costs and turbos frequently lead to higher repair costs.
Nice review, I get so sick of all the same spec reading/talking head reviews. Your depth and smart comments are welcome. We need more of that. The "press" magazine type reviews really need to hire better writers and editors especially.
I got the sibling car (Legacy) 2.5. Deciding factors for me were reliability and gas mileage. Would have bought a hybrid version if they had one. I drive a lot of miles and need something decent on gas.
Normally I'm a Toyota fan but my wife wanted a small SUV for a daily driver,instead of her Lexus SC430 coup with the big V8,that would also be able to transport kayaks. So back in early 2021 we bought a 2015 Outback Limited 2.5L with 86,000 miles on it. It's pretty nice and comfortable with decent gas mileage. My only gripe is the long term reliability. At 98,000 miles both rear wheel bearing hub assemblies had to be replaced - $1200. At 103,000 miles both front axles needed replacing - $1700. One week later the transmission imploded. Used trans + labor $3600. Of course it could just be bad luck but I have a 2006 Tundra with 112,000 miles on it and a 2008 Camry with almost 250,000 miles that have only cost me about $6000 in repairs combined. Hopefully the newer models will prove to be more reliable.
The first gen lineartronic transmissions definitely have proved to be unreliable! They did improve them by the end of the generation but they always had the pesky bearing/hub issues. Seen that in many of them!
My 2019 3.6R with SI-Drive in Sports Sharp mode clocks an average of 6.2 seconds to 100kph.
In 2019 I test drove the 3.6 & 2.5 Legacy... I bought the 2.5... few months ago, my stealership wanted me to trade up to a 22 OB XT... drove it, still have my 2.5 Legacy!
Want that v6 in my wrx with a turbo in a 6 speed manual.